31. The previous births of king Indra

[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (31) The previous births of king Indra or the story of Sahasrabhaga]

After getting released from the captivity of Ravana, Indra requested muni Nirvanasagara to narrate to him his previous birth. Then the monk related the story (13.21-31) elucidating the good fruits of performing austerities. A diseased girl of Sikhipura lost her parents and lived on begging. After her death, she was reborn as wife of a Kimpurusa and

INTERVENING STORIES 167 Gomukha of reborn as a again as king Sahasrabhaga, the son of Dharini by Ratnapura. On account of observing the vows, he was celestial being and then as Nandivardhana, the son of Gunavalli. Having enjoyed the kingdom he renounced the would. He performed penances and in due caurse died. Having passed through the life of a celestial being in the Graiveyakavimana, he was reborn as a Vidyadhara king named Indra. The Paumacariya (13.54-66) and the Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (ch. 7) agree with the above story. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. however calls Nandivardhana as Samantavardhana. 32. Indra's another previous birth or the story of Ahalya : Continuing the narration the monk advised Indra not to brood. over his defeat and reminded him of a sinful incident in his previous life pointing out the dire consequences of censuring, cursing or hurting a monk for which he was humiliated at present (13.33-52) by Ravana. On having heard the following story, Indra (Sakra) renounced the world and attained emancipation. Ahalya (Ahalla), the daughter of Vegavati and Jvalanasimha of Arinjayapura chose Anandamalin, the king of Candravartapura as her hushand in her 'svayamvara'. In course of time Anandamalin renounced the world and sojourned on the bank of the river Hamsavali. Indra who had got disgruntled on account of not being selected by Ahalya developed jealousy for Anandamalin. He went to the bank of that river and tied the limbs of the monk. On this occasion Muni Kalyanagunadhara, the brother of Anandamalin cursed Indra but his (Indra's) wife Sarvasri's immediate intervention and imploration pacified the monk and saved Indra from being burnt to ashes. The Paumacariya (13. 67-117) agrees with the Paumacariya The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (IV. 160) mentions the name of Indra in his previous birth as Taditprabha, the lord of Suryavartapura. Indra is said to have tortured muni Anandamalin on the Rathavarta mountain. Sarvasri is named as Satyasri. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (ch. 7) names Anandamalin as Nandamala. The Vasudevahindi Vol. I. (p. 292) contains the story of Ahalya and Vasava (Indra). It is akin to that of the Valmiki Ramayana and has no relation to that of the Paumacariya The Valmiki Ramayana (1. 48) narrates that Indra assumed the form of Gautama and in the absence of the latter, he committed adultery with Ahalya, the wife of sage Gautama. When Gautama returned, he cursed Indra, as a result of which the latter's testicles got severed off and thus he

168 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM became impotent. Ahalya was also cursed by Gautama to remain invisible for one thousand years and to return to her original form when Rama visited the place. At 7. 30. 17f it is said that Indra becomes gloomy on being defeated by Meghavahana (Indrajit). Then Pitamaha (Prajapati) reminds Indra of his previous sin and narrates the above story and further adds that he himself had created Ahalya very beautiful to look at. Indra had thought that she would become his wife, but she was married to Gautama. At this Indra became angry and committed adultery with her. Then Gautama cursed him to the effect that he would be subdued and humiliated in the battle by his enemy. The present defeat was the result of his 'duskrt".