--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A particularly elaborate version of such…" description: "\"“A particularly elaborate version of such an aswamedha is commemorated in the heart of Varanasi (Benares), otherwise the City of Lord Shiva and the hol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb4/john-keay-31557_quote_a-particularly-elaborate-version-of-such_731586.jpg" --- # A particularly elaborate version of such an aswamedha is… ![“A particularly elaborate version of such an aswamedha is commemorated in the heart of Varanasi (Benares), otherwise the City of Lord Shiva and the holiest place of pilgrimage in northern India. Legend has it that Shiva, while temporarily dispossessed of his beloved city, hit on the idea of…” quote by John Keay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb4/john-keay-31557_quote_a-particularly-elaborate-version-of-such_731586.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb4/john-keay-31557_quote_a-particularly-elaborate-version-of-such_731586.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb4/john-keay-31557_quote_a-particularly-elaborate-version-of-such_731586.jpg) > ““A particularly elaborate version of such an aswamedha is commemorated in the heart of Varanasi (Benares), otherwise the City of Lord Shiva and the holiest place of pilgrimage in northern India. Legend has it that Shiva, while temporarily dispossessed of his beloved city, hit on the idea of regaining it by imposing on its incumbent king a quite impossible ritual challenge, namely the performance of ten simultaneous horse-sacrifices. The chances of all ten passing off without mishap could be safely discounted and thus the king, disgraced in the eyes of both gods and men, would be obliged to relinquish the city. So Lord Shiva reasoned and, just to make sure, he also arranged for Lord Brahma, a stickler for the niceties of ceremonial performance, to referee the challenge. Shiva failed, however, to take account of King Divodasa’s quite exceptional piety and punctiliousness. All ten aswamedha were faultlessly performed. The king thereby gained untold merit and favour; Brahma was so impressed that he decided to stay on in the city; and Shiva slunk away to fume and fret and dream up ever more ambitious schemes to recover his capital. Thus to this day, when approaching the celebrated river-front at Varanasi, pilgrims and tourists alike get their first glimpse of the Ganga and of the steep ghats (terracing) which front it from ‘Dashashwamedh’ ghat, the place of ‘the ten horse-sacrifices’. And the merit of this extraordinary feat, it is said, continues to attend all who here bathe in the sacred river.”” [John Keay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shiva tried to reclaim Varanasi by imposing an impossible ritual, but the devout king succeeded, showing piety can overcome divine challenges. **In simple terms:** Devotion can triumph over divine obstacles. Key Takeaway Respect sincere devotion. Themes mythology faith power ritual humility Mood reverent inquisitive reflective Type mythological cultural educational When to use this quote - Pilgrimage planning - spiritual reflection - learning about Indian myths - teaching humility - exploring religious rites Key Concepts Divine challenge piety merit cultural heritage Questions to Reflect On - What does this story teach about the limits of power? - How can humility change outcomes? A Different Perspective Divine beings may be portrayed with human flaws, limiting literal interpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lord Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord-shiva/) ## Related quotes > [My father's family hails from Banaras. My grandfather taught mathematics at Banaras Hindu University. 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The chances of all ten passing off without mishap could be safely discounted and thus the king, disgraced in the eyes of both gods and men, would be obliged to relinquish the city. So Lord Shiva reasoned and, just to make sure, he also arranged for Lord Brahma, a stickler for the niceties of ceremonial performance, to referee the challenge. Shiva failed, however, to take account of King Divodasa’s quite exceptional piety and punctiliousness. All ten aswamedha were faultlessly performed. The king thereby gained untold merit and favour; Brahma was so impressed that he decided to stay on in the city; and Shiva slunk away to fume and fret and dream up ever more ambitious schemes to recover his capital. Thus to this day, when approaching the celebrated river-front at Varanasi, pilgrims and tourists alike get their first glimpse of the Ganga and of the steep ghats (terracing) which front it from ‘Dashashwamedh’ ghat, the place of ‘the ten horse-sacrifices’. 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