Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.787

c8.787

MAYIL (PEACOCK). In Uttara Rāmāyaṇa there is a story about how the peacock got its beauty. Mayil in Malayalam means peacock. Once Rāvaṇa set out in his Puṣpaka Vimāna with his army of Rākṣasas, determined to gain victory over all Kings. They got down on the mountain Uśīravira. Rāvaṇa examined the valley to see whether there were any Kings doing tapas anywhere there. A King named Marutta was performing a yāga called "Māheśvara" in an āśrama. Indra and other gods were also present to receive the share of offerings (Havirbhāga). At the sight of Rāvaṇa, the gods took different disguises and fled in panic. At that time Indra assumed the form of a big peacock. As soon as Rāvaṇa left the place, the gods reassembled there. From that time, Indra who put on the disguise of a peacock felt a special attachment to that bird. He called the peacock and said:—"Till now you were blue in colour. But from today onwards, your feathers will have various colours. All my thousand eyes I transfer to you. Besides, you will be immune from all diseases. Whoever kills you, will meet with death, soon after. You will dance at the commencement of the rainy season. People will greet you with enthusiasm."