Shloka 17
Āśvamedha-dīkṣā-nirdeśaḥ — Scheduling the Initiation and Assigning Protection for the Horse
वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्युक्त: स तु धर्मात्मा कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिर: । अश्वमेधस्य कौरव्य चकाराहरणे मतिम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ity uktaḥ sa tu dharmātmā kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | aśvamedhasya kauravya cakārāharaṇe matim |
毗舍波耶那说道：话既如此，那位具法之心的俱卢王由提施提罗——噢，俱卢之后——便决意举行马祭（Aśvamedha），并将心思转向其所需的一切筹备。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after catastrophic conflict, a ruler grounded in dharma seeks legitimacy and social restoration through sanctioned, ethical means—here, by resolving to perform a major Vedic rite rather than pursuing further violence or personal gain.
After hearing prior counsel (contextually, guidance from elders such as Vyāsa), Yudhiṣṭhira forms the intention to commence the Aśvamedha and begins directing his mind toward procuring and arranging what the sacrifice requires.