Shloka 35
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
धूमगन्धं वपायास्तु जिघ्रति स्म नराधिप:।यथाकालं यथान्यायं निर्णुदन्पापमात्मन:।।।।
dhūmagandhaṃ vapāyās tu jighrati sma narādhipaḥ |
yathākālaṃ yathānyāyaṃ nirṇudan pāpam ātmanaḥ ||
Sinamyo ng hari ang mabangong usok na nagmumula sa vapā sa takdang oras at ayon sa wastong paraan, at sa gayon ay itinaboy niya ang kasalanan mula sa kanyang sarili ayon sa tuntunin.
The king at appropriate time and in agreement with the scriptures inhaled the odour of the smoke (from the burnt marrow) and absolved himself of his sins.
FAQs
Dharma is acting ‘in due time and due manner’ (yathākāla, yathānyāya): even purification is not arbitrary but governed by disciplined conformity to rightful procedure.
Daśaratha performs a prescribed act within the Aśvamedha—receiving the smoke-scent from the prepared offering as part of ritual expiation/purification.
Daśaratha’s rule-bound piety: he seeks purification through lawful means rather than impulse.