Shloka 24
कालनियमः शोकशमनं च
Kāla as Regulator; Pacification of Grief
अत्र गाथां यज्ञगीतां कीर्तयन्ति पुराविद: । त्रयीमुपाश्रितां लोके यज्ञसंस्तरकारिकाम्
atra gāthāṁ yajñagītāṁ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ | trayīm upāśritāṁ loke yajñasaṁstarakārikām ||
ここで、古き伝承に通じた者たちは、祭儀において祭官たちが歌った供犠の偈を唱える。三ヴェーダに拠り、その偈は世における祭祀の正しい位を打ち立て、保つものとされるゆえ、古伝に明るい者はこのような折にそれを繰り返すのである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that sacrificial practice (yajña) is validated and sustained by the authority of the three Vedas (trayī). Tradition-bearers preserve this authority by reciting an inherited gāthā at appropriate ritual moments, emphasizing continuity, legitimacy, and right order in religious action.
Vaiśampāyana introduces a traditional gāthā associated with sacrifice. He notes that ancient lore-knowers recite it, describing it as Veda-based and as something that establishes the standing of yajña in the world—setting up the quotation or discussion that follows.