Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
अत्रिणा चोदितस्तस्मै सन्दधे विशिखं रुषा । सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्थावन्तर्हित: स्वराट् ॥ २१ ॥
atriṇā coditas tasmai sandadhe viśikhaṁ ruṣā so ’śvaṁ rūpaṁ ca tad dhitvā tasthāv antarhitaḥ svarāṭ
अत्रिणा पुनश्चोदितः स पृथुपुत्रः क्रोधेन विशिखं धनुषि सन्दधे। तत् दृष्ट्वा इन्द्रः सन्न्यासिकपटवेषं रूपं च त्यक्त्वा अश्वं परित्यज्य स्वराट् अन्तर्हितोऽभवत्॥
FAQs
Because he was an independent celestial being acting through illusion; after abandoning the horse-disguise, he concealed himself (antarhitaḥ), avoiding direct confrontation.
Svarāṭ means “fully independent”; in this episode it indicates the powerful deva (Indra) who was interfering by taking the sacrificial horse through disguise and mystic power.
It highlights how ego-driven competition creates conflict and how deceptive appearances can vanish quickly—encouraging steadiness in dharma and humility rather than reactive anger.