Sarga 13: The Sacrifice Begins
Yajna Arambha
Vasishtha organizes the vast logistics of the horse-sacrifice and summons kings from across the earth; on an auspicious day, Dasaratha and his queens enter the sacrificial ground as the rite formally begins.
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पुनः प्राप्ते वसन्ते तु पूर्णस्संवत्सरोऽभवत्। प्रसवार्थं गतो यष्टुं हयमेधेन वीर्यवान्।।1.13.1।।
Meaning
When a full year had passed and spring returned, the determined Dasharatha set out to perform the Horse Sacrifice for progeny.
अभिवाद्य वसिष्ठं च न्यायत: परिपूज्य च। अब्रवीत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं प्रसवार्थं द्विजोत्तमम्।।1.13.2।।
Meaning
Greeting and duly honoring Vashishtha, he spoke humble words to that best of brahmins regarding the ritual for progeny.
यज्ञो मे क्रियतां ब्रह्मन् यथोक्तं मुनिपुङ्गव। यथा न विघ्न: क्रियते यज्ञाङ्गेषु विधीयताम्।।1.13.3।।
Meaning
"Let my ritual be performed as ordained, O eminent sage; let it be arranged so that no obstacle arises in any of its ancillary rites."
भवान् स्निग्धस्सुहृन्मह्यं गुरुश्च परमो महान्। वोढव्यो भवता चैव भारो यज्ञस्य चोद्यत:।।1.13.4।।
Meaning
"You are my affectionate friend and my great and reverend preceptor; you alone must bear the burden of this undertaken ritual."
तथेति च स राजानमब्रवीद्द्विजसत्तमः। करिष्ये सर्वमेवैतद्भवता यत्समर्थितम्।।1.13.5।।
Meaning
"So be it," said that best of brahmins to the king. "I shall accomplish all that you have entrusted to me."
ततोऽब्रवीद्विजान्वृद्धान्यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितान्। स्थापत्ये निष्ठितांश्चैव वृद्धान्परमधार्मिकान्।।1.13.6।।
Meaning
Then Vashishtha summoned elderly brahmins skilled in ritual works, and elderly, virtuous architects skilled in construction.
कर्मान्तिकान् शिल्पकरान्वर्धकीन् खनकानपि। गणकान्शिल्पिनश्चैव तथैव नटनर्तकान्।।1.13.7।।
Meaning
He summoned construction supervisors, brickmakers, carpenters, diggers, accountants, sculptors, and also actors and dancers.
तथा शुचीन्शास्त्रविद: पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान्। यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात्।।1.13.8।।
Meaning
"Let flawless scholars of the scriptures and men well-versed in the Vedas also organize the ritual works, by the king's order."
इष्टका बहु साहस्राश्शीघ्रमानीयतामिति। उपकार्या: क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विता:।।1.13.9।।
Meaning
"Let many thousands of bricks be brought quickly, and let well-appointed guesthouses be built for the visiting kings."
ब्राह्मणावसथाश्चैव कर्तव्याश्शतशश्शुभा:। भक्ष्यान्नपानैर्बहुभिस्समुपेतास्सुनिष्ठिता:।।1.13.10।।
Meaning
"Hundreds of auspicious dwellings for brahmins are to be built, well-stocked with abundant food and drink."