jitvaa paŕaam dhanaḿ sarvaḿ sastriiḱam vajra-paaṇ`ayee
pratyayacchat sa raajarsḥir iti naamabhir aahṛtaḥa.
ENGLISH: After conquering the enemies, (Puranjaya) gave away the enemies' riches along with their wives to the God of Thunderbolt (Indra).
DID GOD RELISH HORSE SACRIFICES?
WHICH SMELL DID AMBARISHA LIKE? THE SMELL OF HORSE FAT OR THE SMELL OF TULSI LEAVES?
The King Ambarisha performed many horse sacrifices and satisfied the Supreme God. The sacrifices were grand, well equiped and full of gifts to priests. The feasts were led by sages Vasisht`a, Asita and Gautama.VERSE NO. 9-4-22
Ijee as`vameedhair adhiyagnam Iis`varam
mahaa vibhuutyoopacitaamga daksḥiṇaạha
tatair Vasiṣt`ha Asita Gautamaadibhir
dhanyani abhisrootam asau sarasvatiim.
QUESTIONS 1) Is the Godhead fond of flesh of horses? 2) In the preceding verses, the king Ambarisha was said to be a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, taking pleasure only in smelling the flavors of Tulsi (an aromatic plant considered sacred by Hindus). In horse sacrifices, the king has to smell the fumes of burning fat of the horse. 3) Why Lord Siva (a God equal to Lord Vishnu among the trinity) was relegated to be entitled to just the remnants (left overs) of the sacrifices (Evidence verse No.9/4/8 yagna vastu gataḿ sarvam ucchiṣhṭ`am rịṣhayahạ kvacit,
cakrur hi bhaagaḿ rudraaya sa devaḥ sarvam arhati--LORD SIVA IS ENTITLED TO THE LEFT OVERS). (Note: According to Valmiki Ramayana 1/61/8, Ambarisha performed a human sacrifice. It said that Visvamitra participated in the sacrifice. In Bhagavata we have three sages Vasisht`a, Asita, Gautama. This makes four adding Visvaamitra.). This also adds additional meaning that the Godhead himself was fond of human sacrifices.
