The Yagna

 

The Yagna

Sage Vasishta was having a meeting of the pundits, ministers, artisans and merchants of the great city of Ayodhya. They were all excited. Their king Dasarath was doing a yagna for their sake. Not just any yagna – he was performing the Ashwameda yagna for the benefit of his dynasty, his kingdom annd its people. The ceremonial sacrificial horse had already roamed around the various kingdoms for a year and returned to Ayodhya. Vasishta had decided that Sage Rishyashringa will officiate as the chief priest for the Ashwamedha yagna.

Vasishta was at his organisational best. He was instructing the gathering. “We need to get thousands of bricks. We need to get temporary housing done for the visiting priests and sages, the Kings, their ministers and troops and sheds for their animals. All these lodgings should have enough food and drinks. The animals – elephants, horses and other animals – should have enough water to drink and a resting place away from the sun and rain.”

“Members of all communities should be treated well. Our own citizens should not be left out too. They should also have enough places to eat. The vedic pundits who are going to be engaged in the performance of the sacrifice are performing an important service for the king. They should be given the utmost respect, wealth, accommodation and comforts.” The gathering pormised Vasishta that his words will be followed and respected.

Then Vasishta called Sumantra and told him to send invites to all the kings. He instructed Sumantra to personally invite King Janak of Mithila, Raja of Kashi King Kekaya and his sons, King Romapada, the King of Magada (Praaptijna) and the King of Kosala (Bhanumanta). All these various kings arrived at the city of Ayodhya carrying expensive gifts of gems and jewellery. On an auspicious day, Rishyashringa led the gathering of Vasista and the other pundits to the yagna hall. King Dasarath entered the yagna hall after the learned people. Thus the yagna started.

The yagna mandapa (hall) was situated in the northern banks of the River Sarayu. Rishya Shringa then commenced the yagna along with the other ritviks (Vedic pundits). The yagna mandapa had 21 ritual pillars of 21 cubits in height– 6 made of bilwa, 6 of kadira wood, 6 of parnina wood, 2 of devadaru wood and 1 of sleshmaataka wood. These were covered with gold beautifully carved. Futhermore they were adorned with beautiful flags. The bricks used in the yagna were sanctified with mantras. The main yagna where Dasarath made his offering was three times bigger than the others as per the tradition and was shaped in the form of a eagle with golden wings.

 Dasratha offered the yagna with various offerings as directed by the learned pundits. The vedic chants were being offered at one end of the yagna hall. On the other side, the Sama Veda pundits were pleasing the Gods with their musical rendering of the scriptures. Food and drink of abundant quantity – sometimes steeped like a small mountain – was available everywhere pleasing both the citizens and the visitors. The directive from the king was “Food be given abundantly and clothing be given variously” meaning people did not have to travel far to get their food or get the new clothing given by their king. The learned pundits were engaged in debates on many dharmic and philosophical subjects.

After many days of rituals, the Queen Kausalya was called to ceremonially kill the sacrificial horse with three knives. As per tradition, it was then offered to the yagna. This markedt the completion of the Ashwamedha yagna.

Pleased with the flawless conduct of a complex Ashwamedha yagna, King Dasrath requested Sage Rishyashringa to perform a sacrifice to help him have sons who will manage his kingdom. He said that since the kings, vedic scholars were already gathered in Ayodhya it would be appropriate. RishaShringa after some meditation told Dasrath “I will conduct a Puthrakameshti yagna that is mentioned in the Atharva Veda” RishaShringa performed the yagna as laid down by the scriptures.

In the meantime, in the heavens when the Devas prayed to Brahma for helping them to conquer Ravana, Vishnu appeared in front of them and said “I will take an avatar as a human to put an end to the evil of Ravana. I have chosen King Dasarath as my father in the human world”.

At the Putrakameshti yagna, Rishyashringa and the pundits were busy with their yagna. To their surprise from the yagna fire, rose a respelendent being – the yagna purusha. He was clad in black and red garments and had a red face and thunderous voice. He was carrying a big vessel made of gold with a silver lid.

The yagna purusha looked at King Dasarath and said “Oh great king, I have been sent by Prajapati. In this vessel is a dessert that is blessed by the Gods. As per your desire, the Gods have blessed this dessert. Give it to your eligible wives and you will get valiant sons to rule your kingdom.” King Dasarth was overjoyed. He took the vessel respectfully. He then did a pradikshana (circumambulation) of the yagna purusha. The yagna purusha blessed him and disappeared.

The stage is now set. Let us see what happens next.