Changes

* '''Surapati''' : As a protector, Indra rules over the 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.     

* '''Surapati''' : As a protector, Indra rules over the 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.     

* '''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.     

* '''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.     

* '''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 gopis and gopalas of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra who impounds them with incessant heavy rain.  Similarly, in Mahabharata, Khandavavana dahana, Indra protects his friend, Takshaka from Agni, who wants to burn the forest.   

* '''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.   

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संक्रन्दनो दुश्च्यवनस्तुराषाण्मेघवाहनः। आखण्डलः सहस्राक्ष ऋभुक्षाः ------- ॥ " (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 44)   

संक्रन्दनो दुश्च्यवनस्तुराषाण्मेघवाहनः। आखण्डलः सहस्राक्ष ऋभुक्षाः ------- ॥ " (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 44)   

Indra has many epithets notably:

Like many other deities, Indra is also called by many names - Marutvaan, Maghavaan, Paakashasana, Vriddhasravaaha, Puroohuta, Purandara, शक्र Shakra, Shatamanyu, Sutrama, Vritraha, मेघवाहन Meghavaahana, Vajri, Gotrabhit, Namuchisudhana, Surapati, Sachipati and others.  

* Śakra (शक्र) - powerful one.

* Meghavāhana (मेघवाहन) - he whose cloud is vehicle.

The Rigveda states, (2.12.7)

 

Maharshi Yaska in his Nirukti (10.8) explains the meaning of Indra as follows

Maharshi Yaska in his Nirukti (10.8) explains the meaning of Indra as follows

== 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, 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, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.

=== Yagnarakshaka or Protector of Yagnas : ===

=== Yagnarakshaka 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.