Ashvamedha vs Rajasuya: Understanding the Royal Yajnas of Ancient Bharat In Hindu tradition, yajna is not simply a ritual, it is a science of offering, discipline and connection with the divine. Since Vedic times, yajnas were performed for many purposes, some for personal welfare, some for the welfare of whole kingdom, and some to declare the power and sovereignty of a king. Among the many yajnas mentioned in our scriptures, Ashvamedha Yajna and Rajasuya Yajna are considered as most grand and significant, both associated with kingship, dharma and cosmic order. This article is going to explore both these yajnas in detail, their meaning, history, similarities, differences and what relevance, if any, they have in today's time. What is a Yajna Yajna comes from the Sanskrit root "yaj" which means to worship, to sacrifice or to offer. In Hindu philosophy, yajna is considered a sacred exchange between man and the divine powers. Fire, or Agni, is treated as the medium or mess...