Shloka 13
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
अत्रिणा चोदितो हन्तुं पृथुपुत्रो महारथ: । अन्वधावत सङ्कुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥ १३ ॥
atriṇā codito hantuṁ pṛthu-putro mahā-rathaḥ anvadhāvata saṅkruddhas tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt
اَتری مُنی کے بتانے پر پرتھو کا بیٹا، وہ مہارَتھی، اندر کی چال جان کر سخت غضبناک ہوا اور اسے قتل کرنے کو پیچھے دوڑا، پکارا: “ٹھہرو! ٹھہرو!”
The words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha are used by a kṣatriya when he challenges his enemy. When fighting, a kṣatriya cannot flee from the battlefield. However, when a kṣatriya out of cowardice flees from the battlefield, showing his back to his enemy, he is challenged with the words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha. A real kṣatriya does not kill his enemy from behind, nor does a real kṣatriya turn his back on the battlefield. According to kṣatriya principle and spirit, one either attains victory or dies on the battlefield. Although King Indra was very exalted, being the King of heaven, he became degraded due to his stealing the horse intended for sacrifice. Therefore he fled without observing the kṣatriya principles, and the son of Pṛthu had to challenge him with the words tiṣṭha tiṣṭha.
FAQs
Atri Muni urges King Pṛthu’s son to act, and the prince—an expert chariot-warrior—angrily pursues the offender, shouting “Stop! Stop!”
In the context of protecting the sanctity of the royal sacrifice (yajña), Atri directs the prince to restrain the wrongdoer; the pursuit reflects kṣatriya responsibility to defend dharma and prevent disruption of sacred rites.
Act decisively to protect what is sacred and righteous—yet do so under wise guidance (like a saintly advisor), not merely from uncontrolled anger.