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== Indra in Ramayana ==

== Indra in Ramayana ==

Although the legend of Ahalya and Indra happened in a different yuga, this anecdote is recounted by Viswamitra rushi to Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana, in the Bala kanda, on his way to Mithila.  

Although the legend of Ahalya and Indra happened in a different yuga, this anecdote is recounted by Vishvamitra rishi to Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana, in the Balakanda, on his way to Mithila.  

=== अहल्या || Ahalya ===

=== अहल्या || Ahalya ===

There are different versions of how Ahalya, the wife of Gautama rushi, was cursed to become a "stone" in different puranas. However, according to Valmiki Ramayana, Indra tricked Ahalya, when Gautama rushi went out for bath by taking his form. Gautama punished Indra with a curse of losing his manliness and Ahalya too was cursed of being invisible to the eyes of everyone, to take the form of a stone. He declared that her original form would return when Shri Ramachandra touched the stone. Indra's testicles were replaced with testicles of goat. (Val. Rama. Bala kanda)<ref name=":5" />

There are different versions of how Ahalya, the wife of Gautama rishi, was cursed to become a "stone" in different puranas. However, according to Valmiki [[Ramayana (रामायणम्)|Ramayana]], Indra tricked Ahalya, when Gautama rishi went out for bath by taking his form. Gautama punished Indra with a curse of losing his manliness and Ahalya too was cursed of being invisible to the eyes of everyone, to take the form of a stone. He declared that her original form would return when Shri Ramachandra touched the stone. Indra's testicles were replaced with testicles of goat. (Val. Rama. Bala kanda)<ref name=":5" />

=== हनुमान् || Hanuman ===

=== हनुमान् || Hanuman ===

Vaayuputra, commanly called as Hanuman, in his younger days sprang up to Surya, mistaking it for a fruit to eat. Ascending towards the Devaloka he sees Airavata, the vahana of Indra and goes towards it to swallow it. Seeing the tussle between Maruti and Airavata. feeling threatened Indra uses his weapon Vajraayudha to cut the " hanu" (jaw bones) of Maruti and he falls dead on earth. Vaayu, grieving the loss of his son, takes him to Patalaloka, where Brahma and other devatas console him and revive Maruti. As the "hanu" was cut by Indra's vajra, Maruti gets the name of "Hanuman". Indra also blesses him to be a chiranjeeva and would die only when he wished so. (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, 66th Sarga)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga66/kishkindha_66_frame.htm Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 66])</ref>.

Vayuputra, commanly called as Hanuman, in his younger days sprang up to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]], mistaking it for a fruit to eat. Ascending towards the Devaloka, he sees Airavata, the vahana (वाहनम्) of Indra and goes towards it to swallow it. Seeing the tussle between Maruti (मारुतिः) and Airavata, feeling threatened, Indra uses his weapon Vajrayudha to cut the " hanu" (हनुः । jaw bones) of Maruti and he falls dead on earth. Vayu, grieving the loss of his son, takes him to Patalaloka, where Brahma and other devatas console him and revive Maruti. As the "hanu" was cut by Indra's vajra, Maruti gets the name of "Hanuman". Indra also blesses him to be a chiranjeevi and would die only when he wished so. (Valm Rama, Kish Kand, 66th Sarga)<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga66/kishkindha_66_frame.htm Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 66])</ref>.

=== इन्द्रजित् || Indrajit ===

=== इन्द्रजित् || Indrajit ===

Ravana asura conquered the world with Brahma's blessing. His son Meghanadha, defeated Indra in a fierce battle and took him to Lanka as a prisoner. Upon Brahma's intervention, he was released. Thus, Meghanadha got the title of Indrajit, one who gained victory over Indra (Uttara Ramayana).   

The asura Ravana conquered the world with Brahma's blessing. His son Meghanada, defeated Indra in a fierce battle and took him to Lanka as a prisoner. Upon Brahma's intervention, he was released. Thus, Meghanada got the title of Indrajit, one who gained victory over Indra (Uttara Ramayana).   

==Indra in Mahabharata==

==Indra in Mahabharata==

Many anecdotes are described in Mahabharata about Indra involved in various events in this great epic.  Mahabharata is the treasure of references of events that happened in the eons prior to Mahabharata.   

Many anecdotes are described in Mahabharata about Indra involved in various events in this great epic.  Mahabharata is the treasure of references of events that happened in the eons prior to Mahabharata.