Shloka 5
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
मखानामश्वमेधानामियाज शतमुत्तमम् । वाजपेयशतं चापि अन्यान्यज्ञाननेकधा
makhānāmaśvamedhānāmiyāja śatamuttamam | vājapeyaśataṃ cāpi anyānyajñānanekadhā
അവൻ ഉത്തമമായ അശ്വമേധ യാഗങ്ങൾ നൂറു പ്രാവശ്യം അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചു; അതുപോലെ നൂറു വാജപേയങ്ങളും, വിവിധവിധത്തിലുള്ള മറ്റു യാഗങ്ങളും നടത്തി.
Unspecified (narratorial verse; broader dialogue context not provided in the input)
Concept: Ritual action (yajña) performed at scale generates extraordinary puṇya and social-cosmic stability, yet remains within karma-kāṇḍa’s merit economy.
Application: Translate ‘yajña’ into modern ethical sacrifice: disciplined giving, service, and integrity; avoid pride in achievements.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sacrificial arena stretches under a clear sky: multiple fire-altars blaze, priests chant in synchronized cadence, and the consecrated horse of the Aśvamedha is led with jeweled harness. The king stands with folded hands as oblations rise like golden smoke, suggesting a hundredfold repetition of royal rites.","primary_figures":["Nahusha","Vedic priests (hotṛ, adhvaryu, udgātṛ)","sacrificial horse","attendant queens/courtiers"],"setting":"Grand yajña-śālā with vedi altars, banners, ritual vessels, and guarded perimeter","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["fire-ember orange","smoke pearl","saffron","bronze","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: monumental yajña scene with gold leaf flames and ritual vessels, the king in ornate crown, priests in white with red borders, the Aśvamedha horse adorned with gem-studded trappings, symmetrical altar geometry, rich reds/greens and heavy gilding.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: detailed sacrificial ground with fine-line altars, delicate smoke curls, priests in subtle whites and ochres, the horse rendered with lyrical grace, distant trees and hills, cool sky tones balancing warm firelight.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized fire altars with bold outlines, rhythmic priest figures, dominant reds and yellows, patterned ritual implements, the horse in simplified iconic form, temple-wall composition with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ceremonial procession of the sacrificial horse framed by lotus and floral borders, deep blue background with gold highlights, repeated altar motifs like mandalas, peacocks and cows at margins to evoke auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chanting","drum accents","conch shell","fire roar","metallic clink of ladles"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मखानामश्वमेधानामियाज = मखानाम् + अश्वमेधानाम् + इयाज; शतमुत्तमम् = शतम् + उत्तमम्; चापि = च + अपि; अन्यान्यज्ञाननेकधा = अन्यानि + यज्ञान् + अनेकधा
FAQs
It praises the subject’s extraordinary ritual merit by stating that he performed large numbers of major Vedic sacrifices—especially Aśvamedha and Vājapeya—plus many others.
They are among the most prestigious śrauta sacrifices associated with royal authority, prosperity, and public religious largesse, so citing them highlights exceptional status and piety.
The verse underscores commitment to dharma through disciplined, large-scale religious duty (yajña), presenting sustained ritual responsibility and generosity as marks of exemplary conduct.