Shloka 4

Āśvamedha-dīkṣā-nirdeśaḥ — Scheduling the Initiation and Assigning Protection for the Horse

Devanagari script

ते कोशानग्रत: कृत्वा विविशु: स्वपुरं तदा

Transliteration

te kośān agrataḥ kṛtvā viviśuḥ svapuraṃ tadā

Translation

毗舍波耶那说道：他们先将国库与储备置于队前，随后才进入自己的城邑——这表明其归来井然有序，先护持民众之财与国用之资，显出征事既毕而治国仍当谨慎尽责。

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• कोशान्: treasuries; stores
• कोशान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अग्रतः: in front; ahead
• अग्रतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः

• कृत्वा: having made; having placed
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)

• विविशुः: they entered
• Type: Verb
• Root: विश्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• स्वपुरम्: their own city
• स्वपुरम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वपुर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• kośa (treasury/wealth stores)
• svapura (their own city)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prudent dharmic administration: safeguarding communal/royal resources and maintaining order take priority when returning to civic life, especially after major undertakings.

What is happening in the narrative?

The group returns to their own city, arranging the treasuries and stores at the front—suggesting a guarded, organized entry and careful handling of wealth and supplies.