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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समानयस्व सत्कृत्य सर्वदेशेषु मानवान्। मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यवादिनम्।।1.13.21।।
Meaning
"Bring them all here from every land, duly honored — and first of all, the valiant and truthful Janaka, king of Mithila."
तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृतम्। पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा तत: पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते।।1.13.22।।
Meaning
"Invite that estimable king personally and with due honor; I mention him first because of his long-standing bond with our king."
तथा काशीपतिं स्निग्धं सततं प्रियवादिनम्। सद्वृत्तं देवसंकाशं स्वयमेवऽनयस्व ह।।1.13.23।।
Meaning
"Likewise, personally invite the ever-affectionate and cordial king of Kashi, who is like a god in his conduct."
तथा केकयराजानं वृद्धं परमधार्मिकम्। श्वशुरं राजसिंहस्य सपुत्रं त्वमिहानय।।1.13.24।।
Meaning
"So too, bring here the elderly and most virtuous king of Kekaya, father-in-law of our lion-king, along with his sons."
अङ्गेश्वरं महाभागं रोमपादं सुसत्कृतम्। वयस्यं राजसिंहस्य समानय यशस्विनम्।।1.13.25।।
Meaning
"Bring the illustrious lord of Anga, Romapada, well honored — he who is our lion-king's friend."
तथा कोसलराजानं भानुमन्तं सुसत्कृतम्। मगधाधिपतिं शूरं सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम्।।1.13.26।।
Meaning
"Likewise the king of Kosala, Bhanumanta, and the valiant king of Magadha who is learned in all the scriptures."
प्राप्तिज्ञं परमोदारं सुसत्कृतं पुरुषर्षभम्। राज्ञश्शासनमादाय चोदयस्व नृपर्षभान्।।1.13.27।।
Meaning
"And Praptijna, the generous and best of kings, be well honored — and taking the king's orders, urge on the noblest of kings."
प्राचीनान्सिन्धुसौवीरान्सौराष्ट्रेयांश्च पार्थिवान्। दाक्षिणात्यान्नरेन्द्रांश्च समस्तानानयस्व ह।।1.13.28।।
Meaning
"Invite the kings of the eastern lands, of Sindhu and Sauvira, of Saurashtra, and all the kings of the southern regions."
सन्ति स्निग्धाश्च ये चान्ये राजान: पृथिवीतले। तानानय यथाक्षिप्रं सानुगान्सह बान्धवान्।।1.13.29।।
Meaning
"And whatever other friendly kings there may be on this earth, bring them too, without delay, with their followers and kin."
एतान्दूतैस्सहामात्यैरानयस्व नृपाज्ञया। वसिष्ठवाक्यं तच्छ्रुत्वा सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितस्तदा।।1.13.30।।
Meaning
"Bring them all through envoys and ministers, at the king's command." On hearing Vashishtha's words, Sumantra acted at once.