Identifier: indianmythlegend00inmack Title: Indian myth and legend Year: 1913 (1910s) Authors: Mackenzie, Donald Alexander, 1873-1936 Subjects: Hindu mythology Publisher: London, Gresham Contributing Library: Indiana University Digitizing Sponsor: Indiana University

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Text Appearing Before Image: cloud gather in the sky; the tempestbellows, lightnings flash and thunder peals angrily andloud; rain descends in a deluge; once again torrentspour down from the hills and rivers become swollen andturgid. Indra has waged his battle with the DroughtDemons, broken down their fortress walls, and releasedthe imprisoned cow-clouds which give nourishment to hishuman friends; the withered pastures become greenwith generous and rapid growth, and the rice harvestfollows. According to Vedic myth, Indra achieved his firstgreat victory immediately after birth. Vritra, the en-compasser , the Demon of Drought, was holding captivein his mountain fortress the cloud-cattle which he hadharried in the approved manner of the Aryan raiders.^Mankind entreated the aid of the gods, the shiningones, the world guardians: Who will take pity ? Who will bring refreshment ?Who will come nigh to help us in distress ? 1 One of the sections of the epic Mahabharata is called Go-Harran, whichsignifies cattle harrying.

Text Appearing After Image: INDRA From the Indra Temple, Ellora INDRA, KING OF THE GODS 5 Counsels the thoughts within our hearts are counselling,Wishes are wished and soar towards the highest—O none but them, the shining ones, are merciful,My longing wings itself towards the Eternals. Indra arose heroically to do battle for the sacrificers.Impulsively he seized the nectar of the gods, called Soma,and drank a deep draught of that intoxicating juice.Then he snatched up his thunderstone which had beenfashioned by the divine artisan Twashtri, who resembles theGermanic Mimer, the wonder smith. His favouritebays , named the Bold and the Brown, were yoked inhis golden chariot by his attendants and followers, theyouthful Maruts. Now, at the very beginning, Indra, the golden child,became the king of the three worlds. He it was whogave the air of life; he gave strength also. All the shin-ing gods revered him and obeyed his commands. Hisshadow is immortality; his shadow is death. The Maruts, the sons of red Rudra, were

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