Question

Short answer type question:

Write a short note on the 'ashvamedha' ritual.

Answer 1

The 'ashvamedha' (horse sacrifice) was a ritual used to recognise men as rajas. A horse was left to wander freely. If it wandered into another kingdom and the king of that kingdom stopped it, they had to fight. The 'raja' who succeeded in the challenge was recognised as stronger. He would then perform the sacrifice, in which other kings would also come.