Like a blazing fire fed with clarified butter, Drona,
possessed of Brahma might and uniting it with Kshatriya might, consumeth
every antagonist in battle. But (thy) Brahma force is greater in itself
than (Drona's) Brahma force united with Kshatriya might. Therefore, as I
am inferior (to Drona) in consequence of my possession of Kshatriya might
alone, I solicit the aid of thy Brahma force, having obtained thee so
superior to Drona in knowledge of Brahma. O Yaja, perform that sacrifice
by means of which I may obtain a son invincible in battle and capable of
slaying Drona. Ready am I to give thee ten thousand kine.' Hearing these
words of Drupada, Yaja said, 'So be it.' Yaja then began to recollect the
various ceremonies appertaining to the particular sacrifice. And knowing
the affair to be a very grave one, he asked the assistance of Upayaja who
coveted nothing. Then Yaja promised to perform the sacrifice for the
destruction of Drona. Then the great ascetic Upayaja spoke unto king
Drupada of everything required for the grand sacrifice (by aid of fire)
from which the king was to obtain offspring. And he said, 'O king, a child
shall be born unto thee, endued, as thou desirest, with great prowess,
great energy, and great strength.'
"The Brahmana continued, 'Then king Drupada, impelled by the desire of
obtaining a son who was to slay Drona, began, for the success of his wish,
to make the necessary preparations. (And when everything was complete)
Yaja, after having poured libations of clarified butter on the sacrificial
fire, commanded Drupada's queen, saying, 'Come hither, O queen, O daughter-
in-law of Prishata! A son and a daughter have arrived for thee!' Hearing
this, the queen said, 'O Brahmana, my mouth is yet filled with saffron and
other perfumed things.
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