SB canto 6 chapter 13 and some glories of Laxmi devi

[Paramananda das]

SB canto 6 chapter 13

In this 13 chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam 6 canto we read how Indra was afflicted with the heavy Karma of having killed Vritasura..actually he had been ordered by Lord Visnu to kill Vritasura so one may ask what was his sin,,the fact is the though appearing in a demons body due to the curse of Parvati ,,Citraketa Maharaja became a demon,though he had become elevated to become an advanced Vaisnava ,,by the curse of Parvati he actually became free from enjoying spirit all together when he became Vritasura,. and the pastime of Vritasura and Maharaja Citraketu elevates us to the spiritual world.Many Puranas glorifie Srimad Bhagavatam that contains the pastime of Vritasura .We see Indra took shelter of Sri Laxmidevis lake Manasa Sarovara in the Himalayas this sacred lake is in modern Tibet not far from the border to Nepal ..I saw a video of some pilgrims coming from India to this sacred lake.Sri Laxmidevi likes lotusflowers and lakes with lotusflowers and are considered representing Her,At Srila Prabhupadas Palace in New Vrindavana there is lake with lotus flowers,,the fragrance from the lotus flowers is intoxciating .

Ultimatly Indra taking shelter in one of stems of a lotusflowers in that lake did austerities for 1000 years I assume that is of the demigods and there he took shelter of Sri Laxmi devi and Lord Narayana ..

in fire Sacrifice Sri Laxmi is worshipped with the SRI Stuti that is chanted daily along with Purusha Sukta

Sri Laxmi bestows everything auspicious and is an expansion of Sri Radha who is Sarva Laxmi the source of all other Laxmis

In South India there are Laxmidevi temples in many famous Narayana temples of Narasimha temples..like in Simhacalam Lord Varaha Narasimha is worshipped on the main alter and Sri Laxmi devi in another temple outside the inner champer this is because this form is Ugra Narasimha so Sri Laxmi worships Her Lord from a distance whereas Laxmi Narasimha worship is done in same temple and alter and is a form of Santi Narasimha peaceful form of Lord Narasimha

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

These are Prayers to all of the qualities of the Goddess and the blessings that She gives.

The First is the Lakshmi-Stuti, from Vishnu Purana, 7.9.116-138,

The Second is the Sri Suktam.

This Stuti eulogy of Lakshmi, which was spoken by Lord Indra, is the source of all opulence. In this world, poverty never dwells among those who recite this stuti daily.

indra uvacha

namasye sarva-lokanam

jananim abja-sambhavam

Shriyam unnidra-padmaksim

vishnor vakshah-sthala-sthitam

Indra [the demigod king of heaven] said, "I offer my obeisances unto the lotus-born mother of all beings, unto Sri [the Goddess of fortune], having full-blown lotus-like eyes, and reposing in the bosom of Vishnu."

padmalayam padmakaram

padma patra-nibheksanam

vande padma-mukhim devim

padma-nabha-priyam aham

"I offer my obeisances unto the Goddess who is the abode of lotuses, who holds the lotus, whose eyes resemble the petals of a lotus, whose face is a lotus, and who is dear to the Lord who has a lotus navel."

tvam siddhis tvam svadha svaha

sudha tvam loka-pavani

sandhya ratrihi prabha bhutir

medha sraddha sarasvati

"You are siddhi, nectar, Svaha and Svadha, O purifier of the worlds. You are twilight, night, effulgence, opulence, intelligence, faith and Sarasvati."

yajna-vidya maha-vidya

guhya-vidya cha shobhane

atma-vidya cha devi tvam

vimukti-phala-dayini

"You are the knowledge of sacrifice, the worship of the universal form, and occult learning, O beauteous one. You are the knowledge of Brahman, O goddess, and the bestower of the fruit of liberation."

anvikshiki trayi varta

danda-nitis tvam eva cha

saumyasaumyair jagad rupais

tvayaitad devi puritam

"You are the science of dialectics, the three Vedas, Varta, the knowledge of chastisement. O goddess, this universe is filled with your gentle and terrifying forms."

ka tv anya tvam rte devi

sarva-yajna-mayam vapuhu

adhyaste deva-devasya

yogi cintyam gada-bhritaha

"O goddess, who except you can dwell in the person of that God of gods, who consists of all forbearance, the bearer of the mace, who is contemplated by the yogis?"

tvayi devi parityaktam

sakalam bhuvana-trayam

vinashta-prayam abhavat

tvaye danim samedhitam

"O goddess, the three worlds, having been abandoned by you, were on the verge of destruction--because of you, they have again recovered their position."

dara-putras tatha garam

suhrid-dhanya dhanadikam

bhavaty etan maha-bhage

nityam tvad-vikshanam nrinam

"O exalted one, men are endowed with wives, sons, houses, friends, grain and wealth due to your constant glance."

sharirarogyam aishvaryam

ari-paksa-ksayam sukham

devi-tvad-drishti-drishtanam

purushanam na durlabham

"O goddess, freedom from bodily ailments, riches, destruction of enemies, and happiness are not difficult to attain for persons who view your glances."

tvam mata sarva-bhutanam

deva-devo harih pita

tvayaitad vishnuma chadya

jagad vyaptam-characharam

"You are the mother of all creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their father. And this universe, consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by you, as well as Vishnu."

ma nah kosham tatha goshtham

ma griham ma paricchadam

ma sariram kalatram cha

tyajethaha sarva-pavani

"O purifier of all, if you forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are secure."

ma putram ma suhrid-vargam

ma pashun ma vibhushanam

tyajetha mama devasya

vishnor vaksah-sthalalaye

"O you whose abode is the chest of Vishnu, if you forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor ornaments can be mine."

sattvena satya-shaucabhyam

chatha shiladibhir gunaih

tyajante te narah sadyaha

sansyakto ye tvayamale

"O spotless one, men who are forsaken by you are also forsaken by goodness, truth, purity, good character and other virtues."

tvayavico kitah sadyaha

shiladyair akhilair gunaih

kulaishvaryaish cha muhyante

purusha nirguna api

"And those who are glanced upon by you, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good qualities, such as good character, lineage, wealth, etc."

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sa shlaghyah sa guni dhanyaha

sa kulinaha sa biddhinam

sa shurah sa cha vikranto

yas tvaya devi vikshitaha

"O goddess, he who is glanced upon by you, is praiseworthy, accomplished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born, heroic and possessed of power."

sadyo vaingunyam ayanti

shiladyah sakala gunaha

paranmukhi jaga-dhatri

yasya tvam vishnu-vallabhe

"O nurse of the universe, O beloved of Vishnu, all virtues, character, etc., immediately abandon him from whom you turn away."

na te varnayitum shakta

gunan jihvapi vedhasaha

prasida devi padmakshi

masmams tyakshih kadachana

"Even the tongue of Brahma is incapable of describing your qualities. O lotus-eyed one, be auspicious unto me. Please do not abandon me."

[Thus ends the Lakshmi-stuti]

Sri [the Goddess of Fortune] said: "I shall never turn my face from one who praises me every morning and evening with this hymn."

SRI SUKTAM

Om, Hiranya varnam harinim

Suvarna rajatasrajam

Chandraam hiranmayim

Lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha

Sloka 1

O all-knowing fire-god (Agni), would you kindly propitiate Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, one whose body has the golden color; one who is decked with gold and silver garlands; one whose sari is yellow colored and one Whose face is like the full moon and whose eyes bless humanity with soothing grace. O Jata Veda, the fire-god, kindly tell Her of our supplications.

Tamaavaha jatavedo

Lakshmimananpagaminim

Yasyaam hiranyam vindeyam

Gamasvam purushanaham

Sloka 2

O, Agni, the great fire-god, with the blessings of Mahalakshmi, wealth and prosperity, gold and cattle, horses and useful animals, family and children and every type of prosperity will come to me. By the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in my home, the prosperity will be imperishable. Health, friends, knowledge, everlasting peace and finally freedom -- all these types of wealth will be mine by the arrival of the Universal Mother, Lakshmi, into my home.

Ashwapurvam Rathamadhyam

Hastinada Prabodinim

Sriyam Devimupahvaye

Shrirmadevirjushatam

Sloka 3

That Goddess Lakshmi in whose procession the celestial horses and the divine chariots are used, as the elephants roar the OM sound which pleases that Goddess. She being Gajalakshmi or Lakshmi Who is worshiped by the elephants. O Agni, I am invoking that power, the spouse of Vishnu. May I attain Her grace.

Kamsosmitam Hiranya Prakaramardram

Jvalantim truptam tarpayantim

Padmestitam padmavarnam

Tamihopahvaye sriyam

Sloka 4

One Who is sitting on the blossomed thousand-petalled lotus; one whose body has the color of the lotus; may that great Goddess. The compassionate, radiant, ever-smiling, fulfiller of all the desires of Her votaries, hear my prayers. I invoke that Mother, Mahalakshmi of golden color.

Chandramprabhasam yashasajvalantim

Sriyamloke devajustamudaram

Tam Padminimim Saranamaham

Prapadye Alakshmirme

Nashyatam twam vrune

Sloka 5

I invoke Mahalakshmi Who shines like the full moon and like lightening. Her fame is all-pervading. Denizens of heaven constantly worship Her. She is minificent. Her benevolent hands are like lotuses. I take refuge in Her lotus feet. Let Her destroy my poverty forever. O Mother Mahalakshmi, I take shelter at Your lotus feet.

Aadityavarne Tapasodhijato

Vanaspatistava Vrukshothabilvaha

Tasya phalani Tapasanudantu

Mayantarayascha Bahya Alakshmihi

Sloka 6

O Universal Mother, shining like the sun, it is through Your penance that the holiest trees of Bilva and Tulasi are born. They symbolize the tree of life. The fruit of that tree of life removes our poverty from both within and without. In other words, bless us with inner light and outer independence and abundance.

Upaitumam Devasakhaha

Kirtishcha Maninaa Saha

Praddurbhuto smi rastresmin

Kirthimrudhim dadatume

Sloka 7

O Devi, the great Goddess, with Your blessings let Kubera, the treasurer of the gods; his friend, Manibhadra, the protector of wealth, and Keerti, the goddess of fame who was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati.

Kshutpipasamalam JyesthaAm

Alakshmim nashayamyaham

Abhutimasamruddhim cha

Sarvam Nirnuda me grihat

Sloka 8

That goddess of hunger and thirst, one who is reduced to a skeleton; I would like the death of the goddess of poverty. O Mahalakshmi, may You kindly drive away any fear of poverty and inauspiciousness from my home. In other words, bless me always with abundance and joy.

Gandhadvaram duradharsham

Nitya Pushtam Karishinim

Eshvarim sarvabhutanam

Tamihopahvaye Sriyam

Sloka 9

I invoke that supreme Goddess Lakshmi to dwell in my home forever. She is the supreme power of protection and Goddess of all the universes and cosmic elements. She is Mother Earth, the bestower of great contentment. Her blessings are bringing us the fragrance of the sandalwood paste. May that Ishwari be ever present in me.

Manasaha-Kamamakutim

Vachasatya mashimahi

Pashunam Rupamanasya mayi

Shrishrayatam yashaha

Sloka 10

May Mahalakshmi fulfill all my desires. May I attain perfection. May my words come true. May I be bestowed with cattle, wealth, food, milk and honey to share with all. May that Sri Devi come to my home in the form of undying fame.

Kardamena Prajabhuta mayi

Sambhava Kardhama

Shriyam Vasayame Kule

Mataram Padma malinim

Sloka 11

We are the progeny of our forefather, Sage Kardama, who is one of the sons of Goddess Lakshmi. We invoke that Sage Kardama to install in his family the Universal Mother, Mahalakshmi, who is decked with the garland of lotuses. So be it.

Apsrujantu Snigdhani Chiklita

Vasa Me Gruhe

Nicha devim Mataram Sriyam

Vasayame kule

Sloka 12

We invoke another son of Lakshmi named Chikleeta. May he dwell in our home and may his mother, Mahalakshmi, dwell in our family.

Ardram pushkarinim Pushtim

Pingalam Padmamalinim

Chandram hiranmayim Lakshmim

Jatavedo Ma avaha

Sloka 13

O Agni, may You propitiate Mahalakshmi, the destroyer of demons but merciful to Her devotees, abode of auspiciousness, bestower of total protection, extraordinarily beautiful, bedecked with valuable ornaments, shining like a thousand suns; may that Hiranmayi, the golden colored Goddess, be pleased with us.

Ardram Yah karinim yastim

Suvarnam hemamalinim

Suryam Hiranmayim Lakshmim

Jatavedo Ma avaha

Sloka 14

O Agni, the fire-god, I once again pray unto you to invoke the presence of the Lakshmi Devi with us. The Mother Who is merciful blessings with Her lotus hand. May that yellow-clad, lotus-garlanded, moon-faced Goddess shower Her choicest cup of blessings upon us.

Tama avaha Jatavedo

Lakshmimanapagaminim

Yasyam Hiranyam Prabhutam gavo

Dasyoshvam Vindeyam Purushanaham

Sloka 15

O Agni, please pray to that Lakshmi that we should be blessed with inexhaustible wealth. May that wealth bring that greatest joy and peace along with all material comforts of cows, servants, horses, family and good children, and the highest of all, freedom.

Om Mahadevyaicha vidmahe Vishnu

Pathnyaicha dhimahi

Tanno Lakshmih prachodayatu

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Sloka 16

Let that Mahalakshmi be invoked on Whom I meditate upon, Who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Mother. Let peace prevail everywhere.

108 Names of Goddess Lakshmi

Prakruti - Nature

Vikruti - Multi-Faceted Nature

Vidya - Wisdom

Sarvabhootahitaprada - Granter of Universal Niceties

Shraddha - Devoted

Vibhuti - Wealth

Surabhi - Celestial Being

Paramatmika - Omnipresence

Vachi - Nectar-Like Speech

Padmalaya - Residing On The Lotus

Padma – Lotus

Shuchi - Embodiment of Purity

Swaha - Shape of Swahadevi(Auspicious)

Swadha - Shape of Swadhadevi(Inauspicious)

Sudha - Nectar

Dhanya - Personification of Gratitude

Hiranmayi - Golden Appearance

Lakshmi - Goddess of Wealth

NityaPushta - Gaining strength Day By Day

Vibha - Radiant

Aditi - Radiant Like The Sun

Deetya - Answer Of Prayers

Deepta - Flame-Like

Vasudha - Earth

Vasudharini - Bearing the the Burden of Earth

Kamala - Lotus

Kantha - Consort of Vishnu

Kamakshi - One with Attractive Eyes

Kamalasambhava - Emanating from the Lotus

Anugrahaprada - Granter of Good Wishes

Buddhi - Wisdom

Anagha - Sinless

Navadurga - All Nine Forms of Durga

Harivallabhi - Consort of Lord Hari

Ashoka - Dispeller of Sorrows

Amrutha - Nectar

Deepa - Radiant

Lakashokavinashini - Remover of Universal Agonies

Dharmanilaya - Establisher of Eternal Law

Karuna - Compassionate

Lokamatri - Mother of the Universe

Padmapriya - Lover of Lotus

Padmahasta - Having Lotus-Like Hands

Padmakshya - Lotus-eyed

Padmasundari - Beautiful Like the Lotus

Padmodbhava - One Who Emerged Out of the Lotus

Padmamukhi - Lotus-Faced

Padmanabhapriya - Beloved of Padmanabha

Ramaa - Pleaser of the Lord

Padmamaladhara - Wearer of Lotus Garland

Devi - Goddess

Padmini - Lotus

Padmagandhini - Having the Fragrance of Lotus

Punyagandha - Having Divine Perfume

Suprasanna - Ever Cheerful and Beaming

Prasadabhimukhi - Emerging to Grant Boons

Prabha - Radiant Like the Sun

Chandravadana - Moon-Faced

Chanda - Cool Like the moon

Chandrasahodari - Sister of the Moon

Chaturbhuja - with four arms

Chandrarupa - Moon-Faced

Indira - Radiant like the Sun

Indusheetala - Cool like the Moon

Ahladajanani - Source of Happiness

Pushti - Healthy

Shiva - Auspicious

Shivakari - Source of Auspicious Things

Satya - All Truth

Vimala - Pure

Vishwajanani - Mother of the Universe

Pushti - Possessor of All Wealth

Daridriyanashini - Remover of Poverty

Preeta Pushkarini - One with Pleasing Eyes

Shanta - Full with peace or Calm

Shuklamalambara - Wearer of White Garland and Attire

Bhaskari - Radiant like the Sun

Bilvanilaya - Resider Under Bilva Tree

Vararoha - Ready to Offer Boons

Yashaswini - Reputed

Vasundhara - Daughter of the Earth

Udaranga - Endowed with a Beautiful Body

Harini - Deer-Like

Hemamalini - Having Golden Garlands

Dhanadhanyaki - Bestower of Wealth and Foodgrains

Siddhi - Ever Ready to Protect

Straina Soumya - Showering Goodness on Women

Shubhaprada - Granter of Auspicious Things

Nrupaveshvagathananda - Loves to Live in Palaces

Varalakshmi - Granter of Bounty

Vasuprada - Bestower of Wealth

Shubha - Auspicious

Hiranyapraka - Amidst Gold

Samudratanaya - Beloved Daughter of the Ocean of Milk

Jaya - Goddess of Victory

Mangala - Most Auspicious

Devi - The Deity

Vishnuvakshah - Residing in Vishnu's Chect

Vishnupatni - Consort of Vishnu

Prasannakshi - Lively-Eyed

Narayana Samashrita - Sought Refuge in Narayana

Daridriya Dhwamsini - Destroyer of Poverty

Devi - Goddess

Sarvapadravanivarini - Dispeller of all Distresses

Mahakali - A Form of Kali

Brahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika - Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva

Trikala-dnyanasampanna - Aware of all 3 -the Past, Present and Future

Bhuvaneshwarya - Supreme Deity

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction

This chapter describes Indra’s fear at having killed a brāhmaṇa (Vṛtrāsura), and it also describes how he fled and was saved by the grace of Lord Viṣṇu.

When all the demigods requested Indra to kill Vṛtrāsura, he refused because Vṛtrāsura was a brāhmaṇa. The demigods, however, encouraged Indra not to fear killing him because Indra was protected by the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Nārāyaṇa. Even by a glimpse of the chanting of Nārāyaṇa’s name, one becomes free from all the sinful reactions of killing a woman, a cow or a brāhmaṇa. The demigods advised Indra to perform an aśvamedha sacrifice, by which Nārāyaṇa would be pleased, for the performer of such a sacrifice is not implicated in sinful reactions even if he kills the entire universe.

Following this instruction from the demigods, King Indra fought Vṛtrāsura, but when Vṛtrāsura was killed, everyone was satisfied but King Indra, who knew Vṛtrāsura’s position. This is the nature of a great personality. Even if a great personality acquires some opulence, he is always ashamed and regretful if he acquires it illegally. Indra could understand that he was certainly entangled by sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa. Indeed, he could see sinful reaction personified following him, and thus he fled here and there in fear, thinking of how to rid himself of his sins. He went to Mānasa-sarovara, and there, under the protection of the goddess of fortune, he meditated for one thousand years. During this time, Nahuṣa reigned over the heavenly planets as the representative of Indra. Unfortunately, however, he was attracted by the beauty of Indra’s wife, Śacīdevī, and because of his sinful desire he had to accept the body of a serpent in his next life. Indra later performed a great sacrifice with the help of exalted brāhmaṇas and saints. In this way he was released from the reactions of his sinful killing of a brāhmaṇa.

Text 1: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, who are so charitably disposed, when Vṛtrāsura was killed, all the presiding deities and everyone else in the three planetary systems was immediately pleased and free from trouble — everyone, that is, except Indra.

Text 2: Thereafter, the demigods, the great saintly persons, the inhabitants of Pitṛloka and Bhūtaloka, the demons, the followers of the demigods, and also Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the demigods subordinate to Indra all returned to their respective homes. While departing, however, no one spoke to Indra.

Text 3: Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O great sage, what was the reason for Indra’s unhappiness? I wish to hear about this. When he killed Vṛtrāsura, all the demigods were extremely happy. Why, then, was Indra himself unhappy?

Text 4: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī answered: When all the great sages and demigods were disturbed by the extraordinary power of Vṛtrāsura, they had assembled to ask Indra to kill him. Indra, however, being afraid of killing a brāhmaṇa, declined their request.

Text 5: King Indra replied: When I killed Viśvarūpa, I received extensive sinful reactions, but I was favored by the women, land, trees and water, and therefore I was able to divide the sin among them. But now if I kill Vṛtrāsura, another brāhmaṇa, how shall I free myself from the sinful reactions?

Text 6: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing this, the great sages replied to King Indra, “O King of heaven, all good fortune unto you. Do not fear. We shall perform an aśvamedha sacrifice to release you from any sin you may accrue by killing the brāhmaṇa.”

Text 7: The ṛṣis continued: O King Indra, by performing an aśvamedha sacrifice and thereby pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul, Lord Nārāyaṇa, the supreme controller, one can be relieved even of the sinful reactions for killing the entire world, not to speak of killing a demon like Vṛtrāsura.

Texts 8-9: One who has killed a brāhmaṇa, one who has killed a cow or one who has killed his father, mother or spiritual master can be immediately freed from all sinful reactions simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Other sinful persons, such as dog-eaters and caṇḍālas, who are less than śūdras, can also be freed in this way. But you are a devotee, and we shall help you by performing the great horse sacrifice. If you please Lord Nārāyaṇa in that way, why should you be afraid? You will be freed even if you kill the entire universe, including the brāhmaṇas, not to speak of killing a disturbing demon like Vṛtrāsura.

Text 10: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Encouraged by the words of the sages, Indra killed Vṛtrāsura, and when he was killed the sinful reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa [brahma-hatyā] certainly took shelter of Indra.

Text 11: Following the advice of the demigods, Indra killed Vṛtrāsura, and he suffered because of this sinful killing. Although the other demigods were happy, he could not derive happiness from the killing of Vṛtrāsura. Indra’s other good qualities, such as tolerance and opulence, could not help him in his grief.

Texts 12-13: Indra saw personified sinful reaction chasing him, appearing like a caṇḍāla woman, a woman of the lowest class. She seemed very old, and all the limbs of her body trembled. Because she was afflicted with tuberculosis, her body and garments were covered with blood. Breathing an unbearable fishy odor that polluted the entire street, she called to Indra, “Wait! Wait!”

Text 14: O King, Indra first fled to the sky, but there also he saw the woman of personified sin chasing him. This witch followed him wherever he went. At last he very quickly went to the northeast and entered the Mānasa-sarovara Lake.

Text 15: Always thinking of how he could be relieved from the sinful reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa, King Indra, invisible to everyone, lived in the lake for one thousand years in the subtle fibers of the stem of a lotus. The fire-god used to bring him his share of all yajñas, but because the fire-god was afraid to enter the water, Indra was practically starving.

Text 16: As long as King Indra lived in the water, wrapped in the stem of the lotus, Nahuṣa was equipped with the ability to rule the heavenly kingdom, due to his knowledge, austerity and mystic power. Nahuṣa, however, blinded and maddened by power and opulence, made undesirable proposals to Indra’s wife with a desire to enjoy her. Thus Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake.

Text 17: Indra’s sins were diminished by the influence of Rudra, the demigod of all directions. Because Indra was protected by the goddess of fortune, Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, who resides in the lotus clusters of Mānasa-sarovara Lake, Indra’s sins could not affect him. Indra was ultimately relieved of all the reactions of his sinful deeds by strictly worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. Then he was called back to the heavenly planets by the brāhmaṇas and reinstated in his position.

Text 18: O King, when Lord Indra reached the heavenly planets, the saintly brāhmaṇas approached him and properly initiated him into a horse sacrifice [aśvamedha-yajña] meant to please the Supreme Lord.

Texts 19-20: The horse sacrifice performed by the saintly brāhmaṇas relieved Indra of the reactions to all his sins because he worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in that sacrifice. O King, although he had committed a gravely sinful act, it was nullified at once by that sacrifice, just as fog is vanquished by the brilliant sunrise.

Text 21: King Indra was favored by Marīci and the other great sages. They performed the sacrifice just according to the rules and regulations, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, the original person. Thus Indra regained his exalted position and was again honored by everyone.

Texts 22-23: In this very great narrative there is glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, there are statements about the exaltedness of devotional service, there are descriptions of devotees like Indra and Vṛtrāsura, and there are statements about King Indra’s release from sinful life and about his victory in fighting the demons. By understanding this incident, one is relieved of all sinful reactions. Therefore the learned are always advised to read this narration. If one does so, one will become expert in the activities of the senses, his opulence will increase, and his reputation will become widespread. One will also be relieved of all sinful reactions, he will conquer all his enemies, and the duration of his life will increase. Because this narration is auspicious in all respects, learned scholars regularly hear and repeat it on every festival day.