Namaste,
As I mentioned in Day 2’s post (Brahma's Sabha),
Mahamuni Narada described many celestial courtrooms (Sabha). Now, let’s see how
he described Indra’s Sabha. Indra is the King of Heaven.
Dimensions: (One yojana is ~8 kilometers)
- Length:
one hundred and fifty yojanas
- Breadth:
one hundred yojanas
- Height:
five yojanas
The Sabha moves of its own will and has a soothing
vibe. It removes pain, anguish, grief, decay, etc., and contains countless
rooms with as many seats as required.
Indra would sit on the throne with Sachi, his wife.
He has a crown and bright bracelets on his arms. He wears a pure white dress
and multicolored garlands. Fame, Glory, and Loveliness are found at his side.
Maruts, Siddhas, Sadhyas, celestial rishis, etc., are members of his court and often perform glorious yagnas. The Gandharvas, Yakshas, apsarasas, Viswakarmanm, and many other rishis (some of them are kings-turned-rishis) can be found in the Sabha. Famous kings and warriors who have passed away can also be seen attending Indra’s Sabha.
The purshartas (Dharma, Artha, Kama), traits like
faith, learning, intelligence, and valor, elements like lightning, rain, winds,
and clouds, etc., are also found in this Sabha. Similarly, the stars, the sun,
the moon, the planets (especially Brihaspati aka Jupiter and Sukra aka Venus),
twenty-seven flames of Agni (fire), rishi Bhrugu and the sapta rishis (seven
famous rishis) are also members of Indra’s Sabha. Dead noblemen with children
who performed the last rites and rituals correctly are also said to gain
entrance to this Sabha.
The Sabha is also called the Hall of Lotus
Garlands.
Indra is also one of the Ashta Dikpalakas (Guardians of Directions) and guards the East side. The others are -
- Kubera on the North
- Varuna on the West
- Yama on the South
- Agni on the Southeast (Agneyam - where the kitchen is built)
- Isana on the Northeast (Eisanyam)
- Vayu on the Northwest (Vayuvyam)
- Nirriti on the Southwest (Niaruti)
Fun Fact: Do
you know Indra is not a name but a title? Many gods have taken the position of
Indra over the Yugas. I found out when reading Devi
for Millennials by Bibek Debroy.
I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.
The AI images are made on Bing.
Yup. I knew that Indra is a title not name. Infact, I read so is Brahma and Vyasa. Reading durga shaptsadi this navratri, Indra being a title is mentioned in it, as well.
ReplyDeleteKrsna Dvaipayana is Vyasa's real name na, so makes sense Vyasa is a title.
DeleteThe book I mentioned has translations from Durga sukta, etc. Guess we have the same source. :D
Very interesting. I didn't know that there was lotus garland hall too in this sabha. You have made this very easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ambica :)
Delete