Ashvala (Sanskrit: अश्वल) was the chief Hotra Brahmin priest at the court of the King Janaka in Mithila.[1][2][3] He was the authority at the Asvamedha Yajna organised by the king Janaka in which the Brahmins of the Kurus and Panchalas were invited.[4] He is mentioned in the texts Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Satapatha Brahmana.[5][6]
Acharya Ashvala | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Religion | Sanatana Hinduism |
| Children | Kausalya |
| Region | Mithila region |
| Main interest(s) | Vedas |
| Alma mater | Ancient Mithila University |
| Known for | Debate with the sage Yajnavalkya |
| Occupation | Chief Priest |
| Chief Hotra Brahmin priest at the Court of King Janaka in Mithila | |
Description
editAshvala was one of the eight Brahmins who took part in the Shastrartha against the sage Yajnavalkya in the Bahu Yajna organised by the king Janaka at his court. He was the first Brahmin to question the sage Yajnavalkya in the Shastrartha. In the Shastrartha, Yajnavalkya answered all the questions asked by Ashvala.[6]
According to the text Prashnopanishad, the name of the son of Ashvala was Kausalya. He was the disciple of the sage Pippalada.[7]
Ashvala - Yajnavalkya Shastrartha
editThe philosophical debate between the Hotra priest Ashvala and the sage Yajnavalkya at the court of the king Janaka in Mithila is known Ashvala - Yajnavalkya Shastrartha.
In the Shastrartha, the priest Ashvala asked the first question about the way for a sacrificer to get rid from the death. He inquired "By what means a sacrificer go beyond the clutches of the death".[6]
References
edit- ^ Bhushan, Sasanka (1975). Ancient India: A Chronological Study, 1500-400 B.C. Institute of Chronology. p. 9.
- ^ Sinha, Ashok K. (2013-07-25). Glimpse of Scriptures of Religions of Indian Origin: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4836-6309-8.
- ^ Chaitanya (Yati), Nitya (1994). Brhadaranyaka Upanisad. D.K. Printworld. p. 300. ISBN 978-81-246-0007-8.
- ^ "Upanishads". upanishads.org.in. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2018-06-11). "Asvala, Ashvala, Aśvala: 6 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ a b c www.wisdomlib.org (2015-02-23). "Yajnavalkya and Asvala [Section I]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-01-30). "Prashnopanishad, Prashna Upanishad, Praśnopaniṣad, Prashna-upanishad: 6 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
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