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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 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.  

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 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.  

* '''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 devata who shines as the light in the sky of the heart of all living entities.  

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

* '''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 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.   

* '''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.   

*

* '''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. 

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 41- 44)  

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 41- 44)  

In the Puranas, the significance of Indra is limited as the protector of Devaloka, whose activities are restricted to safeguarding his position as Indra. In the continuous battle between devathas and asuras, Indra stands as the leader of devathas. Indra fights many asuras namely, Vritra, Namuchi, Sushnaha, Sambhara, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.

In the Puranas, the significance of Indra is limited as the protector of Devaloka, whose activities are restricted to safeguarding his position as Indra. In the continuous battle between devathas and asuras, Indra stands as the leader of devathas. Indra fights many asuras namely, Vritra, Namuchi, Sushnaha, Sambhara, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.

The following Rig Veda mantras (2.12.1 to 15) describe the greatness of Indra.  <blockquote>यो जात एव प्रथमो मनस्वान् देवो देवान् क्रतुना पर्यभूषत् | यस्य शुष्माद् रोदसी अभ्यसेतां नृम्णस्य मह्ना स जनास इन्द्रः || 1</blockquote><blockquote>yō jāta ēva prathamō manasvān dēvō dēvān kratunā paryabhūṣat | yasya śuṣmād rōdasī abhyasētāṁ nr̥mṇasya mahnā sa janāsa indraḥ || 1</blockquote><blockquote>Summary : As soon as he was born, who was decorated as the Chief of Devas, know that he is Indra.</blockquote><blockquote>यः पर्थिवीं व्यथमानाम दृंहद् यः पर्वतान् प्रकुपिताँ अरम्णात् | यो अन्तरिक्षं विममे वरीयो यो दयामस्तभ्नात् स जनास इन्द्रः || 2</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ parthivīṁ vyathamānāma dr̥ṁhad yaḥ parvatān prakupitām̐ aramṇāt | yō antarikṣaṁ vimamē varīyō yō dayāmastabhnāt sa janāsa indraḥ || 2</blockquote><blockquote>Summary : He who gave relief to the earth from distress, one who laid at rest the mountains (from flying), who supported the heavens, know that he is Indra.</blockquote><blockquote>यो हत्वाहिमरिणात सप्त सिन्धून् यो गा उदाजदपधा वलस्य | यो अश्मनोरन्तरग्निं जजान संवृक् समत्सु स जनास इन्द्रः || 3</blockquote><blockquote>yō hatvāhimariṇāta sapta sindhūna yō gā udājadapadhā valasya | yō aśmanōrantaragniṁ jajāna saṁvr̥k samatsu sa janāsa indraḥ || 3</blockquote><blockquote>येनेमा विश्वा च्यवना कृतानि यो दासं वर्णमधरंगुहाकः | श्वघ्नीव यो जिगीवाँ लक्षमाददर्यः पुष्टानि स जनास इन्द्रः || 4</blockquote><blockquote>यं स्मा पृच्छन्ति कुह सेति घोरमुतेमाहुर्नैषो अस्तीत्येनम् | सो अर्यः पुष्तीर्विज इवा मिनाति श्रदस्मै धत्त स जनास इन्द्रः || 5</blockquote><blockquote>यो रध्रस्य चोदिता यः कृशस्य यो ब्रह्मणो नाधमानस्य कीरेः | युक्तग्राव्णो योऽविता सुशिप्रः सुतसोमस्य स जनास इन्द्रः || 6</blockquote><blockquote>यस्याश्वासः प्रदिशि यस्य गावो यस्य ग्रामा यस्य विश्वे रथासः | यः सूर्यं य उषसं जजान यो अपां नेता स जनास इन्द्रः || 7</blockquote><blockquote>यं क्रन्दसी संयती विह्वयेते परेऽवर उभया अमित्राः | समानं चिद् रथमातस्थिवांसा नाना हवेते स जनास इन्द्रः || 8</blockquote><blockquote>यस्मान्न ऋते विजयन्ते जनासो यं युध्यमाना अवसे हवन्ते | यो विश्वस्य प्रतिमानं बभूव यो अच्युतच्युत् स जनास इन्द्रः || 9</blockquote><blockquote>यः शश्वतो मह्येनो दधानानमन्यमानाञ्छर्वा जघान | यः शर्धते नानुददाति शृध्यां यो दस्योर्हन्ता स जनास इन्द्रः || 10</blockquote><blockquote>यः शम्बरं पर्वतेषु क्षियन्तं चत्वारिंश्यां शरद्यन्वविन्दत् | ओजायमानं यो अहिं जघान दानुं शयानं स जनास इन्द्रः || 11</blockquote><blockquote>यः सप्तरश्मिर्वृषभस्तुविष्मानवासृजत् सर्तवे सप्तसिन्धून् | यो रौहिणमस्फुरद् वज्रबाहुर्द्यामारोहन्तं स जनास इन्द्रः || 12</blockquote><blockquote>दयावा चिदस्मै पृथवी नमेते शुष्माच्चिदस्य पर्वता भयन्ते | यः सोमपा निचितो वज्रबाहुर्यो वज्रहस्तः स जनास इन्द्रः || 13</blockquote><blockquote>यः सुन्वन्तमवति यः पचन्तं यः शंसन्तं यः शशमानमूती | यस्य ब्रह्म वर्धनं यस्य सोमो यस्येदं राधः स जनास इन्द्रः || 14</blockquote><blockquote>यः सुन्वते पचते दुध्र आ चिद वाजं दर्दर्षि स किलासि सत्यः | वयं त इन्द्र विश्वह परियासः सुवीरासो विदथमा वदेम || 15</blockquote>

The following Rig Veda mantras (2.12.1 to 15) describe the greatness of Indra.  <blockquote>यो जात एव प्रथमो मनस्वान् देवो देवान् क्रतुना पर्यभूषत् | यस्य शुष्माद् रोदसी अभ्यसेतां नृम्णस्य मह्ना स जनास इन्द्रः || 1</blockquote><blockquote>yō jāta ēva prathamō manasvān dēvō dēvān kratunā paryabhūṣat | yasya śuṣmād rōdasī abhyasētāṁ nr̥mṇasya mahnā sa janāsa indraḥ || 1</blockquote>Summary : As soon as he was born, who was decorated as the Chief of Devas, know that he is Indra.<blockquote>यः पर्थिवीं व्यथमानाम दृंहद् यः पर्वतान् प्रकुपिताँ अरम्णात् | यो अन्तरिक्षं विममे वरीयो यो दयामस्तभ्नात् स जनास इन्द्रः || 2</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ parthivīṁ vyathamānāma dr̥ṁhad yaḥ parvatān prakupitām̐ aramṇāt | yō antarikṣaṁ vimamē varīyō yō dayāmastabhnāt sa janāsa indraḥ || 2</blockquote>Summary : He who gave relief to the earth from distress, one who laid at rest the mountains (from flying), who supported the heavens, know that he is Indra.<blockquote>यो हत्वाहिमरिणात सप्त सिन्धून् यो गा उदाजदपधा वलस्य | यो अश्मनोरन्तरग्निं जजान संवृक् समत्सु स जनास इन्द्रः || 3</blockquote><blockquote>yō hatvāhimariṇāta sapta sindhūna yō gā udājadapadhā valasya | yō aśmanōrantaragniṁ jajāna saṁvr̥k samatsu sa janāsa indraḥ || 3</blockquote>Summary : He who killed the himarina to free the sapta sindhu (seven rivers) and brought out the cows from the caves of Vala. He who brought forth Agni from two stones, know that he is Indra.<blockquote>येनेमा विश्वा च्यवना कृतानि यो दासं वर्णमधरंगुहाकः | श्वघ्नीव यो जिगीवाँ लक्षमाददर्यः पुष्टानि स जनास इन्द्रः || 4</blockquote><blockquote>यं स्मा पृच्छन्ति कुह सेति घोरमुतेमाहुर्नैषो अस्तीत्येनम् | सो अर्यः पुष्तीर्विज इवा मिनाति श्रदस्मै धत्त स जनास इन्द्रः || 5</blockquote><blockquote>यो रध्रस्य चोदिता यः कृशस्य यो ब्रह्मणो नाधमानस्य कीरेः | युक्तग्राव्णो योऽविता सुशिप्रः सुतसोमस्य स जनास इन्द्रः || 6</blockquote><blockquote>यस्याश्वासः प्रदिशि यस्य गावो यस्य ग्रामा यस्य विश्वे रथासः | यः सूर्यं य उषसं जजान यो अपां नेता स जनास इन्द्रः || 7</blockquote><blockquote>यं क्रन्दसी संयती विह्वयेते परेऽवर उभया अमित्राः | समानं चिद् रथमातस्थिवांसा नाना हवेते स जनास इन्द्रः || 8</blockquote><blockquote>यस्मान्न ऋते विजयन्ते जनासो यं युध्यमाना अवसे हवन्ते | यो विश्वस्य प्रतिमानं बभूव यो अच्युतच्युत् स जनास इन्द्रः || 9</blockquote><blockquote>यः शश्वतो मह्येनो दधानानमन्यमानाञ्छर्वा जघान | यः शर्धते नानुददाति शृध्यां यो दस्योर्हन्ता स जनास इन्द्रः || 10</blockquote><blockquote>यः शम्बरं पर्वतेषु क्षियन्तं चत्वारिंश्यां शरद्यन्वविन्दत् | ओजायमानं यो अहिं जघान दानुं शयानं स जनास इन्द्रः || 11</blockquote><blockquote>यः सप्तरश्मिर्वृषभस्तुविष्मानवासृजत् सर्तवे सप्तसिन्धून् | यो रौहिणमस्फुरद् वज्रबाहुर्द्यामारोहन्तं स जनास इन्द्रः || 12</blockquote><blockquote>दयावा चिदस्मै पृथवी नमेते शुष्माच्चिदस्य पर्वता भयन्ते | यः सोमपा निचितो वज्रबाहुर्यो वज्रहस्तः स जनास इन्द्रः || 13</blockquote><blockquote>यः सुन्वन्तमवति यः पचन्तं यः शंसन्तं यः शशमानमूती | यस्य ब्रह्म वर्धनं यस्य सोमो यस्येदं राधः स जनास इन्द्रः || 14</blockquote><blockquote>यः सुन्वते पचते दुध्र आ चिद वाजं दर्दर्षि स किलासि सत्यः | वयं त इन्द्र विश्वह परियासः सुवीरासो विदथमा वदेम || 15</blockquote>

=== शक्रः || Shakra ===

=== शक्रः || Shakra ===

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.  

=== '''Lokapalaka'''  ===

=== लोकपालकः || '''Lokapalaka'''  ===

Rig Veda mantra 2.12.2 explains that Indra rules over the worlds, including Antariksha and Vyoma and without Indra there is no stability for any planet.  

Rig Veda mantra 2.12.2 explains that Indra rules over the worlds, including Antariksha and Vyoma and without Indra there is no stability for any planet.  

=== रक्षकः ===

=== रक्षकः || Rakshaka ===

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita states “paritranaya sadhunam vinasa ya ca dushkirtam” about protecting the sadhus and destroying the demons. Similarly, Indra is glorified in many mantras of Rig Veda, for his might and strength to protect all from Dasyus,Asuras and Rakshasas.  

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita states “paritranaya sadhunam vinasa ya ca dushkirtam” about protecting the sadhus and destroying the demons. Similarly, Indra is glorified in many mantras of Rig Veda, for his might and strength to protect all from Dasyus, Asuras and Rakshasas. Indra fights many asuras namely, Vritra, Namuchi, Sushnaha, Sambhara, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.  

स वज्रभृद् दस्युहा भीम उग्रः सहस्रचेताः शतनीथ ऋभ्वा | चम्रीषो न शवसा पाञ्चजन्यो मरुत्वान् नो भवत्विन्द्र ऊती || (Rig. Veda. 1.100.12)

स वज्रभृद् दस्युहा भीम उग्रः सहस्रचेताः शतनीथ ऋभ्वा | चम्रीषो न शवसा पाञ्चजन्यो मरुत्वान् नो भवत्विन्द्र ऊती || (Rig. Veda. 1.100.12)