Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
मैत्रेय उवाच अङ्गो द्विजवच: श्रुत्वा यजमान: सुदुर्मना: । तत्प्रष्टुं व्यसृजद्वाचं सदस्यांस्तदनुज्ञया ॥ २९ ॥
maitreya uvāca aṅgo dvija-vacaḥ śrutvā yajamānaḥ sudurmanāḥ tat praṣṭuṁ vyasṛjad vācaṁ sadasyāṁs tad-anujñayā
Maitreya said: King Aṅga, the sponsor of the sacrifice, upon hearing the priests’ words, became greatly distressed. Then, with their permission, he broke his silence and questioned all the priests assembled in the sacrificial arena.
This verse shows that the yajamāna (sacrificer) should respectfully hear the brāhmaṇas’ counsel and act only with their approval, recognizing their dharmic authority in Vedic rites.
Because their statements indicated a serious concern within the sacrificial context, and as a conscientious ruler and yajamāna, Aṅga felt troubled and sought clarification from the priestly assembly.
When facing moral or spiritual confusion, seek guidance from qualified, principled teachers and ask questions with humility and proper respect, rather than acting impulsively.