Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Rishyashrungam Puraskruthya Karma
Chakru: Dhwijarshabha: |
Ashwamedhey Mahayagney Rajosya
Sumahathmana: ||
Karma Kurvathi Vidhivath Yajaka
Vedaparaga: |
Yaya Vidhi Yaya Nyayam
Parikramanthi Shasthratha: ||
Vruddha: Cha Vyadhitha: Cha Yeva Sthri Bala: Thatha
Yeva Cha |
Anisham Bujamananam Na Thruptha: Upalbyathey ||
Anisham Bujamananam Na Thruptha: Upalbyathey ||
Dhiyatham Dhiyatham Annam
Vasamsi Vividhani Cha |
Ithi Samchothitha: Thathra Thatha Chakru: Anekasha: ||
The Ashwamedha Yaga by King
Dasaratha was commenced on the river banks of Sarayu subsequent to regaining
the ritual horse after completion of a year.
Sage Rishyashrunga led the proceedings of Vedic rituals of Ashwamedha Yaga
with eminent Brahmin scholars. The Vedic
Brahmins performed Pravargya and Upasada
rituls, Savana at the time of early dawn and its auxiliary rites according to
the sacred scriptures. As a part of
oblations to Lord Indra, Somarasa/juice of Soma creeper was prepared by King
Dasaratha, later Savana ritual in the mid noon and in the night was performed
subsequently. Illustrious Sage
Rishyashrunga and eminent Vedic Scholars invoked Lord Indra and all the deities
with untainted Vedic hymns. The Vedic
scholars with their harmonious Sama Veda raised celestials for offering
oblations. The fire ritual performed
with utmost dedication and the Vedic hymn recited was perfect; as a result
nothing remained unburned in the fire.
None of the Vedic scholars were weary or hungry; there were many
disciples to assist their mentor. The
sumptuous meal and clothing was served persistently to the Brahmins, Sages, Pilgrims,
elderly, sick, women, children and workers at the time of their arrival in the
ritual arena, heap of foods were kept ready to serve on daily basis. There were huge number of people attended the
ritual of King Dasaratha and they were extremely pleased with the sumptuous
meal and drinks served on this occasion.
The eminent Brahmins took great pleasure in the fabulous meal served by
the well dressed men and blessed King Dasaratha, later they were engaged in the
debate on the subject of various scholastic skills. The ritual processes were carried out at the
guidance of Sage Vashishta according to the prescribed rules. There was no Brahmin scholar without the
knowledge about the six branches of Vedas such as Shiksha/Phonetic/ Pronounciation,
Vyakarana/ Grammar, Chandass/prosody, Niruktha/etymology, Jyothish/astronomy,
Kalapa/ritual. As a part of the rituals
wooden posts made of auspicious wood such as Bilwa, Khadhira, Parnina,
Sleshmadaka and Devadaru were created by the efficient carpenters were
installed at equal length with utmost dedication and the rules prescribed. There were 21 wooden posts of 21 cubits in
height were covered with gold and venerated with expensive clothes were
sparkled like seven sages/Saptharishis in the sky. The altar of fire was made out of brick by
the experts in architecture who has the profound knowledge in the construction
of ritual structures and they were in a particular design and measurement, the
celestial vehicles of the deities and the animals for the fire sacrifices has
been arranged according to the scriptures.
There were hundreds of animal were tied to the ritual post along with
the finest ritual horse of King Dasaratha.
The three queens were circumambulated the horse and made symbolic act of
piercing the same. As a part of the ritual the King has to offer his inner-most
properties to the officiating priests (Mahishi/Queen to Brahma,
Parivritthi/neglected woman to Hotha, Vavatha/Concubine to Adhvaryu and
Palakali/maid to Udgata) and the offerings were made to sacred fire, eventually
the smoke from the sacrificial fire cleansed the sins of the performer. The performance of Yaga such as Chathusthoma,
Jyothisthoma, Ayusi, Ukthyam, Abhijith, Vishwajith, Apthoryama and Athiratra
were held strictly based on the principles of scared scriptures. King Dasaratha donated East, West, North and
South part of his reign to Hotha, Adhvaryu, Brahma and Udgata respectively and
abundance of lands to officiating priests called Rithviks. In this manner, the righteous King Dasaratha
of Ikshvaku dynasty obtained abundance of devoutness. Later, the priests were returned their
possession of land to their King, as they are always immersed in the study and
teachings of Veda and sacred scriptures, incapable to manage their land and
received precious gem, gold and cow as their part of share. King Dasaratha offered the priests with
millions of cows, several millions of gold and silver coins as alms were given
to Sage Rishyashrunga & Sage Vashishta.
Eventually all theses wealth was distributed equally amongst the
Brahmins were highly pleased. The
scholars arrived to witness the ritual was also received ten million golden
coins. King Dasaratha offered abundance
of alms to Brahmins and prostrated before them seeking their blessings. The Brahmin scholars chanted Vedic hymns in praise
of their King Dasaratha. Consequently, grand
Ashwamedha Yaga was come to a successful end, King Dasaratha overjoyed at his
greatest achievement in completion of Yaga which was not performed by any of
the wise rules capable to bring all the devoutness and salvation. King Dasaratha munificently expressed his
gratitude to sage Rishyashrunga and appealed him to conduct the ritual to beget
progeny; in return Sage prophesied that King Dasaratha will have four sons to
embrace the glories of Ikshvaku Dynasty.
King Dasaratha moved into a state
of ecstasy after listening to the nectar like words from Sage Rishyashrunga.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
