Section XIV - Indra's Queen Seeks Protection from Nahusha
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section XIV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The goddess of Divination appears before Indra's queen and tells her that she will show her the god Indra. She guides the queen through heavenly groves, mountains, and a vast sea, leading her to a beautiful island with a lake filled with lotuses. In the middle of the lake, they find a minute form of Indra hidden within a lotus stalk, along with Sachi in a similar form. The queen glorifies Indra and expresses her fear of the powerful and haughty Nahusha, who has ordered her to visit him. She seeks Indra's protection and asks him to defeat Nahusha and reclaim his rightful place as ruler of the celestial kingdom.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section XIV - Indra's Queen Seeks Protection from Nahusha, have a look at the following articles:
Section XIV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section XIV:
Who did Indra's queen encounter on her journey and why?
Indra's queen encountered the goddess of Divination on her journey because she was truthful, devoted to her lord, and practiced religious rites. She sought protection from the cruel Nahusha, who demanded her presence.
What did the goddess of Divination reveal to Indra's queen at the lake?
The goddess of Divination revealed the miniature form of Indra hidden within a lotus flower in the middle of a heavenly lake. Indra's queen recited his heroic deeds and sought his help against the vicious Nahusha.
Daily life: Indra's Queen Seeks Protection from Nahusha:
The story illustrates the virtues of truthfulness, devotion to one’s duties, and the practice of religious rites as means to achieving divine support and overcoming challenges. It tells of Indra’s queen, who through her devotion and virtuous life, was able to seek the help of the goddess of Divination and subsequently find her husband, Indra, to seek protection against Nahusha's advances. This narrative can inspire individuals to lead a life of integrity and faithfulness to their responsibilities. By doing so, one can gain inner strength and clarity, even in difficult times, much like the queen's purity and commitment led her to divine guidance. The story also highlights the importance of seeking help and confronting problems directly, as Indra’s queen did by reaching out to Indra to face Nahusha. In daily life, embodying virtues such as honesty, loyalty, and proactiveness can pave the way for overcoming personal challenges and achieving one's goals, guided by wisdom and support from unexpected quarters.