Shloka 27
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तमृत्विज: शक्रवधाभिसन्धितंविचक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमसह्यरंहसम् । निवारयामासुरहो महामतेन युज्यतेऽत्रान्यवध: प्रचोदितात् ॥ २७ ॥
tam ṛtvijaḥ śakra-vadhābhisandhitaṁ vicakṣya duṣprekṣyam asahya-raṁhasam nivārayām āsur aho mahā-mate na yujyate ’trānya-vadhaḥ pracoditāt
Quando os sacerdotes e os demais viram Mahārāja Pṛthu, irado e pronto para matar Indra, suplicaram: Ó grande alma, não o mates; num yajña, segundo o śāstra, só o animal sacrificial pode ser abatido.
Animal killing is intended for different purposes: it tests the proper pronunciation of Vedic mantras, and an animal being put into the sacrificial fire should come out with a new life. No one should ever be killed in a sacrifice meant for the satisfaction of Lord Viṣṇu. How then could Indra be killed when he is actually worshiped in the yajña and accepted as part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Therefore the priests requested King Pṛthu not to kill him.
FAQs
This verse shows that even when provoked, a righteous leader should restrain destructive anger; killing or harming others out of retaliation is not considered fitting for the great-minded.
They saw Pr̥thu’s wrath becoming unbearable and swift, and reminded him that dharma does not support killing another person merely due to provocation—even if Indra had acted offensively.
When insulted or wronged, pause before acting, seek counsel from wise well-wishers, and choose a response aligned with principle rather than impulsive retaliation.