05.009
Yudhishthira spoke:
O king of kings, I wish to know how Indra, along with his wife, the great soul, came to experience this extreme and terrible suffering.
Shalya spoke:
Listen, O King, to the ancient story of what happened in the past, about how Indra, along with his wife, experienced sorrow, O descendant of Bharata.
Tvashta, known as Prajapati and revered as the best among the gods for his great penance, created a son named Trishiras to oppose Indra.
Viśvarūpa, possessing great splendor, prayed for the position of Indra with his three terrifying faces that resembled the sun, moon, and fire.
He studies the Vedas with one person, drinks liquor with another, and observes all directions as if he is drinking them in.
He, the gentle and self-controlled ascetic, was engaged in righteousness and penance, performing a great and intense penance that was very difficult, O subduer of enemies.
Upon witnessing his immense austerity, strength, courage, and boundless energy, Indra became despondent, fearing that this person might become the new Indra.
How could one indulge in pleasures without undergoing great penance? As Trishira grows, he would consume all the three worlds.
Thus, after much contemplation, the wise leader, O best of the Bharatas, commanded the celestial nymphs to seduce the son of Tvashta.
Quickly go and entice Triśiras so that he becomes deeply attached to sensual pleasures without any delay.
Dressed in alluring garments and possessing beautiful hips, endowed with captivating emotions, may you bring auspiciousness and dispel my fear.
I feel unwell, O beautiful ladies. Please quickly dispel this great and terrible fear, O weak ones.
The celestial nymphs spoke:
Thus, O Indra, we will try to entice him so that you will not have to fear from that, O destroyer of force.
The treasure of penance, who seems to burn with his eyes, resides there. O god, let us go together to tempt him. We shall try to bring him under control and dispel your fear.
Śalya spoke:
Permitted by Indra, the beautiful women approached Trishiras. There, they enticed him with various expressions, showcasing their dance and gracefulness.
The great ascetics, having their senses under control, wandered without approaching great joy, resembling a full ocean.
After making their utmost effort, they approached Indra once more. With folded hands, they all addressed the king of gods.
He cannot be shaken from his resolve, O lord. O fortunate one, proceed with your duty thereafter.
After worshipping the celestial nymphs and dismissing them, Indra, the wise one, contemplated the means to destroy the great soul.
The glorious and wise king of gods, silently contemplating, resolved to kill Trishira.
Today, I will hurl the thunderbolt; he will not exist for long. An enemy who has grown strong should not be neglected, even if he appears weak, by someone stronger.
Indra, having firmly resolved with scriptural wisdom to kill, released his thunderbolt, which was like fire and terrifying, towards Triśiras in anger.
He fell, struck firmly by the thunderbolt, just like a mountain peak is pushed down to the ground.
Indra, upon seeing him struck down by the thunderbolt and lying like a mountain, found no peace, as he was dazzled by his brilliance. Even in death, he appeared to be alive, glowing with splendor.
Indra, observing the carpenter working there, quickly instructed him, "Indra, swiftly sever his heads as per my command."
Taksha spoke:
The mighty one will not be able to overcome this axe with great intensity. And I will not be able to perform an action that is condemned by the virtuous.
Indra spoke:
Do not be afraid, just quickly follow my words. By my grace, your weapon will indeed become as powerful as a thunderbolt.
Taksha spoke:
What knowledge of terrible deeds do you possess today? I wish to hear this truly, so please tell me.
Indra spoke:
I, Indra, the king of gods, inform you, carpenter, to do this as I have instructed. Do not deliberate, just act.
Taksha said:
How can you, being cruel, not feel ashamed, Indra? By this act of killing the sage's son here, do you not fear the sin of Brahminicide?
Indra spoke:
Afterwards, I shall undertake the duty for purification, which is extremely difficult. This mighty enemy has been slain by me with a thunderbolt.
Even today, I am distressed and indeed fear this cutting. Quickly, cut off the heads, and I will do you a favor.
Humans will offer the head of the animal as your share in the sacrifices. This is your favor, carpenter, so quickly fulfill my desire.
Shalya spoke:
Upon hearing Indra's words, the carpenter immediately cut off the heads of Trishiras with his axe.
After they were cut off, Trishiras emerged, followed by francolins, partridges, and sparrows, all coming out together.
By which he studied the Vedas and drank only Soma, from his mouth quickly emerged partridges.
O Pāṇḍava, from his mouth emerged partridges, and by that, O king, all directions appeared as if being consumed.
O best of the Bharatas, at that time, from the mouth of Trishiras, which was filled with liquor, Kalavinka birds emerged.
After the enemies were defeated, Indra, relieved of his fever, joyfully returned to heaven, and Taksha also went back to his own abode.
Tvashta, the lord of creatures, upon hearing that his son was killed by Shakra, spoke with eyes inflamed with anger.
Because of whom my son, who was always practicing austerities, penance, forgiving, self-controlled, and had conquered the senses, was harmed, despite being innocent.
Therefore, I am creating Vritra to kill Indra. Let the worlds witness my strength and the immense power of my penance. Let that wicked and evil-minded Indra also see.
Then, the very famous and angry ascetic, after touching and offering to the fire, created the terrible Vritra and said: "O enemy of Indra, grow strong through the power of my penance."
He grew immense, blocking the sky, resembling the sun and fire. He asked, "What should I do?" like a rising time-sun. He was instructed, "Conquer Indra," and then he proceeded to heaven.
Then, O best of the Kurus, a very terrible and intense battle took place between the enraged Vritra and Indra.
Then the heroic Vritra, filled with anger, seized and swallowed Indra, also known as Shatakratu, after opening his mouth.
When Indra was captured by Vritra, the gods, in their confusion, created powerful beings to yawn and destroy Vritra.
Then, from the open mouth of the yawning Vritra, the destroyer of Bala emerged after contracting his limbs. From that time, yawning became inherent in all creatures across the worlds.
All the gods were delighted to see Indra emerge. Then, a fierce and prolonged battle ensued once more between Vritra and Indra, O best of the Bharatas.
When Vritra, empowered by the strength from Tvashta's austerity, grew formidable in battle, the wise Indra chose to retreat.
After the cessation, the gods were overwhelmed with great sorrow. They gathered with Indra and were confused by Tvaṣṭṛ's energy. Together with the sages, they deliberated, O Bhārata.
Overcome by fear and contemplating what action to take, O king, they all went with their minds to the great soul, the imperishable Vishnu. They sat on the peak of Mandara, all desiring the slaying of Vritra.
