"Aastika said, 'Soma, Varuna and Prajapati performed yagna in ancient time in Prayaaga. But your yagna, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear to us be blessed!
"Shakra (Lord Indra) performed a hundred yagnas. But this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit (Janamejaya), is fully equal to ten thousand yagnas of Shakra (Lord Indra). Let those dear to us be blessed!
"Like the yagna of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva, is the yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear to us be blessed!
"Like the yagna of Maayaa, of king Shashavindu, or of king Vaishravana, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this yagna of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the son of Dasaratha, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear to us be blessed!
"Like the yagna of king Yudhishthira, the son of a Deva and belonging to Ajamida race, heard of (even) in the heavens, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear to us be blessed!
"Like the yagna of Krishna (Dwaipayana also known as Maharishi Veda Vyasa), the son of Satyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this yagna of yours, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed!
"These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are here engaged in making your yagna, like to that of the slayer of Vritra (Lord Indra), are of splendour equal to that of the Sun. There now remains nothing for them to know, and gifts made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). It is my conviction that there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equal to your Ritwik, Dwaipayana (Maharishi Veda Vyasa). His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, capable for their duties, travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation (viz., Agni), also called Vibhaavasu and Chitrabhaanu, having gold for his vital seed and having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up with flames inclined to the right, bears these your libations of clarified butter to Devas.
"In this world of men there is no other monarch equal to you in the protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with your abstinence. Indeed, you are either Varuna, or Yama, the Dharmadeva. Like Shakra (Lord Indra) Himself, Vajra in hand, you are, in this world, the protector of all creatures. In this earth, there is no man so great as you and no monarch who is your equal in yagna.
"You are like Khatwanga, Nabhaga, and Dilipa. In skills, you are like Yayati and Mandhatri. In splendour equal to the Sun, and of excellent vows, you are O monarch, like Bhishma! Like Valmiki you are of energy concealed. Like Vasishtha, you have controlled your wrath. Like (Lord) Indra is your lordship. Your splendour also shines like that of (Lord) Narayana. Like Yama, you are familiar with the order of justice. You are like (Sri) Krishna adorned with every Dharma. You are the home of the good fortune that belongs to the Vasus. You are also the refuge of the yagnas. In strength, you are equal to Dambhodbhava. Like (Parasu) Rama, you are familiar with the scriptures and arms. In energy, you are equal to Aurva and Trita. You inspire terror by your looks like Bhagiratha.'
"Soota said, 'Aastika, having thus adored them, pleased them all, viz., the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the yagna Agni. King Janamejaya seeing the signs and indications manifested all around, addressed them as follows.'"
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