question_answer

          Mention the features of Ashvamedha.          

Answer:

(i) The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice was one of the rituals. In this, a horse was let loose to wander freely and it was guarded by the Raja?s men.

(ii) If the horse wandered into the kingdoms of other Rajas and they stopped it then they had to fight.

(iii) If they allowed the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the Raja wanted to perform the sacrifice and was stronger than them.

(iv) These Rajas were then invited to the sacrifice, which was performed by specially trained priests. The Raja that organised the sacrifice was recognised as very powerful.