Q. Canto 1 Text 41 of chapter 9 purport: When the Rajasuya Yajna was performed by Maharaj Yudhisthira, Bhishmadev was present when first respect was offered to Lord Sri Krishna, and Sishupal was killed in that. But after the battle of Kurukshetra was over, Bhishmadev was lying on the bed of arrows. And in the purport, Srila Prabhupada writes that Bhishmadev was present in the Rajasuya yajna performed after the battle of Kuruksetra was over. I am not able to understand this. If you so desire, kindly clarify the position.
Answer by Romapada Swami: The Rajasuya sacrifice was performed much before the battle of Kurukshetra, not after the battle.
Not long after Maharaja Yudhisthira built the city of Indraprastha by the grace of Lord Krishna, and the beautiful assembly hall within it was constructed by Maya Danava, Yudhisthira desired to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice. With the help of Lord Krishna and his own brothers, he conquered Jarasandha and established himself as the world emperor, upon which he performed this wonderful yajna — Bhishmadev was present during this sacrifice. Duryodhana, who was also present at that time, was filled with envy seeing the opulence and influence of the Pandavas and subsequent to that contrived the dice game, usurped their kingdom, and sent the Pandavas into exile. This description can be found in Krsna Book, Ch 71-75.
After the battle also, Maharaja Yudhisthira performed three Asvamedha horse sacrifices as the emperor of the world with Lord Krishna presiding over — Srila Prabhupada is making reference to these sacrifices in the purport, but these are different from the Rajasuya sacrifice in which Sishupala was killed and Bhishma witnessed the agra-puja being offered to Krishna.
