Shloka 12
प्रभूतधनधान्याब्यमृत्विग्भि: सुनिषेवितम् । निर्माय चापि विधिवद् यज्ञायतनमीप्सितम्,वे सभी ऋत्विज् वेदोंके यथावत् विद्वान् तथा परम बुद्धिमान थे। उन्होंने विधिपूर्वक मनके अनुरूप एक यज्ञ-मण्डप बनाया, जो परम समृद्धिसे सम्पन्न, उत्तम द्विजोंके समुदायसे सुशोभित, प्रचुर धनधान्यसे परिपूर्ण तथा ऋत्विजोंसे सुसेवित था। उस यज्ञमण्डपका निर्माण कराकर ऋत्विजोंने सर्पयज्ञकी सिद्धिके लिये उस समय राजा जनमेजयको दीक्षा दी। इसी समय जब कि सर्पसत्र अभी प्रारम्भ होनेवाला था, वहाँ पहले ही यह घटना घटित हुई
prabhūtadhana-dhānyābhyām ṛtvigbhiḥ su-niṣevitam | nirmāya cāpi vidhivad yajñāyatanam īpsitam ||
Janamejaya said: “They constructed, in due ritual order, the desired sacrificial enclosure—abundant in wealth and grain and well-attended by the officiating priests.” The verse underscores that a yajña is not merely a personal act of power, but a carefully regulated public rite requiring learned specialists, proper procedure, and material provision—setting the stage for the morally charged serpent-sacrifice that follows.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vidhivat—acting according to prescribed order—as essential to Vedic rites. It implies that legitimate religious action depends on proper procedure, qualified priests, and responsible provision of resources, not merely royal will.
Janamejaya describes the preparation of the sacrificial arena: it is built as desired, made prosperous with wealth and grain, and properly attended by the officiating priests—setting the formal stage for the impending serpent-sacrifice (sarpa-satra).