How does one attain the position of Indra?
Lord Indra is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, often regarded as the king of the heavens and the ruler of the celestial realms. He is considered the god of rain, thunderstorms, and war, wielding the powerful thunderbolt, Vajra, as his weapon. As the leader of the Devas (gods), Indra plays a crucial role in the cosmic order, protecting the world from evil forces and ensuring the balance of nature. While he is revered for his strength and valor, Indra's character is also depicted with human-like flaws, making him a complex and multifaceted figure in Hinduism.
How does one get the position of Lord Indra?
The position of Lord Indra is attained through rigorous austerities or by completing 100 grand sacrificial rituals (dharma yagyas) without interruption. Each yagya requires the use of 100 maunds (4,000 kilograms) of clarified butter (ghee) sourced from cows or buffaloes. Only after successfully performing 100 such sacrificial rituals, without any disruption, can a seeker attain the position of Indra. However, if the sanctity of the austerity or yagya is violated at any point, the seeker must restart the entire process. Only by fulfilling all the conditions flawlessly can one achieve the coveted title of Indra.
What is the duration of Indra's reign?
Indra, the king of heaven, holds his position for 72 cycles of Chaturyug.
What is a Chaturyug?
A single Chaturyug consists of four epochs: Sat Yuga (1,728,000 years), Treta Yuga (1,296,000 years), Dwapar Yuga (864,000 years), and Kali Yuga (432,000 years), totaling 4.32 million years. Over the course of 72 Chaturyugs, an individual enjoys the pleasure of ruling as the king of heaven.
In one Kalpa, which spans 1,008 Chaturyugs (equivalent to a single day of Brahma), 14 beings ascend to the position of Indra, experiencing the rewards of their virtuous deeds.
The position of Indra comes with a unique condition: during his reign of 72 Chaturyugs, if someone on Earth performs penance or religious sacrifices (Yajna) worthy of Indra’s position without any hindrance, that person ascends to the throne, dethroning the current Indra. To prevent this, Indra does everything in his power, even resorting to extreme measures, to disrupt the completion of any ascetic’s penance or Yajna.
What life form does a being assume after relinquishing the position of Indra i.e. after death?
After completing their tenure as Indra, the being of Indra is reborn as donkey.
Breaking the Cycle: Achieving Salvation Beyond the Position of Indra
The position of Indra, though grand and filled with immense power, is temporary, lasting only for 72 Chaturyugs. However, the cycle of birth and death remains ever-present, even for those who attain this exalted status. Despite reigning as the king of heaven for countless ages, the being who occupies Indra’s throne must eventually relinquish it and undergo the inevitable cycle of reincarnation. To break free from this cycle of birth and death, one must transcend worldly rewards and seek the guidance of a true saint, one who imparts the path of true worship as revealed by God Kabir. By practicing this authentic worship, one can achieve salvation and ultimately reach Satlok, the eternal abode of the Supreme, where the soul is freed from the perpetual cycle of rebirth.
Read more: Karma Bodh by Kabir Sahib
