Shloka 36
अर्जुनदुःखहेतुप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the cause of Arjuna’s recurring hardship
Book 14, Chapter 89
श्रपयामासुरव्यग्रा विधिवद् भरतर्षभ । भरतश्रेष्ठ! इसके बाद ब्राह्मणोंने शान्तचित्त होकर उस अश्वकी चर्बी निकाली और उसका विधिपूर्वक श्रपण करना आरम्भ किया,नृपतींश्वैव तान् सर्वान् सुविभक्तान् सुपूजितान् | प्रस्थापयामास वशी कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिर: जितेन्द्रिय कुरुराज युधिष्ठिरने सब राजाओंको अच्छी तरह धन दिया और उनका विशेष सत्कार करके उन्हें विदा कर दिया
śrapayāmāsur avyagrā vidhivad bharatarṣabha | nṛpatīṁś caiva tān sarvān suvibhaktān supūjitān | prasthāpayāmāsa vaśī kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O bull among the Bharatas, the Brahmins—calm and unhurried—extracted the horse’s fat and began to cook it according to the prescribed rite. Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the self-controlled king of the Kurus, having distributed gifts properly and honored all those kings with special respect, formally sent them on their way.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic kingship: rituals must be performed calmly and according to injunctions, and a ruler should practice self-control while honoring guests and allies through proper gifts and respectful dismissal.
During the Aśvamedha proceedings, Brahmins ritually prepare part of the sacrificial offering (the horse’s fat) as prescribed. After the rite-related duties, Yudhiṣṭhira distributes gifts appropriately, honors the assembled kings, and then sends them back with due ceremony.