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face used to recite (3) During their life in the forest, once Arjuna Trisiras. With one he , with started to Kailasa to worship Siva. On the way Indra the second he drank alcohol and he used the third face appeared before him and showered his blessings on for observing the world. He performed a rigorous at sent him. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 41, Verses 15, 16). . Indra, who was alarmed it, goddesses to in vain. At last Indra himself (4) During his life in the forest, Indra presented to allure him, but went to Arjuna who visited him in Indra's residence, a Gandh- the forest riding on his elephant Airavata and killed arva named Citrasena as his companion. Chrasena Trisiras with his Vajrayudha. In his violent fury he taught him music, dance, etc. (M.B. Aranya Parva, had the three heads of Trisiras cut by a carpenter. it that Chapter 44, Verse 9). From that day, was ordained the head of the (5) At the palace of Indra, as secretly instructed by cow sacrificed at yagas should be given to a carpenter. Indra, Urvasi approached Arjuna with advances of Tvastr who was enraged by Indra's killing of his son love. Arjuna who refused to yield to her temptations Trisiras, begot another son Vrtrasura. ( Bhagavata, was turned into a eunuch by her curse. But Indra 6th Skandha) . See the word lifted the curse by saying that this curse would be an 9) Indra and Nahusa. . advantage to him during the incognito life of the 10) Indra and Bali. When Indra defeated and drove Pandavas. It was Citrasena who was used as a tool by away the , Mahabali, the emperor assu- Indra to test Arjuna's self control. (M.B. Aranya med the form of an ass and hid himself in an empty informed Indra of this. Parva, Chapters 44, 45) . house. Brahma Indra found but set him free without (6) In order to ensure Arjuna's victory in battle, him out there, killing at the Sand Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, obtained by begging behest of Brahma. (M.B. Parva, Chapter 223). 1 1 Indra and was the son of Nahusa. In Kama's ear-rings. (M.B. Aranya Parva, Chapter 310). ) Yayati. Yayati Vrtrasura. of his old he handed over the duties to his 6 ) Indra and A famous exploit Indra was age, kingly and went to the forest for the killing of Vrtrasura. Under the leadership of younger son Puru performing Vrtrasura, the Kalakeyas and many other Raksasas penance. After performing penance, he reached. the end. Indra did not like besieged the Devas. The battle raged furiously. Indra Indraloka in Yayati's boast fell down unconscious owing to the shower of arrows that there was none who had greater power of tapas from Vrtra. At once Vasistha with his divine power than himself. Indra pushed him down to the world. restored Indra to consciousness. Finding it impossible to (M.B. Adi Parva, Chapter 88). Saradvan kill Vrtra, the nonplussed Devas under the leadership of 12) Indra and Saradvan. was born as the son of Indra approached Mahavisnu. Visnu told them that Sage Gautama. Saradvan started a penance for acquir- Vrtra could be killed only with the bone of the sage ing divine arrows. Devendra who was alarmed, sent the Dadhlca. So all of them approached Dadhica. Realising woman Janapati to obstruct his tapas. Deeply irresistible charm the situation, Dadhica let Indra have his bone for the affected by her and fascinated by he had an purpose. Indra made his weapon with that bone her temptations, involuntary emission of fell which fell on the Sarastamba and itself into and receiving a fatal stroke from it, Vrtra down semen, split children a and a dead. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 101, Verses 14, 15; two parts. Two boy girl, were born servants Santi Parva, Chapter 281, Verses 13-21). from it. The King's brought them to The was named and the By killing Vrtra Indra incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. Hastinapura. boy Krpa girl Adi To expiate for that sin the Devas and Rsis took Indra was named Krpi. (M.B. Parva, Chapter 130). Kuru. The to Sarayu river and performed his holy bath there. 13) Indra and King King named Kuru was the field at the known as (Valmlki , Bala Kanda, 24th Sarga) . once ploughing place Kuru- was before Kuruksetra (For further details about Vrtrasura see under Vrtra- ksetra. (This long became famous as the battlefield of Bharata Yuddha . Indra sura) . ) the who to come that at the the 7) Indra and Cyavana. Indra did not allow Asvini- happened way time, seeing the asked him he was devas to drink soma juice. The sad Asvinidevas left King tilling land, why doing so. that he was a Indraloka and while passing through a forest, they met The King replied performing yaga to the who fell dead to attain Sukanya, wife of the sage Cyavana. She was extremely enable men there, Heaven. beautiful. The Asvinidevas advised her to become their Indra returned to Heaven, smiling. Other devas came from Indra. said if wife instead of being the wife of the blind Cyavana. to know of this They that all men to the share of which was to But Sukanya rejected their advice. Pleased by her came Devaloka, yajna be received the would be diminished and so conjugal fidelity, they restored Cyavana's eyesight and by gods, they advised Ind:a to and some boon to made him a youth with beautiful eyes. In his gratitude, go give King Kuru. Indra returned to earth and his to Cyavana promised to get permission for them to drink gave blessing Kuru as follows : soma juice. He performed a yaga. Indra, AS vim devas classes of will attain heaven if and other gods attended it. Indra insisted that the The following people Asvinis should not be allowed to drink Soma juice. they die there (at Kuruksetra). in the Indra 1 Those who die of starvation. Cyavana disputed with him and dispute ( ) was defeated. From that time the Asvinis were allowed (2) Those who die fighting heroically. Those whMvere men in their but Soma drinking. See also 'Cyavana'. (M.B. Vana (3) previous life, have as animals. Parva, Chapter 124, Verse 14; Anu-'asana Parva, who bee^born From that time Kuruksetra became an Chapter 156, Verses 16-31). important 8) Indra and Trisiras. Indra's brother Tvastr did not place. (M.B. Salya Parva,' Chapter 53). Indra's like some of Indra's activities. With the object of 14) Indra and Taksaka. friend, a Naga named Taksaka lived in Khandava forest. When burned rebuking Indra, Tvastr begot a son named Visvarupa, Khandava Indra caused the rain to fall in order Visvarupa had three faces and so he was also called forest,