Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s6.4

c7.s6.4

The aśvamedha like the kindred rājasūya is a rite certainly complex in its nature. Eggeling says, ‘A great state function in which religious and sacrificial element is closely and deftly interwoven with a varied programme of secular ceremonies.’ But this differs from the rājasūya to the extent that the performer of the latter might be any petty chieftain while that of the former must be a king of kings. He should be one to