Vritra's four-verse prayer on the battlefield — Skandha 6, adhyayas 11-12 — The dragon-demon Indra must kill turns out to be a fierce devotee who longs for the Lord's feet as a wingless bird longs for its mother.
Lakshmi's choice, Dhanvantari's jar, and Mohini's nectar — Skandha 8, adhyayas 8-12 — From the churned sea rise Lakshmi and the jar of nectar; Mohini enchants the demons into handing it over, and later bewilders Shiva himself.
Vamana arrives at King Bali's horse sacrifice — Skandha 8, adhyayas 15-19 — To a demon emperor who has conquered heaven comes a radiant brahmana boy with umbrella and waterpot, asking only for three paces of earth.
Indra's pride broken and the coronation of Govinda — Skandha 10, adhyayas 26-27 — As the cowherds wonder who Nanda's child really is, Indra falls in secret at Krishna's feet and Surabhi bathes him as Govinda.
Embodies
Pride humbled — Brahma, Indra and the sage Durvasa each try to measure the Lord, and each one ends up on his knees asking pardon.
Surrender and grace — Rescue comes when strength runs out: the elephant, the queen and the king are saved at the point they stop relying on themselves.
Questions to explore
Why does Indra, the king of the gods, so often act out of insecurity and pride in the Bhagavatam?
Why did Indra need the bones of Sage Dadhichi to forge the vajra thunderbolt?
What did Indra say when he fell at Krishna's feet after the seven days of Govardhana?
