Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 4 · Chapter 19
मैत्रेय उवाच अथादीक्षत राजा तु हयमेधशतेन स: । ब्रह्मावर्ते मनो: क्षेत्रे यत्र प्राची सरस्वती ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvaca athadiksata raja tu hayamedha-satena sah brahmavarte manoh ksetre yatra praci sarasvati
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, King Prthu initiated the performance of one hundred horse sacrifices at the spot where the River Sarasvati flows towards the east. This piece of land is known as Brahmavarta, and it was controlled by Svayambhuva Manu.
तदभिप्रेत्य भगवान् कर्मातिशयमात्मन: । शतक्रतुर्न ममृषे पृथोर्यज्ञमहोत्सवम् ॥ २ ॥
tad abhipretya bhagavan karmatisayam atmanah sata-kratur na mamrse prthor yajna-mahotsavam
When the most powerful Indra, the King of heaven, saw this, he considered the fact that King Prthu was going to exceed him in fruitive activities. Thus Indra could not tolerate the great sacrificial ceremonies performed by King Prthu.
यत्र यज्ञपति: साक्षाद्भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: । अन्वभूयत सर्वात्मा सर्वलोकगुरु: प्रभु: ॥ ३ ॥
yatra yajna-patih saksad bhagavan harir isvarah anvabhuyata sarvatma sarva-loka-guruh prabhuh
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is present in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, and He is the proprietor of all planes and the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices. He was personally present at the sacrifices made by King Prthu.
अन्वितो ब्रह्मशर्वाभ्यां लोकपालै: सहानुगै: । उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिश्चाप्सरोगणै: ॥ ४ ॥
anvito brahma-sarvabhyam loka-palaih sahanugaih upagiyamano gandharvair munibhis capsaro-ganaih
When Lord Visnu appeared in the sacrificial arena, Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and all the chief predominating personalities of every plane, as well as their followers, came with Him. When He appeared on the scene, the residents of Gandharvaloka, the great sages, and the residents of Apsaroloka all praised Him.
सिद्धा विद्याधरा दैत्या दानवा गुह्यकादय: । सुनन्दनन्दप्रमुखा: पार्षदप्रवरा हरे: ॥ ५ ॥
siddha vidyadhara daitya danava guhyakadayah sunanda-nanda-pramukhah parsada-pravara hareh
The Lord was accompanied by the residents of Siddhaloka and Vidyadhara-loka, all the descendants of Diti, and the demons and the Yaksas. He was also accompanied by His chief associates, headed by Sunanda and Nanda.
कपिलो नारदो दत्तो योगेशा: सनकादय: । तमन्वीयुर्भागवता ये च तत्सेवनोत्सुका: ॥ ६ ॥
kapilo narado datto yogesah sanakadayah tam anviyur bhagavata ye ca tat-sevanotsukah
Great devotees, who were always engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as well as the great sages named Kapila, Narada and Dattatreya, and masters of mystic powers, headed by Sanaka Kumara, all attended the great sacrifice with Lord Visnu.
यत्र धर्मदुघा भूमि: सर्वकामदुघा सती । दोग्धि स्माभीप्सितानर्थान् यजमानस्य भारत ॥ ७ ॥
yatra dharma-dugha bhumih sarva-kama-dugha sati dogdhi smabhipsitan arthan yajamanasya bharata
My dear Vidura, in that great sacrifice the entire land came to be like the milk-producing kama-dhenu, and thus, by the performance of yajna, all daily necessities for life were supplied.
ऊहु: सर्वरसान्नद्य: क्षीरदध्यन्नगोरसान् । तरवो भूरिवर्ष्माण: प्रासूयन्त मधुच्युत: ॥ ८ ॥
uhuh sarva-rasan nadyah ksira-dadhy-anna-go-rasan taravo bhuri-varsmanah prasuyanta madhu-cyutah
The flowing rivers supplied all kinds of tastes—sweet, pungent, sour, etc.—and very big trees supplied fruit and honey in abundance. The cows, having eaten sufficient green grass, supplied profuse quantities of milk, curd, clarified butter and similar other necessities.
सिन्धवो रत्ननिकरान् गिरयोऽन्नं चतुर्विधम् । उपायनमुपाजह्रु: सर्वे लोका: सपालका: ॥ ९ ॥
sindhavo ratna-nikaran girayo ’nnam catur-vidham upayanam upajahruh sarve lokah sa-palakah
King Prthu was presented with various gifts from the general populace and predominating deities of all planes. The oceans and seas were full of valuable jewels and pearls, and the hills were full of chemicals and fertilizers. Four kinds of edibles were produced profusely.
इति चाधोक्षजेशस्य पृथोस्तु परमोदयम् । असूयन् भगवानिन्द्र: प्रतिघातमचीकरत् ॥ १० ॥
iti cadhoksajesasya prthos tu paramodayam asuyan bhagavan indrah pratighatam acikarat
King Prthu was dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Adhoksaja. Because King Prthu Performed so many sacrifices, he was superhumanly enhanced by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. King Prthu’s opulence, however, could not be tolerated by the King of heaven, Indra, who tried to impede the progress of his opulence.
चरमेणाश्वमेधेन यजमाने यजुष्पतिम् । वैन्ये यज्ञपशुं स्पर्धन्नपोवाह तिरोहित: ॥ ११ ॥
caramenasvamedhena yajamane yajus-patim vainye yajna-pasum spardhann apovaha tirohitah
When Prthu Maharaja was performing the last horse sacrifice (asvamedha-yajna), King Indra, invisible to everyone, stole the horse intended for sacrifice. He did this because of his great envy of King Prthu.
तमत्रिर्भगवानैक्षत्त्वरमाणं विहायसा । आमुक्तमिव पाखण्डं योऽधर्मे धर्मविभ्रम: ॥ १२ ॥
tam atrir bhagavan aiksat tvaramanam vihayasa amuktam iva pakhandam yo ’dharme dharma-vibhramah
When King Indra was taking away the horse, he dressed himself to appear as a liberated person. Actually this dress was a form of cheating, for it falsely created an impression of religion. When Indra went into outer space in this way, the great sage Atri saw him and understood the whole situation.
अत्रिणा चोदितो हन्तुं पृथुपुत्रो महारथ: । अन्वधावत सङ्कुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥ १३ ॥
atrina codito hantum prthu-putro maha-rathah anvadhavata sankruddhas tistha tistheti cabravit
When the son of King Prthu was informed by Atri of King Indra’s trick, he immediately became very angry and followed Indra to kill him, calling, Wait! Wait
तं तादृशाकृतिं वीक्ष्य मेने धर्मं शरीरिणम् । जटिलं भस्मनाच्छन्नं तस्मै बाणं न मुञ्चति ॥ १४ ॥
tam tadrsakrtim viksya mene dharmam saririnam jatilam bhasmanacchannam tasmai banam na muncati
King Indra was fraudulently dressed as a sannyasi, having knotted his hair on his head and smeared ashes all over his body. Upon seeing such dress, the son of King Prthu considered Indra a religious man and pious sannyasi. Therefore he did not release his arrows.
वधान्निवृत्तं तं भूयो हन्तवेऽत्रिरचोदयत् । जहि यज्ञहनं तात महेन्द्रं विबुधाधमम् ॥ १५ ॥
vadhan nivrttam tam bhuyo hantave ’trir acodayat jahi yajna-hanam tata mahendram vibudhadhamam
When Atri Muni saw that the son of King Prthu did not kill Indra but returned deceived by him, Atri Muni again instructed him to kill the heavenly King because he thought that Indra had become the lowliest of all demigods due to his impeding the execution of King Prthu’s sacrifice.
एवं वैन्यसुत: प्रोक्तस्त्वरमाणं विहायसा । अन्वद्रवदभिक्रुद्धो रावणं गृध्रराडिव ॥ १६ ॥
evam vainya-sutah proktas tvaramanam vihayasa anvadravad abhikruddho ravanam grdhra-rad iva
Being thus informed, the grandson of King Vena immediately began to follow Indra, who was fleeing through the sky in great haste. He was very angry with him, and he chased him just as the king of the vultures chased Ravana.
सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्मा अन्तर्हित: स्वराट् । वीर: स्वपशुमादाय पितुर्यज्ञमुपेयिवान् ॥ १७ ॥
so ’svam rupam ca tad dhitva tasma antarhitah svarat virah sva-pasum adaya pitur yajnam upeyivan
When Indra saw that the son of Prthu was chasing him, he immediately abandoned his false dress and left the horse. Indeed, he disappeared from that very spot, and the great hero, the son of Maharaja Prthu, returned the horse to his father’s sacrificial arena.
तत्तस्य चाद्भुतं कर्म विचक्ष्य परमर्षय: । नामधेयं ददुस्तस्मै विजिताश्व इति प्रभो ॥ १८ ॥
tat tasya cadbhutam karma vicaksya paramarsayah namadheyam dadus tasmai vijitasva iti prabho
My dear Lord Vidura, when the great sages observed the wonderful prowess of the son of King Prthu, they all agreed to give him the name Vijitasva.
उपसृज्य तमस्तीव्रं जहाराश्वं पुनर्हरि: । चषालयूपतश्छन्नो हिरण्यरशनं विभु: ॥ १९ ॥
upasrjya tamas tivram jaharasvam punar harih casala-yupatas channo hiranya-rasanam vibhuh
My dear Vidura, Indra, being the King of heaven and very powerful, immediately brought a dense darkness upon the sacrificial arena. Covering the whole scene in this way, he again took away the horse, which was chained with golden shackles near the wooden instrument where animals were sacrificed.
अत्रि: सन्दर्शयामास त्वरमाणं विहायसा । कपालखट्वाङ्गधरं वीरो नैनमबाधत ॥ २० ॥
atrih sandarsayam asa tvaramanam vihayasa kapala-khatvanga-dharam viro nainam abadhata
The great sage Atri again pointed out to the son of King Prthu that Indra was fleeing through the sky. The great hero, the son of Prthu, chased him again. But when he saw that Indra was carrying in his hand a staff with a skull at the top and was again wearing the dress of a sannyasi, he still chose not to kill him.
अत्रिणा चोदितस्तस्मै सन्दधे विशिखं रुषा । सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्थावन्तर्हित: स्वराट् ॥ २१ ॥
atrina coditas tasmai sandadhe visikham rusa so ’svam rupam ca tad dhitva tasthav antarhitah svarat
When the great sage Atri again gave directions, the son of King Prthu became very angry and placed an arrow on his bow. Upon seeing this, King Indra immediately abandoned the false dress of a sannyasi and, giving up the horse, made himself invisible.
वीरश्चाश्वमुपादाय पितृयज्ञमथाव्रजत् । तदवद्यं हरे रूपं जगृहुर्ज्ञानदुर्बला: ॥ २२ ॥
viras casvam upadaya pitr-yajnam athavrajat tad avadyam hare rupam jagrhur jnana-durbalah
Then the great hero, Vijitasva, the son of King Prthu, again took the horse and returned to his father’s sacrificial arena. Since that time, certain men with a poor fund of knowledge have adopted the dress of a false sannyasi. It was King Indra who introduced this.
यानि रूपाणि जगृहे इन्द्रो हयजिहीर्षया । तानि पापस्य खण्डानि लिङ्गं खण्डमिहोच्यते ॥ २३ ॥
yani rupani jagrhe indro haya-jihirsaya tani papasya khandani lingam khandam ihocyate
Whatever different forms Indra assumed as a mendicant because of his desire to seize the horse were symbols of atheistic philosophy.
एवमिन्द्रे हरत्यश्वं वैन्ययज्ञजिघांसया । तद्गृहीतविसृष्टेषु पाखण्डेषु मतिर्नृणाम् ॥ २४ ॥ धर्म इत्युपधर्मेषु नग्नरक्तपटादिषु । प्रायेण सज्जते भ्रान्त्या पेशलेषु च वाग्मिषु ॥ २५ ॥
evam indre haraty asvam vainya-yajna-jighamsaya tad-grhita-visrstesu pakhandesu matir nrnam dharma ity upadharmesu nagna-rakta-patadisu prayena sajjate bhrantya pesalesu ca vagmisu
In this way King Indra, in order to steal the horse from King Prthu’s sacrifice, adopted several orders of sannyasa. Some sannyasis go naked, and sometimes they wear red garments and pass under the name of kapalika. These are simply symbolic representations of their sinful activities. These so-called sannyasis are very much appreciated by sinful men because they are all godless atheists and very expert in putting forward arguments and reasons to support their case. We must know, however, that they are only passing as adherents of religion and are not so in fact. Unfortunately, bewildered persons accept them as religious, and being attracted to them, they spoil their life.
तदभिज्ञाय भगवान्पृथु: पृथुपराक्रम: । इन्द्राय कुपितो बाणमादत्तोद्यतकार्मुक: ॥ २६ ॥
tad abhijnaya bhagavan prthuh prthu-parakramah indraya kupito banam adattodyata-karmukah
Maharaja Prthu, who was celebrated as very powerful, immediately took up his bow and arrows and prepared to kill Indra himself, because Indra had introduced such irregular sannyasa orders.
तमृत्विज: शक्रवधाभिसन्धितंविचक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमसह्यरंहसम् । निवारयामासुरहो महामतेन युज्यतेऽत्रान्यवध: प्रचोदितात् ॥ २७ ॥
tam rtvijah sakra-vadhabhisandhitam vicaksya duspreksyam asahya-ramhasam nivarayam asur aho maha-mate na yujyate ’tranya-vadhah pracoditat
When the priests and all the others saw Maharaja Prthu very angry and prepared to kill Indra, they requested him: O great soul, do not kill him, for only sacrificial animals can be killed in a sacrifice. Such are the directions given by sastra.
वयं मरुत्वन्तमिहार्थनाशनंह्वयामहे त्वच्छ्रवसा हतत्विषम् । अयातयामोपहवैरनन्तरंप्रसह्य राजन् जुहवाम तेऽहितम् ॥ २८ ॥
vayam marutvantam ihartha-nasanam hvayamahe tvac-chravasa hata-tvisam ayatayamopahavair anantaram prasahya rajan juhavama te ’hitam
Dear King, Indra’s powers are already reduced due to his attempt to impede the execution of your sacrifice. We shall call him by Vedic mantras which were never before used, and certainly he will come. Thus by the power of our mantra, we shall cast him into the fire because he is your enemy.
इत्यामन्त्र्य क्रतुपतिं विदुरास्यर्त्विजो रुषा । स्रुग्घस्ताञ्जुह्वतोऽभ्येत्य स्वयम्भू: प्रत्यषेधत ॥ २९ ॥
ity amantrya kratu-patim vidurasyartvijo rusa srug-ghastan juhvato ’bhyetya svayambhuh pratyasedhata
My dear Vidura, after giving the King this advice, the priests who had been engaged in performing the sacrifice called for Indra, the King of heaven, in a mood of great anger. When they were just ready to put the oblation in the fire, Lord Brahma appeared on the scene and forbade them to start the sacrifice.
न वध्यो भवतामिन्द्रो यद्यज्ञो भगवत्तनु: । यं जिघांसथ यज्ञेन यस्येष्टास्तनव: सुरा: ॥ ३० ॥
na vadhyo bhavatam indro yad yajno bhagavat-tanuh yam jighamsatha yajnena yasyestas tanavah surah
Lord Brahma addressed them thus: My dear sacrificial performers, you cannot kill Indra, the King of heaven. It is not your duty. You should know that Indra is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed, he is one of the most powerful assistants of the Personality of Godhead. You are trying to satisfy all the demigods by the performance of this yajna, but you should know that all these demigods are but parts and parcels of Indra, the King of heaven.
तदिदं पश्यत महद्धर्मव्यतिकरं द्विजा: । इन्द्रेणानुष्ठितं राज्ञ: कर्मैतद्विजिघांसता ॥ ३१ ॥
tad idam pasyata mahad- dharma-vyatikaram dvijah indrenanusthitam rajnah karmaitad vijighamsata
In order to make trouble and impede the performance of King Prthu’s great sacrifice, King Indra has adopted some means that in the future will destroy the clear path of religious life. I draw your attention to this fact. If you oppose him any further, he will further misuse his power and introduce many other irreligious systems.
पृथुकीर्ते: पृथोर्भूयात्तर्ह्येकोनशतक्रतु: । अलं ते क्रतुभि: स्विष्टैर्यद्भवान्मोक्षधर्मवित् ॥ ३२ ॥
prthu-kirteh prthor bhuyat tarhy ekona-sata-kratuh alam te kratubhih svistair yad bhavan moksa-dharma-vit
Let there be only ninety-nine sacrificial performances for Maharaja Prthu Lord Brahma concluded. Lord Brahma then turned towards Maharaja Prthu and informed him that since he was thoroughly aware of the path of liberation, what was the use in performing more sacrifices?
नैवात्मने महेन्द्राय रोषमाहर्तुमर्हसि । उभावपि हि भद्रं ते उत्तमश्लोकविग्रहौ ॥ ३३ ॥
naivatmane mahendraya rosam ahartum arhasi ubhav api hi bhadram te uttamasloka-vigrahau
Lord Brahma continued: Let there be good fortune to both of you, for you and King Indra are both part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you should not be angry with King Indra, who is nondifferent from you.
मास्मिन्महाराज कृथा: स्म चिन्तांनिशामयास्मद्वच आदृतात्मा । यद्ध्यायतो दैवहतं नु कर्तुंमनोऽतिरुष्टं विशते तमोऽन्धम् ॥ ३४ ॥
masmin maharaja krthah sma cintam nisamayasmad-vaca adrtatma yad dhyayato daiva-hatam nu kartum mano ’tirustam visate tamo ’ndham
My dear King, do not be agitated and anxious because your sacrifices have not been properly executed due to providential impediments. Kindly take my words with great respect. We should always remember that if something happens by providential arrangement, we should not be very sorry. The more we try to rectify such reversals, the more we enter into the darkest region of materialistic thought.
क्रतुर्विरमतामेष देवेषु दुरवग्रह: । धर्मव्यतिकरो यत्र पाखण्डैरिन्द्रनिर्मितै: ॥ ३५ ॥
kratur viramatam esa devesu duravagrahah dharma-vyatikaro yatra pakhandair indra-nirmitaih
Lord Brahma continued: Stop the performance of these sacrifices, for they have induced Indra to introduce so many irreligious aspects. You should know very well that even amongst the demigods there are many unwanted desires.
एभिरिन्द्रोपसंसृष्टै: पाखण्डैर्हारिभिर्जनम् । ह्रियमाणं विचक्ष्वैनं यस्ते यज्ञध्रुगश्वमुट् ॥ ३६ ॥
ebhir indropasamsrstaih pakhandair haribhir janam hriyamanam vicaksvainam yas te yajna-dhrug asva-mut
Just see how Indra, the King of heaven, was creating a disturbance in the midst of the sacrifice by stealing the sacrificial horse. These attractive sinful activities he has introduced will be carried out by the people in general.
भवान् परित्रातुमिहावतीर्णो धर्मं जनानां समयानुरूपम् । वेनापचारादवलुप्तमद्य तद्देहतो विष्णुकलासि वैन्य ॥ ३७ ॥
bhavan paritratum ihavatirno dharmam jananam samayanurupam venapacarad avaluptam adya tad-dehato visnu-kalasi vainya
O King Prthu, son of Vena, you are the part-and-parcel expansion of Lord Visnu. Due to the mischievous activities of King Vena, religious principles were almost lost. At that opportune moment you descended as the incarnation of Lord Visnu. Indeed, for the protection of religious principles you have appeared from the body of King Vena.
स त्वं विमृश्यास्य भवं प्रजापते सङ्कल्पनं विश्वसृजां पिपीपृहि । ऐन्द्रीं च मायामुपधर्ममातरं प्रचण्डपाखण्डपथं प्रभो जहि ॥ ३८ ॥
sa tvam vimrsyasya bhavam prajapate sankalpanam visva-srjam pipiprhi aindrim ca mayam upadharma-mataram pracanda-pakhanda-patham prabho jahi
O protector of the people in general, please consider the purpose of your being incarnated by Lord Visnu. The irreligious principles created by Indra are but mothers of so many unwanted religions. Please therefore stop these imitations immediately.
मैत्रेय उवाच इत्थं स लोकगुरुणा समादिष्टो विशाम्पति: । तथा च कृत्वा वात्सल्यं मघोनापि च सन्दधे ॥ ३९ ॥
maitreya uvaca ittham sa loka-guruna samadisto visampatih tatha ca krtva vatsalyam maghonapi ca sandadhe
The great sage Maitreya continued: When King Prthu was thus advised by the supreme teacher, Lord Brahma, he abandoned his eagerness to perform yajnas and with great affection concluded a peace with King Indra.
कृतावभृथस्नानाय पृथवे भूरिकर्मणे । वरान्ददुस्ते वरदा ये तद्बर्हिषि तर्पिता: ॥ ४० ॥
krtavabhrtha-snanaya prthave bhuri-karmane varan dadus te varada ye tad-barhisi tarpitah
After this, Prthu Maharaja took his bath, which is customarily taken after the performance of a yajna, and received the benedictions and due blessings of the demigods, who were very pleased by his glorious activities.
विप्रा: सत्याशिषस्तुष्टा: श्रद्धया लब्धदक्षिणा: । आशिषो युयुजु: क्षत्तरादिराजाय सत्कृता: ॥ ४१ ॥
viprah satyasisas tustah sraddhaya labdha-daksinah asiso yuyujuh ksattar adi-rajaya sat-krtah
With great respect, the original king, Prthu, offered all kinds of rewards to the brahmanas present at the sacrifice. Since all these brahmanas were very much satisfied, they gave their heartfelt blessings to the King.
त्वयाहूता महाबाहो सर्व एव समागता: । पूजिता दानमानाभ्यां पितृदेवर्षिमानवा: ॥ ४२ ॥
tvayahuta maha-baho sarva eva samagatah pujita dana-manabhyam pitr-devarsi-manavah
All the great sages and brahmanas said: O mighty King, by your invitation all classes of living entities have attended this assembly. They have come from Pitrloka and the heavenly planes, and great sages as well as common men have attended this meeting. Now all of them are very much satisfied by your dealings and your charity towards them.
