Shloka 26
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तदभिज्ञाय भगवान्पृथु: पृथुपराक्रम: । इन्द्राय कुपितो बाणमादत्तोद्यतकार्मुक: ॥ २६ ॥
tad abhijñāya bhagavān pṛthuḥ pṛthu-parākramaḥ indrāya kupito bāṇam ādattodyata-kārmukaḥ
Al comprenderlo, el poderosísimo Bhagavān Pṛthu se enfureció contra Indra; alzó el arco, tomó la flecha y se dispuso a darle muerte.
It is the duty of the king not to tolerate the introduction of any irreligious systems. Since King Pṛthu was an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, certainly his duty was to cut down all kinds of irreligious systems. Following in his footsteps, all heads of state should themselves be bona fide representatives of God and should cut down all irreligious systems. Unfortunately they are cowards who declare a secular state. Such a mentality is a way of compromising religious and irreligious systems, but because of this citizens are generally becoming uninterested in spiritual advancement. Thus the situation deteriorates to such an extent that human society becomes hellish.
FAQs
Because Pṛthu understood Indra’s interference with his sacrificial rite, and in response he prepared to punish Indra by taking up an arrow with his bow raised.
Śukadeva describes King Pṛthu recognizing Indra’s actions and, in righteous anger, readying his weapon—an arrow—aimed toward Indra.
It highlights that a leader may need firm action when dharma is obstructed, but the response should be deliberate—first understanding the situation, then acting with responsibility.