Shloka 6
Gaya’s Seven Aśvamedhas, Payoṣṇī Snāna, and the Śaryāti Sacrifice Locale
Lomaśa–Yudhiṣṭhira Dialogue
सप्तैकैकस्य यूपस्य चषालाश्लोपरि स्थिता: । तस्य सम यूपान् यज्ञेषु भ्राजमानान् हिरण्मयान्,सात यूपोंमेंसे प्रत्येकके ऊपर सात-सात चषाल थे। युधिष्ठिर! उन यज्ञोंमें जो चमकते हुए सुवर्णमय यूप थे, उन्हें इन्द्र आदि देवताओंने स्वयं खड़ा किया था। राजा गयके उन उत्तम यज्ञोंमें इन्द्र सोमपान करके और ब्राह्मण बहुत-सी दक्षिणा पाकर हर्षोन्मत्त हो गये थे। ब्राह्मणोंने दक्षिणामें जो बहुसंख्यक धनराशि प्राप्त की थी, उसकी गणना नहीं की जा सकती थी
saptaikaikasya yūpasya caṣālāślopari sthitāḥ | tasya sama-yūpān yajñeṣu bhrājamānān hiraṇmayān |
Lomaśa said: “Upon each of the seven sacrificial posts there were seven caṣālas set at the top. In those sacrifices, the matching yūpas—radiant and made of gold—stood resplendent, established (as the tradition says) by the gods such as Indra themselves. At King Gaya’s excellent sacrifices, Indra, having drunk the Soma, and the Brahmins, having received abundant gifts, became exultant with joy; and the vast wealth obtained as dakṣiṇā was beyond counting.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic kingship expressed through properly conducted yajñas and generous dakṣiṇā. Ethical emphasis falls on sanctioned ritual order and liberality—wealth is portrayed as meaningful when redistributed as gifts supporting sacred duty.
Lomaśa describes the grandeur of King Gaya’s sacrifices: seven yūpas, each crowned with multiple caṣālas, shining as golden posts. Indra and other gods are said to have established them; Indra drinks Soma, and the Brahmins rejoice after receiving immense, uncountable gifts.