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 ||
তখন কর্মের বিরতিতে বাক্পটু ও ধীর ব্রাহ্মণগণ পরস্পরকে জয় করতে ইচ্ছুক হয়ে বহু যুক্তিনিষ্ঠ বিতর্কে প্রবৃত্ত হলেন।
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.