King Prthu wanted to do Asvamedha Yagas and successfully completed 99 such yagas. But Indra stole the horse just before the hundredth yaga, since a person who completes 100 Asvamedha Yagas can ascend to Indra's throne. Prthu's son tracked down the horse and brought it back, but again Indra stole it. The purohits conducting the yaga told Prthu that they could make Indra lose his power. But Brahma arrived and advised the purohits and Prthu to leave Indra alone and Prthu did not hurt Indra. Lord Mahavishnu then appeared before Prthu and lauded his decision to forgive Indra and not harm him.
"Sadhus will never treat anyone as an enemy", said the Lord to Prthu. "They know that the body and the atma are different. So you must always control your senses and do your dharma. "A king's duty is to protect his subjects and if he fails in this duty, then he will be sinning gravely. Such a sin can never be got rid of". The Lord then spoke about Jnanis. " A jnani does his duties, but remains unattached to the results. My love for such jnanis is indescribable. Such jnanis are unaffected by joy or sorrow. They are in control of the mind and the senses. As for a king, he should protect his kingdom".
The Lord then elaborated on the duties of a ruler. "If a king does not protect his subjects, but collects unfair taxes and is different to their welfare, then one-sixth of the sins of the subjects will go to his account. His punyas will go to the account of the people, and the ruler will be left with nothing good to his credit. A man does not reach Me through yagas. He must have good thoughts and good conduct. Your conduct has pleased me, King Prthu, for you are a jnani".
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