Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c33.s1.2

v4.c33.s1.2

It has already been stated that the vajra was shaped for Indra by Tvashtṛi from the bones of Dadhicha. With the vajra he killed the asura named Vṛitra. While he, as the chief of the gods, churned the ocean of milk in company with the asuras, the white elephant named Airāvata, came out of it and this was taken for himself by Indra. The name of the wife of Indra is Indrāṇi or Śachi. In the Mahābhārata, Indra is said to be the father of Arjuna and to have a thousand eyes (or yōnis) spread all over his body because he seduced Ahalya, the wife of the ṛishi Gautama. He is also classed, as we know, as one of the twelve Ādityas.