अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
प्लक्षशाखासु यज्ञानामन्येषां क्रियते हवि:।अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य वैतसो भाग इष्यते।।।।
plakṣaśākhāsu yajñānām anyeṣāṃ kriyate haviḥ |
aśvamedhasya yajñasya vaitaso bhāga iṣyate ||
अन्य यज्ञों में प्लक्ष-वृक्ष की शाखाओं से हवि-क्रिया होती है; परन्तु अश्वमेध यज्ञ में शास्त्रानुसार वैतस (बेंत) का भाग विहित माना गया है।
In other sacrifices oblations are offered with branches of a plaksha tree but in Aswamedha a branch of cane creeper is chosen instead.
Dharma is context-sensitive rightness: different rites have different correct instruments, and righteousness lies in honoring the specific rule that fits the specific sacrifice.
The text notes a technical distinction in offerings/instruments between common sacrifices and the specialized Aśvamedha.
Respect for tradition and precision—knowing and applying the correct rule in the correct context.