Shloka 96
Aśvamedha-dīkṣā, Vyāsa’s horse-release, and Arjuna’s departure with Gāṇḍīva (आश्वमेधिक-दीक्षा तथा हय-उत्सर्गः)
यथाकालं यथायोगं सज्जा: सम तव दीक्षणे । तब महातेजस्वी व्यासने धर्मपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिससे कहा--'राजन्! हमलोग यथासमय उत्तम योग आनेपर तुम्हें दीक्षा देनेको तैयार हैं
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: yathākālaṃ yathāyogaṃ sajjāḥ sma tava dīkṣaṇe. tataḥ mahātejāḥ Vyāsaḥ Dharmaputraṃ rājānaṃ Yudhiṣṭhiram uvāca—“rājan, vayam yathāsamayaṃ yogyam āgate tvāṃ dīkṣayituṃ sajjāḥ sma.”
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «A su debido tiempo y del modo debido, estamos preparados para tu consagración». Entonces el esplendoroso Vyāsa se dirigió al rey Yudhiṣṭhira, hijo del Dharma: «Oh Rey, cuando llegue el momento propicio y conveniente, estamos listos para iniciarte». El pasaje subraya que los ritos sagrados han de emprenderse con el tiempo justo, el procedimiento correcto y una disposición disciplinada: una exigencia ética de orden (dharma) incluso en la acción regia.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharmic action—especially sacred and royal rites—must be performed with correct timing (yathākālam) and correct procedure/fitness (yathāyogam). Readiness is not mere eagerness; it is disciplined alignment with rule, auspiciousness, and proper method.
Vaiśampāyana reports that the officiants are ready to conduct the king’s dīkṣā. Vyāsa then directly tells King Yudhiṣṭhira that they will initiate him when the proper and fitting moment arrives, signaling the formal preparation for a major sacrificial undertaking.