The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 150

Vaisampayana said, 'Having cooked, according to due rites, the other excellent animals that were sacrificed, the priests then sacrificed, agreeably to the injunctions of the scriptures, that steed (which had wandered over the whole world). After cutting that horse into pieces, conformably to scriptural directions, they caused Draupadi of great intelligence, who was possessed of the three requisites ofmantras, things, and devotion, to sit near the divided animal. The Brahmanas then with cool minds, taking up the marrow of that steed, cooked it duly, O chief of Bharata's race. King Yudhishthira the just, with all his younger brothers, then smelled, agreeably to the scriptures, the smoke, capable of cleansing one from every sin, of the marrow that was thus cooked. The remaining limbs, O king, of that horse, were poured into the fire by the sixteen sacrificial priests possessed of great wisdom.

This is the way Vyasa described the offering of the horse. I just want to give the original reference so that  the way the Aswamedha has been done will become clear to us.

Now the story continues.

The Aswamedha  sacrifice continued with due formalities in the process exactly ordained by sastras. Ved Vyas helmed the event without compromise with the help of hundreds of Brahmins offering him support in every way.

Then the crucial part of the sacrifice offering of Pawan the horse that went round the earth under the protection of Arjun happened. The horse was tied up to the sacrificial pillar and killed and offered by Brahmins and Rishis . Along with that other animals also were offered on that occasion. The five brothers stood with folded hands praying to the Almighty. Panchali was made to sit near the parts of body of the horse Pawan.

Yajnaseni controlled her emotions and prayed for the horse with moisture in her eyes. She did not dare to look at Arjun who is standing just behind her.
Krishna stood behind Arjun giving him moral support. Arjun closed his eyes and prayed." Please help Pawan atleast in ascending Devine places. He is the one because of whom We Pandavas got the fruit of Aswamedha. Please take my merit also if any I achieved till now. Please grace Pawan with peace happiness and everything he deserves."

Granted Parth. You pray and I won't oblige? Anyway you need not worry. Pawan achieved everything on his own merit."Krishna whispered in a low voice. Arjun looked into his smiling eyes and found solace. His Madhav will never leave Pawan . He will grace him for sure. Arjun sighed with relief.

The sacrifice was done with great splendour. After King Marut no other King had done the sacrifice like Yudhishtir did. At the end Yudhishtir bowed before Ved Vyas and said." Venerable Sir! With your blessings We were able to complete this great sacrifice. Now I want to donate the whole earth conquered by my younger brother Arjun to you. I offer this with the approval of all my brothers."

Bheem,Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev said in one voice. " Please accept our Eldest's offering. We all submit ourselves before you."

Yudhishtir pleaded with Vyasa." Please accept the kingdom. We will retire to forest and lead our lives with peace. We have no interest in Royal pleasures."

Vyasa glanced at Krishna meaningfully. Krishna came forward and said in his ascertaining tone." Eldest! It is the duty of a Kshatriya to rule the earth. Rishi Vyas can not bear the burden of administration. I suggest you offer gold in place of your kingdom. Ved Vyas will accept that and distribute it as he wishes."

Vyasa donated one part of the gold he got from Yudhi to Brahmins till they all are satisfied. Another part was donated to Kshatriyas Vaisyas and Sudras. Another part is freely donated to every one around whoever came and visited the sacrificial place. The last part was given to Kunti by Vyasa as a token of his affection for her.

Kunti had tears in her eyes. She asked him why he is offering her a part of what he got .

Vyasa blessed her and said." Kunti I am proud of you.No one faced the troubles like you did.Your grit and determination in the face of adversity certainly makes you an ideal mother for generations to come. You offered Aryavarth an emperor like Yudhishtir, who will establish dharma on the earth. Your other sons are epitome of loyalty and devotion. Your Phalgun will get adored by future generations for his dedication,commitment, valour,nobility and goodness. Accept the gift I gave you and do whatever you want with it. "