Shloka 24
कालनियमः शोकशमनं च
Kāla as Regulator; Pacification of Grief
अत्र गाथां यज्ञगीतां कीर्तयन्ति पुराविद: । त्रयीमुपाश्रितां लोके यज्ञसंस्तरकारिकाम्,“इस विषयमें यज्ञमें ऋत्विजोंद्वारा गायी हुई एक गाथा है जो तीनों वेदोंके आश्रित है, वह गाथा लोकमें यज्ञकी प्रतिष्ठा करनेवाली है। पुरानी बातोंको जाननेवाले लोग उसे ऐसे अवसरोंपर दुहराया करते हैं
atra gāthāṁ yajñagītāṁ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ | trayīm upāśritāṁ loke yajñasaṁstarakārikām ||
Here, the knowers of ancient tradition recite a sacrificial verse—one sung in the rite by the officiating priests. Grounded in the three Vedas, it is said to establish and uphold the proper standing of sacrifice in the world; therefore, those versed in old lore repeat it on such occasions.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that sacrificial practice (yajña) is validated and sustained by the authority of the three Vedas (trayī). Tradition-bearers preserve this authority by reciting an inherited gāthā at appropriate ritual moments, emphasizing continuity, legitimacy, and right order in religious action.
Vaiśampāyana introduces a traditional gāthā associated with sacrifice. He notes that ancient lore-knowers recite it, describing it as Veda-based and as something that establishes the standing of yajña in the world—setting up the quotation or discussion that follows.