Shloka 23

अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः

Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

एकविंशतियूपास्ते एकविंशत्यरत्नय:।वासोभिरेकविंशद्भिरेकैकं समलङ्कृता:।।।।

Transliteration

ekaviṃśati-yūpās te ekaviṃśaty-aratnayaḥ | vāsobhir ekaviṃśadbhir ekaikaṃ samalaṅkṛtāḥ ||

Translation

Yaong dalawampu’t isang yūpa—bawat isa’y may taas na dalawampu’t isang aratni—ay marikit na pinalamutian; ang bawat poste’y binalutan ng sarili nitong tela.

Word by Word

• vinyastāḥ: were set/erected
• vinyastāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi + ni + as (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘having been set/placed’

• vidhivat: according to procedure
• vidhivat: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhivat (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, manner adverb (रीतिवाचक) ‘according to rule’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• śilpibhiḥ: by artisans
• śilpibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• sukṛtāḥ: well made
• sukṛtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; predicate adjective

• dṛḍhāḥ: firm/strong
• dṛḍhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛḍha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; predicate adjective

• aṣṭa-āśrayāḥ: eight-sided
• aṣṭa-āśrayāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + āśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘having eight sides/supports’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, emphasis particle

• ślakṣṇa-rūpa-samanvitāḥ: having a smooth finish
• ślakṣṇa-rūpa-samanvitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślakṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + samanvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘endowed with smooth form/finish’

Context

These twentyone sacrificial posts, each measuring twentyone 'aratni' height, were well-decorated wrapped in a piece of cloth.

Characters & Entities

• yūpa (sacrificial posts)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here is expressed as disciplined adherence to sacred order—careful preparation and proper adornment of ritual instruments, reflecting reverence and responsibility in public religious action.

What is the narrative situation?

During Daśaratha’s great sacrifice preparations, the sacrificial posts (yūpas) are set up with precise measurements and decorated appropriately.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Royal conscientiousness and ritual integrity—care for correctness and dignity in a major dharmic undertaking.