Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
वधान्निवृत्तं तं भूयो हन्तवेऽत्रिरचोदयत् । जहि यज्ञहनं तात महेन्द्रं विबुधाधमम् ॥ १५ ॥
vadhān nivṛttaṁ taṁ bhūyo hantave ’trir acodayat jahi yajña-hanaṁ tāta mahendraṁ vibudhādhamam
Melihat putra Prithu kembali tanpa membunuh Indra karena tertipu, Resi Atri kembali memerintah, “Anakku, bunuh Mahendra itu, perusak yajña; ia telah menjadi yang paling hina di antara para dewa.”
FAQs
In this episode, Indra repeatedly disrupts King Pṛthu’s sacrifice out of rivalry and fear of losing prestige, so he is labeled as one who obstructs yajña.
Seeing Indra’s repeated interference with a righteous sacrifice, Atri—speaking strongly—urged Pṛthu to stop the offender and protect dharma, even if the offender was the king of heaven.
Even respected positions can be corrupted by envy; one should protect righteous duty and spiritual practice from sabotage, while remaining guided by saintly counsel and self-control.