Valmiki Ramayana 1.13.6-9: Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shlokas 6-9
हयमेध
यज्ञोपक्रमः · Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations
ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान् ।
स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान् ॥६॥
कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि ।
गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान् ॥७॥
तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविदः पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान् ।
यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात् ॥८॥
इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति ।
0 उपकार्याः क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विताः ॥९॥
tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān |
sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān ||6||
karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi |
gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān ||7||
tathā śucīnśāstravidaḥ puruṣān subahuśrutān |
yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt ||8||
iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti |
0 upakāryāḥ kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitāḥ ||9||
Daraufhin sprach Vasishta zu den Brahmanen, die in den mit dem Opfer verbundenen Tätigkeiten erfahren waren, zu den ehrwürdigen und rechtschaffenen Architekten, geschickten Arbeitern, Ziegelherstellern, Zimmerleuten, Grabern, Handwerkern, Rechnungsführern, Tänzern und Schauspielern, zu Männern, die in den Schriften bewandert und ehrlich waren, zu wohlinformierten Menschen, und sagte: 'Gemäß dem Befehl des Königs soll das Werk der Opferzeremonie begonnen werden. Es sollen Tausende von Ziegeln herbeigeschafft werden. Es sollen vorübergehende Wohngebäude mit allen Annehmlichkeiten errichtet werden, um königliche Gäste zu beherbergen.'
Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrifice-related activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, well-informed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."
FAQs
The verse demonstrates the Dharma of proper organization and delegation in sacred work. It shows that important endeavors require the coordinated effort of many skilled individuals, each contributing their expertise. The principle of honoring the king's command while ensuring quality and comfort for all participants reflects righteous leadership.
Sage Vasishta, having accepted the responsibility of conducting the Putrakameshti sacrifice, organizes a massive workforce. He summons experts from various professions, architects, artisans, brick makers, carpenters, accountants, and even entertainers, to prepare the sacrificial grounds and accommodate the royal guests who will attend the ceremony.
The virtue of thoroughness and attention to detail in sacred duty is emphasized. Vasishta demonstrates organizational excellence, ensuring that every aspect of the sacrifice, from the technical construction to the comfort of guests, is properly arranged, showing that sacred work requires both spiritual and practical excellence.
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