Shloka 38
Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
क्रीडन्त्यश्व हसन्त्यश्न गायन्त्यश्वापिता: शुभम्
krīḍanty aśva hasanty aśn gayanty aśvāpītāḥ śubham
Bhīṣma said: “They sport about; they laugh; they eat; they sing auspicious songs—having drunk the aśva (horse-sacrifice) libation.” In context, the line evokes the outward signs of prosperity and ritual success, while implicitly reminding that true merit depends on righteous intent and conduct, not merely festive display.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual success and social celebration are depicted as signs of prosperity, but the ethical implication is that true dharmic merit is grounded in right intention and conduct, not merely in festive enjoyment after a sacrifice.
Bhīṣma describes people rejoicing—playing, laughing, eating, and singing auspiciously—after drinking the sacrificial drink associated with the horse-sacrifice context, portraying a scene of communal celebration following a successful rite.