April 27 - Sargas 13 and 14 of Balakanda.
Now follows a crisp and interesting description of the Ashvameda Yajna conducted by Dasharatha.
Dasharatha approaches his guru and Brahmarshi sage Vasishtha very humbly that he should direct and conduct the Yajna. Vasishtha gladly takes it up as a blessing to the king. Then follow many shlokas of the preparations and instructions from Vasishtha. He assembles learned and devout Brahmins, architects, builders, masons, carpenters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and others, and gives detailed instructions.
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तथा शास्त्रविदः पुरुषान् सुबहुश्रुतान् ।
यज्ञकर्म समीहन्तां भवन्तो राजशासनात् ॥
इष्टका बहुसाहस्री शीघ्रमानीयतामिति ।
औपकार्याः क्रियन्तां च राज्ञां बहुगुणान्विताः ॥
दातव्यमन्नं विधिवत् सत्कृत्य न तु लीलया ।
सर्वे वर्णाः यथा पूजां प्राप्नुवन्ति सुसंस्कृताः ॥
Vasishtha told the assembled subject-matter experts and learned people:
Gentlemen, please set about to conduct the Yajna as ordered by the king.
Bring bricks in thousands and build palaces for the guest kings about to arrive, with all amenities and comforts.
And once the large number of guests are arrived and settled, extend the best of hospitality and dining to them with all due courtesies and not ever in a slighting manner. Let guests of every caste/profession be worshipped by your hospitality as is their due per tradition.
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Vasishtha instructs Sumantra ( we by now realise he is the major minister and man for all seasons in administration) how the various kings from all parts of the land including southern regions are to be invited and received with due honour. He adds,
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मिथिलाधिपतिं शूरं जनकं सत्यवादिनम् ।
निष्ठितं सर्वशास्त्रेषु तथा वेदेषु निष्ठितम् ॥
तमानय महाभागं स्वयमेव सुसत्कृुतम् ।
पूर्वसम्बन्धिनं ज्ञात्वा ततः पूर्वं ब्रवीमि ते ॥
The king of Mithila, Janaka, who is brave, stands for truth and righteousness, is well established in the knowledge of all branches of knowledge and even the Vedas - please go and invite and escort him here yourself, for he has long-standing association and friendship with our king.
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This is significant, for later Rama marries Janaka's daughter Sita! No wonder we say our sages have knowledge of the future.
The fourteenth sarga describes in 59 shlokas the Yajna step by step including the geometric and architectural arrangements, personal rituals, sacrifices, chants, gifts and oblations. The details are in fact too much for a modern mind as they are steeped in Vedic tradition and the practices of our ancients 5000 years ago. Elaborate rituals, with extreme care being taken not to allow any transgressions or omissions, and most importantly gifts and honours and hospitality being extended to the Brahmins and priests and kings and commoners in such a way there would be no room for any complaint.
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ततः प्रीतमनाः राजा प्राप्य यज्ञमनुत्तमम् ।
पापापहं स्वर्नयनं दुस्तरं पार्थिवर्षभैः ॥
ततोऽब्रवीदृष्यशृङ्गं राजा दशरथस्तदा ।
कुलस्य वर्धनं त्वं तु कर्तुनर्हसि सव्रत ॥
तथेति च स राजानमुवाच द्विजसत्तमः ।
भविष्यन्ति सुता राजंश्चत्वारस्ते कुलोद्वहाः ॥
Then, king Dasharatha, immensely pleased that he had completed a most excellent Yajna, that would remove all sins and confer heaven, a Yajna difficult for even the best of kings -
addressed sage Rishyashringa with all respect: most noble sage, now please do what is needed for my family line to be extended by the birth of sons.
The supreme sage Rishyashringa smiled in reply and said, so be it, king! Amen. Four sons will be born to you and they will extend your dynasty and your fame.
श्रीरामजयम्
Happy Hanumajjayanti!
