Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 29
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
शामित्रे तु हयस्तत्र तथा जलचराश्च ये।ऋत्विग्भिस्सर्वमेवैतन्नियुक्तं शास्त्रतस्तदा।।।।
śāmitre tu hayas tatra tathā jalacarāś ca ye | ṛtvigbhiḥ sarvam evaitan niyuktaṃ śāstratas tadā ||
பின்னர் சாமித்ர நிலையிலே அங்கே குதிரையும், நீர்வாழ் உயிர்களும் கூட—இவை அனைத்தும்—ரித்விக்களால் சாஸ்திரப்படி முறையாகக் கட்டி ஒழுங்குபடுத்தப்பட்டன.
When the time came to sacrifice the animals, the chief priests, in accordance with tradition, tied up the horse and all the aquatic animals to the sacrificial posts.
FAQs
Dharma is regulated action under śāstra: even intense ritual moments are governed by rule, emphasizing restraint, correctness, and truthfulness to tradition.
The rite reaches the stage where designated beings—especially the horse—are formally bound/appointed under priestly supervision.
Priestly discipline and procedural integrity—acting without deviation from prescribed law.