Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.958

c7.958

66) *Indra became a bull.* Long ago there was a King called Kakutstha in the Ikṣvāku dynasty. When he was ruling over the kingdom of Ayodhyā, a war broke out between Devas and Asuras. In that war, the Devas were not able to defeat the Asuras. Indra in distress approached Viṣṇu for refuge. Viṣṇu advised him to seek the help of Kakutstha, King of Ayodhyā. So Indra with the other gods went to Ayodhyā. When Kakutstha heard about their appeal for help, he glady offered his help but only on condition that Indra became his vehicle. Seeing no other way, Indra assumed the form of a bull and Kakutstha, riding on the back of the bull fought against the Asuras and defeated them. It is from that day that the King came to be called "Kakutstha", "Indra-vāhana" and "Purañjaya". (His original name is unknown). "Kakut" means the "hump of a bull". Because he was seated on the "Kakut" he got the name "Kakutstha". Because he made Indra "vāhana" (vehicle) he got the name of "Indravāhana". As he defeated the Asuras and conquered their city (pura) he was called "Purañjaya". Kakutstha was the son of Śaśāda and the father of Pṛthu. Śrī Rāma is called "Kākutstha" because he was born in the family of Kakutstha. (Devī Bhāgavata, 7th Skandha).