Introduction
Indra is one of the central gods in ancient Hinduism and is considered the king of all gods. Indra was the most incredible popularity of the Vedic period. However, in subsequent periods, the deity gradually lost its glory. Initially, he was considered the god of thunder, lightning, rain, and war and the protector of life. However, in legends and mythology, the image of the deity was transformed after the Vedic period.
Deity Meaning in Hinduism
In Vedic mythology, Indra was one of the most significant gods of Rigveda. He was believed to fight demons and evil forces, protecting order in the universe (Deodhar, 2021). Moreover, Indra was the god of rain, so it was believed that he gave strength to all living things. To maintain his strength, he used the elixir of immortality the monks offered him (Singh, 2021). Therefore, the image of this deity is often associated with various rituals and sacrifices. This way, people tried to appease Indra and protect themselves from demons and evil.
Furthermore, Indra often symbolized sexuality and lust and was considered the god of fertility and sexual desire. However, after the Vedic period, the deity was frequently criticized “for flaws linked with his genital powers” (Singh, 2021, p. 715). The image of Indra, most of all the gods of Hinduism, is close to the human, which means that he has the same weaknesses and shortcomings as people. This was the main reason that in Purāṇic mythology, the image of the deity was transformed, and its sacredness in Hinduism decreased. Stanley (2021) notes that because of the peculiarities of that period, the god of war was no longer relevant. Viṣṇu replaced him, considered the deity of stability and maintenance, which was more critical in the agrarian society of that time.
Conclusion
Thus, Indra was the central deity of the Rig Veda, who wielded power over other deities. In the legends of the Vedic period, Indra is presented as the main protector and patron of people, who ensures their safety, livelihoods, and procreation. However, the transformation of society led to the decline of this deity’s sacredness, which was later replaced by Viṣṇu. In Purāṇic mythology, Indra is often criticized for his human appearance, warlike nature, and flaws.
References
Deodhar, C. H. (2021). Indra: His stories through the ages [PDF document]. Journal of the Ganganatha Jha Campus, 74(1-4), 177-188. Web.
Stanley, O. (2021). When Hindus converted without much fuss, cuss or trouble. The Economic Times. Web.
Singh, G. (2021). A philosophical study on the concept of brahman in the legend of Indra. Journal of Critical Review, 3(8), 714-719. Web.