Shloka 26
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
पितुः श्रेष्ठो महाराज ह्यश्वमेधशतं तथा । वाजपेयशतं चक्रे ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः
pituḥ śreṣṭho mahārāja hyaśvamedhaśataṃ tathā | vājapeyaśataṃ cakre yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ
ข้าแต่มหาราช! ยะยาติผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งปฐพีประเสริฐยิ่งกว่าพระบิดา; ทรงประกอบอัศวเมธยัญญะหนึ่งร้อยครั้ง และวาชเปยยัญญะหนึ่งร้อยครั้งเช่นกัน
Unspecified (narratorial voice within the dialogue context of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ह्यश्वमेधशतं = हि अश्वमेधशतम्; (अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धिः नास्ति).
FAQs
Yayāti is presented as a famed king (pṛthivīpatiḥ, “ruler of the earth”) whose merit and prestige are highlighted through his performance of major Vedic sacrifices.
They are prominent Vedic royal yajñas associated with sovereignty, prestige, and the public establishment of a king’s authority; the verse emphasizes their magnitude by stating they were performed in hundreds.
It underscores the ideal of kingly excellence measured through adherence to Vedic rites and public religious duty, portraying exemplary rulership as grounded in sacrificial responsibility and merit.