Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्मा अन्तर्हित: स्वराट् । वीर: स्वपशुमादाय पितुर्यज्ञमुपेयिवान् ॥ १७ ॥
so ’śvaṁ rūpaṁ ca tad dhitvā tasmā antarhitaḥ svarāṭ vīraḥ sva-paśum ādāya pitur yajñam upeyivān
इन्द्रः पृथोः पुत्रं स्वानुयान्तं दृष्ट्वा तत्कपटवेषं रूपं च त्यक्त्वा अश्वं च परित्यज्य तस्मादेव देशादन्तर्हितः अभवत्। ततः स वीरः पृथुपुत्रः स्वपशुमादाय पितुर्यज्ञशालामुपेयिवान्॥
Because his attempt to interfere with the sacrifice was exposed; giving up the stolen horse and the false guise, he withdrew and vanished from the scene.
Pṛthu’s heroic son (Vijitāśva) recovered the sacrificial animal and returned it to his father’s sacrifice.
Do your duty with courage and integrity—avoid deceit, and restore what is rightfully meant for sacred purposes and righteous work.