Indra in Indian Mythology

Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Indra as an important God. 2. Indra\'s physical feature and other traits. 3. Indra as the chief of Gods. 4. Indra the king of Gods. 5. Indra as a Vrtraslayer. 6. Indra the drinker of Soma. 7. Soma the terrestrial plant. 8. Soma the Moon God. 9. Indra identified with other Gods. 10. Indra the Rain God. 11. Indra as the benevolent God. 12. Indra the great. Index.

"Through the present work entitled "Indra in Indian Mythology" the author gives an interesting and fascinating account of "Indra" - the king of Gods. Indra is well known to each and every body as Indra Devata, the Rain God. It is the impression of the general public that heavy rain or adequate or dearth of rain is due to the pleasure and displeasure of Indra Devata. So as to satisfy him the people offer worship and perform yajna for raining. Thereby he is famous and familiar among the peoples. But other exploits and traits are unknown to common mass except some scholars. In his benevolent character he gives protection and in the melevolent nature he punishes those, who are irreligious dishonest and harmful to the society by killing or vanquishing them. Thus the benefolent and melevolent deeds done by him discussed in the greater detail in the twelfth chapters which are self explanatory.

The subject itself is an interesting from the Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanisads, Puranas and epics have been briefly discussed in proper places of the book to make it popular among all classes of peoples." (jacket)