Shloka 36
अर्जुनदुःखहेतुप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the cause of Arjuna’s recurring hardship
Book 14, Chapter 89
श्रपयामासुरव्यग्रा विधिवद् भरतर्षभ । भरतश्रेष्ठ! इसके बाद ब्राह्मणोंने शान्तचित्त होकर उस अश्वकी चर्बी निकाली और उसका विधिपूर्वक श्रपण करना आरम्भ किया
śrapayāmāsur avyagrā vidhivad bharatarṣabha | nṛpatīṁś caiva tān sarvān suvibhaktān supūjitān | prasthāpayāmāsa vaśī kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “O toro sa mga Bharata, ang mga Brahmin—payapa ang loob at hindi nagmamadali—ay kumuha ng taba ng kabayo at sinimulang lutuin iyon ayon sa itinakdang ritwal. Pagkaraan, si Yudhiṣṭhira, ang haring Kuru na may pagpipigil-sa-sarili, matapos mamahagi ng mga handog nang wasto at parangalan ang lahat ng mga haring iyon sa natatanging paggalang, ay pormal na nagpaalam at nagpadala sa kanila sa kanilang pag-uwi.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic kingship: rituals must be performed calmly and according to injunctions, and a ruler should practice self-control while honoring guests and allies through proper gifts and respectful dismissal.
During the Aśvamedha proceedings, Brahmins ritually prepare part of the sacrificial offering (the horse’s fat) as prescribed. After the rite-related duties, Yudhiṣṭhira distributes gifts appropriately, honors the assembled kings, and then sends them back with due ceremony.