Stories From The Bhagawatham - The Humbling Of Lord Indra

 

We have often heard the term Brahmavarta in our sacred texts. It is actually a place where the river Saraswati joined flow with another river Dhrishadvati. This place is considered as very sacred by the Devas.

It is at this place that King Prithu decided to perform hundred Ashwamedha yajnas. Everyone in the kingdom as well as in the celestial world heard about this and assisted the king by providing various items required for the yajna. All the celestial beings were present for the same. The king successfully performed 99 yajnas.

Lord Indra grew pensive about the king’s increasing power. He was also very jealous about the king’s fame which prevailed over all the worlds. Not wanting a mortal to gain more fame than himself, Indra took on the guise of a sadhu and stole the sacrificial horse.

Prithu’s son decided to search for the thief and retrieve the horse. Sage Atri who was present there could easily identify Indra and pointed him out to Prithu’s son who eagerly rushed to capture him. However, he saw only a Sadhu and did not use his weapons on Indra in disguise. Sage Atri said. ‘Child! The man who has stolen the sacrificial horse is none other than Indra who is unfit to be a Deva! Do not hesitate and conquer him!’ emboldened by the Rishi’s advice, the prince retrieved the horse from Indra who ran away in fear of his life. Due to this feat, the prince, son of Prithu, came to be called as Vijithashva.

However, Indra was not subdued. A sudden darkness fell upon the yajnashala and Indra, yet again in the disguise of a Sadhu, stole the horse along with the gold chain that tied it to a post. Rishi Atri disclosed him to all the spectators. Yet again, Vijithashva was deceived by Indra’s guise and had to be advised by Rishi Atri. Fearful of Vijithashva’s arrows, Indra fled for his life, leaving the horse behind.

The Bhagawatham mentions an important point here. The disguise of Indra was indeed very effective and charmed people. Prithu realized that his example would be followed by many people in the later ages who would take on the guise of holy people and deceive others. It is said that after this incident, many fake saints started roaming on the earth, fooling people with their disguise.

Angered by this, Prithu decided to end Indra’s life. When he lifted his bows and arrows, the holy sages prevailing over the yajna interrupted him. “Oh King, it is not allowed to fight while the yajna is still incomplete. Do not leave the altar. With our collective power, we sages will summon Indra into the yajna and will sacrifice him.” The king agreed.

However, Brahma did not approve this decision. “What you have proposed to do is not right.” He said to the sages and to Prithu. “Every Manvantara (Era) has a new Indra in position. The Indra for this Manvantara is Yagnya, the grandson of Swayambhu Manu. He is the form of Maha Vishnu. Indra wanted to disrupt your yajna because he is afraid that you will become his equal. Give up your anger against Indra. You both are forms of Narayana and should not be enemies. Do not give in to anger which is the surest emotion to ruin the peace of humans. The moment you give in to anger, your mind will become deluded. Please listen to my advice. I will declare this yajna as completed by you.”

Listening to these words, Prithu felt his anger against Indra vanish. Indra, on the other hand, felt ashamed of his actions and asked for forgiveness from the king who embraced him.

As time passed, Prithu grew old and renounced his kingdom. He visited various holy spots with his wife Archis. When the time came to renounce the mortal body, Prithu did it with the yoga that is to be followed at the time of death and attained liberation. His wife too gave up her body and became one with the Lord.

Thus ended a glorious age of a wonderful king named Prithu who was one of the divine forms of Narayana and because of whom earth got her name – Prithvi.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya!