Section CXXIV - Cyavana's Sacrificial Ceremony: Clash with Indra and Demon Battle
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CXXIV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.

Short summary of the chapter:
Cyavana, the son of Bhrigu, was turned into a youth by the Asvins, celestial physicians, and King Saryati was overjoyed by this miraculous transformation. Cyavana then offered to officiate a religious ceremony for the king and proceeded to prepare for the sacrificial ritual. Despite Indra's objections, Cyavana insisted on offering Soma juice to the Asvins, whom he considered deserving of the offering due to their extraordinary qualities. When Indra threatened to attack him with his thunderbolt, Cyavana paralyzed Indra's arm and summoned a powerful demon named Mada to protect himself.
In defiance of Indra's warning, Cyavana continued with his plan to offer the Soma juice to the Asvins, leading to a confrontation between him and the king of the celestials. As Indra attempted to strike Cyavana with his thunderbolt, the sage immobilized his arm and proceeded with the offering. In retaliation, Cyavana summoned the demon Mada, whose terrifying appearance and immense strength posed a threat to Indra. The demon, with his enormous size and formidable features, faced off against the celestial beings in a fierce battle for supremacy.
Driven by his determination to protect the Asvins and assert their rightful claim to the Soma offering, Cyavana unleashed the demon Mada to confront Indra and his celestial powers. The demon's insatiable appetite and immense strength posed a serious challenge to Indra, who found himself facing a formidable adversary in the form of Mada. As the battle between the celestial and the demon escalated, the world echoed with the sounds of their conflict, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown between the forces of good and evil. Amidst the clash of gods and demons, Cyavana's unwavering resolve and mysterious powers stood as a testament to his dedication to upholding divine justice and protecting those he deemed worthy of honor and respect.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section CXXIV - Cyavana's Sacrificial Ceremony: Clash with Indra and Demon Battle, have a look at the following articles:
Section CXXIV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 31,635 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CXXIV:
What was the reason behind Indra's interdiction of Cyavana's offering to the Asvins?
Indra believed that the Asvins, as healers, were not entitled to the Soma juice.
How did Cyavana challenge Indra and what happened next?
Cyavana ignored Indra's threats and successfully offered the Soma juice to the Asvins.
Who was the demon Mada and how did he come into existence?
Mada was a gigantic demon created by Cyavana's ascetic energy to punish Indra.
Daily life: Cyavana's Sacrificial Ceremony: Clash with Indra and Demon Battle:
This story, derived from ancient mythological texts, teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, standing up for what's right, and the power of self-belief in confronting challenges. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where our decisions or actions are questioned, much like the Asvins' right to receive the Soma juice was challenged by Indra. The narrative encourages us to hold firm in our beliefs and values, even when faced with opposition or when others attempt to diminish our contributions or rights.
Furthermore, the character of Cyavana exemplifies the importance of advocating for others and utilizing one's gifts and strengths to support and uplift those in need. His determination to offer the Soma juice to the Asvins, despite Indra's objections, underlines the significance of recognizing everyone's contributions and rights, advocating for fairness, and respecting the roles and skills each individual brings to the table.
When facing opposition, as Cyavana did from Indra, the story shows the importance of combining wisdom with courage. Cyavana's actions remind us that at times, standing up to authority or prevailing norms requires not just bravery but also a strategic and thoughtful approach.
In essence, integrating these teachings into our daily life means valuing fairness, standing up for ourselves and others against injustice, and using our strengths wisely to overcome challenges. It teaches us that even when faced with great power, the strength of our convictions and our ability to stay true to what we believe is just and right can lead to the resolution of conflicts and the betterment of our community.