Chapter 230 - Vṛka’s Conquest of Indra’s Kingdom

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-4. Thus, when the excellent Dānava Andhaka attained the status of Gaṇa, his son named Vṛka became disinterested in conquering the enemies.

He was terrified extremely, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. Along with the Dānavas that survived he entered the inner region of the ocean that cannot be easily approached.

Thereupon, Śakra becaṃe delighted in mind. He bowed down to the Bull-emblemed One and with his permission entered Amarāvati.

O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he ruled over the kingdom of all the three worlds happily. He regained his usual shares in the Yajñas performed on the earth.

5. In the meantime, Vṛka, the son of Andhaka, quickly came out of the ocean and reached Jaṃbūdvīpa.

6-7. He believed that the holy spot of Hāṭakeśvara was highly meritorious and it yielded excellent Siddhi. [Here?] his father Andhaka, when he was a wicked one, had performed penance.

He (Vṛka) remained there well concealed without the knowledge of anyone. He performed penance there. He meditated devoutly upon the Lotus-born Lord, the most excellent one among Suras.

8. He thus performed a penance for a thousand years. For another thousand years the leading Daitya meditated on Pitāmaha and performed the penance subsisting on water.

9. Then, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, for the same period of time, he had the intake of air only. Conquering all the sense-organs, he remained touching the ground with the tip of his toe.

10. Thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, when the fifth millennium arrived, Brahmā became pleased op observing his great penance.

11-12. Then, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he came to that Gartā (chasm where he stayed) and said to him: “O Vṛka, desist from this terrible penance, Welfare unto you. Choose as boon what has been always cherished by you in the mind.”

Vṛka said:

13. O Lord Pitāmaha, if you are pleased with me, if a boon has to be granted to me, then make me free from old age and death.

Śrī Brahmā said:

14. O dear one, you will become free from old age and death, with my favour. There is no doubt about it. It is the truth that has been mentioned by me.

15. After saying thus, Brahmā vanished there itself. Well contented, Vṛka returned to his own father’s abode.

16. He went to the mountain named Raivataka that remains splendid with the flowers of all the seasons. There he took counsel with his ministers immediately. Then with a desire to fight with Indra he marched against him.

17-18. Indra realized that the powerful Dānava was free from death and old age due to the power of Parameṣṭhin. He then forsook Amarāvatī, his city, due to fear and hurriedly went to the world of Brahmā accompanied by all the Devas.

19. In the meantime, Vṛka too reached heaven accompanied by his delighted attendants and soldiers.

20. Then he underwent the coronation ceremony along with floral bath administered by Śukra and set himself in the position (place) of Indra.

21. Having been crowned in the realm of the Devas by Śukra, Vṛka established (appointed) Daityas in the posts of the Devas.

22. O Brāhmaṇas, for the sake of the shares in the Yajñas, they subjected themselves to the control of Śukra and appropriated the shares of Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras and Maruts.