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
Sa pinagmumulan ng Ilog Sarasvatī, isasagawa ng haring ito ang sandaang sakripisyong Aśvamedha. Sa huling sakripisyo, si Indra—Purandara, ang Śatakratu—ay magnanakaw ng kabayong panghandog.
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.