The words tistha tistha are used by a ksatriya when he challenges his enemy. When fighting, a ksatriya cannot flee from the battlefield. However, when a ksatriya out of cowardice flees from the battlefield, showing his back to his enemy, he is challenged with the words tistha tistha. A real ksatriya does not kill his enemy from behind, nor does a real ksatriya turn his back on the battlefield. According to ksatriya 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 ksatriya principles, and the son of Prthu had to challenge him with the words tistha tistha.