Shloka 35
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
क्रतुर्विरमतामेष देवेषु दुरवग्रह: । धर्मव्यतिकरो यत्र पाखण्डैरिन्द्रनिर्मितै: ॥ ३५ ॥
kratur viramatām eṣa deveṣu duravagrahaḥ dharma-vyatikaro yatra pākhaṇḍair indra-nirmitaiḥ
Brahmā continuó: «Detén estos sacrificios, pues han llevado a Indra a introducir muchas formas de impostura y de irreligión. Sabe que aun entre los semidioses hay deseos indeseables.»
There are many competitors in ordinary business affairs, and the karma-kāṇḍa chapters of the Vedas sometimes cause competition and envy amongst karmīs. A karmī must be envious because he wishes to enjoy material pleasures to their fullest extent. That is the material disease. Consequently there is always competition amongst karmīs, either in ordinary business affairs or in the performance of yajña. Lord Brahmā’s purpose was to end the competition between Lord Indra and Mahārāja Pṛthu. Because Mahārāja Pṛthu was a great devotee and incarnation of God, he was requested to stop the sacrifices so that Indra might not further introduce irreligious systems, which are always followed by criminal-minded people.
FAQs
This verse warns that when deceptive, heretical practices arise—here attributed to Indra’s schemes—dharma becomes distorted, so such influences should be checked even if they appear in a religious setting.
Because Indra was acting obstinately and introducing misleading practices that would cause confusion about true dharma; Brahmā advised stopping the yajña to prevent wider corruption and conflict.
Be cautious of spiritual movements that promote hypocrisy or shortcuts; protect genuine principles by prioritizing integrity, humility, and authentic devotion over prestige, rivalry, or showy religiosity.