Nahusha and Indra

Once there was a very powerful demon by name Vritasura. In order to defeat him, Indra had pretended to be his friend. After learning of Vritasura's weakness, Indra then killed Vritasura. After killing the demon Vritasura, Indra, felt very uneasy. He knew that he had committed a sinful act and that he could never forgive himself.

Indra, the king of the Devas, relinquished his throne and his kingdom and went away. He hid himself so that the other Devas would not be able to find him and make him come back.

'Who should take the place of Indra?' Agni said looking around at his friends.

Vayu nodded, 'Yesterday I tried looking for Indra. I searched everywhere, still I could not find him anywhere. I do not think there is any chance that Indra would come...come...' Vayu did not complete the sentence. The other Gods understood. Even if Indra was found, he would not come back and rule them. Indra had lost the will to rule the Devas.

Varuna spoke softly, 'I think we will have to choose someone else to be our king...' He looked around. All the other Devas looked at each other. They knew that this was the only option available to them.

'We cannot just choose anybody to be our king...' Agni said, 'I mean, we need someone who is deserving. Some one who can handle the pressures of being the king well...'

Vayu said softly, 'Nahusha would be a good option.'

All the Devas looked at Vayu but did not say anything. They were all thinking about Nahusha...

Nahusha was the son of Aayu and a king of the Lunar Dynasty. He was taught by Sage Vasishta and had learnt the Vedas and the Shastras when he was very young. Nahusha had ruled well and had performed a 100 Ashwamedha Yagnas. His fame had spread all over the world and the heavens and people were in awe of him.

As the Devas thought of this, they slowly nodded their head. Nahusha would be a perfect man to be their king.

So with the permission of their Guru - Brihaspati, the very next day all the Devas went to Nahusha.

Nahusha was delighted on seeing them. He welcomed them heartily, 'Welcome Devas! Please come...' He offered them food to eat. The Devas enjoyed his hospitality.

Then after some time hesitatingly Agni talked to Nahusha, 'Nahusha you must know that we are not without a king....'

Nahusha gravely nodded his head as Agni continued, 'It is for that reason that we have come to see you...'

Nahusha frowned wondering where this was leading to. But Nahusha did not say anything.

Varuna continued from where Agni left off, '...Nahusha, we need a good king and one who can handle the pressures of ruling the Devas and also control the natural elements of the earth...'

Nahusha nodded still not saying anything as Agni said, 'Would you consider becoming our king, Nahusha?'

Nahusha looked flabbergasted at the Devas. He wondered whether this was all some sort of joke. He was just plain Nahusha, and these Devas wanted him to be their king...Surely there was some mistake. He croaked out, 'Devas! I am very happy that you considered me for this post. But seriously, why me? I mean there are better people suited for this job...Not only that Indra....' Nahusha snapped his fingers as he remembered Indra, 'I am sure Indra will come back...Why are you being so hasty?'

Vayu shook his head, 'Indra will not come back. After the death of Vritasura, Indra has always felt uncomfortable...I seriously doubt whether he would come back soon...The Devas need a king, Nahusha....We cannot be without a king. What if the Asuras were to attack when we are without a king....'

The others Devas shuddered as they heard these words. Vayu continued, 'So you see Nahusha, we have to crown a king and fast...'

Agni spoke, 'You seem to be a good king. Your people are happy under your rule and you have completed a hundred Ashwamedha Yagnas...I think we are right in offering you the crown...You truly deserve it...

Nahusha watched the Devas and thought for some time. He was not influenced by pride or arrogance as he was a good king. Finally he decided that everything the Devas said was right and slowly nodded his head. 'I think you are right Devas! But...' He frowned, 'I am just an ordinary humans, how will I have the powers of Indra? Do I have to do something....'

Agni shook his head, 'Nahusha! We are the Devas, once you become our king, our powers will be added to you and you will become powerful as the King of Devas. You will become invincible.'

Nahusha nodded without any feeling. If he was to lead the Devas to war, these powers would be handy...

Nahusha was appointed the King and at the right time, a great yagna was conducted and he was made the King of the Devas. Nahusha continued to be a good king. Looking at Nahusha rule, the Devas felt happy that they had made a good choice. Nahusha proved to a very good diplomat and negotiator.

However things did not stay the same. Nahusha for all his skill, the continuous exposure to the unlimited power had weakened his resolve. Slowly the power eroded him. Nahusha was soon drunk by the power that he wielded and became arrogant and haughty. He soon became thinking that he was the reason everything was going so smoothly. He wanted more and more power and grew more and more corrupt and vain.

Nahusha would call up the court and scold people who did not bow to him properly or when he felt that they were disrespectful to him. He asked people to write stories and poems of his greatness and have them put on the palaces. The Devas were stunned by the change over Nahusha. However now that Nahusha was their king, they could not do anything about that....They grumbled in private hoping that Indra would come back and become their king...

Once as Nahusha was going through the palace he saw the beautiful and intelligent Shachi – wife of Indra, in the palace. Shachi was one of the reasons, Indra had not strayed from the path of righteousness often. She mostly kept him in line with her wit and intelligence. However when Nahusha saw Shachi, Nahusha felt that he had marry the beautiful queen!

He called her, 'Shachi! I am the king of the Devas now! Now that your husband has left you, you have to become my wife now....'

Sahachi stared at Nahusha as if he had gone mad. 'Giving up Indra...her Indra for this wretched man...Never....! She looked at Nahusha straight in the eye, 'Nahusha! You may be the king of the Devas! But I am the wife of only one man...my Indra...whom I shall not give up for anything....'

Nahusha smiled at her cruelly, 'Well this is my palace and you are here! Everything here is mine....' He said looking at the queen with dark eyes.

The queen flashed her eyes angrily, 'Fine!' She turned to her maid, 'Arrange my chariot! Take me to the palace of Guru Brihaspati!' She looked at Nahusha angrily, 'It seems I do not have the right to stay here any more! The maid left.

Nahusha looked angrily as the queen left. He could not stop the queen by force.

After the queen had left, Nahusha could not think of anything else. He needed to have her! How dare she refuse him! The King of Gods...! Who does she think she was!

He finally sent a messenger to Shachi Devi, though the Devas. The Devas came to see Shachi. 'Shachi! He is making us miserable!' Agni said angrily, 'He keeps on ranting about what a great man he is and that it was our duty to fulfil his wishes! Please come and talk to him...'

Shachi flashed at Agni, 'I love only one man, Agni!...'

'And you shall have that man...' Guru Brihaspati came inside the room and talked to her. The Devas and Shachi bowed to Brihaspati. Brihaspati looked to Shachi. He knew she was strong-willed and intelligent enough to get rid of Nahusha. He repeated, 'You shall have your man, if you act intelligently, Shachi!'

Shachi looked at Guru Brihaspati uncomprehendingly as he continued, 'Remember he desires you! And also remember that blind desire can make a man act without common sense and make him behave rashly!'

Shachi looked at Guru Brihaspati for a long minute as the other Devas looked on. Shachi slowly nodded and smiled. She then turned to Agni, 'Agni! Tell your King, I am willing to see him privately! At once!'

Agni looked surrprised but left immediately. Shachi then turned to Vayu, 'Vayu, Can you please find Indra! It is important! You will otherwise not have a king soon!'

Vayu was confused but said, 'I will find him!' and left.

However Vayu could not find Indra anywhere.

Nahusha on the other hand was very happy when he heard Agni's words! He dressed himself well and went to Gurru Brihaspati's palace. There he saw Shachi. He looked at her and saw her sitting regally and smirked So the great queen finally realized how powerful I am and has decided to fall on her knees before me...

Shachi looked at Nahusha, 'Nahusha! I apologize for acting so rashly then...' She said in a sweet voice. Nahusha nodded his head curtly. The queen has to apologize later...But that I will take care later...

'Nahusha, 'I...I am doing a yagna for fifteen days! After it is over, I want you to come to me and pick me up from this palace and take me to our palace, with pomp and show...'

Nahusha nodded. A grand homecoming for the queen..He asked the queen, 'Is there any particular chariot, the queen loves...?'

'Chariot?' Shachi looked at his as if he was mad...'A chariot?' No I do not want a chariot... I have something even more grand..'

Nahusha frowned, 'What does the queen have in mind?'

'Kings always come on horse back, elephants or chariots...But you must be different, because you are the king of Gods! You must come in a palanquin!'

Nahusha frowned even more, 'A palanquin?'

'Yes!' Shachi said, with a small smile, 'A palanquin carried by the greatest sages of all times...I will come only when you come in such a palanquin...' Shachi said softly looking at Nahusha.

Nahusha not realising the trap, nodded. He was after all king. Who could refuse him?

Nahusha nodded and went away to his palace. He called in the greatest sages including Agastya to lift his palanquin for him to meet Shachi. The sages agreed. He was after all the king of the Devas...

Shachi used the fifteen days well. With the help of Goddess Upashruti, she found Indra. Indra was hidden in a great Lake called Manasarovar. He had hidden himself inside a lotus in the lake. He was meditating there to remove the sin of killing Vritrasura.

Shachi then convinced Indra that he was now fit to rule the Devas and that she planned to get rid of Nahusha. She told him of his plan. Indra nodded and smiled at his wife's boldness. He decided that the time had come to become the king again and reclaim his crown.

On the fifteenth day, Nahusha called eight sages and ordered them to carry the palanquin. Nahusha had become so arrogant that he had not realized that these men were powerful rishis with great powers - these men were more powerful than the King of Gods!

The sages carried the palanquin. Agastya was a short man and the palanquin titlted to one side and Agastya was slow too. Nahusha was enraged by this and kicked Agastya in the back saying Sarpa...Sarpa ' [meaning faster....faster]

That was the last straw! Nahusha had committed his last act of arrogance as Sage Agastya was enraged by the appalling behaviour of the king, 'Sarpa?' He said angrily, 'May you become a sarpa [serpent]!'

Nahusha felt himself slither away and change into a serpent! He looked at his snake like body and suddenly his mistakes flashed before him. He was appalled of his arrogance. He looked at the Sage and bowed to him, 'Sir! I was blind! Please save me!'

Sage Agastya shook his head, 'You will remain a snake till you learn the rules of being a good king...Go!'

And the sages vanished from there as Nahusha the Great king fell on earth as the python!

Many years later, when the Pandavas [the heroes of the Mahabharatha] came to the jungle where Nahusha was living as a serpent. Nahusha caught Bheema, the second Pandava. In order to free his brother, Yudhistara, the eldest Pandava explained to the serpent the rules of being a good king...After learning this, Nahusha released Bheema and Nahusha became his old self without arrogance and pride.

Shachi was a happy woman. She had got back her Indra and had got rid of the arrogant Nahusha all in one masterly stroke!

Indra and the ants

After the defeat of Vritra, Indra had no interest in ruling the kingdom of the Devas. However the other Devas convinced Indra that he had done a great service to all people everywhere. Vritra was an evil asura. Indra being the King of the Devas, had done his duty to defeat Vritra, by hook or crook.

Though Indra was not convinced at first, subsequently he saw all the Devas looking at him with pride for his accomplishments. I guess what I have done is not that bad a thing...Vritra was an asura and I killed him by cunning...I had no choice. I had to do what I had to do, otherwise the Vritra would have kept the waters of the earth imprisoned...People would be died without water...

Finally Indra agreed to stay on as the King of the Devas. The Devas were happy. They felt proud of having such a brave man like Indra as their leader. They worshiped him and adored him. For some time, Indra resisted all this. But after some time, all this got into his head. He began to feel that he was the only person in the whole world who could have killed Vritra. Soon Indra again grew proud and arrogant.

As Vritra had overthrown Indra, the Devas decide that Indra had to again be crowned as the King. The Devas performed elaborate yagnas and ceremonies. The festivities went for a long time and finally Indra was again crowned as the King of the Devas.

After being crowned as the King, Indra went to his palace. However now everything had changed in his eyes. He felt that his huge palace was no longer sufficient for him. I am the King of the whole world. People pray to me for their victories. I control the rains and I am the King of the Devas...I cannot live in such a pathetically small palace.

He called Vishwakarma, the architect of the Devas. 'Vishwakarma! To celebrate my victory over Vritra, I am going to built a big palace...'

Vishwakarma nodded, 'Is there any specific design you have in mind, my Lord?' He asked Indra.

Indra said carelessly, 'The palace should be very big...much bigger than this..' Indra said pointing at his own palace...And it should be grand...I want the fountain area to be bigger. My main court is so small...I want it to be ….

Indra spoke vehemently for a long time as Vishwakarma listened. After Indra finished, Vishwakarma nodded and set about designing a big palace.

He showed the plans to Indra. Indra looked at them and nodded appreciatively. Vishwakarma started the building and a year later had completed the palace. Vishwakarma proudly asked Indra to come and see the construction.

It was a huge palace by any stretch of imagination. However Indra was now ruled by greed. He still found the palace small. He angrily turned to Vishwakarma. 'You call this grand....! Why my private room is so small....' Vishwakarma looked dejected as Indra angrily continued to find faults in the palace.

Vishwakarma agreed to rebuilt the palace. This time he spent more and more time decorating the palace lavishly. After he had painstakingly finished, he felt as if he had fulfilled Indra's wishes. He again called Indra to look into the palace.

However Indra was far from satisfied. He wanted the palace to be more and more grand. Unhappy Vishwakarma set about reconstructing the palace for the third time. He made the palace bigger than anything he had ever designed. Finally when the palace was over, he fearfully called Indra. Just as he had feared, Indra was still not satisfied with the palace. He wanted it bigger...

Vishwakarma realized that he could never satisfy Indra. No matter how grand the palace was, Indra would want it bigger. Desperately Vishwakarma went to Lord Brahma for help 'My Lord! I need your help...' He fell on Lord Brahma's feet almost weeping.

'What is the matter Vishwakarma?' Lord Brahma asked concerned. Vishwakarna told about Indra's palace. Lord Brahma got more and more angry as he heard Vishwakkarma's story. Indra still has not understood to become humble. He has to be taught a lesson...VIshwakarma looked desperately at Lord Brahma, 'Lord! I am immortal...Indra is immortal...If this goes on Indra would have me building his palace for all eternity...Nothing seems to satisfy him...Please...'

Lord Brahma held up his hands and looked at Vishwakarma, 'Go forth in peace son! Go home and and don't worry about this. I will take care of this...'

Vishwakarma left Lord Brahma's place a relieved man.

Lord Brahma then went to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. He told them the whole story, 'Lords, Indra has not yet learnt to control himself. His pride needs to be humbled...'

Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu looked at each other with tight lips. They both nodded.

The next day, outside Indra's palace was a beautiful dark boy admiring Indra's palace. He admired the beauty of the palace and spoke greatly of it. Indra who was passing by called the boy. He looked at the boy and told him proudly, 'Do you like my palace? I am having it built to celebrate my victory over the asura Vritra.' Indra said, 'Of course it is not yet the way I want it...It has to be bigger...See how small the front garden is...'

The dark boy listened to everything and nodded. He looked around and said, 'Well Indra, I have to tell you..This is by far the biggest and grandest palace built by any Indra so far...'

Indra's throat constricted in his chest when he heard this, 'What...' He crocked and said again, 'What did you say?'

The dark boy said quietly, 'This is the biggest palace built by any Indra...'

'Other Indras?...' Indra asked feebly.

'Yes.' The boy said frowning as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'Each time Brahma wakes up, he creates the universe and an Indra to rule over it. Every time Brahma goes to sleep, the universe is destroyed with everything on it. Even Lord Brahma himself has a life cycle. After 4,32,000 years, he will also cease to exist. Then another Brahma comes into existence.' The dark boy looked at Indra puzzled, 'I have seen all the Indra till date. Have you never seen them?'

Meanwhile a row of ants were marching inside Indra's palace. Looking at them, the boy started laughing. Indra was now feeling afraid. Hearing the boy laugh terrified him. He swallowed and opened his mouth but no words came out. He slowly got out the words, 'Wh...Why do you laugh?'

The boy looked at Indra with narrowed eyes, 'Are you sure you want to know?'

Indra hurriedly nodded his head finding that he was not able to talk. 'They are all former Indras.' Indra looked aghast as the boy continued. 'They begin from the smallest creatures and become the most enlightened people. And you know what happens after that...' The boy continued looking at Indra, 'They destroy one monster and they suddenly think they are the King of the Universe...' Indra winced as the boy continued, 'And then they start from the beginning as ants...'

Indra was looking as if somebody had slapped him. The boy turned at that time to see an ascetic come in. Indra if anything looked even more alarmed then before. The ascetic had some hair on his chest in a circular pattern. The hair in the centre had fallen off. However there was still some hair on the circumference on the chest.

The boy saluted the hermit, 'Great sir! What are you doing here?'

'I am just roaming, young sir!' The hermit said.

The boy asked, 'What is the hair in your chest sir?'

The ascetic shrugged, 'Well every time an Indra dies, a hair falls of. All the hair in the centre have fallen off...Soon all of this would be gone too..'

'Stop! Please stop!' Indra yelled. 'I have learnt my lesson. Who are you? Please tell me...' I was an ignorant fool. I thought I was great because of something I had done...I am sorry. There are so many things I need to know...' Indra glanced at his feet. 'I have been so silly. I have been thinking...'

The boy and the hermit vanished and Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva appeared in their place. Indra fell on their feet. He got up and looked at them. 'Sir, I have become proud and arrogant. I want to go away from all this.' Indra said pointing at his unfinished palace...'I want to understand so many things. My Lord, I wish to go away and meditate and repent for my sins.'

Both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu nodded as Indra gave up his kingdom and went to repent for his mistakes.

After Indra left, the Devas elected Nahusha as their next Indra. However that is another story!

Indra and Vritra Part 1 of 2

Lord Indra was the son of Sage Kashyap and Aditi. All the sons of Aditi became the Devas. Indra being the eldest of all the Devas, he became their King. Sage Kashyap had another wife by name Diti. All the sons of Diti became the Asuras.

However Lord Indra grew very proud of the fact that he was the King of the Devas. He became arrogant and disrespectful towards others. Once when he was sitting in his court, his Guru Brihaspati came to court. Normally it was the practice to respect elders. However Indra feeling very proud of himself and did not even get up.

What arrogance...Guru Brihaspati got angry and silently walked away.

Now the Devas were always at war with the Asuras. However in order to be victorious, the Devas needed a Guru – a man who would analyse the moves of the opponents and suggest possible weaknesses and a strategy for attack. The Devas also needed a Guru to perform a yagna for the victory.

However Indra was too caught up in his own pride to even notice that his Guru had walked away. Indra realised too late that he and the other Devas no longer had a Guru. He tried to find Sage Brihaspati to apologise to him however Sage Brihaspati was nowhere to be found.

It was at this time that the Asuras attacked the Devas. Without a Guru to teach them, the Devas were routed. Indra was ashamed when he realised that all this had happened because he had been arrogant. Determined to make amends he went to Lord Brahma for help.

'Lord Brahma', he said haltingly, 'Sage Brihaspati is no longer....no longer....' Indra hesitated, 'with us...' He looked down unwilling to meet the eyes of Lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma lifted his eyebrows and looked at Indra contemptuously. He knew all about Indra's attitude. 'Well what do you want me to do?'

'My Lord, please do not say like that. I...I.... behaved badly...I am sorry. I even wanted to tell sorry to Sage Brihaspati...But I...I can't find him anywhere..' Indra finished rather lamely.

'I guess Sage Brihaspati does not want to see your face anymore.' Lord Brahma said still looking angry.

Indra looked at Lord Brahma and did not say anything. He just looked at his feet wishing that he would be anywhere other than here.

Lord Brahma realised that Indra had learnt his lesson and let it go at that. He asked Indra and asked with one degree less acidity. 'What do you want Indra?'

Indra finally spoke slowly, 'We need a Guru, Lord, who can guide us properly during the war. Do you know anybody who can guide us properly...'

Lord Brahma thought that over and soon had the right person for the job. 'Ask the three-headed Vishwarupa to be your Guru. I am sure he would accept this offer.'

Indra was however hesitant, 'Lord Brahma, do you mean Vishwarupa – the son of Twashta?'

Lord Brahma looked puzzled, 'Yes. Why? Don't you think it is a good choice?'

Indra said slowly least Lord Brahma get offended, 'Vishwarupa's mother she is an Asura is she not?'

Lord Brahma sighed, 'Indra, the Asuras are your own brothers. Both of you have the same father. You do not have to hate all of them so much. Some of the Asuras are actually more religious and powerful than the Devas....If there is any Asura who is willing to help you, I suggest that this time, it is best you accept it...' Lord Brahma finished sternly.

Indra knew he had no choice other than to accept what Lord Brahma had said. Besides he himself had heard quiet a lot about Vishwarupa. Vishwarupa was one among the few people who could wield a Narayana Kavacha which was an impregnable armour.

If only we knew how to use that than...the war against the Asuras would be over even before it starts. Indra thought gleefully. But he still was not able to shake off the feeling that Vishwarupa was the son of an enemy. Guru or not...I will have to be guarded against him...

Indra then approached Vishwarupa. Vishwarupa gave a hearty welcome to Indra and asked him to be seated. Indra was impressed inspite of himself. He then spoke, 'Son of Twashta, I have a request...'

Vishwarupa looked at Indra with puzzled eyes. What could the Lord of the Devas want from him...

'Our Guru – Brihaspati – is...is no longer...available...' Indra said fumbling. 'I wish that you be our guru and advice us.' Indra said

Vishwarupa first looked surprised and then happy. He thought that Indra had overcome his hatred for Asuras. This was a good sign. Probably the Devas and the Asuras can even be friends...'Yes Indra, for you, I would accept this post gladly!' Vishwarupa said immediately.

With Vishwarupa to guide the Devas, the Asuras had no chance. They lost the next battle very badly and ran away and hid in the netherworld.

Indra was once again crowned King. Despite his victory, Indra still did not trust Vishwarupa completely. He could not get rid of the feeling that Vishwarupa was after all related to the enemy. He spoke of this to the other Devas. 'Agni, when you fought with the Asuras do you realise something?'

Agni looked at Indra puzzled but did not say anything. 'I think these Asuras have some secret strength...Something that we should have but we don't...'

'What are you saying, Indra?' Vayu asked Indra bluntly.

Indra said slowly, 'I know we won the war and all, but I still cannot trust Vishwarupa completely. I think Vishwarupa is somehow helping the Asuras also...'

The other Devas tried to talk Indra out of this idea, but Indra remained firm. He could not believe that Vishwarupa was his friend.

Though none of Indra's doubts were true, but Vishwarupa still did one thing regularly, as he was after all part Asura. He still prayed for the welfare of his Asura brothers, daily. Once when he was offering such prayers, Indra overheard him.

Already filed with doubts, when Indra heard the prayers could not control his anger. He is helping the Asuras....Why that double crossing....without thinking about anything in a fit of rage Indra killed Vishwarupa.

The other Devas looked horrified at Indra. 'Indra how could you...' Agni asked looking at Indra with utter contempt. 'How could you even kill someone, who is one of us...'

Vayu also looked horrified at Indra. 'What have you done Indra? You are so foolish...We are all going to pay for your stupidity...Do you know what you have done? You have killed an innocent man... And that  is not the worst part, Indra. Twashta will be furious when he knows this. You have killed his son for no reason. Did it ever occur to you what he will do when he learns this...' Vayu said softly.

Indra suddenly felt very afraid. He knew that he had again been carried away with his emotions and done a very wrong thing. He knew that he was going to pay for it dearly.

Indra's feelings were right for once. Twashta was mad with anger when he learnt of his son's death. Twashta performed a yagna for creating a new son. Twashta was so mad with anger that he did not think twice before creating a monster called Vritra. Twashta had created one of the most powerful Asuras ever created. Vritra's body was like a dragon and was so huge that his head touched the sky. Vritra was so powerful that in one sweep on his tail, he could crumble huge mountains. In his grief Twashta had thus created an invincible monster.

When Vritra emerged from the yagna, he bowed to his creator. 'Father what do you command me to do?'

Twashta spoke with his blood shot eyes, 'REVENGE. I created you for revenge...Indra killed my innocent son. He shall pay for this.' Twashta said angrily pointing at Vritra, 'You will make him pay for this..' Twashta spat out still unable to control his grief.

Vritra set about and approached Amaravati, Indra's capital. Vritra was so huge that the very earth and the heavens trembled when he walked. He approached the gates of heaven. 'Indra..INDRA...' He bellowed angrily.

Indra and his council came out hesitatingly and were horrified to find a huge monster standing at the gates.

Agni, Vayu and Varuna stood mutely as Indra spoke in a low voice, 'Who are you, demon?'

Vritra looked at the four tiny Devas and realised that he could crush them even more easily than he thought. He laughed, 'I am Vritra, son of Twashta. I have come here to fulfil my father's wishes. My father wants revenge. I have come to destroy you Indra.'

The other Devas looked at Indra. Indra forced himself not to look at them. I have to protect them...I cannot let anything happen to them because of my mistake. 'Fine Vritra'. Indra said, 'You want to fight me. I will come and fight you. No armies. Just you and me...' Indra said looking at Vritra eye to eye.

Vritra laughed so much that the heavens shook. 'Oh... your arrogance! You think you can stand up to me...' Vritra carelessly swung his tail as a mountain broke off with the stones falling everywhere.

Indra walked out and the two of them fought hard. But Indra was no match for Vritra. Vritra snapped and lashed his tail effectively. Indra could not fight with the demon for long. Indra collapsed and Vritra pulled him up and put him in his mouth and was about to swallow him...

Agni who was watching all this sprang into action. He yelled, 'Oh God... NO!...We have to do something!...Varuna get your weapons ready! Fire the astra which makes you yawn!' Agni shouted as he directed the other Devas around.

Varuna fired the arrow straight at Vritra. When the arrow was fired, Vritra was unable to keep his mouth closed. He let out a huge yawn and Indra fell straight down...Vayu the wind God, with the winds picked up Indra before he fell to the ground. The other Devas whisked away Indra before Vritra attacked Indra again.

Vritra was yelling loudly, 'Foul! You were not part of the fight. You interfered...'

Vritra however knew that the Devas together were no match for him. He got ready to attack all of them.

However the Devas ran away and took Indra far away from there. Vritra was however angry. I was so close to fulfilling my father's revenge And now Indra is gone...However Vritra had a very bad idea shaping up in his head. The Devas have to protect the humans. If I attack the humans, then the Devas would come and face me...He thought smiling cruelly.

Vritra went to the earth and in one gulp swallowed the waters of one river. The humans were no match for Vritra. They could not even defend themselves, let alone their water. Soon Vritra swallowed all the waters on earth. Without water earth became a wasteland. Humans, birds and animals were parched from thirst. With no means of fighting Vritra, they prayed to Lord Vishnu.

Indra and Vritra Part 2 of 2

The Devas took the unconscious Indra to Vaikunta – Lord Vishnu's place. When Indra gained conscious, he looked at the Dark Lord, with tears streaming down his eyes. He was feeling guilty. He had again and again acted without thinking and now the whole world was paying for his mistakes. He wondered how Lord Vishnu was going to get all of them out of this mess. But Indra had no doubt that Lord Vishnu would help them.

He looked at the Dark Lord, 'Narayana! Please just say you will help us...' Indra shook his head heavily, 'I have learnt my lesson. It was my foolishness that brought all of us here.' He looked at the other Devas, 'If it was not for my friends, I would not even be alive....'

Lord Vishnu smiled and realised that Indra had truly learnt his lesson. He looked at the Devas, 'First Indra you have to become friends with Vritra.'

Hearing this Indra looked at dismay at Lord Vishnu. 'Lord, how do you...?

However Lord Vishnu was not yet finished, '...There is no other way Indra. You have to be close with him and talk to him and the people close him, if you have to learn his weaknesses, Indra.'

Indra looked at Lord Vishnu and realised that he had no other choice in this matter. He had to go to Vritra. He looked long at Lord Vishnu and nodded his head.

Lord Vishnu then continued, '...You and the other Devas have to go to Sage Dadhichi.'

Agni looked at Lord Vishnu puzzled, 'Why Sage Dadhichi, my Lord?'

Lord Vishnu said softly to himself, 'His time on earth has come to an end. He has to attain salvation. But before that he has to pass the final test. I have to know whether he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice...'

The Devas looked at Lord Vishnu waiting for his answer. Lord Vishnu smiled at the Devas. He looked at the Devas and looked at Indra, 'His bones are very strong from the power of penances, Indra. If you had a weapon made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi, you can defeat Vritra.'

Indra looked at Lord Vishnu horrified, 'You want us to ask Sage Dadhichi to die so that we can make a weapon out of his bones?'

Lord Vishnu nodded is head but did not say anything.

Horrified Indra realised that he had no choice other than to approach the sage. Indra was already feeling guilty. If sage Dadhichi agreed to this...

With no other option, Indra and the other Devas set out for Sage Dadhichi's ashram. With every step towards the ashram, Indra felt his heart grow heavy. But he knew that he had no other choice.

He walked forward like a man in a dream and did not speak to the other Devas. The other Devas realising what Indra must be feeling, did not break the silence.

At last Indra and the other Devas stumbled into the Ashram of Sage Dadhichi. The sage was sitting deep in meditation. His body was glowing from a bright light coming from within his body. Looking at Sage Dadhichi, Indra looked at the peaceful face and more than ever felt like running away from there. Only the faces of the humans and animals starving on earth, kept Indra there.

The Devas waited for Sage Dadhichi to open his eyes. The sage was so engrossed that he did not even know of the Devas coming. At last Sage Dadhichi opened his eyes and saw the Devas. His face lit up a real smile. 'Devas, what brings you to my Ashram? But wait! You must be tired. I will get you something to eat.' Sage Dadhichi went inside his house and brought a variety of fruits and laid them before the Devas.

Indra felt more and more terrible. None of the other Devas took the fruits. Sage Dadhichi frowned and looked at the Devas. 'What is the matter? I am guessing you are not here for a very happy reason.' He looked at the Devas patiently.

Indra wished the other Devas would speak so that he would not have to explain, but the other Devas remained silent looking at Indra. Indra swallowed once and then started speaking.

'Sage Dadhichi,' Indra took a deep breath, 'You see it was my fault...all my fault. Sage Brihaspati our guru....'

Indra told Sage Dadhichi everything. Sage Dadhichi was a patient listener. Indra told him of his defeat in the hands of Vritra and how he went to Lord Vishnu.

Sage Dadhichi looked at Indra smiling at the mention of the name of Lord Vishnu, 'What did Lord Narayana say?'

'He..He said..I came here...because...' Indra fumbled unable to go on.

Sage Dadhichi encouraged Indra, 'Go ahead Indra. You have come all the way here. Please go ahead..'

Indra looked at the peaceful face of Sage Dadhichi and found some strength, 'Lord Vishnu said that only a weapon made from your bones...would kill Vritra' Indra finished looking at his feet not wanting to look at the Sage.

Then the Sage did something, which Indra was not expecting. The sage started laughing. 'You were hesitating to tell me this...Oh God!' Sage Dadhichi laughed some more. 'My time has come Indra. I am indeed blessed that I would be of some use in my death...' Sage Dadhichi looked at Indra even more peacefully, which made Indra feel more terrible.

Then and there, Sage Dadhichi sat down cross-legged in a state of intense concentration. The Devas saw as a bright light emerged from the body of the Sage and then nothing but his body was left. The sage had sacrificed his life for all of them.

Indra wanted to cry out loud at what the Sage had done. Compared to what the Sage had done, what had he done...behave foolishly...Indra felt more and more ashamed of himself. Only the thought of Vritra alone sustained Indra. The Devas removed the bones from the spine of Sage Dadhichi and used it for making a Vajrayudha – Indra's thunderbolt.

After it was made, Indra held it in his hands. He felt a surge of power flow through him. He felt Sage Dadhichi being with him. Indra smiled. Compared to talking with Sage Dadhichi, the next work was almost easy. Indra went to Amravathi and stood outside the gates of his palace. The place had changed too much. Indra saw the place full of fortresses. The place was fiercely protected. Indra saw Vritra suddenly emerged from one of the fortresses.

'Ah...Indra..So you have come to die...' Vritra said patting his stomach, where the water of the world was stored.

Indra felt a wave of anger pass through him, but he curbed it. He looked at Vritra, 'No Vritra, I have come to ask your...your forgiveness.' Indra almost hated himself for saying the words. 'I want to be ...friends with you.'

Vritra laughed, 'You want to be friends with me? Am I supposed to believe that Indra? The only thing that you care about is how to kill me. Why should I be your friend?'

Indra shrugged, 'I know I cannot beat you, so I have come to join you.'

Vritra looked at Indra, trying to understand what Indra was saying. Vritra was so proud of himself, he felt that nobody on earth or the heavens could destroy him. So he reasoned being friends with Indra was not going to hurt him at all. Indra may be an important ally. Why he may even turn the other Devas into his friends and then they would work for him...Vritra thought all that and he held out his hands. 'I accept.' He said simply.

The first part of his mission accomplished Indra spoke with everyone in the palace to know about Vritra's weaknesses. He also came to know that Vritra had constructed 100 fortresses inside Amravati. Vritra stayed in any fortress on any day randomly, so that it would not be easy to track him.

On the very first day of being with Vritra, Indra was surprised to see a small sea near one of the fortresses. No doubt Vritra had put some of the water from the earth there. Indra looked at Vritra who carelessly said, 'I like hearing to the sound of the sea...' Indra burned in anger. People were thirsty and this demon was using the water as an amusement...Patience... Indra told himself.

Indra came to know that Vritra had a very powerful boon which was protecting him. Vritra had a boon that nobody could kill Vritra with any weapon made of wood, metal or stone, with anything dry or wet or at any time during the day or night. Indra despaired as he learned of this boon

How on earth do you kill someone without a weapon which was neither wet nor dry. Indra pulled out his secretly concealed Vajrayudha. It was a dry weapon. So that was out.

Indra walked silently drawn towards the sea. Vritra also followed Indra boasting about his greatest victories. Indra was only half listening as he saw the water waves wash up the shore. Indra watched the sun set on the beach when he felt like someone had hit a switch inside his head...

Neither wet nor dry...Water...Foam from the water was neither wet nor dry. The sun was setting it was evening – neither day nor night. Foam was not made of wood, metal or stone. Indra pushed Vritra back and yelled loudly, as he turned at Vritra. 'Vritra! I Indra challenge you to a fight to the death...' He said as he ran towards the sea.

Vritra was stunned but recovered in a second. He bellowed loudly. 'I was waiting for you to change colours, you double crosser. I am going to kill you now and none of your friends can come and protect you.'

Indra first attacked Vritra with his Vajrayudha. Though Vajrayudha hurt Vritra it did not kill him. The two of them fought fiercely and Indra destroyed 99 fortresses of Vritra.

He finally met Vritra during the last stages of the evening. Indra looked at the setting sun. It was going to be night soon.

Vritra snarled and jumped and lashed his tail towards Indra. Indra dodged and plunged his Vajrayudha inside Vritra tail. Vritra bellowed loudly and almost bit Indra. Indra fell back at the right time to avoid being swallowed by the demon again.

Vritra lashed out at Indra unexpectedly. Indra fell back dazed. Through blurred eyes he saw Vritra coming towards him. Indra saw the Vajrayudha in his hands and felt Sage Dadhichi smile at him as if he were beside him. He remembered Lord Vishnu's words. His bones are very strong from the powers of penance...The power in his bones could be transferred to any other source. Indra realised. He ran towards the sea and plunged the Vajrayudha inside the foam. The Vajrayudha melted inside the foam and Indra splashed the foam on Vritra's face.

There was a loud shriek of agony as Vritra yelled where the water had hit him. Indra realised that his plan was working. Indra threw some more foam at Vritra.

Vritra bellowed loudly as he fresh wounds started appearing where the foam hit Vritra. Indra pushed Vritra. From the heaven, Vritra fell down hard on the earth dead and motionless.

Tired Indra then drew out his sword and slashed Vritra's stomach. Then all the water stored inside the stomach of the demon Vritra came down splashing on the earth.

As Vritra swallowed up all the water, he is called as the demon of drought. Indra is also called as Vritrahan.

The other Devas had watched the fight. The Devas and the humans rejoiced as Indra had ended the drought. However Indra was a changed man. He no longer wanted to be part of the rejoicing. He just wanted to be free.

Indra pushed himself down and stopped the other Devas and told them, 'Friends, I no longer wish to be your king. I am neither deserving nor a good man.' He said looking at his friends. The Devas looked at him surprised. Indra however was not finished. 'Please choose someone else as your king, someone more smart and better in control of himself. I am leaving to atone for my sins.' Indra walked away without looking back.

The other Devas looked at each other stunned. 


However after much cajoling the Devas convinced Indra to continue as their ruler. However what happened after that is another story!