Statue of Indra from Indonesia

Compiled by London Swaminathan
Post No. 1171; Dated:14th July 2014.

Indra is the greatest God and hero in the world. No other ancient literature has any one equal to him. The epithets he carries are too many. He is praised in 250 hymns in the oldest scripture in the world – Rig Veda. Apart from that he is mentioned in 50 more hymns along with other Vedic Gods. Neither Gilgamesh nor Hercules can beat him in his heroic deeds.

Moreover he is more ancient than other old heroes. He is mentioned in the Bogazkoy inscription in 1400 BC in Turkey (150 kms from Ankara). He was worshipped even before this date in India. He is mentioned a few times in Zend Avesta as well.

Indra is a historical figure as well as a title like Emperor,President Pope, Dalai Lama and Prime Minister. Indra is a godly figure to whom rain, thunder and lightning are attributed. One must be careful when one studies Hindu literature. If you avoid books written by “Foreign Non Hindu Scholars” and follow “ancient Hindu scholars” a lot of confusion can be avoided. You will get a better picture. You won’t find anything like concocted Aryan or Dravidian Racist theories in ancient writers or in books written by great Swamijis (Seers and Saints) of Modern India.

Picture shows Jambasura’s attack on Indra.

Answer the following questions to find out how much you know about Indra:

1.What is the name of the white elephant of Indra?

2.What is the name of Indra’s white horse?

3.What is his wife’s name?

4.What is Vajra?

5.What is Indradhanus?

Indra’s weapon in Mongolia Stamps.

6.What is Indra’s capital city?

7.Who is Indra’s son?

8.What is his favourite juice?

9.What is Paran-ja?

10.What is the name of his palace?

Indra on his elephant

11.What is the name of Indra’s garden?

12.Who is Indra’s Charioteer?

13.Where does Indra reside?

14.Who are Indra’s parents?

ANSWERS: 1.Airavata: Name of his elephant 2.Uchchaisravas: Name of his horse/chariot 3. Saci: Name of his wife also known as Indrani 4. Vajra: Name of his weapon thunderbolt 5. Sakradhanus: Rainbow also known as Indradhanus is his bow 6. Amaravati: Name of his capital City 7. Jayanata: Indra’s son 8.Soma Juice: The drink he likes the most 9. Paranja: Name of his sword 10. Vaijayanta: Name of his palace 11. Nandana :Name of his garden (also known as Kandasaara, Paarushya) 12.Matali: His Charioteer 13. Swarga : Heaven, the place under his jurisdiction 14.Aditi and Kasyapa: Indra’s mother and father.

Indra’s elephant on Laos Stamps.

Twenty Four more quiz posts in English and Tamil are available in my blogs: swami_48@yahoo.com