Shloka 32
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
पृथुकीर्ते: पृथोर्भूयात्तर्ह्येकोनशतक्रतु: । अलं ते क्रतुभि: स्विष्टैर्यद्भवान्मोक्षधर्मवित् ॥ ३२ ॥
pṛthu-kīrteḥ pṛthor bhūyāt tarhy ekona-śata-kratuḥ alaṁ te kratubhiḥ sviṣṭair yad bhavān mokṣa-dharma-vit
برہما جی نے فرمایا—مہاراج پرتھو کے لیے اب صرف ننانوے یَجْن ہی رہیں۔ آپ موکش دھرم کے جاننے والے ہیں، پھر مزید یَجْنوں کی کیا حاجت؟
Lord Brahmā came down to pacify King Pṛthu regarding his continual performance of one hundred sacrifices. King Pṛthu was determined to perform one hundred sacrifices, and King Indra took this very seriously because Indra himself was known as the performer of one hundred sacrifices. Just as it is the nature of all living entities within this material world to become envious of their competitors, King Indra, although King of heaven, was also envious of King Pṛthu and therefore wanted to stop him from performing one hundred sacrifices. Actually there was great competition, and King Indra, to satisfy his senses, began to invent so many irreligious systems to obstruct King Pṛthu. To stop these irreligious inventions, Lord Brahmā personally appeared in the sacrificial arena. As far as Mahārāja Pṛthu was concerned, he was a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore it was not necessary for him to perform the prescribed Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. Such ceremonies are known as karma, and there is no need for a devotee in the transcendental position to execute them. As the ideal king, however, it was King Pṛthu’s duty to perform sacrifices. A compromise was therefore to be worked out. By the blessings of Lord Brahmā, King Pṛthu would become more famous than King Indra. Thus Pṛthu’s determination to perform one hundred sacrifices was indirectly fulfilled by the blessings of Lord Brahmā.
FAQs
This verse says that even perfectly performed sacrifices can be set aside when one knows mokṣa-dharma—the higher path leading to liberation—implying that spiritual realization is superior to ritual achievement.
In the narrative, repeated sacrifices were creating conflict (with Indra’s interference). Brahmā counsels Pṛthu to be satisfied with his attained glory and focus on the liberating path rather than continuing ritual competition.
Do your duties sincerely, but don’t get trapped in status or external validation; prioritize inner purification, devotion, and wisdom that lead to freedom from ego and attachment.