The supreme primordial yajna that can be called "Bhuvanasya nabhi" - the nucleus of the universe, is said to have been

performed right at the time of creation of the world.

The story is well known. A stalk of lotus came out from the navel of Lord Vishnu. On its growth, a lotus flower bloomed. The

Lord of creation, Brahma, appeared in that lotus and from Him started the process of creation. This is a rhetoric description,

which gives a glimpse of the first endeavor pertaining to yajna. It becomes clear from the two statements; namely, "yajno vai

Vishnu" (Meaning - yajna is truly Vishnu) and yajna is "Bhuvanasya nabhi" that the divine navel which gave birth to the lotus

and the Lord of creation, Brahma, is indeed yajna. The creeper of sacrificial deeds grew further and its parts developed into

the petals of the lotus. In this process of growth, whatever beneficial, creative power emerged was given the name: Creator –

Brahma. In order to maintain the balance and to develop further the sacrificial creation, it was enjoined to follow the discipline

of yajna and to develop and to keep the momentum.

This direction was followed. Sun, Moon, air, fire, water, earth all of them started nourishing, protecting and developing this

creation (the world) by following the sacrificial procedure. Seas, clouds, mountains, rivers, plants, trees, etc all became the

followers of sacrificial discipline, (i.e., the discipline of yajna). Animals, birds, worms, insects, etc also started living in harmony

with nature, in accordance with the discipline of yajna.

The highest evolved creature of this earth, man, also followed the divine discipline (in the form of Devpujan). He instituted

Sangatikaran (togetherness, organization) by living together in mutual love, understanding and cooperation. By his

compassionate efforts, he initiated the process of showering compassion on others, giving donations, etc. Thus, as a result of

the sacrificial life style, the divine blessings, in the form of golden age, were received by humanity for a long time.

With the passage of time, when humanity started deviating from the discipline of yajna, several Karmakands of yajna were

developed in order to train the people and instill into their lives the discipline of yajna. Several successful experiments have

been conducted from time to time to make the way-lost people and the disordered society follow the discipline of yajna. The

following are the examples: In order to develop divine tendencies - Dev yajna; to show hospitality to the guests and human

beings – Nra- yajna; to nourish innumerable creatures Bhut- yajna; Balivaishva yajna, etc, were in vogue. Vishnu yajna - to

develop tendencies leading to prosperity; Rudra yajna – to awaken the pride; Chandi yajna - to subjugate

malpractices/wickedness, etc used to be performed from time to time. Gomedha, ajamedha, etc experiments used to be

performed to protect and increase the useful cattle. Later on the word "medha" was interpreted wrongly. In fact, the word

‘medha’ is a synonym of yajna. More clarification in this regard is being given in some articles in this issue itself.

Detailed description of the following experiments of yajna is found in ancient scriptures: the Bajpeya yajna for increasing the

good tendencies in the society; Rajsuya yajna for establishing the political order; Ashvamedha yajna for making the entire

nation united, powerful and progressive; etc. Ashvamedha has been called best among these yajnas- the king of yajnas.

It is, therefore, clear that Ashvamedha Yajnanushthan is not an ordinary Karmakand. It cannot also be a self-aggrandizing

work of any king for fulfilling his lust for expansion of his kingdom. The form of this Yajnanushthan can be understood only by

following the vision of the sages. We shall discuss this, point by point, in what follows.