Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 17
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
कर्मान्तरे तदा विप्रा हेतुवादान्बहूनपि।प्राहुश्च वाग्मिनो धीरा: परस्परजिगीषया।।।।
karmāntare tadā viprā hetuvādān bahūn api |
prāhuś ca vāgmino dhīrāḥ parasparajigīṣayā ||
ثمّ، في الفواصل بين الشعائر، خاض البراهمة الفصحاء الثابتو العقول مناظراتٍ كثيرة قائمة على الحُجّة، وكلٌّ منهم يتوق إلى الغلبة على الآخر.
Every day in that sacrifice brahmins, skilful in rituals, persuaded (by sage Vasishta), performed all their duties as per tradition.
FAQs
Pursuit of truth through disciplined reasoning: debate is portrayed as structured and learned, ideally serving satya (truth) even when competitive.
Between ceremonial segments of the yajña, Brahmins converse and debate on points of reasoning and doctrine.
Intellectual rigor and composure (dhīratā): the learned maintain eloquence and steadiness even in contest.