The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section XXXI
Section XXXI.
( Astika Parva continued. )
Saunaka said, "O Son of Suta, what was Indra's fault, what his act of carelessness? How was Gadura born in consequence of the ascetic penances of the Valakhilyas? Why also had Kasyapa—a Brahmana—the king of birds for his son? Why too was he invincible of all creatures and un-slayable of all? Why also was that ranger of the skies capable of going into every place at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are described in the Purana, I should like to hear them!"
Sauti said, "What thou askest me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O twice-born one, listen as I briefly recite it all!
"Once upon a time, when the Prajapati, Kasyapa, was engaged in a sacrifice from desire of offspring, the Rishis, the gods, and the Gandharvas, gave him help. And Indra was appointed by Kasyapa to bring the sacrificial wood; and with him those ascetics—the Valakhilyas, and all the other deities. And the lord Indra taking up according to his own strength a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue. And he saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, together carrying one single stalk of the Palasha (Butea frondosa) leaf. And those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean-fleshed as if merged into their own bodies. And they were so weak that they were much afflicted when sunk in the water that collected in an indentation on the road caused by the hoof of a cow. And Purandara, proud of his strength, beheld them with surprise, and laughing at them in derision soon left them behind, insulting them besides by passing over their heads. And those Rishis were at this possessed with rage and sorrow. And they made preparations for a great act at which Indra was terrified. Hear thou, O Saunaka, of the wish for the accomplishment of which those vow-observing, wise, and excellent ascetics poured clarified butter on the sacrificial fire with loudly uttered mantras! 'There shall be another Indra of all the gods, capable of going everywhere at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy, imparting fear unto the (present) king of the gods. By the fruit of our ascetic penances, let one arise, an hundred times greater than Indra in courage and strength, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.' And the king of the gods, he of hundred sacrifices, having come to know of this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati, Kasyapa, hearing everything from Indra went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their act had been successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let it be as thou sayest.' And the Prajapati, Kasyapa, pacifying them, spake unto them as follows:—'By the word of Brahma, this one hath been made the lord of the three worlds. Ye ascetics, ye also have been striving to create another Indra! Ye excellent ones, it behoveth ye not to falsify the word of Brahma! Let not also this purpose for (accomplishing) which ye are striving be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of winged creatures, endued with excess of strength. Be gracious unto Indra who is a suppliant before ye!' And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by Kasyapa, after reverencing that first of Munis, the Prajapati, Kasyapa, spake unto him.
"The Valakhilyas said, 'O Prajapati, this essay of us all is for an Indra. Indeed, this essay hath been also meant for a son being born unto thee. Let this successful act then be accepted by thee! And in this manner appoint thou whatsoever thou seest is good and proper.'"
Sauti continued, "Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season when connubial intercourse might prove fruitful, approached her lord. And Kasyapa spake unto her, 'Respected one, the sacrifice commenced by me hath borne fruit: what hath been desired by thee shall come to pass. Two heroic sons shall be born unto thee, the lords of the three worlds. And by the ascetic penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire with which I had commenced my sacrifice, those sons shall be of exceeding good fortune and worshipped of the three worlds.' And the worshipful Kasyapa spake unto her again, 'Bear thou these auspicious seeds with great care. These two shall be the lords of all winged creatures. And the heroic rangers of the sky shall be respected of the worlds, and capable of assuming at will any form.'
"And the Prajapati, gratified with all that took place, then addressed him of a hundred sacrifices, saying, 'Thou shalt have two brothers of great energy and prowess, who shall be to thee even as thy help-mates. And from them no injury shall result unto thee. Let thy sorrow cease; thou shalt continue as the lord of all. By thee also let not the utters of Brahma (the Veda) be ever again slighted. Nor by thee also let the very wrathful ones whose words are even as the thunder-bolt be ever again insulted.' And Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. And Vinata also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceeding glad. And she gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Gadura. And Aruna of undeveloped body became the fore-runner of the Sun. And Gadura was vested with the lordship of the birds. O thou of the race of Bhrigu, hearken now to the mighty achievement of Gadura!"
And so ends the thirty-first Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.