Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 21
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
प्राप्ते यूपोच्छ्रये तस्मिन्षड्बैल्वा: खादिरास्तथा।तावन्तो बिल्वसहिता: पर्णिनश्च तथापरे।।1.14.20।।श्लेष्मातकमयस्त्वेको देवदारुमयस्तथा।द्वावेव विहितौ तत्र बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहौ।।1.14.21।।
prāpte yūpocchraye tasmin ṣaḍbailvāḥ khādirās tathā |
tāvanto bilvasahitāḥ parṇinaś ca tathāpare ||
śleṣmātakamayas tv eko devadārumayas tathā |
dvāv eva vihitau tatra bāhuvyastaparigrahau ||
Als die Zeit kam, die Opferpfosten (yūpa) aufzurichten, wurden sechs aus Bilva-Holz und ebenso aus Khadira gesetzt; ebenso viele weitere wurden zusammen mit Bilva angeordnet, und wieder andere aus Parṇi-Holz. Einer war aus Śleṣmātaka, zwei aus Devadāru; und dort stellte man sie mit Abständen auf, gemessen nach zwei ausgestreckten Armen.
When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts each made of bilva and khadira wood and many made of parni wood along, one of sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.
FAQs
Dharma is precision and fidelity in sacred action: even materials and measurements are regulated, showing that righteousness includes careful, truthful adherence to prescribed standards.
The yajña advances to the stage of erecting yūpa posts; the text inventories woods and spacing, highlighting ritual exactness.
Reverence expressed through meticulous order—careful preparation as a form of integrity in worship and public duty.