Raji and Indra
The Vāyu Mahā Purāṇa tells of Raji, a king of the Lunar Dynasty (Candra-vaṃśa). The Daityas had beaten Indra in war and driven the devas out of svarga (heaven). Raji agreed to fight for the devas, on the condition that he would become Indra if he won. He won, and he held Indra’s place for a time. After his death his sons claimed to be Indra for ever, until Bṛhaspati used māyā to end their claim.
Raji’s line
Raji belongs to the Lunar Dynasty. He comes from Purūravas through this line: Āyus, Nahusha, Yayāti, Anu, Sabhānara, Kālanala, Sṛñjaya, Janamejaya, Mahāśāla, Mahāmanas, Uśīnara, Śivi and then Raji.
Raji was famous for his great strength, courage and dharmic conduct. The earth shook at his footstep. He was counted among the greatest kshatriyas of his time.
The war of the devas and asuras
A great war broke out between the devas and the Daityas. The Daityas were bold and strong, and they drove the devas out of svarga. Indra was beaten and could not win back his throne.
The devas and the Daityas each went to Brahmā on their own and asked: “Who will win this war?”
Brahmā gave both the same answer: “Whichever side Raji fights on will win.”
Raji’s condition and Indra’s promise
The devas went to Raji and asked him to fight for them. Raji agreed, on one condition:
“If I win this battle and give svarga back to you, you must give me the place of Indra (Indratva).”
Indra accepted the condition, and Raji entered the war. He fought with fierce courage. He alone beat the Daityas, killed their leaders and won back svarga for the devas. The whole Daitya army was routed.
Raji as Indra
After the victory Indra kept his promise. He gave Raji the title of Indra and stepped aside. Raji ruled svarga as Indra. He ruled with dharma, and both the devas and the ṛshis honoured him.
After some time Raji chose to go back to his own kingdom on earth. Before he left, he made the first Indra his son. In this way Indra was put back in his place, while Raji’s claim to Indratva over him stayed.
The sons of Raji seize the throne
After Raji died, his sons held to their father’s claim. They came to svarga and said that Indra’s place was theirs for ever. They said that since their father had been Indra and had made Indra lower than himself, they were the rightful rulers of svarga. Indra was pushed aside once more.
Indra went to Bṛhaspati, his guru, for help. By his divine māyā, Bṛhaspati carried out a ritual that confused the sons of Raji. Little by little they gave up the Vedic dharmas and became pāshaṇḍas (people outside the Vedic order). Because of this they lost the puṇya (merit) that kept their power alive. Their strength drained away, and Indra won back his kingdom.
Sources
- Vāyu Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarārdha, Chapter 4
- Vishṇu Mahā Purāṇa, Chaturdhāṃśa, Chapters 8–9