Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
क्रीडन्त्यश्व हसन्त्यश्न गायन्त्यश्वापिता: शुभम्
krīḍanty aśva hasanty aśn gayanty aśvāpītāḥ śubham
Bhīṣma disse: “Elas brincam; elas riem; elas comem; elas cantam cânticos auspiciosos—depois de terem bebido a libação do Aśvamedha (o sacrifício do cavalo).” No contexto, o verso evoca os sinais exteriores de prosperidade e êxito ritual, ao mesmo tempo em que lembra implicitamente que o mérito verdadeiro depende da intenção justa e da conduta correta, não apenas do brilho da festa.
भीष्म उवाच
Ritual success and social celebration are depicted as signs of prosperity, but the ethical implication is that true dharmic merit is grounded in right intention and conduct, not merely in festive enjoyment after a sacrifice.
Bhīṣma describes people rejoicing—playing, laughing, eating, and singing auspiciously—after drinking the sacrificial drink associated with the horse-sacrifice context, portraying a scene of communal celebration following a successful rite.