Shloka 1.14.21
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
प्राप्ते यूपोच्छ्रये तस्मिन्षड्बैल्वा: खादिरास्तथा।तावन्तो बिल्वसहिता: पर्णिनश्च तथापरे।।1.14.20।।श्लेष्मातकमयस्त्वेको देवदारुमयस्तथा।द्वावेव विहितौ तत्र बाहुव्यस्तपरिग्रहौ।।1.14.21।।
kāritāḥ sarva evāite śāstrajñair yajñakovidaiḥ |
śobhārthaṁ tasya yajñasya kāñcanālaṅkṛtā abhavan ||
All these posts were fashioned by those who knew the śāstras and were expert in yajña; and, to enhance the splendor of that rite, they were adorned with gold.
When the time came to erect sacrificial posts, six posts each made of bilva and khadira wood and many made of parni wood along, one of sleshmataka and two of devadaru wood, with a distance of two outstretched hands between them were erected.
Dharma values both correctness and reverent excellence: sacred works are entrusted to true experts, and offerings are made dignified—outer splendor grounded in inner rule-based integrity.
After preparing the sacrificial posts, experts complete them and ornament them with gold to honor the ceremony.
Respect for expertise and reverence—supporting learned craftsmen/ritualists and offering the best within dharmic bounds.