‘Yudhishthira said, "O foremost of monarchs, I desire to know how it was that the illustrious Indra, together with his queen, had to endure such great and unparalleled misery."’ ।। 5-9-1 ।।
‘Śalya said, "Listen, O king, as I recount this ancient tale of events long past—how, O descendant of Bharata, misery befell Indra and his consort."’ ।। 5-9-2 ।।
‘Once Twashtri, lord of creatures and foremost among the celestials, was engaged in austere penances. It is said that, out of antipathy toward Indra, he created a son with three heads.’ ।। 5-9-3 ।।
‘And that being of universal form, possessed of great splendour, coveted Indra's seat. Endowed with three formidable faces, resembling the sun, the moon, and fire he threatened to overthrow him.’ ।। 5-9-4 ।।
‘He read the Vedas with one mouth, drank wine with the second, and gazed with the third as though he could encompass all the cardinal directions.’ ।। 5-9-5 ।।