Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तमत्रिर्भगवानैक्षत्त्वरमाणं विहायसा । आमुक्तमिव पाखण्डं योऽधर्मे धर्मविभ्रम: ॥ १२ ॥
tam atrir bhagavān aikṣat tvaramāṇaṁ vihāyasā āmuktam iva pākhaṇḍaṁ yo ’dharme dharma-vibhramaḥ
ព្រះឥសី អត្រី បានឃើញឥន្ទ្រា កំពុងប្រញាប់រត់តាមមេឃ។ គាត់ស្លៀកពាក់ដូចអ្នកបានរួចផុត ប៉ុន្តែវាជាការបោកបញ្ឆោត—បង្កើតរូបធម៌ក្នុងអធម៌។
The word pākhaṇḍa used in this verse is sometimes pronounced pāṣaṇḍa. Both of these words indicate an imposter who presents himself as a very religious person but in actuality is sinful. Indra took up the saffron-colored dress as a way of cheating others. This saffron dress has been misused by many imposters who present themselves as liberated persons or incarnations of God. In this way people are cheated. As we have mentioned many times, the conditioned soul has a tendency to cheat; therefore this quality is also visible in a person like King Indra. It is understood that even King Indra is not liberated from the clutches of material contamination. Thus the words āmuktam iva, meaning “as if he were liberated,” are used. The saffron dress worn by a sannyāsī announces to the world that he has renounced all worldly affairs and is simply engaged in the service of the Lord. Such a devotee is actually a sannyāsī, or liberated person. In Bhagavad-gītā (6.1) it is said:
FAQs
This verse portrays pākhaṇḍa as something that masquerades as dharma while actually rooted in adharma—creating “dharma-vibhrama,” confusion about true religion.
In the sacrifice narrative of King Pṛthu, a celestial figure (implied to be Indra) flees through the sky after interfering; Atri observes him as an emblem of irreligion disguised as religion.
Use discernment: evaluate teachings and leaders by integrity, humility, and genuine devotion rather than external symbols, titles, or showy “spiritual” branding.