Valmiki Ramayana 1.13.6-9: Bala Kanda, Sarga 13, Shlokas 6-9
हयमेध
यज्ञोपक्रमः · Commencement of the Aśvamedha Preparations
Setting: Ayodhya
ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान् ।
स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान् ॥६॥
कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि ।
गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान् ॥७॥
तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविदः पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान् ।
यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात् ॥८॥
इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति ।
उपकार्याः क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विताः ॥९॥
tato'bravīdvijānvṛddhānyajñakarmasu niṣṭhitān |
sthāpatye niṣṭhitāṃścaiva vṛddhānparamadhārmikān ||6||
karmāntikān śilpakarānvardhakīn khanakānapi |
gaṇakānśilpinaścaiva tathaiva naṭanartakān ||7||
tathā śucīnśāstravidaḥ puruṣān subahuśrutān |
yajñakarma samīhantāṃ bhavanto rājaśāsanāt ||8||
iṣṭakā bahu sāhasrāśśīghramānīyatāmiti |
upakāryāḥ kriyantāṃ ca rājñāṃ bahuguṇānvitāḥ ||9||
Então Vasishta convocou aqueles brâmanes experientes nas atividades do sacrifício, arquitetos veneráveis e virtuosos, trabalhadores habilidosos, fabricantes de tijolos, carpinteiros, escavadores, artesãos, guardadores de contas, dançarinos e atores, homens versados nas escrituras e honestos, pessoas bem informadas, e disse-lhes: 'Em conformidade com o comando do rei, que a obra da cerimônia sacrificial seja inaugurada. Que milhares de tijolos sejam trazidos. Que edifícios residenciais temporários sejam erguidos com todas as comodidades para acomodar os hóspedes reais.'
Sandhi Notes
- ततोऽब्रवीत् = ततः + अब्रवीत्
- द्विजान्वृद्धान् = द्विजान् + वृद्धान्
- वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु = वृद्धान् + यज्ञकर्मसु
- निष्ठितांश्चैव = निष्ठितान् + च + एव
- वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान् = वृद्धान् + परमधार्मिकान्
- शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् = शिल्पकरान् + वर्धकीन्
- खनकानपि = खनकान् + अपि
- गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव = गणकान् + शिल्पिनः + च + एव
- तथैव = तथा + एव
- नटनर्तकान् (द्वन्द्व: नट + नर्तक)
- शुचीञ्शास्त्रविदः = शुचीन् + शास्त्रविदः
- सुबहुश्रुतान् = सु + बहुश्रुतान्
- रājaśāsanāt = राजा + शासनात्
- साहस्राः शीघ्रम् = साहस्राः + शीघ्रम्
- आनीयतामिति = आनीयताम् + इति
- बहुगुणान्विताः = बहु + गुण + अन्विताः
Thereafter Vasishta summoned those brahmins who are experienced in the sacrifice-related activities venerable and righteous architects skilled workers brick makers, carpenters, diggers, artisans, account keepers, dancers and actors, men versed in scriptures and honest, well-informed people and addressed them saying, "In accordance with the king's command let the work of the sacrificial ceremony be inauguarated. Let thousands of bricks be brought. Let temporary residential buildings be erected with all the comforts to accommodate royal guests."
The teaching
The yajna requires coordinated effort of all varnas - brahmins for ritual, kshatriyas for protection, vaishyas for materials, shudras for labor - demonstrating harmonious social cooperation.
- Ethical theme
- Varna dharma
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Organized, purposeful, communal
Themes
- Dharma
- Ritual Preparation
- Community Service
- Organizational Virtue
All beings participating in cosmic yajna (Bhagavad Gita 3.10-14)
Unity of diverse functions in cosmic order (Mundaka Upanishad)
Vasanta
Ashvamedha preparation
- Vashishtha and Brahmins
- Guru-disciples (authoritative)
Mahabharata 14.4 (yajna preparations)
Shatapatha Brahmana (brick arrangement)
1.12.15-20 (gathering of workers); 1.14.1-5 (construction details)
Anuṣṭup
Narrative
Rishabha
FAQs
The verse demonstrates the Dharma of proper organization and delegation in sacred work. It shows that important endeavors require the coordinated effort of many skilled individuals, each contributing their expertise. The principle of honoring the king's command while ensuring quality and comfort for all participants reflects righteous leadership.
Sage Vasishta, having accepted the responsibility of conducting the Putrakameshti sacrifice, organizes a massive workforce. He summons experts from various professions, architects, artisans, brick makers, carpenters, accountants, and even entertainers, to prepare the sacrificial grounds and accommodate the royal guests who will attend the ceremony.
The virtue of thoroughness and attention to detail in sacred duty is emphasized. Vasishta demonstrates organizational excellence, ensuring that every aspect of the sacrifice, from the technical construction to the comfort of guests, is properly arranged, showing that sacred work requires both spiritual and practical excellence.
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