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Genealogy.

痴颈峁ａ箛耻鈥�叠谤补丑尘腻鈥�惭补谤墨肠颈鈥�Kasyapa鈥�Indra.

Birth.

碍补艣测补辫补 was born to 惭补谤墨肠颈, the eldest of the spiritual sons of 叠谤补丑尘腻. Indra was the son of 碍补艣测补辫补 and Aditi, the eldest daughter of 顿补办峁�a. The twelve sons who were born to 碍补艣测补辫补 and Aditi are called 膧诲颈迟测补蝉. The twelve 膧诲颈迟测补蝉 are鈥�顿丑腻迟腻, 础谤测补尘腻, Mitra, Rudra, 痴补谤耻峁嘺, 厂奴谤测补, Bhaga, 痴颈惫补蝉惫腻苍, 笔奴峁Ｄ�, 厂补惫颈迟腻, 罢惫补峁ａ弓腻, and 痴颈峁ａ箛耻. In addition to them, Aditi had twentyone sons more. Indra is the eldest of the 33 sons. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 65, Verses 9-15).

Indra became the ruler of the Devas. 础颈谤腻惫补迟补 is Indra鈥檚 elephant, Uccai艣艣ravas, his horse, and Vajra his weapon. (Agni 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, Chapter 51, 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 18).

Indra and 骋补谤耻岣峚.

碍补艣测补辫补 had two sons, 骋补谤耻岣峚 and 础谤耻峁嘺 by 痴颈苍补迟腻 and a large number of 狈腻驳补蝉 by his other wife, 碍补诲谤奴. 碍补诲谤奴 and her children kept 痴颈苍补迟腻 and her son 骋补谤耻岣峚 as their servants. 碍补诲谤奴 agreed to set them free if they brought 础尘峁泃补 from Devaloka.

Once 碍补诲谤奴 and her children asked 骋补谤耻岣峚 to carry them to the beautiful N膩g膩laya in the middle of the ocean. 骋补谤耻岣峚 carried them on his shoulders and flew very high near the sky. The excessive heat of the sun made the 狈腻驳补蝉 unconscious. 碍补诲谤奴, in her distress, prayed to Indra. Indra showered rain and cooled the atmosphere. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 25, Verses 717). They reached the lovely island in the middle of the ocean.

骋补谤耻岣峚 decided to earn his freedom by bringing 础尘峁泃补 from Devaloka. With determination, he flew up into heaven and secured 础尘峁泃补. The enraged Indra attacked him with his weapon, Vajra. But 骋补谤耻岣峚 spread his feathers in such a way that he was not wounded. Indra was struck with wonder, and pleased with the beautiful feathers (Par峁嘺) of 骋补谤耻岣峚, named him '厂耻辫补谤峁嘺'. At last Indra was pleased and allowed 骋补谤耻岣峚 to take 础尘峁泃补 with him. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 32, Verses 18-25).

How Indra came to have 1000 eyes.

(See 罢颈濒辞迟迟补尘腻, 2nd Para).

Indra and Arjuna.

(1) 碍耻苍迟墨, 笔腻峁囜笉耻鈥檚 wife had received five mantras from 顿耻谤惫腻蝉补蝉 for begetting sons. One of those Mantras was chanted meditating on the sun even before she was married and 碍补谤峁嘺 was born. After marriage she used three more of the Mantras and three sons were born to her from Yama, 痴腻测耻 and Indra respectively. The fifth Mantra was presented to 惭腻诲谤墨 the other wife of 笔腻峁囜笉耻. Thus Arjuna was the son of 碍耻苍迟墨 by Indra. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 123).

(2) There is a story of a rivalry between Indra and Arjuna in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补. (See under '碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补d膩ha').

(3) During their life in the forest, once Arjuna started to 碍补颈濒腻蝉补 to worship 艢颈惫补. On the way Indra appeared before him and showered his blessings on him. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 41, Verses 15, 16).

(4) During his life in the forest, Indra presented to Arjuna who visited him in Indra鈥檚 residence, a Gandharva named Citrasena as his companion. Citrasena taught him music, dance, etc. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva, Chapter 44, Verse 9).

(5) At the palace of Indra, as secretly instructed by Indra, 鲍谤惫补艣墨 approached Arjuna with advances of love. Arjuna who refused to yield to her temptations was turned into a eunuch by her curse. But Indra lifted the curse by saying that this curse would be an advantage to him during the incognito life of the 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉. It was Citrasena who was used as a tool by Indra to test Arjuna鈥檚 self control. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva, Chapters 44, 45).

(6) In order to ensure Arjuna鈥檚 victory in battle, Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, obtained by begging 碍补谤峁嘺鈥檚 ear-rings. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva, Chapter 310).

Indra and 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补.

A famous exploit of Indra was the killing of 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补. Under the leadership of 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补, the 碍腻濒补办别测补蝉 and many other 搁腻办峁�a蝉补蝉 besieged the Devas. The battle raged furiously. Indra fell down unconscious owing to the shower of arrows from 痴峁泃谤补. At once 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 with his divine power restored Indra to consciousness. Finding it impossible to kill 痴峁泃谤补, the nonplussed Devas under the leadership of Indra approached 惭补丑腻惫颈峁ａ箛耻. 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 told them that 痴峁泃谤补 could be killed only with the bone of the sage 顿补诲丑墨肠补. So all of them approached 顿补诲丑墨肠补. Realising the situation, 顿补诲丑墨肠补 let Indra have his bone for the purpose. Indra made his weapon Vajra with that bone and receiving a fatal stroke from it, 痴峁泃谤补 fell down dead. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 101, Verses 14, 15; 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 281, Verses 13-21).

By killing 痴峁泃谤补 Indra incurred the sin of Brahmahaty膩. To expiate for that sin the Devas and 峁氠梗is took Indra to 厂补谤补测奴 river and performed his holy bath there. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 叠腻濒补 碍腻峁囜笉补, 24th Sarga).

(For further details about 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补 see under 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补).

Indra and Cyavana.

Indra did not allow the 础艣惫颈苍墨devas to drink soma juice. The sad 础艣惫颈苍墨devas left Indraloka and while passing through a forest, they met 厂耻办补苍测腻, wife of the sage Cyavana. She was extremely beautiful. The 础艣惫颈苍墨devas advised her to become their wife instead of being the wife of the blind Cyavana. But 厂耻办补苍测腻 rejected their advice. Pleased by her conjugal fidelity, they restored Cyavana鈥檚 eyesight and made him a youth with beautiful eyes. In his gratitude, Cyavana promised to get permission for them to drink soma juice. He performed a y膩ga. Indra, 础艣惫颈苍墨 devas and other gods attended it. Indra insisted that the 础艣惫颈苍墨s should not be allowed to drink Soma juice. Cyavana disputed with him and in the dispute Indra was defeated. From that time the 础艣惫颈苍墨s were allowed Soma drinking. See also 'Cyavana'. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 124, Verse 14; 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 156, Verses 16-31).

Indra and 罢谤颈艣颈谤补蝉.

Indra鈥檚 brother 罢惫补峁ａ弓峁� did not like some of Indra鈥檚 activities. With the object of rebuking Indra, 罢惫补峁ａ弓峁� begot a son named 痴颈艣惫补谤奴辫补, 痴颈艣惫补谤奴辫补 had three faces and so he was also called 罢谤颈艣颈谤补蝉. With one face he used to recite Vedas, with the second he drank alcohol and he used the third face for observing the world. He performed a rigorous tapas. Indra, who was alarmed at it, sent goddesses to allure him, but in vain. At last Indra himself went to the forest riding on his elephant 础颈谤腻惫补迟补 and killed 罢谤颈艣颈谤补蝉 with his 痴补箩谤腻测耻诲丑补. In his violent fury he had the three heads of 罢谤颈艣颈谤补蝉 cut by a carpenter. From that day, it was ordained that the head of the cow sacrificed at y膩gas should be given to a carpenter. 罢惫补峁ａ弓峁� who was enraged by Indra鈥檚 killing of his son 罢谤颈艣颈谤补蝉, begot another son 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补. (顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 6th Skandha).

Indra and 狈补丑耻峁�a.

See the word Agastya.

Indra and Bali.

When Indra defeated and drove away the Asuras, 惭补丑腻产补濒颈, the Asura emperor assumed the form of an ass and hid himself in an empty house. 叠谤补丑尘腻 informed Indra of this. Indra found him out there, but set him free without killing at the behest of 叠谤补丑尘腻. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 223).

Indra and 驰补测腻迟颈.

驰补测腻迟颈 was the son of 狈补丑耻峁�a. In his old age, he handed over the kingly duties to his younger son 笔奴谤耻 and went to the forest for performing penance. After performing penance, he reached Indraloka in the end. Indra did not like 驰补测腻迟颈鈥檚 boast that there was none who had greater power of tapas than himself. Indra pushed him down to the world. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 88).

Indra and 艢补谤补诲惫腻苍.

艢补谤补诲惫腻苍 was born as the son of Sage Gautama. 艢补谤补诲惫腻苍 started a penance for acquiring divine arrows. Devendra who was alarmed, sent the 础辫蝉补谤腻 woman J膩napat墨 to obstruct his tapas. Deeply affected by her irresistible charm and fascinated by her temptations, he had an involuntary emission of semen, which fell on the 艢arastamba and split itself into two parts. Two children a boy and a girl, were born from it. The King鈥檚 servants brought them to 贬补蝉迟颈苍腻辫耻谤补. The boy was named 碍峁沺补 and the girl was named 碍峁沺墨. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 膧诲颈 Parva, Chapter 130).

Indra and King Kuru.

The King named Kuru was once ploughing the field at the place known as 碍耻谤耻办峁�e迟谤补. (This was long before 碍耻谤耻办峁�e迟谤补 became famous as the battlefield of 叠丑腻谤补迟补 Yuddha). Indra who happened to come that way at the time, seeing the King tilling the land, asked him why he was doing so. The King replied that he was performing a y膩ga to enable the men who fell dead there, to attain Heaven. Indra returned to Heaven, smiling. Other devas came to know of this from Indra. They said that if all men came to Devaloka, the share of 测补箩帽补 which was to be received by the gods, would be diminished and so they advised Indra to go and give some boon to King Kuru. Indra returned to earth and gave his blessing to Kuru as follows:

The following classes of people will attain heaven if they die there (at 碍耻谤耻办峁�e迟谤补).

(1) Those who die of starvation.

(2) Those who die fighting heroically.

(3) Those who were men in their previous life, but who have been born as animals.

From that time 碍耻谤耻办峁�e迟谤补 became an important place. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢补濒测补 Parva, Chapter 53).

Indra and 罢补办峁�a办补.

Indra鈥檚 friend, a 狈腻驳补 named 罢补办峁�a办补 lived in 碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补 forest. When Agni burned 碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补 forest, Indra caused the rain to fall in order to save 罢补办峁�a办补. See under '碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补d膩ha'. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva, Chapter 235).

For the story of how Indra saved 罢补办峁�a办补 from the Sarpasatra see under '膧蝉迟颈办补'.

Indra and 碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补d膩ha.

At the time of 碍丑腻峁囜笉补惫补d膩ha, 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 and Arjuna fought against Devendra.

Indra Sabh膩.

Maya undertook to build a 蝉补产丑腻 (assembly hall) for the 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉 at Indraprastha. When it was being discussed, the sage 狈腻谤补诲补 described to them Indra鈥檚 蝉补产丑腻 as given below:鈥�

Indra has a Sabh膩 which dazzles with divine effulgence. It is 150 yojanas in length and 100 yojanas in breadth. It has a height of five yojanas. Beautiful storeyed buildings and divine trees add to the grandeur of the 蝉补产丑腻. Indra is seated within the holy light in it. 艢补肠墨dev墨 takes her seat near him. Indra is very handsome. He wears a crown, he is dressed in spotlessly pure clothes, and wears a garland round his neck. Maruts, Siddhas, Devas, 峁氠梗is and a host of others stand around attending on him. They are all bright with the halo of fire. 笔补谤腻艣补谤补, Parvata, 厂腻惫补谤峁噄, 骋腻濒补惫补, 艢a峁僰ha, Likhita, Gaura艣iras, 顿耻谤惫腻蝉补蝉, Akrodhana, 艢测别苍补, 顿墨谤驳丑补迟补尘补蝉, Pavitrap膩峁噄, Bh膩luvi, 驰腻箩帽补惫补濒办测补, 鲍诲诲腻濒补办补, 艢惫别迟补办别迟耻, 笔腻峁囜笉测补 and other famous sages are members of Indra鈥檚 assembly. In this way, Indra鈥檚 Sabh膩 is the most magnificent. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Sabh膩 Parva, Chapter 7).

Indra and 碍腻尘补诲丑别苍耻.

Once Indra saw Surabhi, the 碍腻尘补诲丑别苍耻, crying in the Indraloka. He asked her why she was crying. Surabhi answerd: "My Lord, the cattle, who are my children are groaning in the world under the yoke of the farmer. I was overwhelmed with grief at the sight of their sufferings" Indra鈥檚 heart meltted due to 碍腻尘补诲丑别苍耻鈥檚 tears. He caused very heavy showers in the world when ploughing the fields became impossible. In this way as a result of Surabhi鈥檚 tears Indra caused heavy rainfall which gave rest to the cattle in the world. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva, Chapter 9).

Indra and Nala.

Nala proceeded to Vidarbha to attend 顿补尘补测补苍迟墨鈥檚 厂惫补测补峁僾补谤补. On the way, the four gods, Indra, Agni, 痴补谤耻峁嘺 and Yama met him. (For further details see the word 'Nala'). Nala married Damayanti with the blessings of these gods. When the devas returned, they met Kali and 顿惫腻辫补谤补. to whom they described Nala鈥檚 marriage. Kali and 顿惫腻辫补谤补 who wished to marry 顿补尘补测补苍迟墨, naturally felt disappointed and angry. Kali was about to pronounce a curse on Nala. But on the advice of Devendra he did not do so. Still he decided to gain secret entrance into Nala鈥檚 body and to bring about the loss of his Kingdom. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 58).

Indra and 惭腻苍诲丑腻迟腻.

A King named 驰耻惫补苍腻艣惫补 was born in the 滨办峁�v腻办耻 dynasty. He earned great reputation by performing many 础艣惫补尘别诲丑补 y膩gas. But he was very much distressed because he had no children. So he entrusted his kingly duties to his ministers and proceeded to the forest. One day during his wandering he arrived at the 腻艣谤补尘补 of the sage 叠丑峁沢耻. He was tired and thirsty. 叠丑峁沢耻 had filled a pot with water by reciting a mantra and placing it on a low stool, he had gone to sleep. Not knowing that it was a pot of water intended to cause pregnancy, and in his intense thirst, 驰耻惫补苍腻艣惫补 drank water from it. He became pregnant and in due course 驰耻惫补苍腻艣惫补 brought forth a son. Indra, accompanied by other gods came to see the child. When the Devas asked how the child was going to drink milk, Indra put his index finger into the child鈥檚 mouth and the child began to suck it. Indra said "The child will drink me". The Sanskrit words "M膩峁� dh膩t膩" mean "one who drinks me". Thus the child was named "惭腻苍诲丑腻迟腻" by Indra and the other gods. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础谤补峁噛补 Parva Chapter 126).

Indra and 艢颈产颈.

Once Indra and Agni tested the strength of Emperor 艢颈产颈鈥檚 'dharma'. Indra took the form of an eagle and Agni that of a dove. The dove flew down into the lap of 艢颈产颈. The eagle pursued it. The dove entreated 艢颈产颈 to save it from the eagle. 艢颈产颈 promised to do so. The eagle argued that the dove was its prey and should be returned to it. But 艢颈产颈 offered to give the eagle his own flesh, equal in weight to that of the dove. Accordingly, the dove was placed in one pan, but even when all the flesh from his body was cut and placed in the other pan, it did not weigh equal to the dove. At this stage, Indra and Agni appeared to 艢颈产颈 in their own forms and blessed him to be more happy and prosperous than before. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 131).

Indra and Yavakr墨ta.

Long ago there was a sage named Yavakr墨ta. He started a tapas with the ambition of acquiring all knowledge by himself, without the help of a Guru. Indra was alarmed at the sternness and rigour of the tapas. He induced Yavakr墨ta to stop tapas, but it was in vain. At last Indra disguised himself as an old Brahmin and went to the bank of the 骋补峁単腻 where Yavakr墨ta was performing tapas. He began to build a dam across the river with sand. Seeing this Yavakr墨ta ridiculed him. The old Brahmin retorted that Yavakr墨ta鈥檚 tapas was also equally ridiculous. But Yavakr墨ta was not shaken even by his taunt. He resumed his tapas with renewed strength. At last finding no other alternative, Indra appeared to Yavakr墨ta and granted his wish. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 135).

Loss of Indra鈥檚 umbrella.

Once 狈补谤补办腻蝉耻谤补 went to heaven, fought with the gods and robbed Indra of his umbrella and the earrings of Aditi, Indra鈥檚 mother. Grief-stricken Indra complained to 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. Accompanied by 厂补迟测补产丑腻尘腻 and riding on the back of 骋补谤耻岣峚, 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 went to the city of 笔谤腻驳箩测辞迟颈峁�a, the residence of 狈补谤补办腻蝉耻谤补 and razed it to the ground. He recovered the umbrella and ear-rings and returned to heaven with 厂补迟测补产丑腻尘腻. Indra and Aditi were overjoyed on getting back the lost articles. On their return journey, 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 at the request of 厂补迟测补产丑腻尘腻 cut for her a twig of the 笔腻谤颈箩腻迟补 tree. This made Indra angry and he fought against 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. After defeating Indra and other gods, 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 accompanied by 厂补迟测补产丑腻尘腻 returned to 顿惫腻谤补办腻 with the 笔腻谤颈箩腻迟补. (叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 10th Skandha).

Indra and 狈补谤补办腻蝉耻谤补.

The Asura called Naraka once performed a very severe penance on the 骋补苍诲丑补尘腻诲补苍补 mountain with the object of usurping Indra鈥檚 place. Indra was alarmed and rushed to 惭补丑腻惫颈峁ａ箛耻 for help. 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 went to 骋补苍诲丑补尘腻诲补苍补 mountain and killed 狈补谤补办腻蝉耻谤补. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 142).

Indra and the sage Baka.

After the war between Devas and Asuras, Indra, in a peaceful state of mind, was going around the world, riding on his elephant, 础颈谤腻惫补迟补. When he reached an 膧艣rama on the eastern coast of the sea, he met the great sage Baka. A conversation about the happiness of longevity took place between Indra and sage Baka who was hundred thousand years old. After that Indra returned to Devaloka. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 193).

Indra and 碍别艣墨.

Long ago a terrible war took place between Devas and Asuras. At that time an Asura called 碍别艣墨 attempted to abduct 顿别惫补蝉别苍腻, daughter of a 笔谤补箩腻辫补迟颈. Hearing her shrieks, Indra rushed to the spot. In the clash between 碍别艣墨 and Indra, 碍别艣墨鈥檚 club was broken into two with Indra鈥檚 weapon Vajra. Suddenly 碍别艣墨 lifted a mountain and threw it at Indra.

Indra broke that mountain also into two. One part of it fell on 碍别艣墨 himself, who fled frightened. After that, Indra asked 顿别惫补蝉别苍腻 how she happened to fall in 碍别艣墨鈥檚 hands. 顿别惫补蝉别苍腻 answered thus:鈥�"I am the daughter of 笔谤补箩腻辫补迟颈. My name is 顿别惫补蝉别苍腻. 碍别艣墨 had abducted my elder sister, Daityasen膩. My sister and I used to come to take our bath in this 惭腻苍补蝉补 lake. 碍别艣墨 had expressed his wish to abduct both of us. My father has given me his blessing that a person who is worshipped by gods and asuras will become my husband. Having heard these facts, Indra held consultations with 叠谤补丑尘腻 and arranged the marriage between 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 and 顿别惫补蝉别苍腻. See also the word "厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补". (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Vana Parva, Chapter 223).

Indra and 础峁単颈谤补蝉.

After killing 痴峁泃谤腻蝉耻谤补, Indra hid himself in a lotus flower in the 惭腻苍补蝉补 lake, to expiate for the sin of Brahmahaty膩 (killing a Brahmin). It was at that time that 狈补丑耻峁�a became Indra. After 狈补丑耻峁�a had been forced to go back to the earth as a serpent by the curse of Agastya, the Devas brought back Indra. At that time, 础峁単颈谤补蝉 praised Indra with mantras from Atharvaveda. From that day 础峁単颈谤补蝉 got the name of '础迟丑补谤惫腻峁単颈谤补蝉'. Indra was pleased and blessed 础峁単颈谤补蝉 that his name would become famous throughout the world. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Udyoga Parva, Chapter 18).

Indra and the Bow called Vijaya.

碍补谤峁嘺 had a bow called Vijaya. It was made by 痴颈艣惫补办补谤尘腻 according to Indra鈥檚 liking. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 碍补谤峁嘺 Parva, Chapter 31. Verse 42).

Indra and the Tripuras.

The Tripur膩suras performed penance and received boons from 叠谤补丑尘腻. After that they clashed with Indra. Indra was not able to kill them. The vanquished Indra had the Tripuras killed by 艢颈惫补. See the word "Tripura". (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 碍补谤峁嘺 Parva, Chapter 33).

Indra and 厂奴谤测补 (the sun-god).

When 碍补谤峁嘺 and Arjuna came into conflict at the 叠丑腻谤补迟补 battle, a controversy raged in heaven between Indra and 厂奴谤测补. Indra argued that Arjuna would win, while 厂奴谤测补 asserted that 碍补谤峁嘺 would gain victory. The Devas joined the side of Arjuna and Asuras joined 碍补谤峁嘺鈥檚 side. In the end, Arjuna came out victorious and thus 厂奴谤测补 was defeated by Indra. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 碍补谤峁嘺 Parva, Chapter 87).

Indra and Namuci.

The 搁腻办峁�a蝉补 Namuci once evaded capture by Indra by remaining hidden in the rays of the Sun. Indra went to him and pretending friendship, promised not to kill him either with wet thing or dry things or at night or in day time. Trusting his words, Namuci came out. Then Indra cut off Namuci鈥檚 head with the froth scraped from the waves of the sea at the time of dusk. The head pursued him shouting, "You murderer of a friend, by breaking your promise!" Indra sought refuge under 叠谤补丑尘腻. 叠谤补丑尘腻 advised him to bathe in 艢o峁嘺pu峁噛a 迟墨谤迟丑补 to expiate for the sin. Accordingly Indra bathed in the river 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 and washed off his sin.

River 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨.

There is a story about how 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 river became 艢o峁嘺pu峁噛a 迟墨谤迟丑补. There were frequent quarrels between 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 and 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补. Once 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 got angry when he came to know that 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 was performing a penance on the banks of the river 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨. He summoned 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 and ordered her to produce 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 before him immediately. 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 was in a dilemma. If she brought 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 to 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补, 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 would curse her; if on the other hand, she did not bring him 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 would curse her. At last she decided to produce 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 before 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补. By eroding the earth on her bank little by little near the place where 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 was performing his penance, 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 managed to bring him down into her own current. Then she carried him floating down to the place where 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 was waiting. When 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 reached his presence, 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 was pleased. But without allowing 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 to capture 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 she took him away in her current, eastwards. Enraged at this, 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 pronounced a curse that blood should flow through the river 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨. Thus the water in the river became blood-red. The great sages who came there afterwards sympathised with 厂补谤补蝉惫补迟墨 in her ill-luck and as a result of their prayers 艢颈惫补 made her 艢o峁嘺pu峁噛a迟墨谤迟丑补.

It was in this river that Indra took his bath and washed off his sin. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢补濒测补 Parva, Chapter 43).

Indra and 艢rut膩vat墨.

叠丑补谤补诲惫腻箩补鈥檚 daughter 艢rut膩vat墨 (艢ruv膩vat墨) performed a very severe penance to get Indra as her husband. To test her character, Indra assumed the shape of 痴补蝉颈峁ａ弓丑补 and went to 艢rut膩vat墨. She received the guest with due reverence. Pleased with her treatment, the guest handed her five raw fruits and asked her to cook them for him. 艢rut膩vat墨 gladly undertook that service. She proceeded to cook the fruits but even after burning all the fuel she had, the fruits were not properly cooked. So she began to use her limbs one by one as fuel and burned them up. Indra was deeply impressed by her selfsacrifice and appearing to her in his own form married 艢rut膩vat墨, (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢补濒测补 Parva, Chapter 48).

Indra became 艢补迟补办谤补迟耻.

Indra performed one hundred sacrifices at the place called Indra迟墨谤迟丑补. Thus he became 艢补迟补办谤补迟耻. It was there that he gave much wealth to 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢补濒测补 Parva, Chapter 49, Verse 2).

Indra became a bird.

Once Indra took the form of a bird and went to the forest and preached moral and spiritual duties to the sages who had gathered there. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 11).

Indra and Dantideva.

Once Dantideva received a boon from Indra that he should have plenty of food and enough travellers to eat it. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 29, Verses 120, 121).

Indra and 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈.

Once 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈 told Indra that everything in the world could be achieved with soothing speech. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢补濒测补 Parva, Chapter 84, Verse 2).

叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈鈥檚 wife 罢腻谤腻 once fell in love with Candra (the Moon god). She deserted 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈 and went to live in Candra鈥檚 residence. 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈 complained about it to Indra. Indra promised to bring her back and to restore her to 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈 by whatever means possible. Accordingly he sent a messenger to Candra. Compromise talks with Candra ended in failure. So preparations were started for a dreadful war between Indra and Candra. 艢耻办谤补, the preceptor of Asuras also joined the side of Indra. 叠谤补丑尘腻 who came to know of all this, came riding on his swan and reconciled Indra and Candra. As directed by 叠谤补丑尘腻, Candra agreed to restore 罢腻谤腻 to her lawful husband, 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈, (顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, First Skandha).

Indra and 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补.

The great King 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 once conquered Heaven. Indra, who lost his kingdom and glory, accepted 叠峁沨补蝉辫补迟颈鈥檚 advice and went to meet 艢耻办谤腻肠腻谤测补. 艢耻办谤补 told Indra that 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 was the noblest person and that he had earned that nobility by his good qualities. Indra decided to acquire those good qualities from 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补.

Indra disguised himself as a Brahmin boy and approached 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 with a request for moral and spiritual advice. 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 accepted him as his pupil and gave him moral and spiritual advice. Pleased with the pupil鈥檚 devotion, 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 agreed to give him whatever boon he wanted. The pupil said that he wanted only the good qualities of the Guru. 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 agreed to it. Then a shadow-like figure appeared to emerge from 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补鈥檚 body. 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 who was puzzled asked the figure:鈥�"Who are you" "The figure answered:鈥�"I am your virtuous character. Now I am leaving you and entering this boy鈥檚 body." Saying thus it left 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补鈥檚 body and entered Indra鈥檚 body. Following it, all the good qualities of 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补, like charity, truth, glory etc. entered Indra鈥檚 body one after another. It was only in the end that 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 came to know that the cunning pupil was Indra. Thus from that day, 笔谤补丑濒腻诲补 began to decline in his good qualities and Indra began to prosper. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 124).

Indra and Gautama.

There is a story in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, of how Indra restored life to a dead Brahmin. Gautama was a Brahmin who had left his own home and settled down to live in the village of Dasyus (an aboriginal tribe). He married from a low caste and followed the customs of Dasyus. At that time another Brahmin happened to come there. He ridiculed Gautama who had lost his caste. Next morning Gautama left his residence and went to another place. Tired after his long journey, he fell asleep under a banyan tree. A King of birds named N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha lived on that tree. N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha who was the son of 碍补艣测补辫补, became very friendly with Gautama. He brought fish from the river 骋补峁単腻 to feed Gautama and fanned him with his wings. Gautama told the bird that he was a poor Brahmin and that he was anxious to get some wealth. There was a wealthy 搁腻办峁�a蝉补 King named 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a in that country, who was a close friend of N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha. N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha sent Gautama to 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a with a request to give Gautama some wealth. 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a gave plenty of gold to Gautama. He returned to the foot of the banyan tree carrying the gold on his head. Gautama who was quite tired after his long walk, was hospitably received by N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha. That kingly bird lay asleep close by Gautama. An evil desire to eat the flesh of N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha dawned upon the mind of Gautama. He killed that King of birds in his sleep. 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a who came to know of this, killed Gautama and gave his flesh as food for Dasyus. 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a, with tears in his eyes, made a funeral pyre and cremated N膩d墨ja峁僩ha鈥檚 body. At that time, as directed by 叠谤补丑尘腻, Surabhi caused milk to flow from heaven and revived N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha. 痴颈谤奴辫腻办峁�a told the whole story to Indra who came there at that time. Indra said that N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha died as the result of 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 curse. He had offended 叠谤补丑尘腻 on a former occasion by refusing to attend 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 assembly, although he was invited. N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha who was restored to life, was noble enough to request Indra to bring back Gautama also to life. Accordingly Indra revived Gautama. N膩岣嵞玧a峁僩ha returned the gold to Gautama and sent him away with his good wishes. Indra returned to heaven. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 173).

Indra and 础丑补濒测腻.

Indra, once fell in love with 础丑补濒测腻, the wife of Gautama. Sage Gautama who came to know of it, cursed Indra. For further details, see under 础丑补濒测腻.

Indra turned into a Fox.

Once a haughty 痴补颈艣测补 knocked down a young sage named 碍补艣测补辫补, with his chariot. The disgraced sage decided to commit suicide. Knowing this Indra went to the sage in the form of a fox and spoke to him, dwelling upon the evil aspects of suicide. At last the young sage gave up the idea of committing suicide and returned to his hermitage. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 130).

Indra and 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补.

Long ago the Asuras led by 罢腻谤补办腻蝉耻谤补, persecuted the gods in many ways. 罢腻谤补办腻蝉耻谤补 had received a boon from 叠谤补丑尘腻 that only the son born to 艢颈惫补 could slay him. So, to distract 笔补谤补尘别艣惫补谤补 from his penance, in order to make it possible for him to beget a son, Indra sent 碍腻尘补诲别惫补 (god of love) to him. But 碍腻尘补诲别惫补 was burnt up in the fire from the third eye of 艢颈惫补. After that 笔腻谤惫补迟墨 won 艢颈惫补 as her husband as a result of her austere penance. She prayed to 艢颈惫补 that 碍腻尘补诲别惫补 should be brought back to life and that a son should be born to her. 艢颈惫补 replied to her:鈥�

"碍腻尘补 was born from 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 mind. As soon as he was born, he asked 叠谤补丑尘腻 "Ka峁� Darpam?" which means鈥攚hom shall I tempt and conquer?" So 叠谤补丑尘腻 called him "Kandarpa". 叠谤补丑尘腻 had advised him even at that time that he should never tempt me. Disregarding that advice he came to attack me and I burned him up. Now it is not possible for him to be born in a physical form I shall beget of you a son with my spiritual power. I do not need the urge of 碍腻尘补诲别惫补 for this, as in the case of ordinary mortals".

As they were discussing this problem, Indra and 叠谤补丑尘腻 arrived there. At their request 艢颈惫补 agreed to beget a son by 笔腻谤惫补迟墨. Since it is not desirable that all living beings should perish, 艢颈惫补 allowed 碍腻尘补诲别惫补 to be born in the minds of all creatures. 叠谤补丑尘腻 and Indra returned quite happy. One day, 艢颈惫补 and 笔腻谤惫补迟墨 began their amorous dalliance. They did not stop it even after a hundred years. The whole world began to shake to its very foundations. Fearing that the world might perish, the devas, as ordered by 叠谤补丑尘腻 prayed to Agni, to interrupt the amorous play of 艢颈惫补 and 笔腻谤惫补迟墨. Agni, who understood that it was not possible to achieve their object, fled and concealed himself under water. The Devas went out in search of Agni. By that time, the creatures in the water who could not bear the heat of Agni, told them the secret. Then Agni deprived them of the power of speech by a curse. After that he went and hid himself on the Mandara mountain. Elephants and parrots disclosed the secrets of Agni, who was hiding within the hollow of the trunk of a tree. Agni deprived them of their tongues by a curse. At last the gods discovered Agni. They sent him at once to 艢颈惫补 to stop him in his amorous dalliance. Agni succeeded in his mission by his intense heat. 艢颈惫补 transferred his semen to Agni who became pregnant. Being unable to bear its weight Agni deposited it in the river 骋补峁単腻, who at the behest of 艢颈惫补 himself, left it in the woods on the 惭补丑腻尘别谤耻 mountain. 艢颈惫补鈥檚 attendant 产丑奴迟补蝉 (spirits) offered 笔奴箩腻 to it there. After a thousand years a boy with six faces (厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补) was born out of it. He was suckled by the 碍峁泃迟颈办腻蝉 employed for that purpose by 笔腻谤惫补迟墨 and the boy grew up with astonishing rapidity within a few days. Having been suckled by the 碍峁泃迟颈办腻蝉, the boy got the name "碍腻谤迟迟颈办别测补".

In those days, Devendra who was defeated by 罢腻谤补办腻蝉耻谤补, decided to give up war and was living in 惭补丑腻尘别谤耻. The Devas and the sages used to go to 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 for protection. When Devendra knew it, he became angry and went to war with 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补. 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 was wounded on the face with Indra鈥檚 weapon. From the wound two sons named 艢腻办丑补 and 痴颈艣腻办丑补 were born to 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补. With their help 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 encountered Indra again. At this stage 艢颈惫补 appeared there and informed Indra that 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 had been born with a mission to kill 罢腻谤补办腻蝉耻谤补 and to restore Indra鈥檚 kingdom to him. It was then that Indra recognized 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补. He begged pardon of 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 and expressed his desire to instal him as his military commander. When he tried to perform the ceremony of installation by sprinkling the holy water on 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补鈥檚 head, the water refused to come out of the pot. 艢颈惫补 told Indra that it was because he had tried to perform the installation before propitiating 骋补峁嘺辫补迟颈. Indra then offered worship to Vighne艣vara (骋补峁嘺辫补迟颈) and the ceremony went off without any hitch. 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 who thus became Indra鈥檚 commander, killed 罢腻谤补办腻蝉耻谤补 shortly afterwards. (碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤补, L膩v膩峁嘺kala峁僢aka, 6th 罢补谤补峁単补).

Indra and 惭补丑腻产补濒颈.

The vanquished 惭补丑腻产补濒颈 who had left his home and country was in gloom and despair when once Indra paid him a visit. At that time 惭补丑腻濒补办峁�m墨 emerged from 惭补丑腻产补濒颈鈥檚 body and entered Indra鈥檚 body. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 224).

Indra and God膩na (gift of cow).

Once Indra asked 叠谤补丑尘腻 about the efficacy of 驳辞诲腻苍补 or giving a cow as gift. 叠谤补丑尘腻 told him that there is a world free from the infirmities of old age and diseases and it is called "Goloka". He added that those who perform God膩na would get a place in Goloka.

Indra and a bird.

A hunter in 碍腻艣墨 once went to shoot birds with poisoned arrows. One of his arrows hit a big tree accidentally and the powerful poison dried up the whole tree. In the hollow of the trunk of that tree there lived a bird with mystic powers. It did not like to leave that tree which had been its refuge ever since its birth. One day Devendra, in the guise of a Brahmin came to the bird, who recognized him by its mystic power. In the conversation between them Devendra advised the bird to leave the tree and find some other suitable place for its residence. The bird did not accept his advice. Indra was pleased at the bird鈥檚 loyalty and gratitude towards that tree which had been its shelter all along. So he took the bird along with him to Devaloka. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 5).

How Indra turned Bha峁僩膩艣va into a woman.

There was a King named Bha峁僩膩艣va. Once he performed a sacrifice called "Indradvi峁ａ弓a" which was believed to have the power of blessing him with children. Indra being not invited was displeased with him and was waiting for an opportunity to wreak vengeance on him.

One hundred sons were born to Bha峁僩膩艣va. Once he went to the forest after entrusting the affairs of the kingdom to his sons. Indra cunningly misguided him and made him lose his way in the forest. Wandering alone with his horse in the forest, he reached the bank of a river. Weary and thirsty, he stepped down into the river. To his amazement, he was instantly transformed into a woman! The bewildered "woman" somehow reached Bha峁僩膩艣va鈥檚 palace. All the members of his family were deeply grieved over his change of sex. To avoid embarrassment to himself and others, Bha峁僩膩艣va returned as a woman to the forest and there lived as the wife of a sage and became the mother of a hundred sons. After some years "she" went back to the palace with the sons and leaving them there returned again to the forest.

Indra went to the palace at this time and made the two sets of hundred sons quarrel with one another until all of them perished in fighting. Hearing about this the mother who was in the forest, wept bitterly. Indra visited her (Bha峁僩膩艣va) there and she told him the whole story of her misfortunes and begged his pardon for performing Indradvi峁ａ弓a sacrifice without inviting Indra. Pleased with her repentance Indra promised to resuscitate one set of her hundred sons. She wanted all the hundred sons who were born when she was a woman, to be restored to life. Indra was ready to restore her manhood too, but she preferred to continue as a woman. Indra restored to life all the 200 sons of Bha峁僩膩艣va and leaving Bha峁僩膩艣va as a woman, returned to Devaloka. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 12).

Indra and Mata峁僩a.

A story is found in the Mah膩-叠丑腻谤补迟补 under the title of "Indra-Mata峁僩a-Sa峁僾膩da" which illustrates that a 碍峁�a迟谤颈测补, 痴补颈艣测补 or 艢奴诲谤补 can never become a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺 by any means. It was told by 叠丑墨峁�m补 to Arjuna as follows:鈥�

"Long ago a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺鈥檚 wife gave birth to a boy. The boy was given the name Mata峁僩a. His father sent him in a chariot drawn by a donkey, in connection with a y膩ga which he wanted to perform. Mata峁僩a whipped the donkey mercilessly. Seeing this, the donkey鈥檚 mother said to Mata峁僩a鈥�"You are not a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺. 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺s cannot be so cruel. You are a 颁补峁囜笉腻濒补 (a man of the lowest caste) born to your mother by a barber."

Mata峁僩a sadly returned to his father and after telling him what he had heard from the mother-donkey set out to perform an austere penance with the object of becoming a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺. Devendra appeared to him and asked him what he wanted. Mata峁僩a asked for a boon whereby he could become a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺; Indra vanished after saying that it was impossible. After that Mata峁僩a performed penance for hundred years, standing on one foot. Indra appeared again and repeated that it was impossible for Mata峁僩a to become a 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺. Then Mata峁僩a continued his penance for a thousand years, standing on his toe. Indra appeared again and transformed Mata峁僩a into a Deva named "Chandodeva". Indra told him that though he could become a Deva, he could never achieve Brahminhood. In his extreme grief Mata峁僩a renounced his life and entered Heaven. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapters 27, 28 and 29).

Indra and 艢a峁僢ara.

There is a story in the Mah膩 叠丑腻谤补迟补 in which an Asura named 艢a峁僢ara explained the greatness of Brahminhood to Indra. Once Indra approached the Asura, 艢a峁僢ara and asked him what was the source of his glory and prosperity. 艢a峁僢ara replied that it was all due to his whole-hearted worship of 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺s. From that time Indra began to offer worship to 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺s and thus he won the place of Indra. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 36).

Indra loved Ruci.

There is a story in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 of how a sage named Vipula who was born in the family of 叠丑峁沢耻 once saved Ruci, his Guru鈥檚 wife from Indra. Long ago, a great sage named 顿别惫补艣补谤尘腻 lived in a forest. His wife Ruci being enchantingly beautiful, many suitors were attracted to her. Chief among them was Indra. 顿别惫补艣补谤尘腻 was aware of this. Once he had to leave his 腻艣谤补尘补 in connection with a y膩ga. So he ordered his disciple Vipula to guard his wife Ruci during his absence. He had given a hint to Vipula that Indra who was an expert in disguises, might appear in the 腻艣谤补尘补 in any form. Vipula, by means of his mystic power entered into his guru鈥檚 wife and guarded her.

After some time, Indra reached the 膧艣rama in the guise of a handsome youth. He disclosed his real identity to Ruci and told her that he had come there to spend a night with her. Ruci fell in love with him. But since she was under the mystic control of Vipula, Indra was unable to fulfil his desire. At last Vipula sent him away in disgrace. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 4, 44).

Indra鈥檚 theft of Lotus.

Indra once stole Agastya鈥檚 lotuses. (See under Agastya).

Indra鈥檚 theft of an Elephant.

Indra once stole an elephant belonging to the great sage Gautama. The sage complained to 顿丑峁泃补谤腻峁ａ弓谤补, who advised him to offer prayers to Indra. Accordingly Gautama pleased Indra by his prayers. Indra appeared and after returning the elephant took both the elephant and Gautama along with him to Devaloka. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 础苍耻艣腻蝉补苍补 Parva, Chapter 102).

Indra and Marutta.

Long ago there was a famous king named Marutta. Indra was closely associated with him in many of his activities. (For more details see Marutta).

Indra and Dharmaputra.

Another anecdote about Indra which deals with the last part of Dharmaputra鈥檚 life is given in the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补.

The 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉, towards the end of their lives entered the forest and were travelling to the north. Dharmaputra who was walking in front, was followed by a dog. On the way the four brothers and 笔腻帽肠腻濒墨 fell down dead. Dharmaputra continued his journey accompanied by the dog without turning back or looking behind. At the end of the journey, Indra was waiting for him with his chariot. He told Dharmaputra that his brothers and wife had already taken their places in Heaven and that he should leave behind the dog and get into the chariot to go to Devaloka. Dharmaputra pleaded that it was not right for him to enter Devaloka after deserting the dog which had followed him so far. Even though Indra pressed him very much to enter the chariot without the dog, Dharmaputra did not yield. At last the dog assumed the form of Yama who appeared and explained to them that he had taken the form of a dog and followed his son Dharmaputra to test his noble nature. They were all happy and all the three of them proceeded in the chariot to Devaloka. (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 Mah膩prasth膩nika Parva, Chapter 3).

Indra and 叠腻濒颈.

In Uttara 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 there is a story as given below, about the birth of 叠腻濒颈, a son of Indra:鈥�

础谤耻峁嘺, the charioteer of 厂奴谤测补 (the sun-god) went one night to Indraloka to see the goddesses dancing. Men were not allowed to enter the dancing hall. So, 础谤耻峁嘺 managed to enter the hall by disguising himself as a beautiful lady. The moment Indra saw her he fell in love with her. The name she assumed at that time was Aru峁嚹�. Indra secretly took her outside and they had a sexual union. 叠腻濒颈 was the son born from their union.

Indra鈥檚 theft of a Horse.

A King named Sagara once performed a sacrifice. Devendra stole the sacrificial horse. Sagara sent all his 60,000 sons in search of the horse. They dug up the earth and went to the Nether worlds where they saw the horse tied in front of the sage Kapila. The enraged sons of Sagara tried to capture and bind the sage. But Kapila reduced all the 60,000 princes to ashes by his curse. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 叠腻濒补k膩峁囜笉a, Chapter 39).

Indra cut an embryo to pieces.

Diti and Aditi were the daughters of 顿补办峁�a. 碍补艣测补辫补 married them. Indra was born as the son of Aditi. At this birth of a son to Aditi, Diti became jealous of her sister. One day she told her husband 碍补艣测补辫补 that she too wanted to have a virtuous, heroic and brave son who would be equal to Indra in every respect. 碍补艣测补辫补 promised to grant her wish.

In due course, Diti became pregnant. Now it was Aditi鈥檚 turn to become jealous of Diti. She could not bear the thought of Diti having a son equal to her own son Indra, in glory and splendour. So she called Indra and secretly instructed him to destroy Diti鈥檚 child in the womb, by whatever means.

In obedience to his mother, Indra approached Diti pretending friendship and spent a lot of time in her company. He soon won her confidence and love by his affectionate attentions. On one occasion, when she was in sound sleep, Indra, by his mystic power, entered into Diti鈥檚 womb with his weapon Vajra and cut the child in the womb into seven pieces. The child began to cry loudly, but Indra said "M膩 ruda" which means "do not cry" and cut each of the pieces again into seven parts. Thus the embryo (child) was finally cut into fortynine pieces, which later became the fortynine "惭腻谤耻迟补蝉" or "Maruts". When she woke up, Diti realized Indra鈥檚 treachery and in her fury she cursed Indra and Aditi. She cursed that Indra would lose his kingdom of Devaloka and that Aditi would be imprisoned and her sons would be killed. As a result of this curse Devendra lost his kingdom on one occasion. Aditi, in her next birth, was born as 顿别惫补办墨, wife of Vasudeva and was imprisoned by 碍补峁僺补 who killed her children. (顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, Fourth Skandha).

Indra and 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a.

(1) King 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a had a minister named Sudeva. Sudeva fell fighting in the battle-field. After some years, 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a also died. When 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a arrived in Heaven, he was surprised to find that Sudeva had already secured a place there long ago. 础尘产补谤墨峁�a had performed many more acts of holiness than Sudeva. Yet Sudeva attained Heaven earlier than 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a. 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a asked Indra why it was so. Indra answered that just as 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a had performed many sacifices, Sudeva had performed many war-sacrifices. He added that war-sacrifices were as efficacious for attaining Heaven as other kinds of sacrifices (惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补 艢腻苍迟颈 Parva, Chapter 98).

(2) 础峁僢补谤墨峁�a, King of 础测辞诲丑测腻 was performing a sacrifice. At that time, Indra had stolen the sacrificial animal. To continue the sacrifice without interruption, the King decided to substitute 艢una艣艣epha, the son of 峁歝墨办补, for the cow. But 艢una艣艣epha prayed to Indra who came and rescued him from the jaws of death. (This story is given in other 笔耻谤腻峁嘺蝉 with slight variations. V膩l峁兡玨i 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 叠腻濒补 碍腻峁囜笉补, 61st Sarga).

Indra and 罢谤颈艣补峁卥耻.

There is a story that Indra once pushed down from Heaven, 罢谤颈艣补峁卥耻 a King of the 厂奴谤测补 va峁兣沘 (Solar dynasty). See under TRI艢A峁凨U.

Indra and 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补.

Once 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 observed a vow of silence for a period of one thousand years. At the end of that period, when he was about to take his food, Indra appeared in the form of a Brahmin and asked for that food. 痴颈艣惫腻尘颈迟谤补 gave that food to the Brahmin and resumed his austere penance. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 叠腻濒补 碍腻峁囜笉补, 65th Sarga).

Indra, 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and 艢arabha峁単a.

(1). At the time when 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and 尝补办峁�m补峁嘺 were leading their life in the forest, one day Indra paid a visit to the 膧艣rama of the sage 艢arabha峁単a. Devendra wished to take the sage with him to Devaloka. As they were talking, they saw 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 coming to the 膧艣rama. Indra advised 艢arabha峁単a to speak to 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and left the place. As suggested by Indra, the sage had a conversation with 艢r墨 搁腻尘补. After it 艢arabha峁単a offered his body to the fire and went to Devaloka. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 础谤补峁噛补 碍腻峁囜笉补, 5th Sarga).

(2) When the battle between 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and 搁腻惫补峁嘺 was in progress, Indra presented to 艢r墨 搁腻尘补, an excellent chariot along with the horses. The chariot and horses were handed over to 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 on the battlefield by 惭腻迟补濒颈; Indra鈥檚 charioteer. 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 fought against 搁腻惫补峁嘺 from that chariot and slew him. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, Yuddha 碍腻峁囜笉补, Sarga 103).

(3) After the war with 搁腻惫补峁嘺, Indra appeared before 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and asked him what boon he wanted. 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 replied that all those monkeys who died in the war should come back to life and the forests in which they lived should abound in fruits and flowers in all the seasons of the year. Indra restored all those monkeys to life and made all the forests in which they lived, green and rich with luxuriant vegetation. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, Yuddha 碍腻峁囜笉补, Sarga 129).

Indra gives his sword for safe-custody.

During their life in the forest 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 and 尝补办峁�m补峁嘺, accompanied by 厂墨迟腻 entered 顿补峁囜笉补办腻谤补峁噛补. 艢r墨 搁腻尘补鈥檚 chief object in going there was to give protection to the sages and their hermitages in the forest. But seeing that he had made the killing of 搁腻办峁�a蝉补蝉 his main purpose, 厂墨迟腻 told him that this change in the objective would spoil other important matters. To illustrate this she told him the following story:鈥�

'Once upon a time, a great sage was observing holy rites with great austerity. Indra was alarmed at it. He went to the sage鈥檚 hermitage in the form of a warrior armed with a sword. Indra handed over his sword to the sage for safe custody. The sage accepted it and from that time all his attention was concentrated on the sword. All his time was spent in guarding the sword and he began to neglect his devotional duties as a sage. As a result of it his mystic power declined and ultimately he fell into Hell. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 础谤补峁噛补 碍腻峁囜笉补, 9th Sarga).

Indra and Kabandha.

See under Kabandha.

The Post or Office of Indra.

Indra was anointed as King of Devas on Meghav膩n mountain. In the 42nd Sarga of 碍颈峁�k颈苍诲丑腻 k膩峁囜笉a of 痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 we find that 厂耻驳谤墨惫补 had ordered the monkeys to search for 厂墨迟腻 on that mountain also.

Indra and Maya.

Maya, the carpenter of the Asuras, performed penance to 叠谤补丑尘腻 and acquired complete mastery in the science of carpentry and architecture. After that he constructed a forest mansion of golden colour and took up his residence in it. Once Maya set his eyes on a goddess named 贬别尘腻. When Indra knew this he became angry and killed Maya with his weapon鈥擵ajra. From that time 贬别尘腻 got Maya鈥檚 golden mansion. This was told by 贬别尘腻鈥檚 maid, Svaya峁僷rabh膩 to 贬补苍奴尘腻苍. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 碍颈峁�k颈苍诲丑腻 碍腻峁囜笉补, 51st Sarga).

Indra cut off the wings of Mountains.

In 碍峁泃补测耻驳补 all the Mountains in the world had wings. They used to fly about here and there like 骋补谤耻岣峚 with the speed of wind. The sages and the Devas feared that they might fall on their heads. The Devas held a conference and elected Indra to find a remedy for this. Indra cut off the wings of the mountains with his Vajra. The 惭补颈苍腻办补 mountain was a friend of wind. When Indra was about to cut off the wings of that mountain, Wind suddenly removed it and deposited it in the ocean. It is out of his gratitude for this that the 惭补颈苍腻办补 mountain rose up from the ocean and provided a resting place for 贬补苍奴尘腻苍, the son of Wind god, when he jumped to 尝补峁卥腻. This story was told by 惭补颈苍腻办补 mountain to 贬补苍奴尘腻苍. (痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, Sundara 碍腻峁囜笉补, 1st Sarga).

Indra cut off his preceptor鈥檚 head

Once Devendra accepted a sage named 痴颈艣惫补谤奴辫补 as his preceptor for a sacrifice. 痴颈艣惫补谤奴辫补鈥檚 mother was a 顿腻苍补惫补 partisan. So this priest, as directed by his mother, performed the sacrifice with the prayer鈥�"May the gods and the Asuras prosper." As a result of the prayer, both the gods who performed the sacrifice and the Asuras who did not perform it, prospered. At this Devendra became furious and he cut off the head of the Guru. (顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 3rd Skandha).

Indra and 惭补丑颈峁Ｄ乻耻谤补.

See under 惭补丑颈峁Ｄ乻耻谤补.

Indra became a bull.

Long ago there was a King called Kakutstha in the 滨办峁�v腻办耻 dynasty. When he was ruling over the kingdom of 础测辞诲丑测腻, a war broke out between Devas and Asuras. In that war, the Devas were not able to defeat the Asuras. Indra in distress approached 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 for refuge. 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 advised him to seek the help of Kakutstha, King of 础测辞诲丑测腻. So Indra with the other gods went to 础测辞诲丑测腻. When Kakutstha heard about their appeal for help, he glady offered his help but only on condition that Indra became his vehicle. Seeing no other way, Indra assumed the form of a bull and Kakutstha, riding on the back of the bull fought against the Asuras and defeated them. It is from that day that the King came to be called "Kakutstha", "Indra-惫腻丑补苍补" and "笔耻谤补帽箩补测补". (His original name is unknown). "Kakut" means the "hamp of a bull". Because he was seated on the "Kakut" he got the name "Kakutstha". Because he made Indra "惫腻丑补苍补" (vehicle) he got the name of "Indra惫腻丑补苍补". As he defeated the Asuras and conquered their city (pura) he was called "笔耻谤补帽箩补测补". Kakutstha was the son of 艢补艣腻诲补 and the father of 笔峁泃丑耻. 艢r墨 搁腻尘补 is called "碍腻办耻迟蝉迟丑补" because he was born in the family of Kakutstha. (顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 7th Skandha).

Indra鈥檚 Task.

顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 8th Skandha says that Indra is one of the "础峁ａ弓补诲颈办辫腻濒补办补蝉 (the eight protectors of the quarters) and the name of his city is "础尘补谤腻惫补迟墨".

Indra鈥檚 term of Life.

The 顿别惫墨 叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补 5th Skandha says that two life-spans of 叠谤补丑尘腻 make 痴颈峁ａ箛耻鈥檚 life-span. 艢颈惫补 has double the life-span of 痴颈峁ａ箛耻, that during the life of 叠谤补丑尘腻, fourteen Indras will drop down from Heaven and perish, and one day of 叠谤补丑尘腻 is made up of one thousand "Caturyugas."

There are fourteen Manvantaras during the life of the present 叠谤补丑尘腻 (See under Manvantara). This means that fourteen Manus will be born and will die one after another during this period. Each Manvantara will have its own Indra and the Devas. The first Manu was 厂惫腻测补尘产丑耻惫补. After him five more Manus, 厂惫腻谤辞肠颈峁�a, Uttama, 罢腻尘补蝉补, Raivata and 颁腻办峁�u峁�a, have passed away. The present Manu is Vaivasvata the son of 厂奴谤测补. The current Vaivasvata Manvantara is the seventh. At the end of seven more Manvantaras, the present 叠谤补丑尘腻 will perish and a new 叠谤补丑尘腻 will be born. For the names of the Indras of different Manvantaras, see under Manvantara. (痴颈峁ａ箛耻 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, Part 2, Chapter 1).

Indra became a Calf.

(See under 笔峁泃丑耻).

The name Purandara.

Sardar K.M. Panikkar in his preface to 峁欢惫别诲补 厂补峁僪颈迟腻 says that Indra got the name Purandara because he destroyed the cities (Puras) of the Dasyus. But in Chapter 71, of V膩mana 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, we are told that he got this name because he killed "Pura", the son of 惭补丑腻产补濒颈.

Indra in the land of 碍辞峁卥补峁嘺.

Once an Asura named 艢奴rapadma obtained from 叠谤补丑尘腻, a boon to enable him to conquer the whole world. He persecuted the inhabitants of all the three worlds. He sent his followers to bring 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹� (Indra鈥檚 wife) to him as a captive. Indra, who came to know of this, secretly went away with 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹� to the 碍辞峁卥补峁嘺 land and lived in a temple there. After some days, entrusting 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹� to the protection of 艢腻蝉迟腻, he went to 碍补颈濒腻蝉补. Just at this time, 艢奴rapadma鈥檚 sister Aj膩mukh墨 came there and tempted 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹�. 艢腻蝉迟腻 cut off the hands of Aj膩mukh墨 and took 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹� to 碍补颈濒腻蝉补. (Skanda 笔耻谤腻峁嘺, Asura 碍腻峁囜笉补).

Indra and Mucukunda.

Mucukunda, a King of the 滨办峁�v腻办耻 dynasty, once went to Devaloka at the invitation of Indra. In the war between the Devas and Asuras, Mucukunda helped Indra and the Asuras were defeated. Indra was pleased and asked Mucukunda what boon he wanted. Mucukunda asked for a boon which would give him long and sound sleep. Indra granted it and in addition declared that anyone who disturbed Mucukunda鈥檚 sleep would be reduced to ashes. After that Mucukunda went to sleep in a cave in the middle of a dense forest.

A King of the tribe Yavana performed penance to 叠谤补丑尘腻 and obtained his boon which would enable him to defeat the 驰腻诲补惫补蝉 (艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺鈥檚 clan) and he began to fight with 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺. Because of 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 boon, 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 was not able to kill him. He drove Yavana into the cave in which Mucukunda was sleeping. Mucukunda suddenly woke up from his sleep and looked at him with great anger. Yavana was at once reduced to ashes. (叠丑腻驳补惫补迟补, 10th Skandha).

Indra鈥檚 favourite Drink.

The juice of the Soma Plant is the favourite drink of Indra. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 1st Anuv膩ka, 1st 厂奴办迟补).

Indra became a Goat.

Sage 础峁単颈谤补蝉 began worshipping the Devas, hoping to have a son who will be equal in glory to Indra. Indra who did not like another person to be his equal, took birth himself as the son of 础峁単颈谤补蝉. Savya is the name of that son. Once Savya assumed the form of a goat and ate up the soma plant of a sage called 惭别诲丑腻迟颈迟丑颈. The sage then called him 惭别峁�a (goat). Indra is still known by the name, 惭别峁�a. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 1st Anuv膩ka, 5 1st 厂奴办迟补).

Indra turns woman.

Once Indra took birth as the daughter of a king named V峁涐梗a峁嚹伵泇a and assumed the name 惭别苍腻. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 1st Anuv膩ka, 52nd 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and 峁歫i艣van.

Once Indra helped a King named 峁歫i艣v膩 to defeat the Asuras, 碍补谤补帽箩补, Par峁嘺ya and Va峁僩峁沝a. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 1st Anuv膩ka, 53rd 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and 厂奴谤测补.

A King named Sva艣va offered prayers to 厂奴谤测补 to bless him with children. 厂奴谤测补 himself took birth as his son. Once a great sage called Eta艣a got involved in a fight with this son (厂奴谤测补). When the sage was about to collapse, Indra came to his rescue. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 11th Anuv膩ka, 62nd 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and 厂补谤补尘腻.

Once an asura called 笔补峁噄 stole some cows and hid them in some unknown place. Indra asked 厂补谤补尘腻, the bitch of the Devas to find out and inform him where the cows were kept concealed. 厂补谤补尘腻 replied that she was prepared to do so, if Indra would give milk to her child and look after it in her absence. Indra undertook that task and the bitch went out and found out the place where the cows were hidden and reported it to Indra, (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 11th Anuv膩ka, 62nd 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and 顿补诲丑墨肠补.

顿补诲丑墨肠补 (顿补诲丑墨肠颈) was the son of Atharva. He used to scare away the Asuras by his eerrible look. Once when he had gone to Heaven, the earth became infested with Asuras. Indra set out to fight them. He tried to find out whether 顿补诲丑墨肠补 had left behind anything to be used as a weapon. "顿补诲丑墨肠补 had with him a horse-head", he was told. Indra went in search of it and at last found it in a lake at a place called 艢补谤补峁噛补. It is with its bone that he killed the Asuras. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 13th Anuv膩ka, 84th 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and Dadhya峁�.

Indra taught Madhuvidy膩 (The science of intoxicating drinks) to Dadhya峁�. He was warned by Indra that if he communicated that lore to anyone else, his head would be cut off. Once the 础艣惫颈苍墨s wanted to learn it. Since Indra had denied Soma drinking to 础艣惫颈苍墨s, they were not on good terms with Indra. So they approached Dadhya峁� to acquire that Knowledge. But he refused to teach them due to his fear that Indra would cut off his head. So the 础艣惫颈苍墨s cut off Dadhya峁呪�檚 head and fixed a horse鈥檚 head in its place. With that horse-head Dadhya峁� taught the 础艣惫颈苍墨s Madhu 痴颈诲测腻. After they had learnt the knowledge, they replaced his own head after removing the horse-head. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 17th Anuv膩ka, 116th 厂奴办迟补).

81) It is said that once, in a light mood, Indra made a mare give birth to a cow. (峁欢惫别诲补, 1st 惭补峁囜笉补濒补, 18th Anuv膩ka, 121st 厂奴办迟补).

Indra and 艢补迟腻苍墨办补.

艢补迟腻苍墨办补 was a King of the Lunar dynasty who ruled over the city of 碍补耻艣腻尘产墨. Indra who was highly impressed by his heroic exploits once invited him to Devaloka to suppress the Asuras. In the war with Asuras, 艢补迟腻苍墨办补 was killed. After that 艢补迟腻苍墨办补鈥檚 son, 厂补丑补蝉谤腻苍墨办补 went to Devaloka and killed the Asuras. Indra who was pleased declared that 厂补丑补蝉谤腻苍墨办补 would marry the beautiful 惭峁沢腻惫补迟墨 and they were married. See under 惭峁沢腻惫补迟墨. (碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤补, 碍补迟丑腻尘耻办丑补 la峁僢aka, 1st 罢补谤补峁単补).

Indra and 痴腻蝉补惫补诲补迟迟腻.

痴腻蝉补惫补诲补迟迟腻 who was the wife of Udayana was born in the world by Indra鈥檚 blessing. See under "痴腻蝉补惫补诲补迟迟腻". (碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤补, 碍补迟丑腻尘耻办丑补 la峁僢aka, 1st 罢补谤补峁単补).

Indra and 惭别驳丑补苍腻诲补.

搁腻惫补峁嘺 conquered the world with the help of 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 blessing. In his pride he came into conflict with Indra. After a fierce battle, 搁腻惫补峁嘺鈥檚 son, 惭别驳丑补苍腻诲补 defeated Indra. He took Indra to 尝补峁卥腻 as a prisoner. 搁腻惫补峁嘺 chained 莫ndra鈥檚 hands and feet and tied him to his flagstaff. The Devas in distress approached 叠谤补丑尘腻 for help. 叠谤补丑尘腻 went to 尝补峁卥腻 and secured the release of Indra. After giving the title of Indrajit to 惭别驳丑补苍腻诲补, 叠谤补丑尘腻 returned to Brahmaloka.

Sometime before this Devendra had committed adultery with 础丑补濒测腻, Sage Gautama鈥檚 wife. At that time Gautama had uttered a curse on him, that he would have to spend a year in prison, chained by an enemy. His life in 搁腻惫补峁嘺鈥檚 prison in 尝补峁卥腻 was in fulfilment of that curse. (Uttara 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺).

Indra and 贬补苍奴尘腻苍.

贬补苍奴尘腻苍, the son of 痴腻测耻 (wind) sprang up into the sky as soon as he was born, seeing the brilliant rising sun, and mistaking it to be some delicious food. He saw 搁腻丑耻 who was standing near the sun and made a leap towards him. When he came near, he saw 础颈谤腻惫补迟补, Indra鈥檚 elephant, standing in Devaloka. At once he turned towards that elephant to swallow him. Seeing the struggle between 贬补苍奴尘腻苍 and 础颈谤腻惫补迟补 Indra used his weapon Vajra which cut the monkey鈥檚 "hanu" (jaw bone) and he fell down dead on the earth. 痴腻测耻, in deep sorrow, took the dead body of his son and went to 笔腻迟腻濒补. When 痴腻测耻 (wind) left the world, the creatures of the world underwent great suffering. Then the Devas led by 叠谤补丑尘腻 went to 笔腻迟腻濒补, consoled 痴腻测耻 and revived 贬补苍奴尘腻苍. Since his "Hanu" was cut with Vajra, the monkey was named "贬补苍奴尘腻苍" by Indra. Besides, Indra gave him a blessing that 贬补苍奴尘腻苍 would die only when he wished. (Uttara 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺, 痴腻濒尘墨办颈 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺; 碍颈峁�k颈苍诲丑腻 碍腻峁囜笉补; 66th Sarga).

Indra and Govardhana.

For the story of how the people of Gokula (Cowherds' colony) stopped the worship of Indra, how Indra caused a heavy shower of rain, and how 艢r墨 碍峁涐梗峁嘺 used the Govardhana mountain as an umbrella, see under "碍峁涐梗峁嘺".

Indra becomes victim of old age.

Once the sage 顿耻谤惫腻蝉补蝉 went to Devaloka. The goddesses gave him a grand reception at which 惭别苍补办腻 presented him with a garland made of fragrant flowers. The sage gave it to Devendra. Indra placed it on 础颈谤腻惫补迟补鈥檚 tusk. The fragrance of the garland attracted a large number of bees to it. They swarmed round the head of the elephant and annoyed it. 础颈谤腻惫补迟补 picked up the garland trampled it under his foot, pulled it to pieces and threw it away. 顿耻谤惫腻蝉补蝉 took this as an insult to himself and pronounced a curse that all the gods would be subjected to wrinkles and grey hair of old age.

Indra and the other gods fell victims to old age. Indra requested 顿耻谤惫腻蝉补蝉 to release him from his curse. The sage relented and told him that if the Devas drank 础尘峁泃补 obtained by churning the ocean of milk they would recover their youth. Accordingly, the ocean of milk was churned by the joint effort of the Devas and Asuras and in the end the Devas snatched it away. When the Devas drank 础尘峁泃补, the symptoms of old age disappeared and they recovered their youth. (Uttara 搁腻尘腻测补苍补).

Indra and 顿补峁囜笉补办腻谤补峁噛补.

顿补峁囜笉补 the son of 滨办峁�v腻办耻, a King of the Solar dynasty, ruled over the territory between the Vindhya and the 贬颈尘腻濒补测补蝉. Once when he was out ahunting in the neighbourhood of the mountains, he saw a charming woman. She was "Ar膩", the daughter of the sage 艢耻办谤补. The King was fascinated by her beauty and fell desperately in love with her at the very first sight. He seized her by force and committed rape on her. When 艢耻办谤补 knew about this, he was furious and uttered a curse that Indra should shower a rain of fire on 顿补峁囜笉补鈥檚 kingdom. Thus the whole country of 顿补峁囜笉补 was destroyed by Indra鈥檚 rain of fire. In course of time that region was turned into a dense forest and came to be called "顿补峁囜笉补办腻谤补峁噛补". (Uttara 搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺).

Other names of Indra.

Indra; 惭补谤耻迟惫腻苍, 惭补驳丑补惫腻苍, Bi岣峚ujas, 笔腻办补艣腻蝉补苍补, V峁沝dha艣ravas, Sun膩s墨ra, 笔耻谤耻丑奴迟补, Purandara, 闯颈峁ａ箛耻, Lekhar峁�abha, 艢补办谤补, 艢补迟补尘补苍测耻, Divaspati, Sutr膩m膩, Gotrabhit, Vaj峁浤�, 痴腻蝉补惫补, 痴峁泃谤补h膩, 痴峁涐梗腻, 痴腻蝉迟辞峁�p补迟颈, Surapa峁璱 Val膩r膩ti, 艢补肠墨辫补迟颈, Jambhabhedin, Harihaya, Sv膩r膩t, Namucis奴dana, Sa峁僰randana, 顿耻艣肠测补惫补苍补, Tur膩峁Ｄ乼 Megha惫腻丑补苍补, 膧办丑补峁囜笉补濒补, 厂补丑补蝉谤腻办峁�a, 峁歜huk峁Ｄ�.

Indra鈥檚 Divinity.

In the earliest stage of Hinduism, Indra had occupied one of the most eminent places among the gods. 惭补丑腻惫颈峁ａ箛耻 had only the place of younger brother of Indra at that time. In Amara Ko艣a we find "Upendra Indr膩varaja" as the synonym of 痴颈峁ａ箛耻. In 峁欢惫别诲补 Indra has a more important place. Although Rudra is a divinity or deity and although there are references to Kapardin, there is not even a single stuti (praise) about 艢颈惫补 in the 峁欢惫别诲补. 峁欢惫别诲补 does not recognize 顿别惫墨p奴j膩 and idol worship. But in the Pur膩峁噄c age, Indra was transformed into a lascivious "Deva Prabhu" (Lord among the gods). Sardar K.M. Panikkar, in his preface to "峁欢惫别诲补 厂补峁僪颈迟腻" says about Indra:鈥�"The main actor in 峁欢惫别诲补 is Indra. In the war against the Dasyus the 膧谤测补蝉 seek the help chiefly of Indra. Indra is represented as very handsome and of a golden complexion. His weapon is Vajra, thunderbolt which was made by 罢惫补峁ａ弓腻. 痴腻测耻 (wind) is his charioteer. He is constantly travelling about in the sky driving in his golden chariot. Indra likes drinking Soma juice more than the other gods. Indra is even referred to as "Somapa". He is also sometimes described as the twin brother of Agni. Sages have sung unendingly about the exploits of Indra. 贬颈谤补峁噛补st奴pa, a sage, has composed a work entitled "Indrastuti" which celebrates many of the heroic deeds of Indra. Indra was 痴补箩谤补辫腻峁噄 who had slain the Asuras like Ahi, Tu峁ａ箛a, 艢a峁僢ara, Vala, 痴峁泃谤补 and others.

There are also several stories in the Vedas about the birth of this hero. At the time of Indra鈥檚 birth, somehow, his mother felt that he was incapable of being killed. So she decided to abandon him. Fearing trouble for herself, she asked the child to leave her and go to some other place. Indra refused to do so and followed her to the house of 罢惫补峁ａ弓腻. There he drank the juice of the soma plant and gained strength to kill his enemies. But unaware of this, his mother, tried to keep him concealed. Indra, however, came out of the place in his dazzling attire and encountered the enemies. 痴峁泃谤补 who met Indra got ready for a fight. In the fight 痴测补峁僺补 struck down Indra. The devas fled in fear. Indra who was left alone called upon 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 and sought his aid.

Although Indra needed help in his fight with 痴峁泃谤补, he was the chief support to the 膧rynas in their fight against the Dasyus. It was Indra鈥檚 Vajra which broke up the fortresses of many Dasyu kings. That was why he got the name "Purandara". Once Indra dried up the whole river to enable his army to cross it for the sake of 厂耻诲腻蝉. When 厂耻艣谤补惫补蝉 became helpless, Indra destroyed twenty kings and 60099 soldiers with his chariot wheel. Thus we see Indra in the 峁欢惫别诲补 as the destroyer of the Dasyus and the protector of 膧ryans."

滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹�, 艢补肠墨 and Pulomaj膩 are the names of Indra鈥檚 wife. Indra鈥檚 son, Jayanta is also known by the name of P膩ka艣膩sani. Indra鈥檚 city is 础尘补谤腻惫补迟墨; his chariot "痴颈尘腻苍补", his charioteer 惭腻迟补濒颈, and his garden Nandanavana. "Vaijayanta" is the name of his mansion. Indra鈥檚 weapon has several other names, such as, 贬谤腻诲颈苍墨, 碍耻濒颈艣补, Bhidura, Pavi, 艢atako峁璱, Svaru, 艢腻尘产补, Dambholi, 础艣补苍颈 etc. Indra鈥檚 assembly is called "厂耻诲丑补谤尘腻". Indra鈥檚 bow is the rainbow, his sword is Para帽jaya and his residence is Heaven. The trees in Heaven are, 惭补苍诲腻谤补, 笔腻谤颈箩腻迟补, 厂补苍迟腻苍补, 碍补濒辫补惫峁沰峁�a and Haricandana. The festival celebrated in honour of Indra is called "艢补办谤补dhvajotth膩na" or "Indrotsava".

Indra and 鲍迟迟补峁卥补.

See under 鲍迟迟补峁卥补.

Indra and Kabandha.

See the second para under the name Kabandha.

Indra was born as 骋腻诲丑颈.

See under 骋腻诲丑颈.

艢颈惫补 ended Indra鈥檚 pride.

See under 笔腻峁囜笉补惫补蝉.

Indra stole the cows.

For the story of how Indra stole the cows from Gokula see under 碍峁涐梗峁嘺.

Indra and Mah膩艣ani.

Once Mah膩艣ani, the son of 贬颈谤补峁噛补 defeated the gods in a battle and took Indra and 滨苍诲谤腻峁嚹� to 笔腻迟腻濒补 as captives. The Devas who knew that Mah膩艣ani was a relative of 痴补谤耻峁嘺, sought the help of 痴补谤耻峁嘺. At the instance. of 痴补谤耻峁嘺, Indra was released. The revengeful Indra prayed to 艢颈惫补. 艢颈惫补 appeared and asked Indra to submit his complaint to 痴颈峁ａ箛耻. Indra offered his prayers to 痴颈峁ａ箛耻. As a result of it, a man who had the elements of 艢颈惫补 and 痴颈峁ａ箛耻, in him, took his birth from the water of the 骋补峁単腻. He killed Mah膩艣ani. (叠谤补丑尘腻峁囜笉a 笔耻谤腻峁嘺).