Introduction
We are on the first chapter, “of Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedhika parvam)” in the book titled nearly the same, ‘The Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedha parvam)”.
We may recollect in this context that Yudhishthira had conducted a similar ceremony called “Rajasooyam” just before the game of dice. In fact, the successful conclusion of the grand Rajasooyam ritual was part of the reason why Duryodhna wanted to get rid of the Pandavas at any cost.
The four brothers of Yudhishthira had been on a victory march right before the Rajasooyam. That was an important step to ensure that the senior Pandava established himself as an emperor ahead of the ritual. Then, all the vassal kings were invited for the ceremony. But, there was no horse as part of the victory march. If anybody dared to challenge the king, he would simply try to harness the animal which would result in a great battle. The present ritual is different as we shall learn in the subsequent episodes.
Yudhishthira’ Sorrow
The newly crowned Pandava king continued to feel dispirited after the death of Bhishma. He performed the last rites for the grand father and for all other relations killed in the war in the river
Dhritarashtra, then, spoke. “Son, why do you lose yourself to so much sorrow? There is good reason for me and my wife to feel agonized after losing all our one hundred sons in the war. For what reason are you feeling sorry?”
Thoughts on Horse Sacrifice
Yudhishthira thought that made sense. But, he said. “Though I accept what you say, the horse sacrifice requires wealth in abundance for various gifts (dakshina) to those who conduct the rituals. My coffers are empty after the war. There is no king on the whole of earth who I can approach for the purpose. If there is any who has survived the war, then he will be in the same situation as I am with no money to spare.”
To that Vyasa said. “King Marutta had acquired gold in abundance for his sacrificial rituals. A lot of it has been left behind on the mountain Meru, north of the
The Yajna of king Marutta
We have briefly covered the story of king Marutta in the beginning of “the sixteen kings (shodaSa rajakeeyam)”. The king wanted to perform the rituals for which he had approached Brihaspati, the priest of gods, for conducting. But, Indra prevented him from undertaking the task. The king, then, went to Samvarta, the younger brother of Brihaspati who was roaming about holy places as a mad mendicant. It was sage Narada who had suggested Samvartta to the king. Narada also had given hints about the place to look for and the way to identify him.
King Marutta did as he was told. The Brahmin was willing to undertake the task. But, he wanted the full commitment from the king that he would not turn back later whatever may be the temptations. The king agreed.
Samvarta, then, asked the king to approach Lord Siva for all the money (wealth) needed for the gifts and other expenses. Marutta prayed to the god and got gold in abundance with His blessings.
The king, then, started elaborate preparations for the ritual. When Brihaspati came to know that a grand ritual was going to be successfully conducted by his brother he became jealous. It must somehow be stopped as his prestige was at stake. Else, he must, himself, be the chief priest. He approached Indra with such a request.
Indra sent, though somewhat reluctantly, the god of fire (agni) to tempt and even to threaten Marutta. But, the king stood firm who was protected by Samvarta with his tremendous powers from long penance. The threatening pose of the god of fire did not work on the Brahmin. Samvarta said that he could burn the god (of fire) to ashes with the power of his austerities!
Indra tried to send a Gandhrava by name Dhritarashtra (with the same name as that of the blind Kaurava king) with renewed threats. But, that did not work either. The sacrificial ritual went ahead in full swing. The king of god thought that it was better to co-operate than to make an issue of his defeat. Finally, he arrived at the ritual with other gods and happily accepted the offerings. He even asked the Gandharvas to sing and the Apsara women to dance to add colour to the festivities. The Yajna of Marutta was a grand success.
The chapter ‘of the horse sacrifice’ ends here, though the actual sacrifice of Yudhishthira is described at the end of the next chapter.
