Category:God and Lord Indra
Theme Analysis
Although Lord Indra is the powerful King of heaven and the chief of the administrative demigods, Srila Prabhupada explains that he is completely subordinate to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the conception of the universal form, Indra represents the arms of the Lord, acting merely as a differentiated part and parcel of His supreme body. Being created by Narayana, Indra works strictly under His direction and relies entirely on His protection. The Supreme Lord acts as Indra's maintainer, frequently incarnating—such as in the form of Lord Vamanadeva—to side with him, kill the demons, and reinstate him on his heavenly throne. Despite his exalted position, Indra is still a conditioned soul susceptible to the illusion of material opulence, sometimes misusing the Lord's favor for worldly gain rather than unalloyed devotion. Ultimately, true spiritual intelligence requires recognizing that all demigods, including Indra, are simply appointed servants whose primary duty is to execute the supreme will of God.
- The Universal Arm: In the cosmic manifestation, King Indra serves as the arm of the Supreme Lord. Oblations offered to him are actually offered to the limbs of Lord Vasudeva.
- The Supreme Maintainer: Although occasionally appearing as his younger brother, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the actual maintainer and protector of Indra and the heavenly planets.
- Divine Partiality: Out of affection for His appointed servants, the Lord often displays a striking partiality toward Indra, personally intervening to defeat powerful demons on his behalf.
- The Trap of Opulence: Despite his vast learning, Indra sometimes falls into illusion, prioritizing the recovery of his material kingdom over the opportunity to render pure devotional service.
- The Independent Controller: If Indra fails to supply rain or perform his administrative duties, the Supreme Lord or His empowered incarnations can bypass him completely, proving God's absolute independence.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Indra is the Arm of God.
Pages in category "God and Lord Indra"
The following 31 pages are in this category, out of 31 total.
A
- Although Vamanadeva is sometimes taken as a less-important demigod, He is actually the maintainer of Indra, the King of the demigods
- Although we (Yamaraja, Indra, Candra, Siva, Brahma and Surya) are in the mode of goodness, we cannot understand the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What, then, is to be said of others, who, under illusion, merely speculate to know God?
B
- Bali Maharaja lamented that although Indra was very learned, he did not know how to use his intelligence properly, for instead of asking Vamanadeva to allow him to engage in His service, Indra used Him to beg Bali Maharaja for material wealth
- Both Indra and Visnu are worshiped by yajna performances. But here (in BG 8.2) Arjuna asks who is actually the Lord of yajna (sacrifice), and how is the Lord residing within the body of the living entity. BG 1972 purports
- By the grace of the Matsya avatara, Manu saved himself from the great danger of the flood. May that same fish incarnation save us from the great and fearful danger caused by the son of Tvasta
I
- In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, Yajnavalkya says to Gargi, the daughter of Garga Muni: "Even the sun, the moon and other controllers and demigods like Lord Brahma and King Indra are all under His (the Supreme Personality of Godhead's) control"
- Indra said, "Devotees do not care even for liberation, not to speak of these material opulences. Actually, we are not enjoyers of the fruits of sacrifices. Our only duty is to always be engaged in Your service, for You are the enjoyer of everything"
- Indra, King of heaven, being protected by the arms of Vamanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus regained his rule of the three worlds and was reinstated in his own position, supremely opulent, fearless and fully satisfied
- It is indicated that King Prthu would arrange for the distribution of rainfall personally if Indra failed to discharge his duty properly. Sometimes Indra, would become angry at the inhabitants of the earth if they did not offer sacrifices to appease him
K
- King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your transcendental form with eight hands and weapons in each of them appears for the welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes
- King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami: My lord, kindly explain the Visnu mantra armor that protected King Indra and enabled him to conquer his enemies, along with their carriers, and enjoy the opulence of the three worlds
- King Prthu is very appropriately compared to the sun and the demigod Indra. King Indra of the heavenly planets is in charge of distributing water over the earth and other planetary systems
L
- Lord sided with Indra by killing the demons on his account (hata-putra ditih sakra-parsni-grahena visnuna). Therefore, the Lord was clearly partial to Indra, although He is the Supersoul in everyone's heart
- Lord Vamanadeva was standing at Indra's door, but King Indra, instead of begging Him for an opportunity to render transcendental loving service, engaged Him in asking me for alms to gain the three worlds for his sense gratification
M
- My dear King Yudhisthira, the demigods then approached the Lord. They were headed by Lord Brahma, King Indra and Lord Siva and included great saintly persons and the residents of Pitrloka, Siddhaloka, Vidyadhara-loka and the planet of the snakes
- My dear Lord, it is after You endeavor that Lord Brahma, Indra and the other directors of the cosmic manifestation become occupied with their activities. It is after You perceive the material energy, My Lord, that the senses begin to perceive
R
- Rsabhadeva, a partial incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will take birth from his father, Ayusman, and his mother, Ambudhara. He will enable the Indra named Adbhuta to enjoy the opulence of the three worlds
- Rsabhadeva, the master of all mystic power, understood King Indra's purpose and smiled a little. Then, by His own prowess, through yogamaya (His internal potency), He profusely poured water upon His own place, which was known as Ajanabha
S
- Since you (Indra) have come here to kill me in accordance with Visnu's order, there is no doubt that I shall be killed by the release of your thunderbolt. Lord Visnu has sided with you. Therefore your victory, opulence and all good qualities are assured
- Sukadeva Gosvami said: The Manus, the sons of Manu, the great sages, the Indras and all the demigods, O King, are appointed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His various incarnations such as Yajna
T
- The demigods like Brahma, Visnu, Mahesvara, Indra, Candra and Varuna are undoubtedly different forms of the Lord for execution of different functions; the different elemental ingredients of material creation, as well as the multifarious energies
- The Gandharvas said: Dear Lord, all the demigods, including Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, Indra and Marici and the great sages, are all only differentiated parts and parcels of Your body
- The Lord of sacrifice accepts Indra and Visnu. Visnu is the chief of the primal demigods, including Brahma and Siva, and Indra is the chief of the administrative demigods. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord, accompanied by His sons named the Yamas and by all the other demigods, killed the demons and Raksasas. He then took the post of Indra and began to rule the heavenly kingdom
- The Narayana Upanisad (1) states, "From Narayana, Brahma was born. Narayana created all the Prajapatis. Narayana created Indra. Narayana created the eight Vasus. Narayana created the eleven Rudras. Narayana created the twelve Adityas"
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme independent controlling person, and all the demigods, including Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Indra (the King of heaven), the king of the moon planet and the king of the sun planet, work under His direction
- There is a good analogy in this connection, showing the relationship between the part and the whole. Lord Vamanadeva is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He appeared to have been "born" as one of the brothers of Indra