Tag Indra

Karna Denied Food in Swarga Mahalaya Paksha

Mahalaya Paksha is called the Pitru Paksha where the ancestors are remembered and offered the Tharpana.

One of legends for the Pitru Paksha is as follows.

After Karna was slain in the Mahabharata War, he ascended to heavens, Swarga.

There he was offered god and Silver every day but never Food.

He asked Indra, the chief of Devas for the reason.

Indra informed him that though Karna had given away whatever he had to those who had asked him, he never donated Food.

And if Karna were to get food in Swarga, he has to donate Food.

Dhundhu attacked Indra to capture Indra Loka and Indra, along with the Devas ,rushed to Brahma Loka, the Abode of Brahma.

On being advised that he needed the help of Sukracharya, the Asura Guru, Dundhu obtained Sukracharya's help.

Sukracharya advised Dhundu to perform 100 Aswamedha Yagas.

Dhundhu started performing the Yaga.

Scared Devas, catching the whiff of the Homa Smoke, rushed to Vishnu seeking refuge in Him.

Vishnu in took the form of Vamana (Midget) and pretended to commit suicide near the place where the Yaga was being conducted.

The Brahmins who were conducting the Yaga, saved the Brahmin boy Vamana and asked him the reason for his attempted suicide.