INDRA

Indra is considered as the ruler of heaven, and the king of gods. Indra has some more nomenclatures – God of thunder and rain, symbol of courage and strength, great warrior and so on. Vayu (wind) is his friend-cum-servant, while the Vasus are his advisers. He is mounted on elephant Airavata and his chariot is driven by ten thousand horses. He carries a sword, a hook, a conch, a rainbow and a Vajra (a magical lethal weapon). His kingdom is located near mount Maru. He has a passion for Amrit (a sweet life-giving elixir consumed by the elites in the gods).

Indra is a rival of demons. Demons had many times snatched the control of heaven from him. The alert Indra is therefore used to kill the demons came in sight.

Once king Sagar decided to conduct an Ashwamedha Yaga (Vedic rite in which a horse is sacrificed), the objective of which was to become himself the emperor of earth. Indra came to know the hidden plan of Sagar. To nullify the plan Indra stole the horse arranged for the Yaga and put in the custody of saint Kapila.