Stories 6
Tradition: All traditions · clear
Indra's pole: the banner festival and Indra Jatra
Why a pole is raised for Indra: the Mahabharata's gift to King Vasu of Chedi, Kathmandu's legend of Indra the captive flower thief, and the Tamil Indra festival at Puhar.
Jamadagni threatens the Sun and receives the umbrella and sandals
Jamadagni practises archery; his wife Renuka fetches the arrows.
Matarishvan brings the fire to the Bhrigus
Agni is born in the highest heaven and lies hidden, far away.
Tvashtri forges the thunderbolt
The Rigveda credits Tvashtri with making Indra's vajra and also remembers Indra taking his Soma; the Mahabharata has him build the Vajra from Dadhichi's bones.
Varuna gives the bow Gandiva, and takes it back
At Agni's request Varuna gives Arjuna the bow Gandiva, two quivers and a chariot before the Khandava fire; at the end Arjuna throws the bow back into the sea for him.
Vishvakarma builds Lanka
The Ramayana's Uttara Kanda says Vishvakarma built golden Lanka on Mount Trikuta at Indra's command and gave it first to three Rakshasa brothers; later it passed to Kubera.