Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्मा अन्तर्हित: स्वराट् । वीर: स्वपशुमादाय पितुर्यज्ञमुपेयिवान् ॥ १७ ॥
so ’śvaṁ rūpaṁ ca tad dhitvā tasmā antarhitaḥ svarāṭ vīraḥ sva-paśum ādāya pitur yajñam upeyivān
Als Indra sah, dass der Sohn Pṛthus ihn verfolgte, legte er sogleich seine trügerische Verkleidung und Gestalt ab und ließ das Pferd zurück. An eben jener Stelle wurde er unsichtbar, und der große Held, der Sohn Mahārāja Pṛthus, brachte das Pferd zur Opferstätte seines Vaters zurück.
Because his attempt to interfere with the sacrifice was exposed; giving up the stolen horse and the false guise, he withdrew and vanished from the scene.
Pṛthu’s heroic son (Vijitāśva) recovered the sacrificial animal and returned it to his father’s sacrifice.
Do your duty with courage and integrity—avoid deceit, and restore what is rightfully meant for sacred purposes and righteous work.