Sarga 8: Dasaratha Resolves to Perform the Horse-Sacrifice
Ashvamedha Sankalpa
Childless and longing for an heir, Dasaratha resolves on a horse-sacrifice, summons his priests and ministers to prepare it, and asks his queens to begin the ritual discipline.
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तस्य त्वेवं प्रभावस्य धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मन:। सुतार्थं तप्यमानस्य नासीद्वंशकरस्सुत:।।1.8.1।।
Meaning
Such a majestic, righteous and magnanimous king had no son to perpetuate his race, though he burned inwardly with longing for one.
चिन्तयानस्य तस्यैवं बुद्धिरासीन्महात्मन: । सुतार्थं हयमेधेन किमर्थं न यजाम्यहम्।।1.8.2।।
Meaning
While reflecting on the matter, a thought struck that great soul: "Why should I not perform a horse-sacrifice to obtain a son?"
स निश्चितां मतिं कृत्वा यष्टव्यमिति बुद्धिमान्। मन्त्रिभिस्सह धर्मात्मा सर्वैरेव कृतात्मभि:।।1.8.3।। ततोऽब्रवीदिदं राजा सुमन्त्रं मन्त्रिसत्तमम्। शीघ्रमानय मे सर्वान्गुरूंस्तान् सपुरोहितान्।।1.8.4।।
Meaning
Having firmly resolved with his wise and self-controlled ministers that the sacrifice should be performed, that righteous and sagacious king commanded Sumantra, the finest of ministers: "Quickly bring all my spiritual preceptors along with the family priests."
ततस्सुमन्त्रस्त्वरितं गत्वा त्वरितविक्रम:। समानयत्स तान् सर्वान् समस्तान्वेदपारगान् ।।1.8.5।। सुयज्ञं वामदेवं च जाबालिमथ काश्यपम् । परोहितं वसिष्ठं च ये चान्ये व्दिजसत्तमा: ।। 1.8.6 ।।
Meaning
Sumantra, ever swift in action, went at once and brought together all those who had mastered the Vedas — Suyajna, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kashyapa, and the priest Vasishtha, along with other excellent brahmins.
तान्पूजयित्वा धर्मात्मा राजा दशरथस्तदा। इदं धर्मार्थसहितं श्लक्ष्णंवचनमब्रवीत्।।1.8.7।।
Meaning
Having paid homage to them, virtuous King Dasaratha then spoke these gracious words, full of righteousness and purpose.
मम लालप्यमानस्य पुत्रार्थन्नास्ति वै सुखम्। तदर्थं हयमेधेन यक्ष्यामीति मतिर्मम।।1.8.8।।
Meaning
"There is no happiness for me, pining as I am for a son. For that reason, I intend to perform a horse-sacrifice."
तदहं यष्टुमिच्छामि शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा। कथं प्राप्स्याम्यहं कामं बुद्धिरत्रविचार्यताम्।।1.8.9।।
Meaning
"Therefore I wish to perform this rite according to scriptural injunction. How can I fulfill my desire? Let this matter be deliberated."
ततस्साध्विति तद्वाक्यं ब्राह्मणा: प्रत्यपूजयन्। वसिष्ठप्रमुखास्सर्वे पार्थिवस्य मुखाच्च्युतम्।।1.8.10।।
Meaning
Then the brahmins, with Vasishtha foremost among them, extolled the king's words, exclaiming "Well said!"
ऊचुश्च परमप्रीतास्सर्वे दशरथं वच:। सम्भारास्सम्भ्रियन्तां ते तुरगश्च विमुच्यताम्।।1.8.11।।
Meaning
Highly pleased, all of them said to Dasaratha: "Let the requisite articles be gathered, and let the sacrificial horse be released."
सर्वथा प्राप्स्यसे पुत्रानभिप्रेतांश्च पार्थिव। यस्य ते धार्मिकी बुद्धिरियं पुत्रार्थमागता।।1.8.12।।
Meaning
"O king, since this righteous resolve for a son has arisen in you, you will surely obtain the sons you desire."