Shloka 1.39.9

सगरयज्ञाश्वहरणम् — The Stolen Sacrificial Horse of Sagara

Devanagari script

अयं पर्वणि वेगेन यज्ञियाश्वोऽपनीयते।हर्तारं जहि काकुत्स्थ हयश्चैवोपनीयताम्।।1.39.9।।

Transliteration

ayaṃ parvaṇi vegena yajñiyāśvo 'panīyate | hartāraṃ jahi kākutstha hayaś caivopanīyatām || 1.39.9 ||

Translation

On this parvan-day, the sacrificial horse is being forcibly taken away at speed. O Kakutstha, strike down the thief, and let the horse be brought back.

Context

'O Kakutstha! on this auspicious (full-moon) day the sacrificial horse has been stolen away suddenly and forcibly. Slay the thief and bring back the horse'.

Characters & Entities

• Kākutstha (epithet used in address)
• Sagara (implied as yajamāna)
• upādhyāyas (priests)
• yajñīya aśva (sacrificial horse)
• parvan day

FAQs

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

Dharma demands the defense of sacred obligations and the punishment of wrongdoing that disrupts them. Restoring the horse symbolizes restoring moral and ritual order.

What is the narrative situation?

The priests urgently instruct the sacrificer-king to pursue the abductor, kill the thief if necessary, and recover the horse so the Aśvamedha can be completed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The expected virtue is decisive kṣātra-dharma (royal duty): swift, just action to protect public and sacred order.