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Indra is also described as a position, which may be achieved by one who performs one hundred asvamedha yajnas.

Indra is also described as a position, which may be achieved by one who performs one hundred asvamedha yajnas.

== परिचयः || Introduction ==

== परिचयः || Introduction ==

Indra, is the most celebrated deity and worshiped since ages in Sanatana Dharma. He is highly revered for his power as a slayer of rakshasas or demons and asuras and protector of rishis and dharma as seen in the Vedas.   

Indra, is the most celebrated deity and worshiped since ages in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातन धर्म)|Sanatana Dharma]]. He is highly revered for his power as a slayer of rakshasas (demons) and asuras, and protector of rishis and dharma as seen in the Vedas.   

In Mahabharata and Puranas, numerous anecdotes of Indra describe his strengths, rivalries, wars, vices, disguises, hasty actions and decisions, often seeking refuge in either Brahma, Vishnu, or Mahadeva for overpowering his adversaries. Apart from all these qualities he is revered for his power and protection of Dharma. Following are the different aspects associated with Indra across the various texts.<ref name=":1">Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

In the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Puranas]], numerous anecdotes of Indra describe his strengths, rivalries, wars, vices, disguises, hasty actions and decisions, often seeking refuge in either Brahma, Vishnu or Mahadeva for overpowering his adversaries. Apart from all these qualities, he is revered for his power and protection of Dharma. Following are the different aspects associated with Indra across the various texts.<ref name=":1">Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

* '''यज्ञपालकः || Yajnapalaka''' : As the Protector of Yajnas, he plays a significant role. There are more than 250 Rk Suktas that glorify Indra by performance of Yajnas and offering of Soma rasa for him, he is the chief receiver to be pleased at any Yajna.  

* '''यज्ञपालकः || Yajnapalaka''' : As the Protector of Yajnas, he plays a significant role. There are more than 250 Rk Suktas that glorify Indra by performance of Yajnas and offering of Soma rasa for him, he is the chief receiver to be pleased at any Yajna.  

* '''सुरपतिः ||''' '''Surapati''' : As a protector, Indra rules over the earth and heavens, suras or devatas including Maruthas and other beings such as Gandharvaas, Apsaraas, Asuraas and Rakshasas, He is the master of all these entities including nishadas.     

* '''सुरपतिः ||''' '''Surapati''' : As a protector, Indra rules over the earth and heavens, suras (devatas) including Maruts and other beings such as Gandharvas, Apsaras, Asuras and Rakshasas. He is the master of all these entities including nishadas.     

* '''स्वर्गाधिपतिः || Svargaadhipati''' : He is engaged in a constant vigil to protect Svargaloka which is the home for all ratnas (gems or treasures) and nidhis (divine heavenly treasures) such as Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree studded with precious stones), Amrita (nectar),  Kaamadhenu (divine wish-fulfilling cow), Airavata (divine elephant), Ucchaisravasa (divine horse), and Parijatavriksha (divine flowering tree with unfading flowers) among other things.     

* '''स्वर्गाधिपतिः || Svargadhipati''' : He is engaged in a constant vigil to protect Svargaloka which is the home for all ratnas (gems or treasures) and nidhis (divine heavenly treasures) such as Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree studded with precious stones), Amrita (nectar),  Kamadhenu (divine wish-fulfilling cow), Airavata (divine elephant), Ucchaishravas (उच्चैश्रवस् । divine horse), and Parijata vrksha (divine flowering tree with unfading flowers) among other things.     

* '''मरुतवान् ||''' '''Marutavaan''' : As the presiding devata for clouds and rain, He also controls thunder, lightning, and his discord is often seen as heavy downpour and thunderstorms. In Shrimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavan Srikrishna protects the residents of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra who impounds them with incessant heavy rain for refusing to worship Him. Similarly, in Mahabharata, Khandavavana dahana, Indra protects his friend, Takshaka from Agni, who wants to burn the forest.<ref name=":1" />   

* '''मरुतवान् ||''' '''Marutavan''' : As the presiding devata for clouds and rain, he also controls thunder, lightning, and his discord is often seen as heavy downpour and thunderstorms. In Shrimad Bhagavata, Bhagavan Srikrishna protects the residents of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra who impounds them with incessant heavy rain for refusing to worship him. Similarly, in Mahabharata, in Khandava vana dahana (खाण्डववनदहनम्), Indra protects his friend, Takshaka from Agni, who wants to burn the forest.<ref name=":1" />   

* '''गोरक्षकः ||''' '''Gorakshaka :''' He plays a chief role in the retrieval of the cows hidden by Panis in the mountains. Angirasa rushi the "padajna" helps him locate the cows and then he fights Panis to bring them back.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>   

* '''गोरक्षकः ||''' '''Gorakshaka :''' He plays a chief role in the retrieval of the cows hidden by Panis in the mountains. Angirasa rishi the "padajna" helps him locate the cows and then he fights Panis to bring them back.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>   

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 41- 44)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha] (Page No 9 and 10)</ref>

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 41- 44)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha] (Page No 9 and 10)</ref>