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Indra (इन्द्रः) (view source)

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

* '''सुरपतिः ||''' '''Surapati''' : As a protector, Indra rules over the earth and heavens, suras (devatas) including Maruts and other beings such as Gandharvas, Apsaras, Asuras and Rakshasas. He is the master of all these entities including nishadas.

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* '''स्वर्गाधिपतिः || Svargadhipati''' : 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), Kamadhenu (divine wish-fulfilling cow), Airavata (divine elephant), Ucchaishravas (उच्चैश्रवस् । divine horse), and Parijata vrksha (divine flowering tree with unfading flowers) among other things.

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* '''स्वर्गाधिपतिः || Svargadhipati''' : 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), Kamadhenu (divine wish-fulfilling cow), Airavata (divine elephant), Ucchaishravas (उच्चैश्रवस् । divine horse), and Parijata vrksha (divine flowering tree with unfading flowers) among other things.

* '''मरुतवान् ||''' '''Marutavan''' : 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 Bhagavata, 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, in Khandava vana dahana (खाण्डववनदहनम्), Indra protects his friend, Takshaka from Agni, who wants to burn the forest.<ref name=":1" />

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* '''गोरक्षकः ||''' '''Gorakshaka :''' He plays a chief role in the retrieval of the cows hidden by Panis in the mountains. Angirasa rishi the "padajna" helps him locate the cows and then he fights Panis to bring them back.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>

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* '''गोरक्षकः ||''' '''Gorakshaka :''' He plays a chief role in the retrieval of the cows hidden by Panis in the mountains. Angirasa rishi, the "padajna" helps him locate the cows and then he fights Panis to bring them back.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana.</ref>

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

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'''[[Amarakosha (अमरकोषः)|Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Shlokas 41- 44)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha] (Page No 9 and 10)</ref><blockquote>"इन्द्रो मरुत्वान्मघवा बिडौजाः पाकशासनः । वृध्दश्रवाः सुनासीरः पुरुहूतः पुरंदरः ॥" (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 41)</blockquote><blockquote>"जिष्णुर्लेखर्षभः शक्रः शतमन्युर्दिवस्पतिः। सुत्रामा गोत्रभिद्वज्री वासवो वृत्रहा वृषा॥" (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 42)</blockquote><blockquote>"वास्तोष्पतिः सुरपतिर्बलारातिः शचीपतिः। जम्भभेदी हरिहयः स्वाराण्नमुचिसूदनः॥ " (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 43)</blockquote><blockquote>संक्रन्दनो दुश्च्यवनस्तुराषाण्मेघवाहनः। आखण्डलः सहस्राक्ष ऋभुक्षाः ------- ॥ " (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 44)</blockquote><blockquote>"indro marutvānmaghavā biḍaujāḥ pākaśāsanaḥ । vṛdhdaśravāḥ sunāsīraḥ puruhūtaḥ puraṃdaraḥ ॥" (Amara 1. svarga. 41)

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'''[[Amarakosha (अमरकोषः)|Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Indra in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Shlokas 41- 44)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha] (Page No 9 and 10)</ref><blockquote>इन्द्रो मरुत्वान्मघवा बिडौजाः पाकशासनः । वृध्दश्रवाः सुनासीरः पुरुहूतः पुरंदरः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 41)</blockquote><blockquote>जिष्णुर्लेखर्षभः शक्रः शतमन्युर्दिवस्पतिः। सुत्रामा गोत्रभिद्वज्री वासवो वृत्रहा वृषा॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 42)</blockquote><blockquote>वास्तोष्पतिः सुरपतिर्बलारातिः शचीपतिः। जम्भभेदी हरिहयः स्वाराण्नमुचिसूदनः॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 43)</blockquote><blockquote>संक्रन्दनो दुश्च्यवनस्तुराषाण्मेघवाहनः। आखण्डलः सहस्राक्ष ऋभुक्षाः ------- ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 44)</blockquote><blockquote>indro marutvānmaghavā biḍaujāḥ pākaśāsanaḥ । vṛdhdaśravāḥ sunāsīraḥ puruhūtaḥ puraṃdaraḥ ॥ (Amara 1. svarga. 41) </blockquote><blockquote>jiṣṇurlekharṣabhaḥ śakraḥ śatamanyurdivaspatiḥ। sutrāmā gotrabhidvajrī vāsavo vṛtrahā vṛṣā॥ (Amara 1. svarga. 42)</blockquote><blockquote>vāstoṣpatiḥ surapatirbalārātiḥ śacīpatiḥ। jambhabhedī harihayaḥ svārāṇnamucisūdanaḥ॥ (Amara 1. svarga. 43)</blockquote><blockquote>saṃkrandano duścyavanasturāṣāṇmeghavāhanaḥ। ākhaṇḍalaḥ sahasrākṣa ṛbhukṣāḥ ------- ॥ (Amara 1. svarga. 44)</blockquote>Like many other deities, Indra is also called by many names - Marutvan (मरुत्वान्), Maghavan (मघवान्), Pakashasana (पाकशासनः), Vrddhashravaha (वृद्धश्रवाः), Sunaseera (सुनासीरः), Purohuta (पुरोहूतः), Purandara (पुरन्दरः), Shakra (शक्रः), Shatamanyu (शतमन्युः), Sutrama (सुत्रामा), Vrtraha (वृत्रहा), Meghavahana (मेघवाहन), Vajri (वज्री), Gotrabhit (गोत्रभित्), Namuchisudana (नमुचिसूदनः), Surapati (सुरपतिः), Sachipati (शचिपतिः) and others.

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"jiṣṇurlekharṣabhaḥ śakraḥ śatamanyurdivaspatiḥ। sutrāmā gotrabhidvajrī vāsavo vṛtrahā vṛṣā॥" (Amara 1. svarga. 42)

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"vāstoṣpatiḥ surapatirbalārātiḥ śacīpatiḥ। jambhabhedī harihayaḥ svārāṇnamucisūdanaḥ॥ " (Amara 1. svarga. 43)

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saṃkrandano duścyavanasturāṣāṇmeghavāhanaḥ। ākhaṇḍalaḥ sahasrākṣa ṛbhukṣāḥ ------- ॥ " (Amara 1. svarga. 44)</blockquote>Like many other deities, Indra is also called by many names - Marutvan (मरुत्वान्), Maghavan (मघवान्), Pakashasana (पाकशासनः), Vrddhashravaha (वृद्धश्रवाः), Sunaseera (सुनासीरः), Purohuta (पुरोहूतः), Purandara (पुरन्दरः), Shakra (शक्रः), Shatamanyu (शतमन्युः), Sutrama (सुत्रामा), Vrtraha (वृत्रहा), Meghavahana (मेघवाहन), Vajri (वज्री), Gotrabhit (गोत्रभित्), Namuchisudana (नमुचिसूदनः), Surapati (सुरपतिः), Sachipati (शचिपतिः) and others.

According to Shabdakalpadruma, Indra is derived from the dhatu (root) "इन्द" meaning "परमैश्वर्य " parama aishwarya (wealthy).

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Dha (धा) root word means 'to bear' (धारणे) and 'to supply or nourish' (पुष्टौ). Because Indra showers rain water, and nourishes (धारयति) the plants and thus, he provides food or fuel for living beings (इन्धे भूतानीति वा). Indra also one rejoices or shines in presence of Chandra (moon) as meant in इन्दौ रमत. <blockquote>इन्द्रियम् इन्द्रलिंगम् इन्द्रदृष्टमिन्द्रऋष्टमिन्द्रौष्टमिन्द्रात्तं इति वा । ५.२.९३ (Ashtadhyayi 5.2.93)<ref>Ashtadhyayi ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%80_%E0%A5%AB#%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97_%E0%A5%AB.%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 5])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>indriyam indraliṃgam indradṛṣṭamindraṛṣṭamindrauṣṭamindrāttaṃ iti vā । 5.2.93 (Ashtadhyayi 5.2.93)</blockquote>According to Panini, the name Indriya (sense organs) is fulfilled as they are empowered through the power of the Atma form of Indra.<ref name=":4">Bhagavatdatta's Book Titled : [https://ia601604.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.308632/2015.308632.Uru-Jyoti.pdf Uru Jyoti] </ref>

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For seeds to grow in the form of plants, the earth has to be very favorable, when bhudevi 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”.<ref name=":2" />

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For seeds to grow in the form of plants, the earth has to be very favorable, when bhudevi 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”.<ref name=":2" />

== Role of Indra ==

In the Vedas, Indra has a very significant position as a Protector of Yajnas (यज्ञ-s) and the chief recipient of havis (हविस् । Yajna offerings). He is also the most feared destroyer of Panis, Dasyus and Asuras like Vrtra, who obstructed the performance of Yajnas. He is also the chief deity in Soma yaga, and is the chief beneficiary of Soma rasa. There are more than 250 Rigveda suktas that glorify Indra.

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Rigveda describes the strength and valor of Indra and the faith of Devatas in his might, in the following mantra <blockquote>नहि नु यादधीमसीन्द्रं को वीर्या परः | तस्मिन्नृम्णमुत क्रतुं देवा ओजांसि सं दधुरर्चन्ननु स्वराज्यम् || (Rig. Veda. 1.80.15)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-10-sukta-080/ Mandala 1 Sukta 80])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>nahi nu yādadhīmasīndraṁ ko vīryā paraḥ | tasminnr̥mṇamuta kratuṁ devā ojāṁsi saṁ dadhurarcannanu svarājyam || (Rig. Veda. 1.80.15)</blockquote>Meaning : For the Devas know no other person in their knowledge, who have surpassed Indra, in strength. In him, the deities have placed their courage, wisdom, valor and prowess.

=== सोमपा || Somapa ===

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Indra is also called Somapa (One who delights in drinking soma rasa). Soma is a considered as a tender plant from which the juice is extracted by many scholars. However, many different versions about Soma exist in a broader sense. All plants, medicinal herbs and food are called Soma, and the energy obtained by the digestion of this food is called Soma as in Shatapatha Brahmana (अन्नं वै सोमः | annaṃ vai somaḥ |)<ref name=":4" />

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Indra is also called Somapa (One who delights in drinking soma rasa). Soma is considered, as a tender plant from which the juice is extracted, by many scholars. However, many different versions about Soma exist in a broader sense. All plants, medicinal herbs and food are called Soma, and the energy obtained by the digestion of this food is called Soma as in Shatapatha Brahmana (अन्नं वै सोमः | annaṃ vai somaḥ |)<ref name=":4" />

=== मरुत्वान् || Marutvan ===

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Indra is called as Marutvan, meaning, मरुतो देवाः पालनीयत्वेन | maruto devāḥ pālanīyatvena | (Shabdakalpadhruma) because he rules the Marut devatas. Maruts are 49 in number and they are the children of Diti, the mother of Daityas. At the loss of her children in the war between devatas and asuras, Diti prays to her husband Kashyapa to grant her a son who can slay Indra, the son of Aditi. <blockquote>अकृत्वा पादयो: शौचं दिति: शयनमाविशत् | निद्रां चाहारयामास तस्या: कुक्षिं प्रविश्य स: ||३७ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 37)</blockquote><blockquote>वज्रपाणिर्महागर्भं चिच्छेदाथ स सप्तधा | सम्पीड्यमानो वज्रेण स रुरोदातिदारुणम् ||३८ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 38)</blockquote><blockquote>मा रोदीरिति तं शक्र: पुन:पुनरभाषत | सोऽभवत्सप्तधा गर्भस्तमिंद्र: कुपित: पुन: || ३९ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 39)</blockquote><blockquote>मरुतो नाम देवास्ते बभूवुरतिवेगिनः । यदुक्तं वै मघवता तेनैव मरुतोऽभवन् । देवा एकोनपञ्चासत् सहाया वज्रपाणिनः ।। ४० ।। (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 40)</blockquote><blockquote>akṛtvā pādayo: śaucaṃ diti: śayanamāviśat | nidrāṃ cāhārayāmāsa tasyā: kukṣiṃ praviśya sa: ||37 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 37)</blockquote><blockquote>vajrapāṇirmahāgarbhaṃ cicchedātha sa saptadhā | sampīḍyamāno vajreṇa sa rurodātidāruṇam ||38 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 38)</blockquote><blockquote>mā rodīriti taṃ śakra: puna:punarabhāṣata | so'bhavatsaptadhā garbhastamiṃdra: kupita: puna: || 39 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 39)</blockquote><blockquote>maruto nāma devāste babhūvurativeginaḥ । yaduktaṃ vai maghavatā tenaiva maruto'bhavan । devā ekonapañcāsat sahāyā vajrapāṇinaḥ ।। 40 ।। (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 40)</blockquote>This famous legend given in Vishnupurana (Part 1, Chap 21, Slokas 30 to 41<ref>Vishnupuranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Prathama Amsha, Adhyaya 21])</ref>) recounts how Indra, goes to serve Diti, when she was pregnant with a son who is capable of killing him. Her hundred years of penance gets disturbed when she falls asleep without washing her feet. Taking this impious opportunity, Indra enters her womb and cuts the embryo within into seven pieces, with his [[Vajraayudha|Vajrayudha]] (वज्रायुधः). As the child began to cry, Indra asked it not to cry by saying "Maa Ruda" (मा रुद). So repeatedly saying he cuts each of them onto seven pieces, thus generating 49 pieces. Upon Diti's request of making them subservient to him, Indra refrains from destroying them. Thus, they are 49 ~~Marut ganas~~, who became the assistants of Indra in the form of "vayuskanda" (वायुस्कन्धः) of Indra. This legend is also referred in Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda, Sarga 66)<ref name=":5">Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga47/bala_47_frame.htm Balakanda Sarga 66])</ref> Bhagavata Puraṇa (Skanda 6, Adhyaya 18 and 19),<ref>Shrimad Bhagavata Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Skanda 6, Adhyaya 18])</ref> Matsya Puraṇa (Adhyaya 6.47<ref>Matsya Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Adhyaya 6 Sloka 47])</ref>).

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Indra is called as Marutvan, meaning, मरुतो देवाः पालनीयत्वेन | maruto devāḥ pālanīyatvena | (Shabdakalpadhruma) because he rules the Marut devatas. Maruts are 49 in number and they are the children of Diti, the mother of Daityas. At the loss of her children in the war between devatas and asuras, Diti prays to her husband Kashyapa to grant her a son who can slay Indra, the son of Aditi. <blockquote>अकृत्वा पादयो: शौचं दिति: शयनमाविशत् | निद्रां चाहारयामास तस्या: कुक्षिं प्रविश्य स: ||३७ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 37)</blockquote><blockquote>वज्रपाणिर्महागर्भं चिच्छेदाथ स सप्तधा | सम्पीड्यमानो वज्रेण स रुरोदातिदारुणम् ||३८ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 38)</blockquote><blockquote>मा रोदीरिति तं शक्र: पुन:पुनरभाषत | सोऽभवत्सप्तधा गर्भस्तमिंद्र: कुपित: पुन: || ३९ (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 39)</blockquote><blockquote>मरुतो नाम देवास्ते बभूवुरतिवेगिनः । यदुक्तं वै मघवता तेनैव मरुतोऽभवन् । देवा एकोनपञ्चासत् सहाया वज्रपाणिनः ।। ४० ।। (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 40)</blockquote><blockquote>akṛtvā pādayo: śaucaṃ diti: śayanamāviśat | nidrāṃ cāhārayāmāsa tasyā: kukṣiṃ praviśya sa: ||37 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 37)</blockquote><blockquote>vajrapāṇirmahāgarbhaṃ cicchedātha sa saptadhā | sampīḍyamāno vajreṇa sa rurodātidāruṇam ||38 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 38)</blockquote><blockquote>mā rodīriti taṃ śakra: puna:punarabhāṣata | so'bhavatsaptadhā garbhastamiṃdra: kupita: puna: || 39 (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 39)</blockquote><blockquote>maruto nāma devāste babhūvurativeginaḥ । yaduktaṃ vai maghavatā tenaiva maruto'bhavan । devā ekonapañcāsat sahāyā vajrapāṇinaḥ ।। 40 ।। (Vish. Pura. Chap 21. 40)</blockquote>This famous legend given in Vishnupurana (Part 1, Chap 21, Slokas 30 to 41<ref>Vishnupuranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7 Prathama Amsha, Adhyaya 21])</ref>) recounts how Indra, goes to serve Diti, when she was pregnant with a son who is capable of killing him. Her hundred years of penance gets disturbed when she falls asleep without washing her feet. Taking this impious opportunity, Indra enters her womb and cuts the embryo within into seven pieces, with his [[Vajraayudha|Vajrayudha]] (वज्रायुधः). As the child began to cry, Indra asked it not to cry by saying "Maa Ruda" (मा रुद). So repeatedly saying he cuts each of them onto seven pieces, thus generating 49 pieces. Upon Diti's request of making them subservient to him, Indra refrains from destroying them. Thus, they are 49 Marutganas, who became the assistants of Indra in the form of "vayuskanda" (वायुस्कन्धः) of Indra. This legend is also referred in Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda, Sarga 66)<ref name=":5">Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga47/bala_47_frame.htm Balakanda Sarga 66])</ref> Bhagavata Puraṇa (Skanda 6, Adhyaya 18 and 19),<ref>Shrimad Bhagavata Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AE Skanda 6, Adhyaya 18])</ref> Matsya Puraṇa (Adhyaya 6.47<ref>Matsya Puranam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AC Adhyaya 6 Sloka 47])</ref>).

Brahmanda Puraṇa (Uttarabhaga, Adhyaya 2, Shlokas 27, 28)<ref>Brahmaṇḍapuraṇa ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Uttarabhaga. Adhyaya 2], Slokas 27, 28)</ref> and Matsya Purana (Adhyaya 163.33<ref>Matsyapurana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 163.33])</ref>) gives the information about the location of Maruts in Antarikshaloka (अन्तरीक्षलोकः).

=== लोकपालकः || Lokapalaka ===

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Rigveda mantra 2.12.2<ref name=":3" /> explains that Indra rules over the worlds, including Antariksha and Vyoma (व्योम) and without Indra there is no stability for any planet. <blockquote>यः पृथवीं व्यथमानाम दृंहद् यः पर्वतान प्रकुपिताँ अरम्णात् | यो अन्तरिक्षं विममे वरीयो यो दयामस्तभ्नात् स जनास इन्द्रः || (~~Rig. Veda~~. 2.12.2)</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ parthivīṁ vyathamānāma dr̥ṁhad yaḥ parvatān prakupitām̐ aramṇāt | yō antarikṣaṁ vimamē varīyō yō dayāmastabhnāt sa janāsa indraḥ || (~~Rig. Veda~~. 2.12.2)</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.

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Rigveda mantra 2.12.2<ref name=":3" /> explains that Indra rules over the worlds, including Antariksha and Vyoma (व्योम) and without Indra there is no stability for any planet. <blockquote>यः पृथवीं व्यथमानाम दृंहद् यः पर्वतान प्रकुपिताँ अरम्णात् | यो अन्तरिक्षं विममे वरीयो यो दयामस्तभ्नात् स जनास इन्द्रः || (Rigveda. 2.12.2)</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ parthivīṁ vyathamānāma dr̥ṁhad yaḥ parvatān prakupitām̐ aramṇāt | yō antarikṣaṁ vimamē varīyō yō dayāmastabhnāt sa janāsa indraḥ || (Rigveda. 2.12.2)</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.

=== रक्षकः || Rakshaka ===

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita states “paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām” (परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्), about protecting the sadhus and destroying the demons. Similarly, Indra is glorified in many mantras of Rigveda, for his might and strength to protect all from Dasyus, Asuras and Rakshasas<ref name=":2" />. Indra fights many asuras namely, Vrtra, Namuchi, Shushna, Sambhara, Thuni, Chumuri, Varchi.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>स वज्रभृद् दस्युहा भीम उग्रः सहस्रचेताः शतनीथ ऋभ्वा | चम्रीषो न शवसा पाञ्चजन्यो मरुत्वान् नो भवत्विन्द्र ऊती || (Rig. Veda. 1.100.12)</blockquote><blockquote>sa vajrabhr̥d dasyuhā bhīma ugraḥ sahasracētāḥ śatanītha r̥bhvā | camrīṣō na śavasā pāñcajanyō marutvān nō bhavatvindra ūtī || (Rig. Veda. 1.100.12)</blockquote>Summary: Mighty, fierce, destroyer of Dasyus (asuras) using his Vajra, boundless with knowledge and prayed for by many, May Indra protect us. <blockquote>यो हत्वाहिमरिणात सप्त सिन्धून् यो गा उदाजदपधा वलस्य | यो अश्मनोरन्तरग्निं जजान संवृक् समत्सु स जनास इन्द्रः || (Rig. Veda. 2.12.3)</blockquote><blockquote>yō hatvāhimariṇāta sapta sindhūna yō gā udājadapadhā valasya | yō aśmanōrantaragniṁ jajāna saṁvr̥k samatsu sa janāsa indraḥ || (Rig. Veda. 2.12.3)</blockquote>Summary : He who killed the himarina (हिमरिणा) to free the sapta sindhu (seven rivers) and brought out the cows from the caves of Vala (वलः). He who brought forth Agni from two stones, know that he is Indra.

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* Indra is the son of Kashyapa rishi ( son of Marichi, the eldest of Brahma's manasa putras | मानसपुत्र-s) and Aditi, the eldest daughter of Daksha. Aditi had 12 sons (Dvadasa Adityas | द्वादश-आदित्य-s) and another 21 sons, the eldest of whom is Indra. Thus, devatas who originated from Aditi are 33 in number.

* Indra wields a lightning thunderbolt known as Vajrayudha. He rides on a white elephant known as Airavata. His horse's name is Ucchaishravas (उच्चैश्रवस्).

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* Sachi (शचिः), Indrani (इन्द्राणी), Pulomaja (पुलोमजा) is the consort of Indra, Jayanta (जयन्तः) is the son and Devasena (देवसेना) is the daughter of Indra. Devasena is the wife of Subrahmanya, son of Maheshwara.

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* Sachi (शचिः), Indrani (इन्द्राणी), Pulomaja (पुलोमजा) is the consort of Indra, Jayanta (जयन्तः) is the son and Devasena (देवसेना) is the daughter of Indra. Devasena is the wife of Subrahmanya, son of Maheshwara.

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=== देवताधिपत्यम् || ~~Devadhipati~~ ===

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=== देवताधिपत्यम् || Devadhipatya ===

In the Puranas, the significance of Indra is limited to as the protector of Devaloka, whose activities are restricted to safeguarding his position as Indra.

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==== ऐतरेयब्राह्मणम् ॥ Aitareya Brahmana ====

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<blockquote>देवा ऊचुरिन्द्रो वै देवानामोजिष्ठो बलिष्ठः सहिष्ठः सत्तमः पारयिष्णुतमस्तं | (Aitr. Brah. 7.16) <ref>Aitreya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 7.16])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>devā ūcurindro vai devānāmojiṣṭho baliṣṭhaḥ sahiṣṭhaḥ sattamaḥ pārayiṣṇutamastaṃ | (Aitr. Brah. 7.16)</blockquote>Meaning : Among all devatas, Indra is energetic, strong and courageous, he is the one who ~~lead~~ one a long way.<ref name=":4" />

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<blockquote>देवा ऊचुरिन्द्रो वै देवानामोजिष्ठो बलिष्ठः सहिष्ठः सत्तमः पारयिष्णुतमस्तं | (Aitr. Brah. 7.16) <ref>Aitreya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 7.16])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>devā ūcurindro vai devānāmojiṣṭho baliṣṭhaḥ sahiṣṭhaḥ sattamaḥ pārayiṣṇutamastaṃ | (Aitr. Brah. 7.16)</blockquote>Meaning : Among all devatas, Indra is energetic, strong and courageous, he is the one who leads one a long way.<ref name=":4" />

==== तैत्तिरीयब्राह्मणम् ॥ Taitiriya Brahmana ====

The legend of Indra's crowning as the Devadhipati (देवाधिपतिः) is explained in Taittiriya Brahmana as given below<ref name=":0">Ganapati Sastry. Uppuluri. (2000) ''Vedasaara Ratnavali, Part 2'' Hyderabad : Amba Communications </ref>. <blockquote>प्रजापतिरिन्द्र मसृजतानुजावरं देवानाम् । तं प्राहिणोत् । परेहि । एतेषां देवानामधिपतिरेधीति । तं देवा अब्रुवन् । कस्त्वमसि । वयं वै त्वच्छ्रेयाँ सः स्म इति । सोऽब्रवीत् । कस्त्वमसि वयं वै त्वच्छ्रेयाँ सः स्म इति मा देवा अवोचन्निति । (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.60) </blockquote><blockquote>को ह वै नाम प्रजापतिः । य एवं वेद (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.61) </blockquote><blockquote>विदुरेनं नाम्ना । तदस्मै रुक्मं कृत्वा प्रत्यमुञ्चत् । ततो वा इन्द्रो देवानामधिपतिरभवत् । य एवं वेद । (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.62) <ref>Taittriya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A8 Kanda 2 Prapathaka 2]) </ref><ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>prajāpatirindra masr̥jatānujāvaraṁ dēvānām । taṁ prāhiṇōt । parēhi । ētēṣāṁ dēvānāmadhipatirēdhīti । taṁ dēvā abruvan । kastvamasi । vayaṁ vai tvacchrēyām̐ saḥ sma iti । sō'bravīt । kastvamasi vayaṁ vai tvacchrēyām̐ saḥ sma iti mā dēvā avōcanniti । (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.60) </blockquote><blockquote>kō ha vai nāma prajāpatiḥ । ya ēvaṁ vēda (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.61) </blockquote><blockquote>vidurēnaṁ nāmnā । tadasmai rukmaṁ kr̥tvā pratyamuñcat । tatō vā indrō dēvānāmadhipatirabhavat । ya ēvaṁ vēda । (Tait. Brah. 2.2.10.1.62)</blockquote>Summary : Prajapati created Indra as the youngest of the devatas. He then instructs Indra to go to Svargaloka and rule over the devatas whom he created. Indra on reaching Svargaloka informs the devatas that he would be incharge of their welfare. Hearing thus, the devatas refuse to accept him. Indra returns to Prajapati and asks him for the Tejas by which he would control the devatas. Prajapati asks him " what will I become if I give you my tejas". Later, Prajapati creates a crown out of his tejas to decorate it on the forehead of Indra, proclaiming him as the leader of devatas.

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* According to Padma Purana (Bhumi Kanda, Chap 23), Hiranyakashipu, the son of Kashyapa Prajapati and his wife Danu, is killed by Mahavishnu for his wrong asuric deeds. Kashyapa grants her another powerful son Vala or Bala, whom Indra kills with his Vajrayudha for stealing the cows. Angered Kashyapa, plucked a hair and made a burnt offering of it, saying that a son would be born who will be the destroyer of Indra.

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* According to Devi Bhagavata (Skanda 6) Tvastra (त्वष्ट्रा) angered by Indra's killing of his son ~~Vishwaroopa~~ (विश्वरूपः) (also called Trishiras), initiates an ~~ābhicārikaḥ yāgaḥ ||~~ (आभिचारिकः यागः | a yaga performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra.

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* According to Devi Bhagavata (Skanda 6) Tvastra (त्वष्ट्रा) angered by Indra's killing of his son Vishvaroopa (विश्वरूपः) (also called Trishiras), initiates an Abhicharika yaga (आभिचारिकः यागः | a yaga performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra.

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The [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|ritvijs]] (ऋत्विज्-s) were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" (indraśatrurvardhasva) with Anta Udatta or Udatta swara (अन्त-उदात्तः) in the end of the mantra (to mean Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra) ~~instead~~ they used the Adya Udatta swara (आद्य उदात्तः) in the beginning of the mantra (meaning Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper). The meaning of the mantra changed with the improper utterance of the svara. So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the ritvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed Asuras. Thus, Vrtrasura, the son of Tvastra was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory of killing Vrtrasura.<ref name=":2" />

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The [[Rtvik (ऋत्विक्)|ritvijs]] (ऋत्विज्-s) were to utter the mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व" (indraśatrurvardhasva) with Anta Udatta or Udatta swara (अन्त-उदात्तः) in the end of the mantra (to mean Prosper Oh ! Enemy of Indra). Instead, they used the Adya Udatta swara (आद्य उदात्तः) in the beginning of the mantra (meaning Oh! Indra, one who has enemies, Prosper). The meaning of the mantra changed with the improper utterance of the svara. So, instead of asking for the rise and prosperity of a son to take revenge on Indra, the ritvijas asked for the prosperity and glory of Indra who destroyed Asuras. Thus, Vrtrasura, the son of Tvastra was born, an enemy of Indra, but eventually Indra was rewarded with glory of killing Vrtrasura.<ref name=":2" />

==== '''वृत्रासुरवधः || Vrtrasura Vadha''' ====

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=== Agastya Rishi and Indra ===

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Once, Agastya rishi offered the havishya or oblation to Marut which was meant for Indra.<ref name=":2" /> When Indra came to know, he became distressed, as given in the following mantras of Rigveda <blockquote>न नूनमस्ति नो श्वः कस्तद् वेद यदद्भुतम् | अन्यस्य चित्तमभि संचरेण्यमुताधीतं वि नश्यति || (Rig Veda 1.170.1)</blockquote><blockquote>na nūnamasti nō śvaḥ kastad vēda yadadbhutam | anyasya cittamabhi saṁcarēṇyamutādhītaṁ vi naśyati || (Rig Veda 1.170.1)</blockquote>Summary : Indra says “Oh Agastya no one understands what happens in the present or future. Man’s mind is wavering. How can he understand wisdom with such mind? But you, who are man of wisdom and full of Vedic knowledge, if your intelligence gets disturbed what to speak of others?” <blockquote>किं न इन्द्र जिघांससि भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव | तेभिः कल्पस्व साधुया मा नः समरणे वधीः || (Rig Veda 1.170.2)</blockquote><blockquote>kiṁ na indra jighāṁsasi bhrātarō marutastava | tēbhiḥ kalpasva sādhuyā mā naḥ samaraṇē vadhīḥ || (Rig Veda 1.170.2)</blockquote>Summary : Agastya rishi requests, “hey Indra, are you not the brother of Maruts, if I offer to Maruts, does it not go to you? If we do not offer then it’s your responsibility to give all that bhoga~~, it’s~~ your responsibility. Therefore we are not at fault, you please share the oblation with maruts, justly. Do not harm us just like you have power to harm demons.” <blockquote>किं नो भ्रातरगस्त्य सखा सन्नति मन्यसे | विद्मा हि ते यथा मनोऽस्मभ्यमिन्न दित्ससि || (Rig Veda 1.170.3)</blockquote><blockquote>kiṁ nō bhrātaragastya sakhā sannati manyasē | vidmā hi tē yathā manō'smabhyaminna ditsasi || (Rig Veda 1.170.3)</blockquote>Indra answers: “Oh my dear brother Agastya, you are my friend for long time. Why are you neglecting us? Your nature of mind is known. You do not have the desire to give oblation to us” <blockquote>अरं कर्ण्वन्तु वेदिं समग्निमिन्धतां पुरः | तत्रामृतस्य चेतनं यज्ञं ते तनवावहै || (Rig Veda 1.170.4)</blockquote><blockquote>araṁ karṇvantu vēdiṁ samagnimindhatāṁ puraḥ | tatrāmr̥tasya cētanaṁ yajñaṁ tē tanavāvahai || (Rig Veda 1.170.4)</blockquote>Agastya recognizes Indra’s piercing and touching answer and the altar to offer Yajna to Indra is prepared with samidha (समिधः) a special kind of wood. The blazing fire of Yajna indicates the nectar or in one sense which rekindles the knowledge. <blockquote>तवमीशिषे वसुपते वसूनां तवं मित्राणां मित्रपते धेष्ठः | इन्द्र त्वं मरुद्भिः सं वदस्वाध प्राशान ऋतुथा हवींषि || (Rig Veda 1.170.5)</blockquote><blockquote>tavamīśiṣē vasupatē vasūnāṁ tavaṁ mitrāṇāṁ mitrapatē dhēṣṭhaḥ | indra tvaṁ marudbhiḥ saṁ vadasvādha prāśāna r̥tuthā havīṁṣi || (Rig Veda 1.170.5)</blockquote>Summary : “Oh Indra! You are the master of wealth and treasures, you are the master of the Mitra and supporter of Mitra. Oh Indra please be kind to the Marut devatas and accept the havishya of those yajnas that are performed in different seasons and be satisfied."

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Once, Agastya rishi offered the havishya or oblation to Marut which was meant for Indra.<ref name=":2" /> When Indra came to know, he became distressed, as given in the following mantras of Rigveda <blockquote>न नूनमस्ति नो श्वः कस्तद् वेद यदद्भुतम् | अन्यस्य चित्तमभि संचरेण्यमुताधीतं वि नश्यति || (Rig Veda 1.170.1)</blockquote><blockquote>na nūnamasti nō śvaḥ kastad vēda yadadbhutam | anyasya cittamabhi saṁcarēṇyamutādhītaṁ vi naśyati || (Rig Veda 1.170.1)</blockquote>Summary : Indra says “Oh Agastya no one understands what happens in the present or future. Man’s mind is wavering. How can he understand wisdom with such mind? But you, who are man of wisdom and full of Vedic knowledge, if your intelligence gets disturbed what to speak of others?” <blockquote>किं न इन्द्र जिघांससि भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव | तेभिः कल्पस्व साधुया मा नः समरणे वधीः || (Rig Veda 1.170.2)</blockquote><blockquote>kiṁ na indra jighāṁsasi bhrātarō marutastava | tēbhiḥ kalpasva sādhuyā mā naḥ samaraṇē vadhīḥ || (Rig Veda 1.170.2)</blockquote>Summary : Agastya rishi requests, “hey Indra, are you not the brother of Maruts, if I offer to Maruts, does it not go to you? If we do not offer then it’s your responsibility to give all that bhoga. It’s your responsibility. Therefore, we are not at fault, you please share the oblation with maruts, justly. Do not harm us just like you have power to harm demons.” <blockquote>किं नो भ्रातरगस्त्य सखा सन्नति मन्यसे | विद्मा हि ते यथा मनोऽस्मभ्यमिन्न दित्ससि || (Rig Veda 1.170.3)</blockquote><blockquote>kiṁ nō bhrātaragastya sakhā sannati manyasē | vidmā hi tē yathā manō'smabhyaminna ditsasi || (Rig Veda 1.170.3)</blockquote>Indra answers: “Oh my dear brother Agastya, you are my friend for long time. Why are you neglecting us? Your nature of mind is known. You do not have the desire to give oblation to us” <blockquote>अरं कर्ण्वन्तु वेदिं समग्निमिन्धतां पुरः | तत्रामृतस्य चेतनं यज्ञं ते तनवावहै || (Rig Veda 1.170.4)</blockquote><blockquote>araṁ karṇvantu vēdiṁ samagnimindhatāṁ puraḥ | tatrāmr̥tasya cētanaṁ yajñaṁ tē tanavāvahai || (Rig Veda 1.170.4)</blockquote>Agastya recognizes Indra’s piercing and touching answer, and the altar to offer Yajna to Indra is prepared with samidha (समिधः) a special kind of wood. The blazing fire of Yajna indicates the nectar or in one sense which rekindles the knowledge. <blockquote>तवमीशिषे वसुपते वसूनां तवं मित्राणां मित्रपते धेष्ठः | इन्द्र त्वं मरुद्भिः सं वदस्वाध प्राशान ऋतुथा हवींषि || (Rig Veda 1.170.5)</blockquote><blockquote>tavamīśiṣē vasupatē vasūnāṁ tavaṁ mitrāṇāṁ mitrapatē dhēṣṭhaḥ | indra tvaṁ marudbhiḥ saṁ vadasvādha prāśāna r̥tuthā havīṁṣi || (Rig Veda 1.170.5)</blockquote>Summary : “Oh Indra! You are the master of wealth and treasures, you are the master of the Mitra and supporter of Mitra. Oh! Indra, please be kind to the Marut devatas and accept the havishya of those yajnas that are performed in different seasons and be satisfied."

== Indra in Ramayana ==

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|}

== Verses And Meanings ==

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The following Rigveda mantras (2.12.1 to 15) describe the greatness of Indra.<ref name=":3" /><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>yenemā viśvā cyavanā kṛtāni yo dāsaṃ varṇamadharaṃguhākaḥ | śvaghnīva yo jigīvām̐ lakṣamādadaryaḥ puṣṭāni sa janāsa indraḥ || 4</blockquote><blockquote>yaṃ smā pṛcchanti kuha seti ghoramutemāhurnaiṣo astītyenam | so aryaḥ puṣtīrvija ivā mināti śradasmai dhatta sa janāsa indraḥ || 5</blockquote><blockquote>yo radhrasya coditā yaḥ kṛśasya yo brahmaṇo nādhamānasya kīreḥ | yuktagrāvṇo yo'vitā suśipraḥ sutasomasya sa janāsa indraḥ || 6</blockquote><blockquote>yasyāśvāsaḥ pradiśi yasya gāvo yasya grāmā yasya viśve rathāsaḥ | yaḥ sūryaṃ ya uṣasaṃ jajāna yo apāṃ netā sa janāsa indraḥ || 7</blockquote>Summary : He under whose control the horses, cattle, villages, and chariots exist, He who brought out Surya and Ushas (dawn), who leads the waters, know that he is Indra.<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><blockquote>yaṃ krandasī saṃyatī vihvayete pare'vara ubhayā amitrāḥ | samānaṃ cid rathamātasthivāṃsā nānā havete sa janāsa indraḥ || 8</blockquote><blockquote>yasmānna ṛte vijayante janāso yaṃ yudhyamānā avase havante | yo viśvasya pratimānaṃ babhūva yo acyutacyut sa janāsa indraḥ || 9</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ śaśvato mahyeno dadhānānamanyamānāñcharvā jaghāna | yaḥ śardhate nānudadāti śṛdhyāṃ yo dasyorhantā sa janāsa indraḥ || 10</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ śambaraṃ parvateṣu kṣiyantaṃ catvāriṃśyāṃ śaradyanvavindat | ojāyamānaṃ yo ahiṃ jaghāna dānuṃ śayānaṃ sa janāsa indraḥ || 11</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ saptaraśmirvṛṣabhastuviṣmānavāsṛjat sartave saptasindhūn | yo rauhiṇamasphurad vajrabāhurdyāmārohantaṃ sa janāsa indraḥ || 12</blockquote><blockquote>dayāvā cidasmai pṛthavī namete śuṣmāccidasya parvatā bhayante | yaḥ somapā nicito vajrabāhuryo vajrahastaḥ sa janāsa indraḥ || 13</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ sunvantamavati yaḥ pacantaṃ yaḥ śaṃsantaṃ yaḥ śaśamānamūtī | yasya brahma vardhanaṃ yasya somo yasyedaṃ rādhaḥ sa janāsa indraḥ || 14</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ sunvate pacate dudhra ā cida vājaṃ dardarṣi sa kilāsi satyaḥ | vayaṃ ta indra viśvaha pariyāsaḥ suvīrāso vidathamā vadema || 15</blockquote>The following slokas from Vishnupurana (Part 1, Adhyaya 21, Slokas 30 to 41) describe Indra's attempt to destroy the unborn child of Diti and thereby creation of Marutganas.<blockquote>दितिर्विनष्टपुत्रा वै तोषयामास काश्यपम् | तया चाराधित: सम्यक्काश्यस्तपतां वर: || ३०</blockquote><blockquote>वरेण च्छन्दयामास सा च वव्रे ततो वरम् | पुत्रमिन्द्रवधार्थाय समर्थममितौजसम् || ३१</blockquote><blockquote>स च तस्मै वरं प्रादाभ्दार्यायै मुनिसत्तम: | दत्वा च वरमत्युग्रं कश्यपस्तामुवाच ह || ३२</blockquote><blockquote>शक्रं पुत्रो निहन्ता ते यदि गर्भं शरच्छतम् |समाहितातिप्रयता शौचिनी धारयिष्यसि ||३३</blockquote><blockquote>इत्येवमुक्त्वा तां देवीं संगत: कश्यपो मुनि: | दधार सा च तं गर्भं सम्यक्छोचसमन्विता ||३४</blockquote><blockquote>गर्भमात्मवधार्थाय ज्ञात्वा तं मघवानपि | शुश्रूषुस्तामथागच्छद्विनयादमराधिप: ||३५</blockquote><blockquote>तस्याश्चैवान्तरप्रेप्सुरतिष्ठत्पाकशासन: | ऊने वर्षशते चास्या ददर्शान्तरमात्मना ||३६</blockquote><blockquote>अकृत्वा पादयो: शौचं दिति: शयनमाविशत् | निद्रां चाहारयामास तस्या: कुक्षिं प्रविश्य स: ||३७</blockquote><blockquote>वज्रपाणिर्महागर्भं चिच्छेदाथ स सप्तधा | सम्पीड्यमानो वज्रेण स रुरोदातिदारुणम् ||३८</blockquote><blockquote>मा रोदीरिति तं शक्र: पुन:पुनरभाषत | सोऽभवत्सप्तधा गर्भस्तमिंद्र: कुपित: पुन: || ३९</blockquote><blockquote>एकैकं सप्तधा चक्रे वज्रेणारिविदारिणा | मरुतो नाम देवास्ते बभूवुरतिवेगिन: ||४०</blockquote><blockquote>यदुक्तं वै भगवता तेनैव मरुतोऽभवन् | देवा एकोनपञचाशत्सहाया वज्रपाणिन: ||४१</blockquote><blockquote>ditirvinaṣṭaputrā vai toṣayāmāsa kāśyapam | tayā cārādhita: samyakkāśyastapatāṃ vara: || 30</blockquote><blockquote>vareṇa cchandayāmāsa sā ca vavre tato varam | putramindravadhārthāya samarthamamitaujasam || 31</blockquote><blockquote>sa ca tasmai varaṃ prādābhdāryāyai munisattama: | datvā ca varamatyugraṃ kaśyapastāmuvāca ha || 32</blockquote><blockquote>śakraṃ putro nihantā te yadi garbhaṃ śaracchatam |samāhitātiprayatā śaucinī dhārayiṣyasi ||33</blockquote><blockquote>ityevamuktvā tāṃ devīṃ saṃgata: kaśyapo muni: | dadhāra sā ca taṃ garbhaṃ samyakchocasamanvitā ||34</blockquote><blockquote>garbhamātmavadhārthāya jñātvā taṃ maghavānapi | śuśrūṣustāmathāgacchadvinayādamarādhipa: ||35</blockquote><blockquote>tasyāścaivāntaraprepsuratiṣṭhatpākaśāsana: | ūne varṣaśate cāsyā dadarśāntaramātmanā ||36</blockquote><blockquote>akṛtvā pādayo: śaucaṃ diti: śayanamāviśat | nidrāṃ cāhārayāmāsa tasyā: kukṣiṃ praviśya sa: ||37</blockquote><blockquote>vajrapāṇirmahāgarbhaṃ cicchedātha sa saptadhā | sampīḍyamāno vajreṇa sa rurodātidāruṇam ||38</blockquote><blockquote>mā rodīriti taṃ śakra: puna:punarabhāṣata | so'bhavatsaptadhā garbhastamiṃdra: kupita: puna: || 39</blockquote><blockquote>ekaikaṃ saptadhā cakre vajreṇārividāriṇā | maruto nāma devāste babhūvurativegina: ||40</blockquote><blockquote>yaduktaṃ vai bhagavatā tenaiva maruto'bhavan | devā ekonapañacāśatsahāyā vajrapāṇina: ||41</blockquote>

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The following Rigveda mantras (2.12.1 to 15) describe the greatness of Indra.<ref name=":3" /><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>yenemā viśvā cyavanā kṛtāni yo dāsaṃ varṇamadharaṃguhākaḥ | śvaghnīva yo jigīvām̐ lakṣamādadaryaḥ puṣṭāni sa janāsa indraḥ || 4</blockquote><blockquote>yaṃ smā pṛcchanti kuha seti ghoramutemāhurnaiṣo astītyenam | so aryaḥ puṣtīrvija ivā mināti śradasmai dhatta sa janāsa indraḥ || 5</blockquote><blockquote>yo radhrasya coditā yaḥ kṛśasya yo brahmaṇo nādhamānasya kīreḥ | yuktagrāvṇo yo'vitā suśipraḥ sutasomasya sa janāsa indraḥ || 6</blockquote><blockquote>yasyāśvāsaḥ pradiśi yasya gāvo yasya grāmā yasya viśve rathāsaḥ | yaḥ sūryaṃ ya uṣasaṃ jajāna yo apāṃ netā sa janāsa indraḥ || 7</blockquote>Summary : He, under whose control, the horses, cattle, villages, and chariots exist, He who brought out Surya and Ushas (dawn), who leads the waters, know that he is Indra.<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><blockquote>yaṃ krandasī saṃyatī vihvayete pare'vara ubhayā amitrāḥ | samānaṃ cid rathamātasthivāṃsā nānā havete sa janāsa indraḥ || 8</blockquote><blockquote>yasmānna ṛte vijayante janāso yaṃ yudhyamānā avase havante | yo viśvasya pratimānaṃ babhūva yo acyutacyut sa janāsa indraḥ || 9</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ śaśvato mahyeno dadhānānamanyamānāñcharvā jaghāna | yaḥ śardhate nānudadāti śṛdhyāṃ yo dasyorhantā sa janāsa indraḥ || 10</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ śambaraṃ parvateṣu kṣiyantaṃ catvāriṃśyāṃ śaradyanvavindat | ojāyamānaṃ yo ahiṃ jaghāna dānuṃ śayānaṃ sa janāsa indraḥ || 11</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ saptaraśmirvṛṣabhastuviṣmānavāsṛjat sartave saptasindhūn | yo rauhiṇamasphurad vajrabāhurdyāmārohantaṃ sa janāsa indraḥ || 12</blockquote><blockquote>dayāvā cidasmai pṛthavī namete śuṣmāccidasya parvatā bhayante | yaḥ somapā nicito vajrabāhuryo vajrahastaḥ sa janāsa indraḥ || 13</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ sunvantamavati yaḥ pacantaṃ yaḥ śaṃsantaṃ yaḥ śaśamānamūtī | yasya brahma vardhanaṃ yasya somo yasyedaṃ rādhaḥ sa janāsa indraḥ || 14</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ sunvate pacate dudhra ā cida vājaṃ dardarṣi sa kilāsi satyaḥ | vayaṃ ta indra viśvaha pariyāsaḥ suvīrāso vidathamā vadema || 15</blockquote>The following slokas from Vishnupurana (Part 1, Adhyaya 21, Slokas 30 to 41) describe Indra's attempt to destroy the unborn child of Diti and thereby creation of Marutganas.<blockquote>दितिर्विनष्टपुत्रा वै तोषयामास काश्यपम् | तया चाराधित: सम्यक्काश्यस्तपतां वर: || ३०</blockquote><blockquote>वरेण च्छन्दयामास सा च वव्रे ततो वरम् | पुत्रमिन्द्रवधार्थाय समर्थममितौजसम् || ३१</blockquote><blockquote>स च तस्मै वरं प्रादाभ्दार्यायै मुनिसत्तम: | दत्वा च वरमत्युग्रं कश्यपस्तामुवाच ह || ३२</blockquote><blockquote>शक्रं पुत्रो निहन्ता ते यदि गर्भं शरच्छतम् |समाहितातिप्रयता शौचिनी धारयिष्यसि ||३३</blockquote><blockquote>इत्येवमुक्त्वा तां देवीं संगत: कश्यपो मुनि: | दधार सा च तं गर्भं सम्यक्छोचसमन्विता ||३४</blockquote><blockquote>गर्भमात्मवधार्थाय ज्ञात्वा तं मघवानपि | शुश्रूषुस्तामथागच्छद्विनयादमराधिप: ||३५</blockquote><blockquote>तस्याश्चैवान्तरप्रेप्सुरतिष्ठत्पाकशासन: | ऊने वर्षशते चास्या ददर्शान्तरमात्मना ||३६</blockquote><blockquote>अकृत्वा पादयो: शौचं दिति: शयनमाविशत् | निद्रां चाहारयामास तस्या: कुक्षिं प्रविश्य स: ||३७</blockquote><blockquote>वज्रपाणिर्महागर्भं चिच्छेदाथ स सप्तधा | सम्पीड्यमानो वज्रेण स रुरोदातिदारुणम् ||३८</blockquote><blockquote>मा रोदीरिति तं शक्र: पुन:पुनरभाषत | सोऽभवत्सप्तधा गर्भस्तमिंद्र: कुपित: पुन: || ३९</blockquote><blockquote>एकैकं सप्तधा चक्रे वज्रेणारिविदारिणा | मरुतो नाम देवास्ते बभूवुरतिवेगिन: ||४०</blockquote><blockquote>यदुक्तं वै भगवता तेनैव मरुतोऽभवन् | देवा एकोनपञचाशत्सहाया वज्रपाणिन: ||४१</blockquote><blockquote>ditirvinaṣṭaputrā vai toṣayāmāsa kāśyapam | tayā cārādhita: samyakkāśyastapatāṃ vara: || 30</blockquote><blockquote>vareṇa cchandayāmāsa sā ca vavre tato varam | putramindravadhārthāya samarthamamitaujasam || 31</blockquote><blockquote>sa ca tasmai varaṃ prādābhdāryāyai munisattama: | datvā ca varamatyugraṃ kaśyapastāmuvāca ha || 32</blockquote><blockquote>śakraṃ putro nihantā te yadi garbhaṃ śaracchatam |samāhitātiprayatā śaucinī dhārayiṣyasi ||33</blockquote><blockquote>ityevamuktvā tāṃ devīṃ saṃgata: kaśyapo muni: | dadhāra sā ca taṃ garbhaṃ samyakchocasamanvitā ||34</blockquote><blockquote>garbhamātmavadhārthāya jñātvā taṃ maghavānapi | śuśrūṣustāmathāgacchadvinayādamarādhipa: ||35</blockquote><blockquote>tasyāścaivāntaraprepsuratiṣṭhatpākaśāsana: | ūne varṣaśate cāsyā dadarśāntaramātmanā ||36</blockquote><blockquote>akṛtvā pādayo: śaucaṃ diti: śayanamāviśat | nidrāṃ cāhārayāmāsa tasyā: kukṣiṃ praviśya sa: ||37</blockquote><blockquote>vajrapāṇirmahāgarbhaṃ cicchedātha sa saptadhā | sampīḍyamāno vajreṇa sa rurodātidāruṇam ||38</blockquote><blockquote>mā rodīriti taṃ śakra: puna:punarabhāṣata | so'bhavatsaptadhā garbhastamiṃdra: kupita: puna: || 39</blockquote><blockquote>ekaikaṃ saptadhā cakre vajreṇārividāriṇā | maruto nāma devāste babhūvurativegina: ||40</blockquote><blockquote>yaduktaṃ vai bhagavatā tenaiva maruto'bhavan | devā ekonapañacāśatsahāyā vajrapāṇina: ||41</blockquote>

==References==

[[Category:Devatas]]

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