Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 10
अश्वमेधावसानम् — Dakṣiṇā-vibhāga and Avabhṛtha
Completion of the Aśvamedha
सुप्रतीतैस्तथा विप्रैः स्वागमै: सुस्वरैर्न॒प । अश्रान्तैश्ञापि लघुभिरवथ्वर्युवृषभैस्तथा
vaiśampāyana uvāca | supratītaiḥ tathā vipraiḥ svāgamaiḥ susvarair nṛpa | aśrāntaiś ca api laghubhir adhvaryu-vṛṣabhaiḥ tathā ||
वैशम्पायन बोले—नृप! वेदविद्या में निपुण ब्राह्मण अपने-अपने आगम के अनुसार मधुर और स्पष्ट स्वर से मन्त्रपाठ कर रहे थे; और अश्रान्त, शीघ्रकर्मी श्रेष्ठ अध्वर्यु भी बिना थके अपने कर्तव्य निभा रहे थे।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as disciplined performance of sacred duty: correct mantra-recitation (sound, tradition, and clarity) and tireless, efficient execution of ritual responsibilities by qualified priests.
Vaiśampāyana describes a grand sacrifice in progress: learned brāhmaṇas chant Vedic mantras with proper intonation while the leading Adhvaryu priests carry out the ritual actions swiftly and without fatigue, setting the scene for the next ritual stage.