Shloka 23
राजपूजाविधानम् / Royal Reception Protocols during Āśvamedha Preparations
न तत्र कृपण: वक्षिन्न दरिद्रो बभूव ह । क्षुधितो दुःखितो वापि प्राकृतो वापि मानव:
na tatra kṛpaṇaḥ kaścid daridro babhūva ha | kṣudhito duḥkhito vāpi prākṛto vāpi mānavaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa kapulungan ng paghahandog na iyon, walang taong nanatiling abang o dukha. Walang sinuman—maging gutom, pinapasan ng dalamhati, o kahit mula sa pinakakaraniwan at pinakamababang antas—ang iniwang salat. Kaya ang ritwal ay naging isang tanawing etikal ng tungkulin ng hari: ang kasaganaan ay pinadaloy palabas, upang maalis ang pagdurusa at kakulangan ng lahat ng pumapasok sa saklaw ng dharmic na gawa ng hari.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic public rite is validated not merely by ritual correctness but by its ethical outcome: the removal of hunger, poverty, and distress through generosity and inclusive care, extending even to the most ordinary or lowly attendees.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the atmosphere at the sacrifice: due to abundant gifts and provisions, no one present remained destitute, hungry, or sorrowful—highlighting the king’s largesse and the social dimension of the yajña.