Shloka 1.14.41
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
प्राचीं होत्रे ददौ राजा दिशं स्वकुलवर्धन:।अध्वर्यवे प्रतीचीं तु ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दिशम्।।।।उद्गात्रे च तथोदीचीं दक्षिणैषा विनिर्मिता।हयमेधे महायज्ञे स्वयंभूविहिते पुरा।।।।
prācīṃ hotre dadau rājā diśaṃ svakulavardhanaḥ |
adhvaryave pratīcīṃ tu brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ||
To promote the prosperity of his lineage, King Daśaratha assigned as sacrificial gifts (dakṣiṇā) the eastern quarter to the Hotṛ priest, the western quarter to the Adhvaryu, and the southern quarter to the Brahman-priest.
In order to promote his dynasty, king Dasaratha gave away eastern region to Hotar, western region to Adhvaryu, southern region to Brahma and northern region to Udgata. These offerings were made in accordance with theprescriptions by Brahma long all.
Dharma here is expressed as yajña-dharma and dāna: a ruler completes sacred rites by honoring officiants with properly designated gifts, showing accountability and reverence for ritual law.
During Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha, the king allocates ritual dakṣiṇā to the principal priests, assigning symbolic quarters as gifts.
Daśaratha’s adherence to sacred procedure and generosity—he fulfills obligations exactly as prescribed.