Shloka 1.39.6

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

तस्याश्वचर्यां काकुत्स्थ दृढधन्वा महारथ:।अंशुमानकरोत्तात सगरस्य मते स्थित:।।1.39.6।।

Transliteration

ayaṁ yajñaharo 'smākam anenāśvo 'panīyate |

iti te sarvabhūtāni nighnanti sagarātmajāḥ || 1.39.25 ||

Translation

“This is the one who destroys our yajña; by him our horse has been carried off!”—thinking so, the sons of Sagara strike down all living beings.

Context

"O child, O son of the Kakutsthas, the great charioteer Anshuman (who can fight with eleven thousand charioteers), wielding a strong bow followed the sacrificial horse (in order to protect it) in compliance with Sagara's wish.

Characters & Entities

• Sagara’s sons
• Sacrifice (yajña)
• Sacrificial horse (aśva)
• All beings (sarvabhūtāni)

FAQs

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

Dharma demands truth and restraint: acting on suspicion and anger—without certainty—leads to adharma, especially when it results in harm to the innocent.

What is the narrative situation?

The petitioners report the sons of Sagara’s rationale: believing someone stole the sacrificial horse, they indiscriminately kill beings during the search.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse highlights the absence of discernment (viveka); it implicitly upholds the virtue of careful judgment before punishment.