Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 36
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
एभिरिन्द्रोपसंसृष्टै: पाखण्डैर्हारिभिर्जनम् । ह्रियमाणं विचक्ष्वैनं यस्ते यज्ञध्रुगश्वमुट् ॥ ३६ ॥
ebhir indropasaṁsṛṣṭaiḥ pākhaṇḍair hāribhir janam hriyamāṇaṁ vicakṣvainaṁ yas te yajña-dhrug aśva-muṭ
Just see how Indra, the King of heaven, was creating a disturbance in the midst of the sacrifice by stealing the sacrificial horse. These attractive sinful activities he has introduced will be carried out by the people in general.
As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (3.21) :
FAQs
This verse warns that heretical, impostor practices can “carry away” the public—misleading people from true dharma, even when such deception is promoted by powerful figures.
In the Aśvamedha context, Indra—out of envy—created deceptive disguises and caused the sacrificial horse to be taken, threatening to disrupt Pṛthu’s sacrifice; the followers alert Pṛthu to the fraud and the danger to the yajña.
Use discernment: test teachings by their alignment with dharma, humility, and genuine devotion, and avoid paths that rely on deception, ego, or exploitation while claiming spirituality.