Uttara Kanda, Sarga 94

Meaning

Dispatching all objects for performance of Yajña, the elder brother of Bharata, Śrī Rāma, let loose a horse, mostly black (like the spotted deer), possessed of auspicious marks. (1)

Meaning

Entrusting Lakṣmaṇa together with the priests to look after the horse, the scion of Kakutstha proceeded to Naimiṣa with his army. (2)

Meaning

That one of long arms, Śrī Rāma, seeing the most wonderful place of performance of the sacrifice, Aśvamedha, was highly pleased and exclaimed: This indeed is auspicious.’ (3)

Meaning

While Śrī Rāma was residing in Naimiṣa, all other kings brought presents for him, and He reciprocated their benevolence by honouring them. (4)

Meaning

Food and drinks, clothes and all other requirements were provided for them. Bharata and Śatrughna were charged with the duty of honouring the kings. (5)

Meaning

The noble monkeys alongwith Sugrīva then served scrupulously clean and purified food to Brāhmaṇas attentively. (6)

Meaning

Vibhīṣaṇa with many ogres offered their services to the Ṛṣis rich in austerities. (7)

Meaning

The mighty one, best of kings Śrī Rāma ordered to be built costly dwellings for the noble kings as also for their followers. (8)

Meaning

Thus the Aśvamedha Yajña was well-begun; the ambulation of the horse, protected by Lakṣmaṇa, was commended well. (9)

Meaning

In this manner the great sacrifice of the lion among kings, Śrī Rāma, was performed; in that horse-sacrifice undertaken by Śrī Rāma, the noble one, no other sound was heard excepting cries of “Go on distributing till the needy ones are satisfied.” In that grand sacrifice of the noble one, were given various articles of jellys and also sugar. The monkeys and Rākṣasas were seen distributing food among those who begged for food till words of satisfaction did not come out of their lips. There was no one unclean, poor or emaciated in that great horse-sacrifice of the king, surrounded by happy and well-nourished beings. Those noble ascetics, long-lived ones, who came there, could not recall a sacrifice of that type so enriched with fabulous gifts and donations, who felt satisfied with gifts of gold, indeed; he who desired wealth, received it and one wishing gems also received them; Heaps of silver, gold, gems and garments being distributed constantly was seen in that sacrifice; ‘we have not seen such a sacrifice performed formerly by Indra, Soma, Yama or Varuṇa, thus said the sages rich in austerities. At all corners, there stood monkeys and demons; they distributed liberally among the suppliants, who desired clothes, wealth and food. (10—18)

Meaning

Such a sacrifice of the lion among kings, possessed of all merits, went on for more than a year unobstructed. (19)