King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction

The Thirteenth Chapter describes how Indra, fearing the reaction from killing a brāhmaṇa, lived in the stem of a lotus at Mānasa Sarovara and later attained relief by performing a horse sacrifice.

Indra was not fit to return to his abode. The moment he killed Vṛtrāsura he became distressed at killing a brāhmaṇa. Thus though the verse says that Indra returned home, he actually went to Mānasa Sarovara, then performed a horse sacrifice, and finally returned home. That should be understood by the word tataḥ (afterwards).

Hareḥ means of “Indra.”

The devatās requested Indra to kill Vṛtrāsura. Indra did not desire to kill him because he was afraid of killing a brāhmaṇa (bṛhad-vadhāt).

Enaḥ means sin. Mārjmi means “purify.”

Mā sam bhaiḥ means “Do not fear.”

One who has killed a brāhmaṇa, a cow, his father, mother or guru, a dog-eater or an outcaste, can be immediately freed from all sinful reactions simply by chanting about Nārāyaṇa. After killing even brāhmaṇas, what to speak of a low rascal, by our performing a horse sacrifice you will not be touched by any sin.

When Vṛtra was killed (tasmin hate) the sin fell upon Indra (vṛṣākapim). Because of committing sin on the strength of an atonement, the reaction was very strong. Without experiencing suffering, the atonement would not give relief by itself. Therefore they did not perform the horse sacrifice for Indra immediately. The sages, because of advising him to commit the sin on the strength of the atonement also suffered misfortune, the result of the offense, for a long time. This suffering came from Nahuṣa, who took over Indra’s post.

Asahat should asahata (he endured). Amum refers to Indra. “Why could a person with qualities like determination not be happy?” Those qualities cannot give happiness to a person who has done a shameful act and is criticized for killing a brāhmaṇa.

Indra saw a caṇòāla woman, trembling because of old age, afflicted with tuberculosis, covered with blood, and breathing an unbearable, fishy odor that polluted the entire street. With gray hair flying about, she pursued him, calling, "Wait! Wait!"

Yakṣmā is tuberculosis. The street was polluted with the smell of her breath (asu) which had the odor of fish.

First he went into the sky. Seeing her chasing him, he went in all direction, but she followed. Then he went in the northeast direction and quickly entered Mānasa Sarovara.

He lived unseen in the fibers of the lotus stem. He did not get any food, because the messenger of Agni did not deliver his share of the sacrifices, since he could not enter the water. It is not difficult for Agni to enter water, since he delivers to Varuṇa, who is situated in the water, his share. However, this water was difficult to enter because the followers of Śiva were guarding it. And thus, the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa, which followed him everywhere, could also not enter the water. He remained invisible to all people for a thousand years.

Tri-nākam means Svarga. “How can a human rule Svarga?” Nahuṣa was endowed with knowledge, austerity and yogic power. This means he was capable of enlisting all powers and was capable of protecting Svarga. Why then did Indra again rule Svarga? Nahuṣa’s intelligence became blind with pride in his wealth. He had to take a snake’s body because of Indra’s wife. Nahuṣa one time spoke to Indra’s wife. “I am now Indra. Therefore you should serve me.” When he told her this, she spoke to Brḥaspati. He said, “Tell him that you will worship him if he comes carried by brāhmaṇas. Then he will fall down because of a brāhmaṇa’s curse.” She informed Nahuṣa, and he came, carried by Agastya and other sages. Saying “Go quickly (sarpa)” Nahuṣa touched Agastya with his foot. He was then cursed by the angry sage and became a snake (sarpa).

He went back to Svarga by the words of Brahmā and the brāhmaṇas, who said, “We will have you perform a horse sacrifice.” Ṛtambharaḥ means “one who preserves truth, Viṣṇu.” The offense of committing sin on the strength of atonement is called aghah in this verse. The sin of killing a brāhmaṇa is called pāpaḥ. Masculine gender instead of neuter is poetic license. Śiva is the guardian of the northeast direction. Lakṣmī resides in the lotuses of Mānasa Sarovara.

When the sages performed the horse sacrifice and Indra worshipped the Supreme Lord, the sin of killing Vṛtrāsura was completely destroyed, like the sun dissipating fog.

Intelligent persons should read this great narration about the purification and victory of Indra, which destroys all sins and glorifies the Supreme Lord, bhakti, and the devotees. On sacred days they should hear this narration which brings alert senses, wealth, fame, freedom from all sins, victory, good fortune and long life.

Bhakty-ucchrayam means “endowed with the excellence of bhakti.” The story describes the victory of Indra (marutvataḥ). Indriyam means “quickness of the sense.” Āyuṣam means “giving long life.”

Thus ends the commentary on the Thirteenth Chapter of the Sixth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas.