Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 7
Mahārāja Sagara, Kapila Muni, and the Deliverance of the Sixty Thousand Sons
सोऽश्वमेधैरयजत सर्ववेदसुरात्मकम् । और्वोपदिष्टयोगेन हरिमात्मानमीश्वरम् । तस्योत्सृष्टं पशुं यज्ञे जहाराश्वं पुरन्दर: ॥ ७ ॥
so ’śvamedhair ayajata sarva-veda-surātmakam aurvopadiṣṭa-yogena harim ātmānam īśvaram tasyotsṛṣṭaṁ paśuṁ yajñe jahārāśvaṁ purandaraḥ
Following the instructions of the great sage Aurva, Sagara Mahārāja performed aśvamedha sacrifices and thus satisfied the Supreme Lord, who is the supreme controller, the Supersoul of all learned scholars, and the knower of all Vedic knowledge, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But Indra, the King of heaven, stole the horse meant to be offered at the sacrifice.
FAQs
This verse portrays Aśvamedha as a Vedic sacrifice meant for worship of Hari, the Supreme Lord within the heart, who is the essence of the Vedas and the gods.
The verse states that Indra carried away the released horse during the sacrifice, reflecting how heavenly rulers may interfere when a king’s sacrificial power and fame increase.
Perform one’s duties with the intention of worshiping Hari as the indwelling Lord, and remain steady even when obstacles or interference arise.