When one performs ritualistic sacrifices as prescribed in the Vedas, one needs expert brāhmaṇas known as yājṣika-brāhmaṇas. In Kali-yuga, however, there is a scarcity of such brāhmaṇas. Therefore in Kali-yuga the sacrifice recommended in śāstra is saṅkīrtana-yajṣa ( yajṣaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ ). Instead of spending money unnecessarily on performing yajṣas impossible to perform in this Age of Kali because of the scarcity of yājṣika-brāhmaṇas, one who is intelligent performs saṅkīrtana-yajṣa. Without properly performed yajṣas to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there will be scarcity of rain ( yajṣād bhavati parjanyaḥ ). Therefore the performance of yajṣa is essential. Without yajṣa there will be a scarcity of rain, and because of this scarcity, no food grains will be produced, and there will be famines. It is the duty of the king, therefore, to perform different types of yajṣas, such as the aśvamedha-yajṣa, to maintain the production of food grains. Annād bhavanti bhūtāni. Without food grains, both men and animals will starve. Therefore yajṣa is necessary for the state to perform because by yajṣa the people in general will be fed sumptuously. The brāhmaṇas and yājṣika priests should be sufficiently paid for their expert service. This payment is called dakṣiṇā. Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, as the head of the state, performed all these yajṣas through great personalities like Vasiṣṭha, Gautama and Asita. Personally, however, he was engaged in devotional service, as mentioned before ( sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ ). The king or head of state must see that things go on well under proper guidance, and he must be an ideal devotee, as exemplified by Mahārāja Ambarīṣa. It is the duty of the king to see that food grains are produced even in desert countries, what to speak of elsewhere.