We are all Indras

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Latha

 

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Indra, the king of the gods in the Vedic pantheon, had a

desire— to experience earthly delights again. And what could be more earthly

than to live in the dirt… like a pig.

 

He came down to earth and incarnated as a swine. He grew up in a good

neighborhood, fell in love with a sweet little piggy from a good

family, and set up pigsty with her. Together, they raised a large

litter of adorable pink piglets, trotting and rooting in the family

sty. Years passed, unnoticed by Indra who was completely engrossed in

his little piggy joy.

 

"This has gone on long enough!" The gods were missing their

king in heaven, and they were starting to be concerned.

 

"Shouldn't we try to bring him back?"

 

A delegation came down to earth and surrounded our prosperous pig

with heavenly light.

 

"Now, Lord Indra, it is time to put an end to this play. Kindly

come back with us and resume your heavenly duties."

 

The little pig stared blankly into the distance. Indra had been so

engrossed in the joy of his little swine life, that he could not

understand what was happening.

 

The gods' voice grew urgent. "You are not a pig, you are our

Lord, king of the gods. O Indra, wake up and remember!"

 

"That's it. I am hallucinating. Must have over-exerted myself

in the mudpit. I think I'll go and have a lie down before dinner."

 

And he turned to trot on home, back to his little sty.

 

Exasperated, one of the gods grabbed the hog by his curly tail, and

lifted him up to his face.

 

"Look here, Lord. This has gone too far. You-are-not-a-pig!"

 

"Oink oink oink" squealed the pig in terror, thrashing its

trotters in the air. "This hallucination is rather brutal," he thought.

 

The gods looked at each other. "We have no other choice, it

seems."

 

They ripped his carcass apart, and out came Lord Indra, laughing

heartily.

 

"Oh my friends, you will never believe the strange dream I've

had!"