Shloka 7
Protection of Brāhmaṇas
क्रतुं च नरमेधाख्यं कुरुष्व राजसत्तम । तदा ते संततिः स्याद्वै सर्वलक्षणसंयुता
kratuṃ ca naramedhākhyaṃ kuruṣva rājasattama | tadā te saṃtatiḥ syādvai sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutā
Dan laksanakanlah kratu (yajña) yang bernama Naramedha, wahai raja yang terbaik; maka sesungguhnya engkau akan beroleh zuriat yang dihiasi segala tanda kebajikan dan keberuntungan.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/advisor addressing a king)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरमेधाख्यम् = नरमेध-आख्यम्; स्याद्वै = स्यात् + वै; सर्वलक्षणसंयुता = सर्व-लक्षण-संयुता
FAQs
Naramedha is a Vedic-style sacrifice whose name literally means “human-offering.” In many later Purāṇic and dharma traditions it is treated as symbolic/obsolete rather than a literal injunction; this verse uses it as a trope for an extraordinary rite promising extraordinary results (progeny).
The verse promises saṃtati—progeny/continuity of lineage—described as “endowed with all auspicious marks,” i.e., children possessing excellent qualities and fortunate signs.
Read within a broader dharma framework, the verse highlights the traditional link between disciplined religious practice and desired life-goals (like lineage). Modern readers often interpret such passages as emphasizing inner sacrifice, duty, and ethical living rather than literal performance of controversial rites.