Shloka 2
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तदभिप्रेत्य भगवान् कर्मातिशयमात्मन: । शतक्रतुर्न ममृषे पृथोर्यज्ञमहोत्सवम् ॥ २ ॥
tad abhipretya bhagavān karmātiśayam ātmanaḥ śata-kratur na mamṛṣe pṛthor yajña-mahotsavam
یہ دیکھ کر دیوراج اندَر نے سمجھا کہ راجا پرتھو اپنے کرم کے پھل میں اسے بھی پیچھے چھوڑ دے گا؛ اس لیے وہ پرتھو کے عظیم یَجْن مہوتسو کو برداشت نہ کر سکا۔
In the material world everyone who comes to enjoy himself or lord it over material nature is envious of others. This envy is also found in the personality of the King of heaven, Indra. As evident from revealed scriptures, Indra was several times envious of many persons. He was especially envious of great fruitive activities and the execution of yoga practices, or siddhis. Indeed, he could not tolerate them, and he desired to break them up. He was envious due to fear that those who performed great sacrifices for the execution of mystic yoga might occupy his seat. Since no one in this material world can tolerate another’s advancement, everyone in the material world is called matsara, envious. In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is therefore said that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is meant for those who are completely nirmatsara (nonenvious). In other words, one who is not free from the contamination of envy cannot advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In Kṛṣṇa consciousness, however, if someone excels another person, the devotee who is excelled thinks how fortunate the other person is to be advancing in devotional service. Such nonenvy is typical of Vaikuṇṭha. However, when one is envious of his competitor, that is material. The demigods posted in the material world are not exempt from envy.
FAQs
This verse says Indra could not tolerate Pṛthu’s sacrificial festival because it threatened to surpass Indra’s own prestige as the famed performer of many sacrifices.
It highlights that attachment to personal glory—even in religious acts—can produce intolerance and conflict, as seen in Indra’s reaction to Pṛthu’s successful yajña.
Practice devotion and service without competing for recognition; celebrate others’ spiritual success instead of feeling threatened by it.