Indra (Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is a Vedic deity associated with the sky, weather, lightning, thunder, storms, rain, river flows, and war. In Hinduism, he is regarded as the king of the devas and presides over the realm of Svarga. Indra is the most frequently mentioned deity in the Rigveda, where he is celebrated as a god of order and the slayer of the asura Vritra.
| Name | Indra |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | इन्द्र |
| IPA | [in̪d̪rɐ] |
| Pali | Indā |
| Tradition | Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism |
| Domain | Sky, weather, lightning, thunder, storms, rain, war |
| Realm | Svarga |
| Title (current Manvantara) | Purandhara |
| Consort | Indrani |
| Principal adversary | Vritra |
In the Rigveda, Indra is the most invoked deity. He is depicted as a powerful hero who upholds cosmic order. The central myth associated with him is the slaying of Vritra, an asura who obstructed human prosperity and happiness. By destroying Vritra and his "deceiving forces", Indra releases the waters and brings rain and sunshine, acting as a saviour figure for humankind.
Indra's significance diminishes in post-Vedic Indian literature, though he continues to feature in numerous religious narratives. According to the Vishnu Purana, "Indra" is a title borne by the king of the gods, and the holder of the title changes with every Manvantara, a cyclic period in Hindu cosmology. Each Manvantara has its own Indra; the Indra of the current Manvantara is called Purandhara.
Indra appears in Buddhist texts under the Pali name Indā. Within the Samsara doctrine of Buddhist traditions, he rules over the Devas realm of rebirth. Like in post-Vedic Hindu literature, Buddhist texts often reduce him to a figurehead status and present him as a god who is himself subject to rebirth.
In Jain traditions, Indra is not the king of gods, but the king of superhumans residing in Svarga-Loka, and is part of Jain rebirth cosmology. He appears with his consort Indrani to celebrate the auspicious moments in the life of a Jain Tirthankara. This iconography presents the king and queen of superhumans reverentially marking the spiritual journey of a Tirthankara.
Indra shares features with several other Indo-European deities associated with sky, thunder, or sovereignty, including:
Indra occupies a central place in early Vedic religion as the divine warrior and bringer of rain, embodying the forces that sustain agricultural and human life. Across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, his evolving portrayal — from supreme Vedic god to a cyclical title-holder, a figurehead, or a celebrant of Tirthankaras — reflects the diverse theological orientations of Indian religious literature.