Varāha Mahā Purana
16 - The Story of Saramä
Earth said:
1-4. When Indra, the king of Gods, was cursed by sage Durvãsas to live among mortals, being defeated by the son of Supratika, what did he and other gods do in the mortal world? What did Vidyut and Suvidyut with high yogic power do in heaven after the fall of Durjaya? Be pleased to tell me.
Varäha said:
5. Defeated by Durjaya, O Earth, Indra with all the gods and Yakshas and Nägas, first lived in Väränasï in the Bhärata country.
6-7. At that time Vidyut and Suvidyut, O lovely lady, by the power of yoga generated intensive fever in the lords of quarters.
8. Hearing that Durjaya was dead, they brought the submarine fire and rushed to the gods.
9. These two demons went to mount Himavat with the army and stood there.
10. The gods also collected a huge army and discussed about regaining the position of Indra.
11-12. Then the preceptor sage Äñgirasa told the gods; “First you perform the Gomedha sacrifice and then all other sacrifices. That is the practice. This is my advice. Do follow it.”
13. When he said this, the gods left the cattle to graze and entrusted Sarama (the bitch of gods) to look after them.
14. Those cows being looked after by Saramä, the dog of gods, O Earth, went to the place of demons.
15. Seeing those cows, the demons told their priest Šhukra: “See, those cows, O Brahmin, grazing, being looked after by Saramä, the bitch of the gods. Tell us what we should do now”
16. When they asked him thus, Šhukra said: “Steal these cows quickly; don’t delay”.
17. Accordingly the demons took away the cows.
18. When the cows were stolen, Saramä searched for them; and found out that they were carried away by demons. The demons realised that Saramä had traced the path of cows.
19. Seeing her they told her in a soft manner: “O auspicious Saramâ, please drink the milk of these cows.” Then they gave the milk to her.
20-21. Then the leaders of demons told her: “O auspicious, bitch, don’t say about these cows of Indra.” Then the demons left her in the forest. She, then, went quickly to the gods shivering.
22. Saramä prostrated before Indra, the lord of gods.
23. Indra told the gods Maruts: “O mighty gods, you please go secretly along with this bitch to find out the cattle.” Thus they went quickly taking subtle forms.
24. They came back and, O Earth, prostrated before Indra.
25. The king of gods asked: “Saramä, where are the cows?”
Saramä replied: “I don’t know”.
26. Full of anger, then, Indra asked Maruts: “O Maruts, where are the cows intended for sacrifice? Why does Sarama say so?”
27. Then unperturbed, the Maruts reported to him what Saramä had done.
28. Then the great Indra kicked the bitch in great anger.
29. Saying, “O you fool you have drunk the milk! The cows are stolen by the demons”, he kicked her again.
30. As a result of that kick by Indra, Saramä vomited the milk she had drunk and ran to the place where the cows were held. Indra followed her accompanied by his army.
31. He saw the cows stolen by demons. But the demons who looked after the cows were very strong.
32. Still they were crushed by Indra’s army and so they gave up their bodies along with the cows. Regaining the lost cows, the king of gods along with his chieftains became delighted.
33. Thus recovering the cows, Lord Indra with great joy performed a thousand different sacrifices.
34. As he performed these sacrifices, his power also got increased. Then Indra told the army of gods.
35. “O Gods, prepare quickly, to kill demons.” Hearing this, gods got themselves ready in a moment.
36. Then they marched with Indra and in the battle they defeated the army of Asuras.
37. O Earth, the few demons that survived the battle, plunged into the sea struck with fear and completely perplexed.
38. And the great lord Indra followed by gods and protectors of the quarters reigned in heaven as before.
39. The man who hears daily this excellent story of Saramä attains the fruit of Gomedha sacrifice.
40. If a king who lost his kingdom listens to this story intently, he will be able to recover his kingdom like Indra the heaven.
Summary of chapter 16 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The text details the sacred cosmic rhythms of Yoganidrā, describing the period when Bhagavān Vishṇu reposes upon the serpent bed of Ananta Shesha during the monsoon season, marking the sacred Yoganidrā period. The chapter prescribes the specific vows, fasting rules, and worship rituals to be observed on sacred lunar days such as Dvitīyā and Kālāshṭamī, which are especially pleasing to Mahādeva Śiva and Devī Durgā. Observing these holy rites with faith bestows spiritual strength, freedom from sins, and the protection of divine energies during periods of cosmic transition.