Valmiki Ramayana 1.14.41-42: Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shlokas 41-42
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः · Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
Setting: AyodhyaPlaces named: eastern region, western region, southern region, northern region
प्राचीं होत्रे ददौ राजा दिशं स्वकुलवर्धनः ।
अध्वर्यवे प्रतीचीं तु ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥४१॥
उद्गात्रे च तथोदीचीं दक्षिणैषा विनिर्मिता ।
हयमेधे महायज्ञे स्वयंभूविहिते पुरा ॥४२॥
prācīṃ hotre dadau rājā diśaṃ svakulavardhanaḥ |
adhvaryave pratīcīṃ tu brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ||41||
udgātre ca tathodīcīṃ dakṣiṇaiṣā vinirmitā |
hayamedhe mahāyajñe svayaṃbhūvihite purā ||42||
राजा ने अपना खानदान आगे बढ़ाने के लिए यह किया। उन्होंने पूरब की तरफ का एरिया होतर को दिया। पश्चिम की तरफ का अध्वर्यु को मिला। दक्षिण की तरफ का ब्रह्मा को दिया और उत्तर की तरफ का उद्गत को। यह सब ब्रह्मा जी ने पहले बताया था कि कैसे करना है।
Sandhi Notes
- प्राचीं होत्रे = प्राचीम् + होत्रे (म् + ह)
- तथोदीचीं = तथा + उदीचीम्
- स्वयंभूविहिते = स्वयंभू + विहिते (समास/सन्धि)
In order to promote his dynasty, king Dasaratha gave away eastern region to Hotar, western region to Adhvaryu, southern region to Brahma and northern region to Udgata. These offerings were made in accordance with theprescriptions by Brahma long all.
The teaching
The king fulfills his duty of dakshina (ritual gifts) to priests, following ancient prescriptions of Brahma, demonstrating proper yajamana conduct.
- Ethical theme
- Raja dharma
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Magnanimous, ritualistic, auspicious
Themes
- Dharma
- Dana (Charity)
- Ritual Completion
- Kingly Duty
Four-fold distribution reflecting cosmic order
Gifts to priests as sacred exchange (Taittiriya Upanishad)
Madhyāhna
Vasanta
Ashvamedha dakshina distribution
- Dasharatha and Adhvaryu
- King-ritualist (generous)
Mahabharata 14.90 (dakshina distribution)
Shatapatha Brahmana 13.2 (dakshina prescriptions); Rig Veda (four directions)
1.14.35-40 (yajna completion); 1.15.1 (dakshina conclusion)
Anuṣṭup
Solemn
Gandhara
FAQs
The verse exemplifies the Dharma of generous giving (Dana) as an essential component of Vedic sacrifices. The king's duty includes proper compensation to priests who perform sacred rituals. The gifts are given according to ancient prescriptions, showing adherence to established tradition and gratitude for spiritual services rendered.
King Dasaratha, having successfully completed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, offers dakshina (ritual gifts) to the four principal priests, Hotar, Adhvaryu, Brahma, and Udgata, each receiving a cardinal direction's territory. This distribution follows the ancient prescriptions established by Lord Brahma for proper conclusion of the great sacrifice.
The virtue of generosity (Dana) and adherence to tradition is emphasized. Dasaratha demonstrates that a righteous king must honor his obligations to those who facilitate sacred rituals, giving liberally while following established protocols rather than acting according to personal whim.
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