Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 29
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
इत्यामन्त्र्य क्रतुपतिं विदुरास्यर्त्विजो रुषा । स्रुग्घस्ताञ्जुह्वतोऽभ्येत्य स्वयम्भू: प्रत्यषेधत ॥ २९ ॥
ity āmantrya kratu-patiṁ vidurāsyartvijo ruṣā srug-ghastāñ juhvato ’bhyetya svayambhūḥ pratyaṣedhata
My dear Vidura, after giving the King this advice, the priests who had been engaged in performing the sacrifice called for Indra, the King of heaven, in a mood of great anger. When they were just ready to put the oblation in the fire, Lord Brahmā appeared on the scene and forbade them to start the sacrifice.
FAQs
Because the priests, enraged and ready to act further while offering oblations, were moving toward a harsh course; Brahmā intervened to restrain them and prevent irreligious, anger-driven action during the sacrifice.
The ‘kratupati’ is the master of the sacrifice—here, King Pṛthu, who was conducting the yajña.
Even in religious or principled work, anger can push one toward harmful decisions; wise guidance and self-restraint protect dharma and keep one’s actions pure.