Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 37
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
प्लक्षशाखासु यज्ञानामन्येषां क्रियते हवि:।अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य वैतसो भाग इष्यते।।।।
plakṣaśākhāsu yajñānām anyeṣāṃ kriyate haviḥ |
aśvamedhasya yajñasya vaitaso bhāga iṣyate ||
മറ്റു യജ്ഞങ്ങളിൽ പ്ലക്ഷവൃക്ഷത്തിന്റെ ശാഖകളാൽ ഹവി അർപ്പിക്കുന്നു; എന്നാൽ അശ്വമേധയജ്ഞത്തിൽ വൈതസ (കെയിൻ/വള്ളി)യുടെ ഭാഗം നിർദ്ദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു.
In other sacrifices oblations are offered with branches of a plaksha tree but in Aswamedha a branch of cane creeper is chosen instead.
FAQs
Dharma is context-sensitive rightness: different rites have different correct instruments, and righteousness lies in honoring the specific rule that fits the specific sacrifice.
The text notes a technical distinction in offerings/instruments between common sacrifices and the specialized Aśvamedha.
Respect for tradition and precision—knowing and applying the correct rule in the correct context.