Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 31

Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention

False Renunciation Exposed

Devanagari script

तदिदं पश्यत महद्धर्मव्यतिकरं द्विजा: । इन्द्रेणानुष्ठितं राज्ञ: कर्मैतद्विजिघांसता ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

tad idaṁ paśyata mahad- dharma-vyatikaraṁ dvijāḥ indreṇānuṣṭhitaṁ rājñaḥ karmaitad vijighāṁsatā

Translation

In order to make trouble and impede the performance of King Pṛthu’s great sacrifice, King Indra has adopted some means that in the future will destroy the clear path of religious life. I draw your attention to this fact. If you oppose him any further, he will further misuse his power and introduce many other irreligious systems.

Synonyms

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); deictic ‘that’

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); ‘this’ (in apposition with tat)

• paśyata: see!
• paśyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• mahat: great
• mahat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying dharma-vyatikaram

• dharma-vyatikaram: violation/confusion of dharma
• dharma-vyatikaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + vyatikara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• dvijāḥ: O brāhmaṇas
• dvijāḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Plural (बहुवचन)

• indreṇa: by Indra
• indreṇa: Karaṇa/Kartṛ (करण/कर्तृ-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anuṣṭhitam: performed/committed
• anuṣṭhitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-√sthā (धातु) + kta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); past passive participle (क्त) qualifying dharma-vyatikaram/karma

• rājñaḥ: of the king
• rājñaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• karma: act/deed
• karma: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); in apposition with karma

• vijighāṁsatā: by (him) wishing to kill
• vijighāṁsatā: Karaṇa/Kartṛ (करण/कर्तृ-निर्देश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √han (धातु) desiderative jighāṁsa (सन्नन्त) + vi-; present participle (शतृ)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); ‘by one desiring to kill’ (agentive qualifier, referring to Indra)

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu
• Indra

FAQs

Why did Indra disrupt King Pṛthu’s sacrifice in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4?

This verse states that Indra caused a grave disturbance of dharma, acting with the intention to harm the King—driven by rivalry and fear of losing his prestige.

What is meant by ‘dharma-vyatikara’ in the Bhagavata Purana?

It refers to a serious disruption or violation of religious order—here, the sabotaging of a lawful Vedic sacrifice for selfish motives.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

It warns that envy and competition can make one undermine righteous work; a devotee should protect dharma by acting without malice and respecting sacred principles.