Shloka 39
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
नारदश्न बभूवात्र तुम्बुरुश्न महाद्युति: । विश्वावसश्रित्रसेनस्तथान्ये गीतकोविदा:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
nāradaś ca babhūvātra tumburuś ca mahādyutiḥ |
viśvāvasuś citrasenaḥ tathānye gītakovidāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Here too were Nārada and the radiant Tumburu, along with Viśvāvasu, Citrasena, and other Gandharvas skilled in song. Finding intervals amid the rites of the sacrifice, they repeatedly delighted the assembled brāhmaṇas through their arts of singing and dancing—showing how sacred work may be accompanied by refined, disciplined joy that supports the ritual community rather than distracting from it.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that sacred rites can be supported by cultured arts when they are aligned with dharma—music and dance here function as respectful, community-strengthening accompaniment to yajña, not as indulgent distraction.
During the Ashvamedha-related sacrificial proceedings, renowned celestial musicians—Nārada, Tumburu, Viśvāvasu, Citrasena, and other Gandharvas—are present and, during breaks in ritual activity, entertain the attending brāhmaṇas with song and dance.