Shloka 17
कालागुरुप्रभृतिभिरर्गन्धै श्चोच्चावचैस्तथा । समवच्छाद्य गाज्ेयं सम्प्रज्वाल्य हुताशनम्
kālāgurūprabhṛtibhir gandhaiś coccāvacais tathā | samavacchādya gājyena saṃprajvālya hutāśanam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having thoroughly covered it with ghee and with various fragrances—such as black aloe-wood (kālāguru) and other perfumes, both common and exquisite—they then kindled the fire, preparing it for the prescribed rite.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conscientiousness in ritual action: offerings are prepared with care and purity (ghee and perfumes), and the fire—central to Vedic rites—is kindled properly. Ethical weight is placed on performing prescribed duties with reverence rather than negligence.
The narrator describes a rite in progress: the relevant materials are coated with ghee and scented substances (including black aloe-wood), and then the sacrificial/funerary fire is kindled, indicating the commencement or continuation of a solemn ceremonial act.