RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN
CHAPTER 14
THE HORSE-SACRIFICE (concluded)
The horse came back victoriously. The sacrificial grounds were erected on the banks of the river, Sarayu. There the priests went through the rites of Pravargya, Upasada and other offerings. They adored the Gods that preside various details of the sacrifice. During the morning Savana, they invited Indra to partake the portion offered to him. They sang in praise of sin-destroying Soma. And the two other Savanas were gone through properly.
Without defect or disruption every part of the sacrifice was performed. The Mantra were chanted without any fault.
And during the sacrificial days, none was afflicted with fatigue, hunger, or thirst. There were well educated men and the gurus had not less than a hundred disciples. All people were seen feeding heartily. The viands were very sweet and tasty. The king was feeding countless millions. He ordered that in every part of the vast grounds food and clothing must be distributed. There were numerous kitchens. And piles of food were cooked there. They were marvels of the culinary art. And Brahmins were neatly dressed. They served the guests. The people cried, “Our delights know no bounds. During the intervals of the sacrifice, the learned Brahmins entered upon debates and won laurels.
During the three Savanas, Brahmins conducted the rites presided over by Uma and other deities. All the Brahmin priests were well versed in Vedas and Vedangas. They kept the vow of Chandrayana. They were all learned in all Sastras. The Brahmins were also able deputants.
The sacrificial posts were driven into the earth. There were in all twenty-one posts at arm’s length near the altar of Agni. A post of Sleshmataka and Devadaru were erected to the North. Three Bilva posts were driven north and south of these fifteen. They were made of tough wood. Each was five hundred and four inches long and octagonal in shape. They were smoothly planed. The well-versed Brahmins were decked in bands of gold, flowers, perfumes and rich clothes. They were planted in rows of seven.
The skilled Brahmins laid out the fire-altar of bricks. They were prepared according to the Sutras. It was eighteen stones high and shaped like the Garuda.
To the posts were bound serpents and birds dedicated to Indra and to other deities. The animals were offered in the sacrificial fires. The consecrated horse and about three hundred animals were tied to the posts.
Samitra was the place of slaughtering-grounds. The king and his queens spirinkled the dead horse with consecrated water. They recited appropriate Mantras and went round in right and left. They marked on the stomach of the horse with a gold needle for the priests to cut out. Then Kausalya abode for a night with the dead horse feeling no repugnance.
Brahma, Hota, Adhvaryu and udgata were the chief priests. They took by the hand Mahishi, Vavata, Palakali, and Parivriti,. They were given by the king as presents. They gave them back receiving rich gifts in exchange.
Thereafter the Adhvaryu cut out that part of the horse known as Tejini. That corresponded to Vapa of other animals and offered it to the God of Fire. The king smelt of the smoke and his sins were washed away. After him various priests offered into the Fire various parts of the horse.
The horse sacrifice extends several days. It included several complicated rituals. Of them, three are most important. On the first day the Agnishotama, with four Stomas. On the second, the Ukthya. On the third day the Atiratra. And the remaining days were given to Jyotishtoma, Ayushtoma, the two Atiratras, Abhijit, Visvajit and Aptoryama.
Thus the king Dasaratha performed his great horse sacrifice. With a glad heart he presented the Hota, the Adhvaryu, the Brahma and the Udgata with his dominons. They accepted them joyfully. They said to the king, “Your Majesty! Religious observances, the study of the Hol Writ and the teaching thereof come to us easily. What shall we do with dominions. You are fitted for the task. So take them back and in their place give us gold, gems, horses and cattle. And Dasaratha gave them each ten lacs of kine, ten crores of gold coins, and four of silver. They took them to Rishyasringa and Vasishtha to equitably divide among them. They received their shares gladly.
Dasaratha distributed untold wealth to the poor. And any Brahmin approached him was granted a diamond bracelet. The monarch touched the ground with his forehead in front of the multitude. The Brahmins and the priests spoke their heart-felt blessings.
The heart of the old king danced with joy. He had successfully performed the horse-sacrifice. It burnt away the sins that stood in the way of his being blessed with a child. He then approached Rishyasringa and prayed, “Holy Sir! Tell me the means by which I might have a child to cheer my old age.”
The sage said, “Why one? You will be blessed with four sons. Their eternal glory will illumine your noble line. And I shall take care of bringing about the happy event.
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