Shloka 34
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
ऋषभा: शास्त्रपठितास्तथा जलचराश्न ये । सर्वास्तानभ्ययुग्जंस्ते तत्राग्निचयकर्मणि
ṛṣabhāḥ śāstrapaṭhitās tathā jalacarāś ca ye | sarvāṁs tān abhyayujjaṁs te tatrāgnicayakarmaṇi ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Those bulls among men, well-versed in the śāstras, and also those connected with the waters, were all duly engaged there in the rite of building the sacred fire-altar (agni-caya). Thus every qualified group was assigned its proper role in the sacrificial work, in accordance with prescribed rule and order.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic order in ritual action: those with learning and those suited to particular functions are assigned appropriate duties, showing that sacred work should be performed according to competence and scriptural rule rather than impulse.
During the sacrificial proceedings, the participants—especially the eminent, scripture-trained men and others connected with water-related roles—are all set to work in the specific task of constructing the fire-altar (agnicayana), indicating a carefully organized ritual setting.