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

O dvijas, behold this grave disruption of dharma: to trouble and obstruct the King’s great sacrifice, Indra has adopted a means that will in time corrupt the clear path of religion. If you oppose him further, he will misuse his power and introduce many more irreligious ways.

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.