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'''Indra''' (Samskrit: इन्द्रः) is the adhipati (leader) of the Devas and rules Svargaloka, also called as Amaravati. He is the deva of rain and thunderstorms. Indra is the most important deity worshiped in the Rig veda mantras, and innumerable, anecdotes, legends and events are connected with Him, through different yugas or ages.  Indra is also described as a position, which may be achieved by one who performs one hundred aswamedha yagnas.   

'''Indra''' (Samskrit: इन्द्रः) is the adhipati (leader) of the Devas and rules Svargaloka, also called as Amaravati. He is the deva of rain and thunderstorms. Indra is the most important deity worshiped in the Rig veda mantras, and innumerable, anecdotes, legends and events are connected with Him, through different yugas or ages.  Indra is also described as a position, which may be achieved by one who performs one hundred aswamedha yagnas.   

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || 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 and asuras and protector of rishis and dharma as seen in the Rig Veda. Indra is also famous for his hasty actions and decisions, seeking refuge with either Brahma, Vishnu, or Mahadeva for

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 and asuras and protector of rishis and dharma as seen in the Vedas.

wields a lightning thunderbolt known as ''vajra'' and rides on a white elephant known as Airavata. His horse's name is Uchchaihshravas|Uchchaihshrava. His home is situated on Mount Meru in the heavens. He is celebrated as a demiurge who pushes up the sky, releases Ushas (dawn) from the Vala (Vedic)|Vala cave, and slays Vritra|Vṛtra; both latter actions are central to the Soma sacrifice.

In Mahabharata and Puranas, numerous anecdotes of Indra describe his rivalries, wars, vices, disguises, hasty actions and decisions, often seeking refuge in either Brahma, Vishnu, or Mahadeva for overcoming 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.  

* Yagna paripalaka : As the Protector of Yagnas, he plays a significant role. There are more than 250 Rk Suktas that glorify Indra. He is the deva who shines as the light in the sky of the heart of all living entities.

* Devaloka paripalaka: As a protector, he rules over the Maruthas, and other beings such as Gandharvaas, Apsaraas, devas, asuraas and rakshasas, He is the master of all these entities including nishadas. He is engaged in constant vigil to protect Devaloka which is the home for all the siddhis and 

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

Dha root word means to supply or nourish. Because Indra pours rain water in the form of plants and he provides food.  For grains to grow in the form of plants, the earth has to be very favorable, when bhumi devi becomes coarse and hard, agriculture is not possible. A farmer tills the land with the plough piercing the land, Indra establishes the dharma “iram utpadayatum karshaka mukhe kena bhumi vidarayati iti indrayaha” 

Dha root word means to supply or nourish. Because Indra pours rain water in the form of plants and he provides food.  For grains to grow in the form of plants, the earth has to be very favorable, when bhumi devi becomes coarse and hard, agriculture is not possible. A farmer tills the land with the plough piercing the land, Indra establishes the dharma “iram utpadayatum karshaka mukhe kena bhumi vidarayati iti indrayaha” 

Similarly “yashyanvam yaganushtayinam  adarayitham bhayasya parihartha” those who are performers of yajna when they worship them, he respects them and by that he dispels their fear. In that sense the Indra word is connected to rakshaka or protector. It’s a same meaning. In this way all the words from Niruktha have been collected by Sayana from Rk Samhita 1.3.4’s commentary.

Similarly “yashyanvam yaganushtayinam  adarayitham bhayasya parihartha” those who are performers of yajna when they worship them, he respects them and by that he dispels their fear. In that sense the Indra word is connected to rakshaka or protector. It’s a same meaning. In this way all the words from Niruktha have been collected by Sayana from Rk Samhita 1.3.4’s commentary.

== Indra in Vedas ==

== Indra in Vedas ==

In the Vedic literature, Indra has a very significant position. In the continuous battle between devathas and asuras, Indra stands as the leader of devathas. This aspect of Indra is described in Vedas in many places. According to vedic literature, Indra fights many asuras namely, Vritra, Namuchi, Sushnaha, Samabara, Hegrew, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.

In the Vedic literature, Indra has a very significant position. In the continuous battle between devathas and asuras, Indra stands as the leader of devathas. This aspect of Indra is described in Vedas in many places. According to vedic literature, Indra fights many asuras namely, Vritra, Namuchi, Sushnaha, Samabara, Hegrew, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.

=== Yagna paripalaka or Protector of Yagnas : ===

=== Yagna paripalaka or Protector of Yagnas : ===

There are more than 250 Rk Suktas that glorify Indra. He is the deva who shines as the light in the sky of the heart of all living entities. And realization of Indra is very difficult. “nahinu yadadhi masindrako viryaparaha tasmin ramnamuta kritam deva ojamsi sandhadu racanu anu swarajyam” Rk Samhita 180.15. 

There are more than 250 Rk Suktas that glorify Indra. He is the deva who shines as the light in the sky of the heart of all living entities. And realization of Indra is very difficult. “nahinu yadadhi masindrako viryaparaha tasmin ramnamuta kritam deva ojamsi sandhadu racanu anu swarajyam” Rk Samhita 180.15. 

Meaning: One who is dreadfully splendorous, while holding the thunderbolt which is powerful against the enemies and Indra’s power to control Dasyus  who are thorns to society and has power to control enemies and has power to understand everything and full of energy. This is the one aspect of Indra. (to punish the wrongdoers). Those who understand him, the men of wisdom to be kind and to provide all kinds of protection to them with his power is another aspect of Indra. 

Meaning: One who is dreadfully splendorous, while holding the thunderbolt which is powerful against the enemies and Indra’s power to control Dasyus  who are thorns to society and has power to control enemies and has power to understand everything and full of energy. This is the one aspect of Indra. (to punish the wrongdoers). Those who understand him, the men of wisdom to be kind and to provide all kinds of protection to them with his power is another aspect of Indra. 

=== Devagana paripalaka or Leader of Devaganas ===

=== Devagana paripalaka or Leader of Devaganas ===

As a protector he also holds influence on the Maruthas, and other beings such as Gandharvaas, Apsaraas, devas, asuraas and rakshasas, He is the master of all these entities including nishadas.

As a protector he also holds influence on the Maruthas, and other beings such as Gandharvaas, Apsaraas, devas, asuraas and rakshasas, He is the master of all these entities including nishadas.

Sishtajana paripalana or Protection of Dharmikas

=== Sishtajana paripalana or Protection of Dharmikas ===

 

Just like in the Gita: “paritranaya sadhunam vinasa ya ca dushkirtam” this mantra teaches us about protecting the sadhus and destroying the demons. This is the bhagavat Karya or the activities of the bhagavantha. “sa vajra brudhasyuva bhima ugraha sahasra cheta shatanidha rudhva chamrishona chavasa panchajanyo marutvanyo bhavtindra utihi” Rk Samhita 1.100.912

Just like in the Gita: “paritranaya sadhunam vinasa ya ca dushkirtam” this mantra teaches us about protecting the sadhus and destroying the demons. This is the bhagavat Karya or the activities of the bhagavantha. “sa vajra brudhasyuva bhima ugraha sahasra cheta shatanidha rudhva chamrishona chavasa panchajanyo marutvanyo bhavtindra utihi” Rk Samhita 1.100.912

=== Krodha of Indra ===

=== Krodha of Indra ===

Indra is always associated with the Marutganas and guided by rishis. Yet sometimes without understanding the greatness of Indra, they neglect him and worship the devathas who are lesser than him. This causes distress to Indra and this is expressed in one of the mantras. He is the Vishwapati, the master of entire universe.  He is the inner dwelling soul of all the devathas and governs the fruits of all of our activities. 

Indra is always associated with the Marutganas and guided by rishis. Yet sometimes without understanding the greatness of Indra, they neglect him and worship the devathas who are lesser than him. This causes distress to Indra and this is expressed in one of the mantras. He is the Vishwapati, the master of entire universe.  He is the inner dwelling soul of all the devathas and governs the fruits of all of our activities. 

He is expressing his distress, being the master of the devathas, master of all planetary systems and who is supposed to be worshipped but unfortunately the purushadhamas the lowest of human beings, they worship other devas or the ordinary men of this world. In this way Indra himself who is the personification or one aspect of the Supreme lord he himself is expressing his distress in one of the Veda mantras “nunamasti noshvaha kastad vedaya tadbhutam anyas chittamabhi sancharanya uddatitam vinashyati” Rk Samhita 1.170.1

He is expressing his distress, being the master of the devathas, master of all planetary systems and who is supposed to be worshipped but unfortunately the purushadhamas the lowest of human beings, they worship other devas or the ordinary men of this world. In this way Indra himself who is the personification or one aspect of the Supreme lord he himself is expressing his distress in one of the Veda mantras “nunamasti noshvaha kastad vedaya tadbhutam anyas chittamabhi sancharanya uddatitam vinashyati” Rk Samhita 1.170.1

=== Agastya Rushi and Indra: ===

=== Agastya Rushi and Indra: ===

Once, Agastya rushi offered the havishya or oblation to Maruta which was meant for Indra.  When Indra came to know, he became distressed and expressed in this mantra and this episode is quoted by Yaska in Niruktha 1.5 and Saunaka in Brhad devatha in 4.50. 

Once, Agastya rushi offered the havishya or oblation to Maruta which was meant for Indra.  When Indra came to know, he became distressed and expressed in this mantra and this episode is quoted by Yaska in Niruktha 1.5 and Saunaka in Brhad devatha in 4.50. 

“Oh Indra! You are the master or the lord of everything that is connected to yajna (or the master of the ashta vasus) similarly you are the master of the mitras, you are our(mitras) sustainer.  Please bestow your blessings upon us  -- you and Marut devathas together bestow your mercy so that our yajnas can be completed.  Please accept the oblations of those yajnas that are performed in different seasons and be satisfied.”

“Oh Indra! You are the master or the lord of everything that is connected to yajna (or the master of the ashta vasus) similarly you are the master of the mitras, you are our(mitras) sustainer.  Please bestow your blessings upon us  -- you and Marut devathas together bestow your mercy so that our yajnas can be completed.  Please accept the oblations of those yajnas that are performed in different seasons and be satisfied.”

== Indra’s glory ==

== Indra’s glory ==

'''Yagna jyestha:''' supreme lord be satisfied with our yajna. Not only this, Agastya prayed Indra stora in a very relevant way. Indra is the best of the devathas. It is mentioned in Rg veda 2.16.1: “satam jeshta tamaya”

'''Yagna jyestha:''' supreme lord be satisfied with our yajna. Not only this, Agastya prayed Indra stora in a very relevant way. Indra is the best of the devathas. It is mentioned in Rg veda 2.16.1: “satam jeshta tamaya”