The Grand Aswamedha Sacrifice

The Aswamedha Sacrifice Begins (Shlokas 1.14.1 - 1.14.20)

After a year had passed and the sacrificial horse returned, King Dasaratha began the Aswamedha (horse sacrifice) on the northern bank of the Sarayu River. The best brahmins (priests), led by Rsyasringa, performed the rituals for this grand sacrifice organized by the magnanimous king.

The chief priests, well-versed in the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures), conducted the ceremonies according to tradition and law. They performed various parts of the sacrifice, including:

• Pravargya (a preliminary rite)

• Upasada (a preparatory rite)

• Other ceremonies as prescribed by the scriptures

The eminent ascetics joyfully worshipped the celestial beings and performed the morning rituals as prescribed. They offered Havis (clarified butter) to Indra and extracted juice from the Soma plant (used in religious rituals). The midday and evening ceremonies were also conducted in proper sequence.

During the sacrifice, no one felt tired or hungry. All the brahmins were learned and had at least a hundred followers. People from various groups continually ate, including:

• Brahmanas (priests)

• Those with masters (likely referring to servants)

• Ascetics

• Monks

• The elderly

• The sick

• Women

• Children

Heaps of food, resembling mountains, were prepared daily according to the scriptures. Men and women who came from various countries were well-entertained with food and drink.

The brahmins praised the delicious food, saying, "We are fully satisfied. Prosperity to you!" King Dasaratha heard these words of appreciation.

(Shlokas 1.14.16 - 1.14.20) Well-dressed men served the brahmins, while others wearing jewel-studded pendants assisted them. Between ceremonies, eloquent and wise brahmins engaged in various debates, each desiring victory over the others.

Every day, skilled brahmins performed all their duties according to tradition, as instructed by sage Vasishta. All the priests assisting in the sacrifice were:

• Well-versed in the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines of Vedic study)

• True to their vows

• Learned in many sastras (scriptures)

• Adept in discussions on sastras

When the time came to erect the sacrificial posts, they set up:

• Six posts made of Bilva wood

• Six posts made of Khadira wood

• Several posts made of Parni wood

• One post made of Sleshmataka wood

• Two posts made of Devadaru wood

These posts were erected with a distance of two outstretched hands between them.

The Sacrifice Continues: Rituals and Offerings (Shlokas 1.14.21 - 1.14.40)

Skilled artisans crafted the sacrificial posts with care. These posts were:

• Strong and durable

• Eight-sided

• Finely finished

The priests adorned the posts with cloth, flowers, and sandalwood paste. These bright posts shone brilliantly, resembling the seven sages in the night sky.

Expert brahmins (priests) constructed the sacrificial fireplace:

• They used bricks of standard measurements

• A measuring rope ensured accuracy

• The altar resembled a golden-winged Garuda (a divine bird-like creature in Hindu mythology)

• It had three ranges and eighteen fireplaces

The priests prepared various creatures for sacrifice:

• Land animals

• Serpents

• Birds

• Aquatic creatures

They tied these beings to the sacrificial posts according to tradition, designating each for a specific deity. In total, the priests bound three hundred animals.

Kausalya, the chief queen, played a crucial role in the ritual:

1. She circled the sacrificial horse

2. Worshipped it

3. With great joy, she severed it using three strokes of a scimitar (a curved sword)

4. She then spent one night near the horse, demonstrating her devotion to duty

The officiating priests arranged for four women to touch the sacrificial horse:

1. Mahishi (the principal queen)

2. Parivritti (a neglected wife)

3. Vavata (a courtesan)

4. Palakali (an attendant of the king)

A priest, known for his self-control and extensive scriptural knowledge, removed the horse's marrow and cooked it as tradition dictated. King Dasaratha inhaled the aroma of the smoke from the burnt marrow at the prescribed time, following the scriptures to cleanse himself of sins.

Sixteen officiating priests offered all parts of the horse into the fire, reciting prayers and following customs. While other sacrifices use branches of the Plaksha tree (fig tree) for oblations, the Aswamedha sacrifice uniquely uses a branch of cane creeper.

According to the Kalpa sutra (a ceremonial text), the Aswamedha lasts for three days:

1. First day: Chatushtoma ceremony

2. Second day: Ukthya ceremony

3. Third day: Atiratra ceremony

The priests also performed additional ceremonies:

• Jyotishtoma (a Soma sacrifice)

• Ayuryaga (a longevity ritual)

• Abhijit (a victory ritual)

• Viswajit (a world-conquering ritual)

• Aptoryama (an extended form of Atiratra)

These rituals constituted the great sacrifice, conducted meticulously as prescribed in the scriptures.

This concludes the fourteenth chapter (sarga) of Balakanda, the first book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.