The Four Meanings of Indra
Question
Who is Indra in the context of all Paurāṇic stories?
Answer
Indra is an important figure in all mythological stories, but Indra is not a person, nor is Indra a title.
Question
How is the word “Indra” used in the Vedas?
Answer
In the Vedas, the word Indra is used in four meanings:
In some places, it refers to the Supreme Reality (Paramātmā).
In some places, it refers to the Self (Ātmā).
Most abundantly, it is used to refer to the pure mind, and in that sense it is called Apara Indra, not merely Indra.
It is also used to refer to the impure mind, and in that sense it is called Avara Indra.
Question
How is the word “Indra” used in the Purāṇas?
Answer
In Paurāṇic texts, the word Indra is rarely used for the Supreme or the Self, but it is widely used for both pure and impure mind.
Question
What is the meaning of the word “Indra”?
Answer
The word Indra is derived from the Sanskrit root idhi, which means “lord” or “master.” Since the mind is the master of the ten senses that a human being possesses, the mind is called Indra.
Question
Why is Indra sometimes pure and sometimes impure in the Purāṇas?
Answer
Because the mind itself can be pure or impure. Since impure mind has many varieties, the exact meaning of Indra in any story must be inferred based on the subject matter of that particular story. Without understanding the context, interpreting the meaning of Indra would be harmful or misleading.
Question
Why is Indra also called “Devarāja”?
Answer
When Indra is called Devarāja, he refers to the pure mind. Among all the inner faculties—mind, intellect, memory, ego—the pure mind is the greatest power a human being has. Because it is the foremost of all these powers, the pure mind is referred to as Devarāja.
Question
Why does Indra have many names in the Purāṇas?
Answer
Based on different types of impurity in the mind, Indra is given many names such as Vāsava, Sahasrākṣa, Purandara, Pākasāsana, etc.
Question
Why is the word “Indra” combined with many other words in Sanskrit literature?
Answer
Because the etymological meaning of Indra is “master,” it is added to many words to show mastery or rulership. For example:
Gajendra means “lord of elephants.”
Narendra means “lord of men.”
Mṛgendra means “lord of beasts.”