Shloka 3
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
अन्तर्धानगतिं शक्राल्लब्ध्वान्तर्धानसंज्ञित: । अपत्यत्रयमाधत्त शिखण्डिन्यां सुसम्मतम् ॥ ३ ॥
antardhāna-gatiṁ śakrāl labdhvāntardhāna-saṁjñitaḥ apatya-trayam ādhatta śikhaṇḍinyāṁ susammatam
Formerly, Mahārāja Vijitāśva pleased Indra, the king of heaven, and from him received the title “Antardhāna.” His wife was named Śikhaṇḍinī, and by her he begot three virtuous sons.
Mahārāja Vijitāśva was known as Antardhāna, which means “disappearance.” He received this title from Indra, and it refers to the time when Indra stole Mahārāja Pṛthu’s horse from the sacrificial arena. Indra was not visible to others when he was stealing the horse, but Mahārāja Pṛthu’s son Vijitāśva could see him. Yet despite his knowing that Indra was taking away his father’s horse, Vijitāśva did not attack him. This indicates that Mahārāja Vijitāśva respected the right persons. Although Indra was stealing the horse from his father, Vijitāśva knew perfectly well that Indra was not an ordinary thief. Since Indra was a great and powerful demigod and servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vijitāśva purposefully excused him due to sentiment only, even though Indra was acting wrongly. Thus Indra became very pleased with Vijitāśva at that time. The demigods have the great mystic power of being able to appear and disappear according to their will, and since Indra was very pleased with Vijitāśva, he bestowed this mystic power upon him. Thus Vijitāśva became known as Antardhāna.
FAQs
Antardhāna is a descendant in King Pṛthu’s line; he is called Antardhāna because he received from Indra the power to disappear (become invisible).
It states that Indra granted the mystic ability of invisibility to him, and this gift became a defining feature of his identity and name.
Extraordinary powers may come by divine arrangement, but the verse emphasizes responsible household life and lineage—using one’s gifts without losing sight of dharma and devotion.