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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तत: प्रीतोऽभवद्राजा श्रुत्वा तद्विजभाषितम्। अमात्यांश्चाब्रवीद्राजा हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षण:।।1.8.13।।
Meaning
On hearing the brahmins' words, the king was overjoyed, and with eyes bright with delight he addressed his ministers.
सम्भारास्सम्भ्रियन्तां मे गुरूणां वचनादिह। समर्थाधिष्ठितश्चाश्वस्सोपाध्यायो विमुच्यताम्।।1.8.14।।
Meaning
"Let the sacrificial articles be gathered as my preceptors have instructed, and let the horse, guarded by able men and accompanied by the chief priest, be released."
सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे यज्ञभूमिर्विधीयताम्। शान्तयश्चाभिवर्धन्तां यथाकल्पं यथाविधि।।1.8.15।।
Meaning
"Let a sacrificial ground be prepared on the northern bank of the Sarayu, and let auspicious rites be performed according to the prescribed ritual code."
शक्य: प्राप्तुमयं यज्ञस्सर्वेणापि महीक्षिता। नापराधो भवेत्कष्टो यद्यस्मिन्क्रतुसत्तमे।।1.8.16।।
Meaning
If no obstruction or omission occurs in this best of sacrifices, it would be possible for every king to obtain its fruit.
छिद्रं हि मृगयन्तेऽत्र विद्वांसो ब्रह्मराक्षसा: । निहतस्य च यज्ञस्य सद्य: कर्ता विनश्यति ।।1.8.17।।
Meaning
Learned brahma-rakshasas are ever watching for flaws in such a sacrifice; if a flaw is found, the one performing it is instantly destroyed.
तद्यथा विधिपूर्वं मे क्रतुरेष समाप्यते । तथा विधानं क्रियतां समर्था: करणेष्विह।।1.8.18।।
Meaning
"Therefore see to it that this sacrifice is completed exactly according to scriptural injunction — in this, you are all experts."
तथेति चाब्रुवन्सर्वे मन्त्रिण:प्रत्यपूजयन्। पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य तद्वाक्यं यथाज्ञप्तं निशम्य ते।।1.8.19।।
Meaning
Having heard the words of that Indra among kings, all the ministers replied with due respect, "So be it, as you command."
तथा द्विजास्ते धर्मज्ञा वर्धयन्तो नृपोत्तमम्। अनुज्ञातास्ततस्सर्वे पुनर्जग्मुर्यथागतम्।।1.8.20।।
Meaning
Those brahmins, learned in righteous conduct, blessed that finest of kings and, taking his leave, returned the way they had come.
विसर्जयित्वा तान्विप्रान्सचिवानिदमब्रवीत्। ऋत्विग्भिरुपदिष्टोऽयं यथावत्क्रतुराप्यताम्।।1.8.21।।
Meaning
Having sent off the brahmins, the king said to his ministers: "Let this sacrifice be carried out exactly as the officiating priests have directed."
इत्युक्त्वा नृपशार्दूलस्सचिवान्समुपस्थितान्। विसर्जयित्वा स्वं वेश्म प्रविवेश महाद्युति:।।1.8.22।।
Meaning
Having thus instructed his ministers seated nearby, that most brilliant and tiger-like king dismissed them and entered his own private apartments.