Ashwamedha Yagnya
The Horse sent for circling the Earth went and returned after one year without encountering any obstacles. The yagasala constructed on the Northern banks of Sarayu River, the Priests of Eminence Veda ,Vedantha scholars; as per the sroutha soothara and Meemasa Niyaya protocol adhearnace, Parvaakyam and upasadma Kriyas were done without any short comings. Other Homas and Yagakriyas were also conducted. Soon all the Priests were happy & worshipped the respective Deities(Adhishtana Devathas) and gave the offering to Indra in the morning session. They prayed the Soma King(Moon ) who is vanquisher of all Sins completed the next 2 sessions. In these Homas there were no lapses of forgetting and changes and they took place safely.
In that yaga there were no people who were hungry or tired due to work or felt thirsty for water. All of them were Learned persons. Each had 100 Disciples. Vedic Pundits, Person who done immense Penance (Thapasvi), Digambaras(those who have forsaken families after fulfilling Life’s duties), Old people, Sick, Ladies & Children were constantly fed as per their desire. The Food so tasty, it made one to taste it for one more round though there were no space in stomach.
Food and Dress materials were distributed unabatedly to countless people uninterruptedly . The King wanted to give more and gave orders “ Please distribute Food, Clothes , Snakcs, Ornaments to their heart’s content”. The authorities accordingly gave away. The food items which were properly prepared were stored like little mounds everywhere. People from diffent countries had heartfelt food and snacks and were unmeasurablly contended.
The Brahmins who wear Ear Rings, served food for others of their clan. Some others helped them. Brahmins and Priest ate to their heart’s content and told the King “ Maharaja, the manner in which the Food have been prepared and their Taste, Features cannot be described. Those who served the food; their Hsopitality is Limitless, We cannot describe our Happiness and Contentment. May every type of Auspicious Blessings be showered on You King“ thus they blessed (Ashirwadams). King was extremely pleased.
Intelligent and good at debate the Brahmins during interval between the yaga were trying to debate on Poorvapaksha Philosophy. There were not any Priests who had not studied Sashtraas even though they were merely helping in spreading Kushal grass. Those who were not Exponents in Vedas and Vedanthas and those had not fasted on Chaandrayanam or not studied saashtras were not there. ThosePriests who are in Kings throne were excellent debators.
The Yagashala (Site) the central Dome is 42ft high supported by 21 Pillars made of different tree trunks like Devatharu with sprinkling of Bilva tree trunk sandwiched with Karunkali vertically and with with 8 upper Layers of trusses beautifully carved . They were duly ornamented in addtition to flower garlands and cloth ,Sandalwood and Gold Plating. They were 7 compartments and looked like the Saptharishi mandalam Constellation in the Sky.
The YagaKunda(Pits) were sacrificial Fires are to be perfomed were constructed with the Bricks as per Yaga Soothra or Standards. It Looked like Garuda (Eagle) with Wings spread and facing the East and in 18 Steps. In between the Wings were Golden platings linked. In those imaginig the Celestial lord Indra and serpants, birds were engraved as per rites. Other animal shapes like the Horse, Tortoise and Aquatic animals, Sheep and 300 Cows shapes were also incorporated. The Horse was tied to the Pillar. The Slain Horse was circumbulated clockwise and anti clock wise by the queens after sprinkling water uttering Manthrams. Koushalya put 3Golden pins in the horse’s stomach where it will be cut later.There after to beget Punyam(good deeds) Koushalya spent the night near the same.
There after Hotha,Athvaryu,Uthkaatha, Brahma the main priests were given the gift by King Mahishi, Vavathai, Balakali, Parivruthi and they returned these by Liquids in their place.Ahvaryu very carefully took out the tejini portion from the Horse with pure heart took it on a vessel made with neernochini leaves offered for Sacrifice as per the Rites. King smelling the fumes got rid of all the Sins and became pure. Then the 16 Rikwiks (Priests) did homam of the various parts.
In that Yaga there were 3 important days Agni sthothram comprising of 4 Sthothrams. 2nd is Ukthyamum 3rd is Adiraathramum. Other days Jyothishtomam Ayushtomam along with 2 Athiraathram Abhijit & Viswajit, Aapthoryaamam thus 6 Krathus were done very auspiciously.
The MahaYaga which was founded by Brahma did diplomatically and was happy. He gave away to these following person Hotha,Athvaryu, Brahma and Uthkatha the Lands in East, West,South& North in Charity.They after accepting same told “ Maharaja We who constantly do Learning of Vedas and Penance(Tapas) we have no benefit because of these Lands, nor do we have the capciity to guard them. You are only worthy of protecting these Lands. Hence please gives in exchange any one of these egGems, Gold, Siver or Cows. King gave them I million Cows, 100 million Gold coins,400 Million Silver coins as cost of those 4 Lands.
They took the help of Sage Vasishta and Rishyashringar and divided them suitably amongst themselves and informed King “ We are immeasurably Happy “. Dasratha gave the Brahmins who had assembled Hundreds of Millions of Rupees. A poor Brahmin who came and asked Dasratha gave him a costly Gem studded bracelet.
Thus many a people became happy and contended.King being moved with emotion of joy shed tears and prostrated to them.The Rikviks(Priests) and Brahmins blessed him whole heartedly reciting Vedas.
Thus having removed the obstacles for Progeny creation ,now by getting Progeny he can go to Swargham(Heaven) due to this Ashwamedha Yagnyam which normal Kings cannot perform. Thus King Dasratha was ecstatic.
Then Dasratha bowed to Rishyashringa with folded hands with contentment “ Lord please Bless me so that I can get Children”.Saint replied “ King do not worry you will beget 4 sons and I will make necessary way for the same. (Slokas 57)
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