Rajasuya
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Rajasuya was a sacrifice performed by the ancient kings of India. It was as famous as the Ashwamedha sacrifice. Both Rajasuya and Aswamedha were performed by ancient kings who consider themseves, powerful enough to consider themselves as an emperor. Both during Rasasuya and Ashwamedha, the generals of the king, (in most cases his own kinsmen, like his brother or son) will set for a millitary campaign. They will conquer the kings of other kingdoms and collect tribute from them. The vanquished kings could be invited to attend the sacrifice ceremony. All the vanquished kings, in effect will consider the performer of these sacrifices as an emperor. In case of Ashwamedha, the army of the millitary campaign is led by a wandering horse, let loose from the capital of the king who performs this sacrifice. In case of Rajasuya there is no horse involved. The generals plan their route themselves. Rajasuya sacrifices are rarer than Ashwamedha sacrifices among the kings, since it was more risky and costlier.
Pandava king Yudhisthira's Rajasuya is the most well known Rajasuya sacrifice. It is descibed in detail in Mahabharata.
See also
References
- Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
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