− | The most important work of Indra is to stop those energies and powers which are against the flow of life or creation. The Vedas describe a continuous battle between Asuras (demons) and suras (devas). Every moments result of the battle decides whether there will be flow of life or a regression. There are varieties in the asuric powers or asuric energy. Amongst them [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] is the most important<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>. Mention of Vrtra and Indra's story has been made extensively in vedas and vedic literature. | + | The most important work of Indra is to stop those energies and powers which are against the flow of life or creation. The Vedas describe a continuous battle between Asuras (demons) and suras (devas). Every moments result of the battle decides whether there will be flow of life or a regression. There are varieties in the asuric powers or asuric energy. Amongst them [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] is the most important<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>. Extensive mention of Vrtra and Indra's story is seen in vedas and vedic literature. |
− | Many definitions as per Nirukta (10.8) <ref>http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/</ref> for example : इरां ददातीति वा ॥ irāṁ dadātīti vā, indicate Indra's association with water, clouds and winds. Through the study of the water cycle, one can understand the formation of rain and the inter-relativity of sun, clouds and water precipitation. From the following mantras of Rig Veda, it can be understood that the natural phenomenon of clouds, lighting and rains have been minutely studied and water cycle was well established during the vedic period. Astrologically also the correlation of nakshtra constellations with the formation of clouds and rains have been identified. Nirukta also mentions thus | + | Many definitions as per Nirukta (10.8) <ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 10])</ref> for example : इरां ददातीति वा ॥ irāṁ dadātīti vā, indicate Indra's association with water, clouds and winds. Through the study of the water cycle, one can understand the formation of rain and the inter-relativity of sun, clouds and water precipitation. From the following mantras of Rig Veda, it can be understood that the natural phenomenon of clouds, lighting and rains have been minutely studied and water cycle was well established during the vedic period. Astrologically also the correlation of nakshtra constellations with the formation of clouds and rains have been identified. Nirukta also mentions thus |
| अपां च ज्योतिषः च मिश्रीभावकर्मणः वर्षकर्म जायते । rains occur due to the interrelated activities of water and sun (Niru. 2.16)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref> | | अपां च ज्योतिषः च मिश्रीभावकर्मणः वर्षकर्म जायते । rains occur due to the interrelated activities of water and sun (Niru. 2.16)<ref>Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2])</ref> |