Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.889

c7.889

14) Indra and Takṣaka. Indra’s friend, a Nāga named Takṣaka lived in Khāṇḍava forest. When Agni burned Khāṇḍava forest, Indra caused the rain to fall in order to save Takṣaka. See under ‘Khāṇḍavadāha’. (M.B. Aranya Parva, Chapter 235). For the story of how Indra saved Takṣaka from the Sarpasatra see under ‘Āstika’.
15) Indra and Khāṇḍavadāha. At the time of Khāṇḍavadāha, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna fought against Devendra.
16) Indra Sabhā. Maya undertook to build a sabhā (assembly hall) for the Pāṇḍavas at Indraprastha. When it was being discussed, the sage Nārada described to them Indra’s sabhā as given below :— Indra has a Sabhā 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 sabhā. Indra is seated within the holy light in it. Śacidevī 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, Ṛṣis and a host of others stand attending on him. They are all bright with the halo of fire. Parāśara, Parvata, Sāvarṇi, Gālava, Śamkha, Likhita, Gauraśiras, Durvāsas, Akrodhana, Śyena, Dīrghatamas, Pavitrapāṇi, Bhāluvi, Yājñavalkya, Uddālaka, Śvetaketu, Pāṇḍya and other famous sages are members of Indra’s assembly. In this way, Indra’s Sabhā is the most magnificent. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7).
17) Indra and Kāmadhenu. Once Indra saw Surabhi, the Kāmadhenu, 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’s heart melted due to Kāmadhenu’s tears. He caused very heavy showers in the world when ploughing the fields became impossible. In this way as a result of Surabhi’s tears Indra caused heavy rainfall which gave rest to the cattle in the world. (M.B. Aranya Parva, Chapter 9).
18) Indra and Nala. Nala proceeded to Vidarbha to attend Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara. On the way, the four gods, Indra, Agni, Varuṇa and Yama met him. (For further details see the word ‘Nala’). Nala married Damayantī with the blessings of these gods. When the devas returned, they met Kali and Dvāpara. to whom they described Nala’s marriage. Kali and Dvāpara who wished to marry Damayantī, 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’s body and to bring about the loss of his Kingdom. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 58).
19) Indra and Māndhātā. A King named Yuvanāśva was born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty. He earned great reputation by performing many Aśvamedha yāgas. 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 wanderings he arrived at the āśrama of the sage Bhṛgu. He was tired and thirsty. Bhṛgu 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, Yuvanāśva drank water from it. He became pregnant and in due course Yuvanāśva brought