A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.682

c5.682

Indra’s names are many, as Mahendra, Sakra, Maghavān, Ṛibhuksha, Vāsava, Arha, Datteya. His epithets or titles also are numerous. He is Vritra-han, ‘the destroyer of Vritra;’ Vajra-pāni, ‘of the thunderbolt hand;’ Megha-vāhana, ‘borne upon the clouds;’ Pāka-sāsana, ‘the subduer of Pāka;’ Sata-kratu, ‘of a hundred sacrifices;’ Deva-pati and Surādhipa, ‘chief of the gods;’ Divas-pati, ‘ruler of the atmosphere;’ Marutwān, ‘lord of the winds;’ Swarga-pati, ‘lord of paradise;’ Jishnu, ‘leader of the celestial host;’ Puran-dara, ‘destroyer of cities;’ Ulūka, ‘the owl;’ Ugra-dhanwan, ‘of the terrible bow,’ and many others. The heaven of Indra is Swarga; its capital is Amarāvatī; his palace, Vaijayanta; his garden, Nandana, Kandasāra, or Pārushya; his elephant is Airāvata; his horse, Uchchaih-sravas; his chariot, Vimāna; his charioteer, Mātali; his bow, the rainbow, Sakra-dhanus; and his sword, Paran-ja.