Deities · Vedic Devas
Lord Indra
इन्द्र
Indra
The foremost deity of the Ṛgveda — invoked in more hymns than any other. Indra is the storm-king who splits the demon Vṛtra with his Vajra to release the pent-up cosmic waters; the head of the celestial administration; the office (not a single person) that dispenses reward for meritorious deeds. In the Kena Upaniṣad he is the first of the devas to be humbled before Brahman; in the Bhāgavatam his pride is broken by Kṛṣṇa's lifting of Govardhana.
Quick facts
- Era
- Vedic / Sanatana
- vahana
- Airāvata (four-tusked white elephant), Uccaiḥśravas (celestial white horse — in battle)
- consort
- Śacī / Indrāṇī
- Abode
- Amarāvatī (Svarga)
Attributes & symbols
Emblems most often depicted with Lord Indra. Hover for gloss · click to search.
Essays
Related essays
Related lore
All stories →
Kena Upanishad (Chapters 3 & 4), Shiva Purana (Shatarudra Samhita, Chapter 16)
The Cosmic Riddle: Yaksheshwara Avatar
To dissolve the growing pride of the Devas after their cosmic victory over the Asuras, Lord Shiva manifests as a mysterious, all-powerful spirit (Yaksha) to demonstrate that all individual power originates from the Supreme Brahman.
3 chapters · read →
Shiva Purana (Shatarudra Samhita, Chapters 13-15)
The Lord of the Hearth: Grihapati Avatar
Born as a divine boon to a pious couple, the brilliant child Grihapati learns of an astrological prediction of an early death by fire. He surrenders himself completely to Lord Shiva in Kashi, overcoming both the fear of death and the wrath of Indra.
3 chapters · read →
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