The largest number of hymns in the Rg Veda relates to Indra, son of Aditi and Lord of the Gods. He was handsome, and had a special weapon, Vajra, of supreme power. An Asura, Vrtra by name, had de-feated him. Sages advised him that the only weapon that could prevail against Vrtra had to be made of the bones of Brahmin sage Dadhiichan. When Indra approached the sage h, he readily agreed to be sacrificed. Indra fashioned Vajra out of the bones and killed Vrtra. But ghost of the killed Brahmin hunted Indra, who hid himself in a lotus bud.
His claim to being the Lord was based on his having successfully performed a hundred Yaga sacrifices. He would be dethroned if any one else completed that tally. He had therefore been always jealous on this score. If nothing else succeeded, he is not above begging his rival to desist. The only occasion when this ploy did not succeed was when he was in hiding from Vrtra’s ghost. Nahusha, a king, completed the tally, and was enthroned as Lord.
Indra finally succeeded in placating Vrtra’s ghost. He and wife Indrani plotted Nahusha’s downfall. She invited Nahusha to her bed, if he should arrive for the assignation in a palanquin carried by the seven Great Sages. They acceded to Nahusha’s request, but Agasthya, a dwarf could not go fast enough. Nahusha prodded him, and enraged, Agasthya cursed him to become a python. Indra reinstated himself.
One of his great exploits was: the mountains then had wings. Indra used his Vajra to cut off the wings, so that the mountains became immobile. He causes rains to fall on earth, and creates drought if humans do not propitiate him with Yaga; he has the first share of the offerings.
His misadventures with beautiful wives of great ascetics are legion. The most ‘famous’ instance is when he coveted Ahalya, luscious wife of Gautama, who would leave at cockcrow for his ablutions, leaving her behind. Indra cajoled a cock to crow at midnight; the sage left. Indra disguised himself as the sage, got into the house, and bedded himself with her. He scampered when the sage returned, who cursed In-dra to have his body covered with vulva-like sores, and Ahalya to turn into stone. When Indra and Ahalya begged for reprieve, he granted that the vulva-like sores would appear as if they were eyes, and that the curse would be lifted after Indra did penance at Suchindram in the south; Ahalya would recover when Sri Rama placed his foot on the stone she had become. Indra revelled in being praised as the “one with a thousand eyes”.
His greatest discomfiture is the nucleus for a central myth. The sage Durvasas paid Indra a visit, and presented him with a garland. Indra got on his elephant, placing the garland negligently on its head. The elephant tossed it down and trampled it. The sage, enraged at the scant respect Indra had for his gift, cursed him to become prematurely old. Indra in despair consulted the Trinity and all his friends, who advised that the only remedy was to churn the oceans for nectar. This was an enterprise beyond the gods of heaven by themselves. They used diplomacy to get the demons to join in, promising equal shares of the proceeds. The story is well known. Finally, when the nectar was obtained, Vishnu as be-witching danseuse Mohini beguiled the demons out of their share.
When Vedic Hinduism gradually gave way to popular versions by about 8th century AD, Indra was relegated to a minor position. There are hardly any temples dedicated exclusively to him now. An icon showing the guardians of the quarters usually represents him; riding on a white elephant. He is in charge of the East.
Indra finally succeeded in placating Vrtra’s ghost. He and wife Indrani plotted Nahusha’s downfall. She invited Nahusha to her bed, if he should arrive for the assignation in a palanquin carried by the seven Great Sages. They acceded to Nahusha’s request, but Agasthya, a dwarf could not go fast enough. Nahusha prodded him, and enraged, Agasthya cursed him to become a python. Indra reinstated himself.
One of his great exploits was: the mountains then had wings. Indra used his Vajra to cut off the wings, so that the mountains became immobile. He causes rains to fall on earth, and creates drought if humans do not propitiate him with Yaga; he has the first share of the offerings.
His misadventures with beautiful wives of great ascetics are legion. The most ‘famous’ instance is when he coveted Ahalya, luscious wife of Gautama, who would leave at cockcrow for his ablutions, leaving her behind. Indra cajoled a cock to crow at midnight; the sage left. Indra disguised himself as the sage, got into the house, and bedded himself with her. He scampered when the sage returned, who cursed In-dra to have his body covered with vulva-like sores, and Ahalya to turn into stone. When Indra and Ahalya begged for reprieve, he granted that the vulva-like sores would appear as if they were eyes, and that the curse would be lifted after Indra did penance at Suchindram in the south; Ahalya would recover when Sri Rama placed his foot on the stone she had become. Indra revelled in being praised as the “one with a thousand eyes”.
His greatest discomfiture is the nucleus for a central myth. The sage Durvasas paid Indra a visit, and presented him with a garland. Indra got on his elephant, placing the garland negligently on its head. The elephant tossed it down and trampled it. The sage, enraged at the scant respect Indra had for his gift, cursed him to become prematurely old. Indra in despair consulted the Trinity and all his friends, who advised that the only remedy was to churn the oceans for nectar. This was an enterprise beyond the gods of heaven by themselves. They used diplomacy to get the demons to join in, promising equal shares of the proceeds. The story is well known. Finally, when the nectar was obtained, Vishnu as be-witching danseuse Mohini beguiled the demons out of their share.
When Vedic Hinduism gradually gave way to popular versions by about 8th century AD, Indra was relegated to a minor position. There are hardly any temples dedicated exclusively to him now. An icon showing the guardians of the quarters usually represents him; riding on a white elephant. He is in charge of the East.
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