Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 28
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
वयं मरुत्वन्तमिहार्थनाशनंह्वयामहे त्वच्छ्रवसा हतत्विषम् । अयातयामोपहवैरनन्तरंप्रसह्य राजन् जुहवाम तेऽहितम् ॥ २८ ॥
vayaṁ marutvantam ihārtha-nāśanaṁ hvayāmahe tvac-chravasā hata-tviṣam ayātayāmopahavair anantaraṁ prasahya rājan juhavāma te ’hitam
Wahai Raja, karena berusaha menghalangi yajñamu, kemuliaan Indra sudah meredup. Kami akan memanggilnya dengan mantra-mantra Weda yang belum pernah dipakai; ia pasti datang, lalu dengan daya mantra kami akan mempersembahkannya ke api sebagai musuhmu.
By chanting the Vedic mantras properly in a sacrifice, one can perform many wonderful things. In Kali-yuga, however, there are no qualified brāhmaṇas who can chant the mantras properly. Consequently no attempt should be made to perform such big sacrifices. In this age the only sacrifice recommended is the saṅkīrtana movement.
FAQs
Because Indra was obstructing King Pṛthu’s horse sacrifice; the priests propose calling him into the sacrificial arena so he can be checked and symbolically punished as an offender of the yajña.
King Pṛthu’s priests (ṛtviks) are speaking to King Pṛthu, advising a forceful ritual response against Indra’s interference.
When facing obstruction and injustice, discipline and adherence to dharma matter; however, the broader narrative also cautions that power should be guided by restraint and higher spiritual purpose, not anger.