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Significance of Rajasuya sacrifice

Rajasuya sacrifice is a crucial royal ritual in Hinduism, signifying a culmination of grand offerings performed by kings to assert their authority and achieve spiritual benefits. Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice is particularly notable, symbolizing his royal status and involving significant events, such as the conflict with Shishupala and the assembly of demigods. This Vedic ritual reflects the importance of kingship and divine approval, marking major accomplishments and prosperity while emphasizing the responsibility of rulers in upholding their duties.

Synonyms: Royal consecration

In Dutch: Rajasuya-offer; In Finnish: Rajasuya-uhri; In Spanish: Sacrificio Rajasuya; In German: Rajasuya-Opfer

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Rajasuya sacrifice'

Hinduism Books

Rajasuya sacrifice in Hinduism symbolizes royal authority and sovereignty, epitomized by King Yudhishthira鈥檚 grand ritual, which reflects the culmination of royal power, merit, and divine favor, highlighting both martial and religious strength.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) A prominent Vedic sacrifice linked to kingship, whose merits are gained through dedicated fasting.[1] (2) A grand sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira that symbolizes royal authority and divine favor.[2] (3) A great royal sacrifice performed by kings to attain higher spiritual statuses and blessings.[3] (4) A grand royal sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira, showcasing his sovereignty.[4] (5) A grand royal sacrificial ritual signifying Arjuna鈥檚 heroic feats and contributions to his community, showcasing his valor and stature.[5]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) A significant Vedic ritual associated with kingship and power, for which King Harishcandra owes a ceremonial fee to the sage Vishvamitra.[6] (2) A grand sacrificial ritual performed by King Harishcandra, showcasing his authority and virtuous rule.[7] (3) A grand Vedic sacrifice that is considered highly meritorious, often performed by kings to establish their authority.[8] (4) A significant ritual performed by the Pandavas showcasing their strength and status.[9] (5) A royal ceremony performed by the Pandavas that signifies their acceptance of power and authority.[10]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) A significant Vedic ritual or sacrifice that involves multiple performers who endure challenges and hardships.[11] (2) A significant ceremonial sacrifice in Hindu tradition that offers rewards and heavenly seats for the virtuous.[12] (3) A ceremonial act performed by kings, symbolizing excellence and high status, which Lavana aspires to emulate mentally.[13]

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) A significant royal sacrifice indicating the authority of a king, part of Meghanada's rituals.[14] (2) A significant Vedic ritual that is part of Shri Ramacandra's anticipated coronation process.[15] (3) A significant ritual that is considered indestructible and unchangeable, serving as both the support of the law and the destroyer of all evil, which Rama wishes to perform.[16]

From: Markandeya Purana

(1) A grand royal sacrifice that Harishcandra is supposed to pay for but struggles to fulfill.[17] (2) A significant royal sacrifice in Hindu tradition, which requires a fee to be fulfilled.[18] (3) A significant royal sacrifice linked to King Harishcandra, which Brahma references during the contention between Vashishtha and Vishvamitra.[19]

From: Harivamsha Purana

(1) A grand sacrificial ritual in Vedic tradition, the fruits of which can be attained by listening to the Bharata multiple times.[20] (2) A grand and royal sacrifice celebrated by Bali with abundant gold.[21] (3) A grand royal ritual performed by Harishcandra, marking his ascent to power as Lord Paramount.[22]

From: Nilamata Purana

(1) A significant Vedic sacrifice associated with great merit, obtainable through sacred bathing.[23] (2) An important royal ritual in Hindu tradition associated with achieving considerable merit, associated with various holy bathing locations in the text.[24]

From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)

(1) A great sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira, where Sri Krishna played a significant role in killing Sisupala.[25] (2) A grand royal sacrifice performed to consecrate a king, which gained popularity during the Treta Yuga.[26]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) A grand ceremonial event celebrated by the Pandavas in Indraprastha after being granted half the kingdom.[27]

From: Vishnu Purana

(1) A significant sacrificial rite celebrated by Soma, which enhanced his glory and dominion.[28]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) An important Vedic ritual that involved the worship of deities, during which Nakula and Sahadeva displayed their affection for Shri Krishna.[29] (2) A significant ritual performed by Maharaja Shri Yudhishthira that led to his immense fame.[30] (3) A royal Vedic sacrifice performed by a king to demonstrate sovereignty and gain merits.[31]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) A significant ceremonial function in which King Yudhishthira completed all rituals.[32] (2) A significant ritual performed by Maharaja Yudhishthira where all the demigods from various universal planetary systems assemble.[33] (3) A significant event mentioned in the text, where kings present themselves, and various actions such as praise and rebuke occur.[34]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) A significant Vedic ritual performed by kings to achieve prosperity and honor, which holds spiritual importance in the context of Shri Krishna's names.[35]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) A significant royal sacrifice that, along with other grand rituals like Vajapeya, represents a culmination of offerings and rituals considered paramount in the sacrificial tradition.[36] (2) A lesser form of sacrifice through which the performer can become a king.[37]

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)

(1) The rajasuya-sacrifice is a scriptural injunction, and denying its validity is analogous to denying the variety of the world.[38] (2) A specific type of sacrifice in Hindu rituals, which is traditionally associated with the warrior caste, and signifies a distinct offering connected to social and spiritual hierarchies.[39]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya

(1) A significant royal sacrifice that is part of the king's duties and rituals to secure authority.[40]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra

(1) A specific type of Vedic sacrifice linked with regal authority and abundance represented through the number of cows.[41]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Harsha-charita

(1) A royal ritual conducted to establish a king's supremacy and commemorate accomplishments.[42]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or 鈥榚pic poetry鈥� and natya, or 鈥榙ramatic poetry鈥�.

The concept of Rajasuya sacrifice in local and regional sources

History Books

The Rajasuya sacrifice is a royal inauguration ritual signifying a king's divine right to rule, involving complex ceremonies and offerings, crucial for establishing supremacy in ancient Indian culture, as seen in Vedic traditions and narratives like Siddharthan's novel.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The Rajasuya sacrifice is another sacrifice in fire.[43] (2) A grand Vedic ritual performed by kings to signify their authority and power, in which references are made to the Kirtimukha.[44] (3) An important royal ritual in ancient Indian culture aimed at establishing supremacy, highlighted in the narrative about the Chola king in Siddharthan's novel.[45] (4) Another major Vedic sacrificial rite involving extensive offerings that marked kings' elevation in status, requiring divestiture of property.[46]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is a great event to which all the liberated kings came, along with those conquered by the brothers, to render homage to Yudhishthira.[47]

Plural form: Rajasuya sacrifices.