21 - Indra gets back Lakshmi 

Narada said - О lord tell me the reason why Indra and other gods lost their lustre and fortune. This is a secret knowledge and difficult to get, but you kindly be graceful to reveal the same to me. You may also kindly tell me as to how Indra got back Lakshmi, the mother of the universe and what Indra did thereafter. 

Narayana said- Indra the great god having been humiliated by Rambha and the elephant, lost Lakshmi and his condition became miserable. In that condition he went to Amaravatl. 

О sage, reaching there he found the city of Amaravati devoid of pleasure, filled with miseries, devoid of relatives and surrounded by the enemies. 

Listening to these words from the mouth of the messengers Indra took him and reached the abode of Bruhaspati. Accompanied by Bruhaspati and others gods, Indra reached Brahma. Indra and Bruhaspati bowed in reverence before Brahma with all the gods offering many prayers to him. 

Thereafter, Bruhaspati narrated the entire story to Brahma hearing which Brahma lowered his head and said. 

Brahma said - О Indra, you are my great grandson and you are always blessed by the royal fortune and you happen to be the husband of Sach who is comparable to Lakshmi but still you always fall for the wives of others. 

Because of the curse of Gautama in the court of the gods you had developed Vaginas on your entire body. Inspite of that you are shameless and are always desirous of enjoying the company of others’ wives. 

The one who feels attracted towards the wives of others, is always deprived of fortune and glory. He is always considered a sinner and earns disgrace in all the assemblies. 

Durvasa had given you the garland of flowers as a gift of the lord which you threw away on the head of the elephant under the influence of Rambha. 

Now where is Rambha who was enjoyed by all and where are you having lost all your fortunes. Rambha who had pleased you for a moment left you in no time proceeding to some other place. 

The wicked women are of unstable mind and they remain so always. 

О son, whatever has happened cannot be undone. Therefore, for getting back Lakshmi you adore Narayana. Thus speaking, Brahma the creator of the universe gave away to Indra the stotra, kavacha and mantra of the lord. 

The gods together with Bruhaspati recited the mantra and held the kavacha. Indra going to the Pushkara-kshetra adored the gods and performed tapas at that sacred place for one full year remaining without food. He adored lord Narayana for achieving Lakshmi. 

Thereafter, the lord appeared before him and granted him his desired boon besides Lakshmi strotra, kavacha and the mantra which increased his fortune. 

О sage, giving all these to Indra, the lord went back to Vaikuntha. Indra went on the other hand to the ocean of milk, wore the kavacha on his person and offering prayers, he got back Lakshmi also. 

Indra then overpowered his enemies and got back Amaravati. He then restored all the gods to their respective places.