Shloka 1.14.34

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

पतत्रिणस्तस्य वपा मुद्धृत्य नियतेन्द्रिय:।ऋत्विक्परमसम्पन्न: श्रपयामास शास्त्रत:।।।।

Transliteration

patatriṇas tasya vapāṃ uddhṛtya niyatendriyaḥ |

ṛtvik paramasampannaḥ śrapayāmāsa śāstrataḥ ||

Translation

Then the officiating priest—self-restrained and fully accomplished in the knowledge of the śāstras—removed the horse’s vapā and cooked it according to scriptural rule.

Context

The official priest, highly knowledgeable in scriptures and having restrained senses, removed the marrow from the horse and cooked it according to tradition.

Characters & Entities

• Officiating priest (ṛtvik)
• Aśvamedha horse
• Vapā (ritual portion)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the union of right knowledge and right conduct: ritual authority is grounded in self-restraint and faithful execution according to śāstra.

What is the narrative situation?

A specific Aśvamedha procedure is described: the priest extracts a designated portion (vapā) and prepares it in the prescribed way.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Niyatendriyatā—mastery over the senses—presented as essential for sacred action.