Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 6
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
स एकदाष्टकाश्राद्धे इक्ष्वाकु: सुतमादिशत् । मांसमानीयतां मेध्यं विकुक्षे गच्छ मा चिरम् ॥ ६ ॥
sa ekadāṣṭakā-śrāddhe ikṣvākuḥ sutam ādiśat māṁsam ānīyatāṁ medhyaṁ vikukṣe gaccha mā ciram
During the months of January, February and March, oblations offered to the forefathers are called aṣṭakā-śrāddha. The śrāddha ceremony is held during the dark fortnight of the month. When Mahārāja Ikṣvāku was performing his oblations in this ceremony, he ordered his son Vikukṣi to go immediately to the forest to bring some pure flesh.
FAQs
In this verse, Aṣṭakā-śrāddha refers to a specific ancestral rite (śrāddha) occasion during which King Ikṣvāku performs prescribed ceremonies and requests offerings suitable for the ritual.
Because the rite required offerings considered suitable and purified (medhya) according to the ceremonial rules, Ikṣvāku delegated the task to his son Vikuḳṣi and urged him not to delay.
It highlights attentiveness to duty and timely execution of responsibilities, along with the principle that actions—especially religious ones—should be performed with proper standards and purity.