Sarga-14
Professional role of brahmins attending rituals 1.14.14-19
This shows that the pundits sitting outside the altar wishing to bring to the notice of others the excellence of their respective branches of learning, were supposed to utilise the intervening period, and not the time when the sacrificial rituals were in progress, for holding professional debates without disturbing the proceedings of the sacrifice.
The ‘Sabhaparva’of the Mahabharata writes: “During the intervals of the rituals the pundits of limitless brilliance entered into heated debates like hawks catching flesh thrown into the sky. Several pundits used to be members of such assemblies, attending the sacrifices regularly and were also proficient in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences, having the skill to establish the truth.
Importance of the smell of horse’s marrow in Ashvamedha 1.14.34, 35
By stating that the smell of the smoke of the horse’s marrow offered in the sacrifice has the power to expiate all kinds of sins, it is suggested that the performance of ashvamedha, one of the major sacrifices, could bestow upon the performer high distinctions. In the Mahabharata too, smelling the smoke of the marrow is stated to be purifying. “Dharmaraja, along with his younger brothers smelt as per the sastras, the smoke rising from the marrow, capable of destroying the effect of all sins”.
Gifts at the completion of the sacrifice 1.14.43-48; 52-54
Cows, horses and such other gifts, not to be sold as per the accepted precepts could be disposed of if received as gifts in a sacrifice. This implies that the host should also give, as per his ability, gifts asked for by their supplicants even after the completion of the sacrifice. It conveys that at the end the host should bow to the brahmins and receive their blessings for the success of the sacrifice.
Sarga-14
Professional role of brahmins attending rituals 1.14.14-19
This shows that the pundits sitting outside the altar wishing to bring to the notice of others the excellence of their respective branches of learning, were supposed to utilise the intervening period, and not the time when the sacrificial rituals were in progress, for holding professional debates without disturbing the proceedings of the sacrifice.
The ‘Sabhaparva’of the Mahabharata writes: “During the intervals of the rituals the pundits of limitless brilliance entered into heated debates like hawks catching flesh thrown into the sky. Several pundits used to be members of such assemblies, attending the sacrifices regularly and were also proficient in the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences, having the skill to establish the truth.
Importance of the smell of horse’s marrow in Ashvamedha 1.14.34, 35
By stating that the smell of the smoke of the horse’s marrow offered in the sacrifice has the power to expiate all kinds of sins, it is suggested that the performance of ashvamedha, one of the major sacrifices, could bestow upon the performer high distinctions. In the Mahabharata too, smelling the smoke of the marrow is stated to be purifying. “Dharmaraja, along with his younger brothers smelt as per the sastras, the smoke rising from the marrow, capable of destroying the effect of all sins”.
Gifts at the completion of the sacrifice 1.14.43-48; 52-54
Cows, horses and such other gifts, not to be sold as per the accepted precepts could be disposed of if received as gifts in a sacrifice. This implies that the host should also give, as per his ability, gifts asked for by their supplicants even after the completion of the sacrifice. It conveys that at the end the host should bow to the brahmins and receive their blessings for the success of the sacrifice.