1876.1 



at Delhi three thousand years ago. 



379 



first, and the rest successively according to their respective ranks. The 

 law of precedence is strictly observed, and frequent disputes arise whenever 

 there is a departure. Within the last fifty years there have been at least 

 a dozen disputes in Calcutta alone about the claims of particular individuals 

 to this honour. At other than religious or quasi-religious ceremonials, the 

 sandal paste is replaced by otto-of-roses, and the garlands by bouquets. 

 The Muhammadans in India adopted the custom from the Hindus, and at 

 Darbars substituted prepared betel leaf (pan) for the nosegay. In this last 

 form the Governors- Generals and Viceroys of Her Britannic Majesty have 

 hitherto honoured their Indian guests. Yudhishthira, knowing well how 

 ticklish people were on the subject, declined to decide the question as regards 

 the king who should first be honoured, and sought the advice of his friends. 

 Bhishma was of opinion that Krishna was the most renowned among 

 the princes, and should first receive the mark of respect. Others also 

 sided with him ; and, the natural bearing of Yudhishthira being in favour 

 of his dearly-beloved and faithful cousin, the offering was presented to him. 

 The act, however, proved a veritable apple of discord. S'isupala, king 

 of Chedi, could not at all tolerate it, and denounced it as grossly 

 partial and unjust. In a long and eloquent speech he showed that Krishna 

 was not a king, as his father and elder brother were living, and there were 

 several potentates present who were infinitely his superior, and that on 

 an occasion like the Rajasiiya, the question of precedence was of vital 

 importance, and should not be hastily disposed off. Addressing the Panda- 

 vas and Bhishma, he said — 



" In the presence of the assembled host of kings, Krishna is by no 

 means entitled to this distinction. Through favour alone you have done 

 him the honour, and it is unworthy of you. You are, however, young, and 

 know nothing of what is becoming in such cases ; the duty in such cases is a 

 delicate one, while Bhishma (whose advice you have accepted) is narrow- 

 minded, and has long since lost his senses. Time-serving saints like you, 

 Bhishma, are detestable in the assembly of good men. Under what sem- 

 blance of reason have you presented the arghya to Krishna who is not a 

 king ? and with what face has he, in an assembly like this, accepted the 

 offering ? Should you think him to be senior by age, he cannot in the 

 presence of his father Vasudeva deserve the honour. It is true Krishna has 

 always been a well-wisher and follower of you, sons of Kuru, but it is 

 unbecoming of you to give him the precedence in the presence of (your 

 father-in-law) king Drupada. If you have done him honour under the 

 impression of his being an Acharya or expounder of the S'astras, you have 

 been equally wrong, for he cannot claim precedence where the venerable 

 professor Drona is present. Equally have you done wrong if you say 

 that you have selected him as a priest (Bitvig) of the highest distinc- 



