Indra

The Buddha (middle) is flanked by Brahma (left) and Indra, possibly the oldest surviving Buddhist artwork.

Indra (/ˈɪndrə/, Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is a ancient Vedic deity, a deity in Hinduism, a guardian deity in Buddhism, and the king of the highest heaven called Saudharmakalpa in Jainism.

Quotes

  • Indra was the god of the thunderstorm that puts an end to the oppressive summer heat and opens the rainy season.... However, the Buddha arrived just in time for Indra to play a role in his career. it was Indra himself who persuaded the freshly awakened Shakyamuni to start preaching his newfound path. Buddhist monks then spread the cult of Indra to foreign lands as far as Japan. Indra’s weapon, the lightning or vajra, became the emblem of instant Enlightenment. The sought-after “Self-nature” (Chinese zixing) is present all the time, deep in all of us; but when we embark on the path of meditation and finally awaken to it, it strikes like lightning.
    • Elst, Koenraad. Hindu dharma and the culture wars. (2019). New Delhi : Rupa.
  • The legend of Indra’s slaying VRtra… in the Vedas is merely an allegorical narrative of the production of rain. VRtra, sometimes also named Ahi, is nothing more than the accumulation of vapour condensed or figuratively shut up in, or obstructed by, a cloud. Indra, with his thunderbolt, or atmospheric or electrical influence, divides the aggregate mass, and vent is given to the rain which then descends upon the earth.
    • Wilson, quoted by Griffith, R. Hymns of the Rigveda (complete translation) by Ralph T.H. Griffith, 1889. (Edition used in this volume published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1987). Quoted in Talageri, S. (2000). The Rigveda: A historical analysis. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan.
  • Indra stands accused (of destroying the Harappan civilization).
    • Attributed to Sir Mortimer Wheeler. E.g., "All the same, a whole superstructure of invasionist readings of Indian symbols and mythology has been erected on the invasionist suspicion that, in Sir Mortimer Wheeler’s famous words, “Indra stands accused” of destroying the Harappan civilization." in Elst, Koenraad (1999). Update on the Aryan invasion debate New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan.
  • Temples were built in ancient times in Tamilnadu for worshipping Indra. Grand festivals were celebrated by the Tamil kings in honor of Indra, the “the national hero of the Aryans.’ Indra was so much cherished by the Tamil people, that priority of worship was given to him in the great Epic Silappadikaram’ – the epic of the Anklet. Besides, references to Indra worship are found in Tholkapiam (600 BCE) Purananuru, Paripadal Aingurunuru and Pattupaddu, all belonging to the Sangam period. Certainly Seran Senguttuvan, his brother Illango Adikal, and, above all, the great Sangam Poets were not naïve as to accept Indra the lord of the Aryans who were the enemies of the Dravidians as their God, How can historians reconcile these contradictory views?
    • Attributed. (source: Perennial Hindu Culture and The Twin Myths – By M. Vaitialingam The Thirumaka Press. 1980 p. 22-37). [1]

Rigveda

  • All songs give increase to Indra who is as expansive as the sea (I.11.1).
  • Indra has an extent like the sea (I.30.3).
  • Indra, an ocean of wealth (I.51.1).
  • Indra, extensive as the sea (1.52.4).
  • Hymns to Indra like the ocean in their convergence (I.56.2).
  • As rivers to the ocean strong hymns and songs have entered Indra whose extent is vast (VI.36.3).
  • The Soma drops, like rivers into the sea enter into Indra (III.40.4).
  • In the slope of the mountains, in the concourse of the rivers, by the power of the hymn the sage (Indra) was born. Hence, arisen conscious he looks down upon the sea, from which awakening he stirs (VIII.6.28-9).
  • You destroyed the dragon who withheld the waters. Earth in her awareness furthered your thunderbolt. You gave energy to the ocean-going floods. You became the Lord through strength, thou daring hero (IV.16.7).
  • He slew the dragon lying at the mountain. The creator fashioned for him his flashing thunderbolt. As milch cows bellowing as they flowed, directly the waters entered the ocean (I.32.2).
  • You slew the serpent who encompassed the floods. You released the waters to the ocean (VI.30.4).
  • By which you released the great floods to the ocean, Indra that power of yours is vigorous (VIII.3.10).
  • As rivers according to their impulse go forth, the floods as if chariot borne entered into the sea. As rivers uniting to the sea, to Indra they carry the well- pressed Soma (III.36.6-7).
  • Indra and Soma, the serpent, the withholder of the waters, you slew. You destroyed the dragon and Heaven approved. You sent forth the flood of the rivers and filled manifold seas (VI.72.2).
  • To Indra and Agni, like the seer Nabhaka, direct your prayers, who poured out the sea with seven foundations, whose opening is above (VIII.40.5).16
  • The thunderbolt lies within the ocean enclosed by the waters (VIII. 100.9).
  • Indra, not by the seas or mountains is your chariot contained (II. 16.3).
  • Whether you are in the luminous realm of Heaven or in the domain of the sea, whether in the station of the Earth or in the atmosphere, come to us, Indra (VIII.97.5).
  • Whether in the east, the south, the north or the west you are called by men, come quickly with your powers; whether you exult yourself on the slope of Heaven in the Sun-world or in the ocean of Soma (VIII.65.2-3).
  • Come to us quickly, Indra, from Heaven or Earth, from the ocean or the heavenly sea (IV.21.3).
  • To Indra I direct my songs in an unceasing flow, like waters from the bottom of the sea (X.89.4).
  • Not ceasing, not coming to rest, his body is hidden in the middle of their depths. The waters move around the secret body of the serpent. Indra's enemy lies in extended darkness (I.32.10).

See also

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