Shloka 23
Jarāsandha as Obstacle to the Rājasūya — Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Genealogical Brief
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 13
तस्य यज्ञस्थ समय: स्वाधीन: क्षत्रसम्पदा । साम्ना षडग्नयो यस्मिंश्षीयन्ते शंसितव्रतैः,“उस यज्ञका समय क्षत्रसम्पत्ति यानी सेना आदिके अधीन है। उसमें उत्तम व्रतका आचरण करनेवाले ब्राह्मण सामवेदके मन्त्रोंद्वार अग्निकी स्थापनाके लिये छः: अग्निवेदियोंका निर्माण करते हैं
tasya yajñastha samayaḥ svādhīnaḥ kṣatrasampadā | sāmnā ṣaḍ-agnayo yasmiñ śīyante śaṃsitavrataiḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: For that sacrifice, the appointed time and its smooth execution lay under the control of royal power and resources—armies and the like. In that rite, Brahmins of praised vows, using Sāman chants, establish the sacred fires by constructing six fire-altars, ensuring the ritual proceeds in proper order and discipline.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the interdependence of social roles in sustaining dharma: royal power and material resources secure the conditions for a yajña, while disciplined Brahmins, guided by Vedic chant and vow, correctly establish the sacred fires. Ethical order arises when authority supports sacred duty and specialists perform it with restraint.
Vaiśampāyana describes the organization of a major sacrifice: its timing and logistics are under the king’s control through kṣatriya resources (such as troops and administration), and Brahmins of approved conduct set up the ritual fires using Sāmavedic chants, arranging the required fire-altars for the rite.