Ashvamedha- A Horse Sacrifice Ritual

Ashvamedha, Sanskrit: horse penance likewise spelled Ashwamedha, most amazing of the Vedic strict ceremonies of antiquated India, performed by a lord to praise his centrality. The service is depicted in detail in different Vedic works, especially the Shatapatha Brahmana. A particularly fine steed was chosen and was permitted to meander unreservedly for a year under the assurance of a regal gatekeeper.

On the off chance that the pony entered an unfamiliar country, its ruler had either to battle or to submit. On the off chance that the pony was not caught during the year, it was triumphantly taken back to the capital joined by the leaders of the grounds it entered and afterward forfeited at an extraordinary public service, which was joined by much devouring and festivity. The meandering pony was said to represent the Sun in its excursion over the world and, subsequently, the force of the ruler over the entire Earth. On effectively completing a pony penance, the ruler could accept the title of chakravartin (widespread ruler). The custom served not exclusively to extol the ruler yet in addition to guarantee the thriving and fruitfulness of the whole realm. Not all exhibitions of the Ashvamedha included the genuine murdering of a creature, as demonstrated in the Shanti Parva, the twelfth book of the old Sanskrit epic sonnet Mahabharata.

In recorded occasions the training was censured by the Buddha and appears to have endured decay, however, it was resuscitated by Pushyamitra Shunga (ruled 187–151 BCE). He is said to have crashed while ensuring his pony, Greek fighters who had arrived at Punjab. Samudra Gupta (c. 330–c. 380 CE) gave coins in remembrance of his fruitful finishing of an Ashvamedha, and the ritual is referenced regarding other Gupta and Chalukya rulers. It might have proceeded as late as the eleventh century when it is said to have occurred during the Chola line.

By: Raghav Saxena

Birla School, Pilani