Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.3193

c4.3193

5) *Cyavana defeated Indra.* Immensely pleased at regaining his eyesight and youth Cyavana asked the Aśvinīdevas what they wanted. The Aśvinīdevas replied that Indra had banned wine to them and they would like to have the ban lifted. Cyavana Maharṣi immediately commenced a Somayāga to which were invited all the devas and the Aśvinīdevas also. When Indra saw the Aśvinīdevas standing to partake of the Soma wine he was furious and objected to the wine being given to them. Cyavana dissented and a fight ensued between Indra and Cyavana. Indra raised his weapon ‘Vajrāyudha’ to strike at Cyavana and then Cyavana made all his limbs go stiff. He then raised from the sacrificial fire a fiendish demon called Mada to kill the devas. All those present were frightened by this demon and they ran away. But Indra could not run for his limbs were stiff. Standing there he prayed to his preceptor Bṛhaspati for help and Bṛhaspati advised Indra to surrender to Cyavana. Indra bowed his head before Cyavana and prayed to be excused. Cyavana was pleased and withdrawing the demon tore him into four pieces and threw one each into Dice, Hunting, Wine and Women. The devas and Aśvinīdevas then went back to heaven. (Saptama Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata. Ṛgveda, Maṇḍala 1, Anuvāka 17, Sūkta 116; Chapter 123, Vana Parva).