Shloka 6
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
तत्राग्निकल्पा होतार आसन सत्रे महात्मन: । मूलाहारा: फलाहारा: साश्मकुट्टा मरीचिपा:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | tatrāgnikalpā hotāra āsan satre mahātmanaḥ | mūlāhārāḥ phalāhārāḥ sāśmakuttā marīcipāḥ |
毗湿摩波耶那说道：在那里，于那大德者的祭会（satra）之中，诸位诵祭官（hotṛ）光焰炽盛，如同烈火。又有众多苦行者与行乞圣者云集：或食根，或食果；亦有奉行严酷生计之誓者，如“石捣食者”与“饮光者”等，齐来见证并护持仪式之清净神圣。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal that a major Vedic rite is upheld not only by formal priests but also by the presence of disciplined ascetics. Their restrained livelihoods symbolize self-control and purity, reinforcing the ethical atmosphere required for yajña.
During the great patron’s sacrificial session, the officiating priests are described as radiant like fire, and numerous ascetics of different austerities—root-eaters, fruit-eaters, and other severe practitioners—are said to be present at the ritual gathering.