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## The Seventy-Sixth Chapter
257
He instructed the messengers to convey the message to the righteous King Dasharatha, as well as to other kings who desired the earth. 18
The king of Ayodhya, understanding the meaning of the letter and the message of the messenger, inquired of his minister to ascertain the purpose of this. 182
He narrated the message of King Janaka to his ministers and asked what should be done. In response, the minister Agamasara spoke these inauspicious words: 183
"The completion of the Yajna without any obstacles will bring benefit to both worlds, and it will be the best path for these two princes." 184
After Agamasara finished speaking, the most learned minister, Atishayamati, determined the meaning of what was said and spoke: 185
"This statement that performing the Yajna is Dharma does not reach the level of proof, therefore wise men do not engage in this act." 186
"The validity of a statement comes from the validity of the speaker. How can the statement of a contradicting person, who advocates for the Yajna, which involves the killing of all beings, be considered valid? It is like the statement of a madman. If those who interpret the Vedas are not contradicting each other, then why are there statements advocating for violence and prohibiting it in the same scripture? Perhaps you will say that the Vedas are self-created, and therefore there is no fault in contradictions. This is not true, because you can be asked: what is the nature of self-creation? Explain it. If you say that it is independent of the actions of intelligent beings, then the roaring of clouds and the croaking of frogs would also be self-created, because they too arise on their own. Therefore, the Agamas, the scriptures, are those that are spoken by the omniscient, those that benefit all beings, and those that are free from all faults. The word Yajna refers to giving great gifts and worshipping gods and sages." 187-192
"Yaga, Yajna, Krutu, Puja, Saparya, Ijya, Adhvara, Makha, and Maha are all synonyms for the act of worship." 193
"The meaning of the word Yajna, which is giving great gifts and worshipping, is itself a form of Dharma, and from Dharma, people accumulate merit..." 194