Shloka 20
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
ऋच्विग्भि: सहितो धीमानेवमीजे स भूमिप: । ततस्तु ऋत्विजश्चलास्य धूमव्याकुललोचना:,इस प्रकार वे बुद्धिमान नरेश ऋत्विजोंके साथ यज्ञ किया करते थे। यज्ञ करते-करते उनके ऋत्विजोंकी आँखें धूएँसे व्याकुल हो उठीं
ṛc-vigbhiḥ sahito dhīmān evam īje sa bhūmipaḥ | tatas tu ṛtvijaś calāsya dhūma-vyākula-locanāḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: Así, el rey sabio celebraba sacrificios en compañía de los ṛtvij, los sacerdotes oficiantes. Pero a medida que los ritos proseguían, aquellos sacerdotes—con el semblante inestable y los ojos afligidos—se vieron turbados por el espeso humo del sacrificio.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights adherence to dharma through sustained Vedic sacrifice, while acknowledging that maintaining ritual order involves real human effort and discomfort for the priests who serve the rite.
A wise king continues performing yajñas with his officiating priests; as the ceremonies proceed, the priests’ eyes become irritated and distressed due to the sacrificial smoke.