In the mid-eighth century, the Rashtrakuta chief Dantidurga performed a ritual, literally meaning 'golden womb', to be 'reborn' as a Kshatriya. This ritual was called:

Dantidurga, the Rashtrakuta chief, performed the "Hiranyagarbha" ritual, which literally means "golden womb".

About the Hiranyagarbha ritual:

• NCERT explains that this ritual was believed to lead to the "rebirth" of the sacrificer as a Kshatriya, even if he was not one by birth.
• It was performed with the help of Brahmanas.
• A large golden vessel was made, and the ruler sat inside it while rituals were performed, as if he were in a womb; he then emerged from it, as if reborn.
• The gold used was then given away to Brahmanas.

Why it was performed:

• In the early medieval period, many new rulers came from families that were not originally Kshatriyas.
• Some were chiefs, landholders or military commanders who rose to power.
• By performing such rituals, they sought to show that they were legitimate rulers with high status.

Dantidurga and the Rashtrakutas:

• The Rashtrakutas were originally subordinates (samantas) of the Chalukyas of Karnataka.
• In the mid-eighth century, Dantidurga overthrew his Chalukya overlord.
• The Rashtrakutas became one of the most powerful dynasties of the Deccan, with their capital later at Manyakheta (Malkhed, Karnataka).
• Famous Rashtrakuta rulers included Dhruva, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha I and Krishna III.
• The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built under their patronage.

Other examples:

NCERT also mentions that the Kadamba ruler Mayurasharman and the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Harichandra were Brahmanas who gave up their traditional occupation and took up arms, establishing kingdoms.

Meaning of "Hiranyagarbha" in the Vedas:

In the Rigveda, Hiranyagarbha is the "golden embryo" from which the universe arose.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Ashvamedha was the horse sacrifice.
• ✗Rajasuya was the royal consecration sacrifice.
• ✗Vajapeya was a sacrifice involving a chariot race.