Shloka 9
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
प्रस्थाप्यन्तां हि विद्वांसो ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगा: । वाजिमेधार्थसिद्धयर्थ देशं पश्यन्तु यज्ञियम्,“अतः वेदके पारंगत दिद्वान् ब्राह्मणोंको भेजना चाहिये कि वे अश्वमेध-यज्ञकी सिद्धिके लिये उपयुक्त स्थान देखें”
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
prasthāpyantāṃ hi vidvāṃso brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ |
vājimedhārthasiddhyarthaṃ deśaṃ paśyantu yajñiyam ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Karena itu, hendaklah para Brāhmaṇa yang berilmu, yang telah menuntaskan penguasaan Weda, diberangkatkan. Demi keberhasilan Aśvamedha, biarlah mereka meninjau dan menetapkan negeri yang layak bagi pelaksanaan yajña.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Major rites should be undertaken with due procedure and competent guidance: Veda-trained Brāhmaṇas are to be entrusted with assessing ritual suitability, emphasizing dharmic order, expertise, and careful preparation rather than haste or mere royal will.
The speaker instructs that learned Vedic Brāhmaṇas be sent out to inspect and select an appropriate location for the successful performance of the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice), a key royal rite requiring a properly qualified sacrificial ground.