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* Indra wields a lightning thunderbolt known as [[Vajraayudha]]. He rides on a white elephant known as Airavata. His horse's name is Uchchaihshravas|Uchchaihshrava.   
 
* Indra wields a lightning thunderbolt known as [[Vajraayudha]]. He rides on a white elephant known as Airavata. His horse's name is Uchchaihshravas|Uchchaihshrava.   
 
* Sachi or Indrani, Pulomaja  is the consort of Indra, Jayanta is the son and Devasena is the daughter of Indra.  Devasena is the wife of Subrahmanya, son of Maheshwara.  
 
* Sachi or Indrani, Pulomaja  is the consort of Indra, Jayanta is the son and Devasena is the daughter of Indra.  Devasena is the wife of Subrahmanya, son of Maheshwara.  
=== वृत्रासुरवध || Vrtrasura Vadha ===
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=== वृत्रहा || Vrttraha ===
 
There are more than 250 Rig veda suktas that glorify Indra. Indra as the protector of his position and as the protector of devas, rishis, yagnas and cattle, is constantly engaged in battles with various asuras who throw obstacles in the performance of yagnas. Rig veda glorifies Indra for the slaying of one such asura namely Vrttrasura.     
 
There are more than 250 Rig veda suktas that glorify Indra. Indra as the protector of his position and as the protector of devas, rishis, yagnas and cattle, is constantly engaged in battles with various asuras who throw obstacles in the performance of yagnas. Rig veda glorifies Indra for the slaying of one such asura namely Vrttrasura.     
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The Rig Veda sukta 1.80.1-16 describes the war of Indra against Vrttrasura. Indra's power and strength in wielding the Vajraayudha is beautifully described in these mantras.    
 
The Rig Veda sukta 1.80.1-16 describes the war of Indra against Vrttrasura. Indra's power and strength in wielding the Vajraayudha is beautifully described in these mantras.    
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Under the leadership of Vrttrasura, his followers the Kaalakeyas and other rakshasas besieged the Devatas. The battle raged for a long time but Vrttra was invincible. Devatas along with Indra approach Mahavishnu for a solution to kill Vrttraasura. Mahavishnu informs them that Vrttra can be killed only with the bone of Dadhichi rushi. Thereby from the bones of Dadichi rushi, Indra prepares his weapon called "Vajra", and with a fatal stroke of Vajra, Vrttra falls dead. Hence Indra gets the name वृत्रहा || Vrttaha. (Mahabharata. Vana Parva. Chap 101, Verses 14, 15. Santi Parva. Chap 281. Verses 13 -21)    
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Under the leadership of Vrttrasura, his followers the Kaalakeyas and other rakshasas besieged the Devatas. The battle raged for a long time but Vrttra was invincible. Devatas along with Indra approach Mahavishnu for a solution to kill Vrttraasura. Mahavishnu informs them that Vrttra can be killed only with the bone of Dadhichi rushi. Thereby from the bones of Dadichi rushi, Indra prepares his weapon called "Vajra", and with a fatal stroke of Vajra, Vrttra falls dead. Hence Indra gets the name वृत्रहा || Vrttraha. (Mahabharata. Vana Parva. Chap 101, Verses 14, 15. Santi Parva. Chap 281. Verses 13 -21)    
    
By killing Vrttrasura, Indra incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. He goes to the Maanasasarovara to expiate for the sin. It was at that time that King Nahusha, takes the place of Indra. Cursed by Agastya rushi, Nahusha becomes a serpent and goes back to earth, then the Devatas reinstate Indra as Lokapalaka. (Mahabharata Udyoga parva Chap. 18).  According to Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda 24 Sarga), Devatas take Indra to Sarayu river for a holy bath to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya.    
 
By killing Vrttrasura, Indra incurred the sin of Brahmahatya. He goes to the Maanasasarovara to expiate for the sin. It was at that time that King Nahusha, takes the place of Indra. Cursed by Agastya rushi, Nahusha becomes a serpent and goes back to earth, then the Devatas reinstate Indra as Lokapalaka. (Mahabharata Udyoga parva Chap. 18).  According to Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda 24 Sarga), Devatas take Indra to Sarayu river for a holy bath to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya.    

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