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Rajasuya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 themselves powerful enough to be 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 military 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 military 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 described in detail in Mahabharata.
- Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
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