Shloka 23
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
न तत्र कृपण: वक्षिन्न दरिद्रो बभूव ह । क्षुधितो दुःखितो वापि प्राकृतो वापि मानव:
na tatra kṛpaṇaḥ kaścid daridro babhūva ha | kṣudhito duḥkhito vāpi prākṛto vāpi mānavaḥ ||
त्या यज्ञसभेत कोणताही मनुष्य दीन वा दरिद्री राहिला नाही; कोणीही उपाशी राहिला नाही, कोणीही दुःखी राहिला नाही—अगदी सर्वसाधारण व नीच श्रेणीतील व्यक्तीसुद्धा अभावात ठेवला गेला नाही।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic public rite is validated not merely by ritual correctness but by its ethical outcome: the removal of hunger, poverty, and distress through generosity and inclusive care, extending even to the most ordinary or lowly attendees.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the atmosphere at the sacrifice: due to abundant gifts and provisions, no one present remained destitute, hungry, or sorrowful—highlighting the king’s largesse and the social dimension of the yajña.