When God Indra committed a sin

(Divine Play of Lord Siva)

Indra, the chief of the gods, sinned disrespecting his Guru Bṛhaspati. Angered, Bṛhaspati left, leading to a decline in Indra's majesty. To apologize, Indra sought forgiveness and found a temporary Guru, Viswarupa, who betrayed him. Upon realizing this, Indra killed Viswarupa, incurring the sin of Brahmin murder. To free himself, the sin was distributed among trees, earth, water, and women. Indra regained his splendour but faced revenge from Viswarupa's father, Tvashta, who created Vritrasura to destroy him.

Defeated by Vritrasura, Indra sought help from Vishnu, who advised using a weapon made from the sage Dadhichi's backbone. After receiving the weapon, Indra killed Vritrasura but again incurred the sin of Brahmin murder.

Indra hid in a lotus stalk, leaving Swarga-loka in despair. After killing Vritrasura, Indra was again seized by the sin of killing a Brahmin. Overwhelmed by misery and guilt, he concealed himself in the fibre of a lotus stalk in a pool to escape his torment. During this time, Swarga-loka suffered in his absence.

The Devas, under Brhaspati’s guidance, persuaded Indra to return. With Brhaspati’s help, Indra visited sacred shrines to cleanse his sins.

In the Katampa Forest, Indra discovered a divine Shivalinga. Performing puja with golden lotuses miraculously provided by a sacred pool, Indra was blessed by Lord Shiva. Shiva forgave his sins and granted him the fruit of eternal Moksha for yearly worship during Chitra Purnima. Filled with joy and gratitude, Indra prostrated before Shiva and regained his divine grace.