Sarga 13: The Sacrifice Begins
Yajna Arambha
Vasishtha organizes the vast logistics of the horse-sacrifice and summons kings from across the earth; on an auspicious day, Dasaratha and his queens enter the sacrificial ground as the rite formally begins.
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तथा पौरजनस्यापि कर्तव्या बहुविस्तरा:। आगतानां सुद्दूराच्च पार्थिवानां पृथक्पृथक्।।1.13.11।।
Meaning
"So too, spacious lodgings are to be built for the city's people, and separately for each of the kings arriving from distant lands."
वाजिवारणशालाश्च तथा शय्यागृहाणि च। भटानां महदावासं वैदेशिकनिवासिनाम्।।1.13.12।।
Meaning
"Stables for horses and elephants, resting quarters, and great billets are to be built for the soldiers of the foreign visitors."
आवासा बहुभक्ष्या वै सर्वकामैरुपस्थिता:। तथा पौरजनस्यापि जनस्य बहुशोभनम्।।1.13.13।।
Meaning
The lodgings were furnished with abundant food and every comfort, and grand provision was made for the city's people as well.
दातव्यमन्नं विधिवत्सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया। सर्वे वर्णा यथा पूजां प्राप्नुवन्ति सुसत्कृता:।।1.13.14।।
Meaning
"Food must be given respectfully and dutifully, never carelessly, so that people of every caste receive their due honor."
न चावज्ञा प्रयोक्तव्या कामक्रोधवशादपि। यज्ञकर्मसु ये व्यग्रा: पुरुषाश्शिल्पिनस्तथा।।1.13.15।।
Meaning
"No disrespect is to be shown to anyone, even under the sway of desire or anger — including those men and artisans absorbed in the ritual's works."
तेषामपि विशेषेण पूजा कार्या यथाक्रमम्। ये स्युस्सम्पूजितास्सर्वे वसुभिर्भोजनेन च।।1.13.16।।
Meaning
"They too deserve exceptional respect as is fitting; let all such workers be honored with funds and food."
यथा सर्वं सुविहितं न किञ्चित्परिहीयते। तथा भवन्त: कुर्वन्तु प्रीतियुक्तेन चेतसा।।1.13.17।।
Meaning
"See that everything is well arranged and nothing at all is neglected; administer it all in a spirit of goodwill." Thus spoke Vashishtha to the artisans.
ततस्सर्वे समागम्य वसिष्ठमिदमब्रुवन्। यथेष्टं तत्सुविहितं न किञ्चित्परिहीयते।।1.13.18।।
Meaning
Then all of them came together and replied to Vashishtha: "It shall be as you desire; nothing shall be neglected."
यथोक्तं तत्करिष्यामो न किञ्चित्परिहास्यते। ततस्सुमन्त्रमाहूय वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।1.13.19।।
Meaning
"We shall do exactly as ordered, and nothing shall be slighted." Then Vashishtha called for Sumantra and spoke these words.
निमन्त्रयस्व नृपतीन्पृथिव्यां ये च धार्मिका:। ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियान्वैश्याञ्छूद्रांश्चैव सहस्रश:।।1.13.20।।
Meaning
"Invite all the righteous kings of the earth, and thousands of people of every caste — brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras."