Shloka 22
कृत्वा तु नैतान् दर्भान् धीरो धौम्य: पुरोहित: । सामानि गायन् याम्यानि पुरतो याति भारत
kṛtvā tu naitān darbhān dhīro dhaumyaḥ purohitaḥ | sāmāni gāyan yāmyāni purato yāti bhārata ||
Having arranged these darbha grasses, the steadfast priest Dhaumya proceeds in front, chanting the Sāman hymns associated with the southern (Yama’s) direction—O Bhārata—thus leading the rite forward with solemn, dharma-governed order.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline in action: sacred rites are to be conducted with steadiness, correct materials (darbha), and proper Vedic recitation. Ethical order is expressed through ritual order—leadership that proceeds ‘in front’ by right procedure rather than impulse.
Vidura describes a ritual moment: the priest Dhaumya prepares darbha grass and then walks ahead, chanting Sāman hymns connected with the southern/Yama-associated sphere, indicating a solemn, formally guided progression of the rite.