Shloka 28
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
देवदारुमयौ द्वौ तु यूपौ कुरुपतेर्मखे । श्लेष्मातकमयं चैक॑ याजका: समकल्पयन्,भरतश्रेष्ठ! तत्पश्चात् जब यूपकी स्थापनाका समय आया, तब याजकोंने यज्ञभूमिमें बेलके छः, खैरके छः, पलाशके भी छ:, देवदारुके दो और लसोड़ेका एक--इस प्रकार इक्कीस यूप कुरुराज युधिष्ठिरके यज्ञमें खड़े किये
devadārumayau dvau tu yūpau kurupater makhe | śleṣmātakamayaṃ caikaṃ yājakāḥ samakalpayan bharataśreṣṭha |
Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: En el sacrificio del señor de los Kurus, los sacerdotes prepararon dos postes sacrificiales de madera de deodar y uno de madera de śleṣmātaka, oh el mejor de los Bhāratas. Este detalle subraya la disposición cuidadosa y reglada del Aśvamedha, donde cada material se elige e instala según la tradición prescrita, reflejando el compromiso del rey con el dharma mediante un sacrificio correctamente ejecutado.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through meticulous adherence to prescribed ritual order: the king’s public commitment to righteous rule is reinforced by a properly conducted sacrifice, where even the materials (types of wood for the yūpas) are selected according to tradition.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates the preparations for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha: the priests ready specific sacrificial posts—two of deodar and one of śleṣmātaka—indicating the formal installation of ritual equipment as the ceremony proceeds.