Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 14
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तं तादृशाकृतिं वीक्ष्य मेने धर्मं शरीरिणम् । जटिलं भस्मनाच्छन्नं तस्मै बाणं न मुञ्चति ॥ १४ ॥
taṁ tādṛśākṛtiṁ vīkṣya mene dharmaṁ śarīriṇam jaṭilaṁ bhasmanācchannaṁ tasmai bāṇaṁ na muñcati
Melihat rupa itu—rambut digelung dan tubuh dilumuri abu—putra Prithu mengira Indra sebagai perwujudan dharma, seorang sannyasi suci; maka ia tidak melepaskan panahnya.
FAQs
This verse says Pṛthu, seeing the ascetic-like form, understood him as Dharma embodied and therefore refrained from attacking—showing that true righteousness can be recognized and honored even amid conflict.
Because Pṛthu perceived the figure—matted-haired and covered with ash—as Dharma personified, and out of reverence and discernment he withheld violence.
Pause before reacting in anger; if a situation calls for higher principles (fairness, conscience, lawful conduct), restrain impulsive retaliation and choose the dharmic response.