Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 24
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
एषोऽश्वमेधाञ् शतमाजहारसरस्वती प्रादुरभावि यत्र । अहार्षीद्यस्य हयं पुरन्दर:शतक्रतुश्चरमे वर्तमाने ॥ २४ ॥
eṣo ’śvamedhāñ śatam ājahāra sarasvatī prādurabhāvi yatra ahārṣīd yasya hayaṁ purandaraḥ śata-kratuś carame vartamāne
サラスヴァティー河の源において、この王は百回のアシュヴァメーダ祭を執り行う。最後の祭の最中、天帝インドラ—プランダラ、またシャタクラトゥ—が供犠の馬を盗み去るであろう。
FAQs
Because Pṛthu Mahārāja was completing one hundred aśvamedhas, Indra—known as Śatakratu—became threatened in prestige and, out of rivalry, stole the horse during the final sacrifice.
It highlights that Pṛthu performed one hundred aśvamedha sacrifices and that his sacrificial site was so sanctified that Sarasvatī herself manifested there—showing extraordinary dharma and spiritual potency.
Even exalted positions can be shaken by ego and comparison; a devotee should focus on sincere duty and devotion rather than status, rivalry, or recognition.