Shloka 1
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
अथ संवत्सरे पूर्णे तस्मिन्प्राप्ते तुरङ्गमे।सरय्वाश्चोत्तरे तीरे राज्ञो यज्ञोऽभ्यवर्तत।।।।
atha saṃvatsare pūrṇe tasmin prāpte turaṅgame |
sarayvāś cottare tīre rājño yajño 'bhyavartata || 1.14.1 ||
অতঃপর বছর পূর্ণ হলে এবং যজ্ঞাশ্ব ফিরে এলে, সরযূ নদীর উত্তর তীরে রাজার যজ্ঞ আরম্ভ হল।
After completion of one year when the sacrificial horse had returned, the sacrifice by the king (Dasaratha) commenced on the northern bank of river Sarayu.
FAQs
Rajadharma expressed through lawful rite: the king undertakes a major sacrifice only after completing prescribed conditions (the year and the horse’s return), emphasizing discipline and adherence to rule.
After the horse’s year-long course is completed and it returns, Daśaratha formally begins the sacrifice at Sarayū’s northern bank.
Daśaratha’s perseverance and procedural fidelity—he follows the rite’s timeline and requirements.