Shloka 1.13.37

हयमेध-यज्ञोपक्रमः — Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations

Devanagari script

ततो वसिष्ठप्रमुखास्सर्व एव द्विजोत्तमा:।ऋश्यशृङ्गं पुरस्कृत्य यज्ञकर्मारभन् तदा।।1.13.37।।यज्ञवाटगतास्सर्वे यथाशास्त्रं यथाविधि। 3

Transliteration

tato vasiṣṭha-pramukhāḥ sarva eva dvijottamāḥ | ṛśyaśṛṅgaṃ puraskṛtya yajña-karmārabhan tadā ||

yajña-vāṭa-gatāḥ sarve yathā-śāstraṃ yathā-vidhi ||

Translation

Then all the foremost brāhmaṇas, with Vasiṣṭha at their head, placing Ṛśyaśṛṅga in the foremost position, began the sacrificial rites. Having entered the sacrificial enclosure, they performed everything according to scripture and established procedure.

Context

At that moment the best of brahmins led by Vasishta and headed by Rsyasringa, entered the sacrificial enclosure and began the sacrifice in accordance with traditions and scriptural stipulations.ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে বালকাণ্ডে ত্রযোদশস্সর্গ:৷৷Thus ends the thirteenth sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Ṛśyaśṛṅga
• brāhmaṇas (dvijottamāḥ)
• yajña-vāṭa (sacrificial enclosure)
• yajña (sacrifice)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is adherence to śāstra and vidhi: sacred acts must be performed with procedural integrity, showing satya as fidelity to revealed and traditional standards.

What is the narrative situation?

The officiating priests enter the yajña enclosure and formally commence the sacrifice, with Vasiṣṭha leading and Ṛśyaśṛṅga honored as principal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual discipline and reverence for sacred order—careful compliance with prescribed methods rather than improvisation.