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Shloka 18

Indra’s Brahma-hatyā, Flight from Sin, and Purification by Aśvamedha

तं च ब्रह्मर्षयोऽभ्येत्य हयमेधेन भारत । यथावद्दीक्षञ्चक्रु: पुरुषाराधनेन ह ॥ १८ ॥

taṁ ca brahmarṣayo ’bhyetya hayamedhena bhārata yathāvad dīkṣayāṁ cakruḥ puruṣārādhanena ha

Wahai Bharata! Ketika Mahendra tiba di alam syurga, para brahmarṣi mendekatinya lalu menginisiasikannya dengan sempurna untuk yajña aśvamedha demi memuja Purusha Yang Maha Tinggi.

तम्him
तम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन
and
:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
ब्रह्मर्षयःthe brahmarishis (sage-seers)
ब्रह्मर्षयः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootब्रह्मर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसमासः: ब्रह्म + ऋषि (तत्पुरुष); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन
अभ्येत्यhaving approached
अभ्येत्य:
Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-इ (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having approached’
हयमेधेनby the horse-sacrifice
हयमेधेन:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootहयमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसमासः: हय + मेध (तत्पुरुष); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन
भारतO Bharata
भारत:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootभारत (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन
यथावत्properly, duly
यथावत्:
Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथावत् (अव्यय)
Formक्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)
दीक्षाम्initiation/ritual consecration
दीक्षाम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootदीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन
चक्रुःthey performed/did
चक्रुः:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (धातु)
Formलिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद
पुरुषाराधनेनby worship of the Supreme Person
पुरुषाराधनेन:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootपुरुषाराधन (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसमासः: पुरुष + आराधन (षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन
indeed
:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootह (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle; emphasis/indeed)
B
Brahmarṣis (great brāhmaṇa sages)
B
Bhārata (address to King Parīkṣit)

FAQs

This verse indicates that even a major Vedic sacrifice like Aśvamedha is meant to be performed as puruṣārādhana—worship of the Supreme Person—making the inner aim devotion rather than mere ritual.

In the narrative, the brahmarṣis approach and properly consecrate him according to Vedic rules, directing the rite toward the Supreme Lord, thereby sanctifying the act and aligning it with divine worship.

Whatever duty or tradition one follows can be offered to the Supreme Person with sincerity and right intention—turning ordinary work into devotional service.