Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 17
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
Seeing Pṛthu’s son pursuing him, Indra at once cast off his deceptive dress and form and abandoned the horse. Vanishing from that very spot, the heroic son of Mahārāja Pṛthu brought the horse back to his father’s sacrificial arena.
FAQs
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.