indra
Very lowSpecialist / Religious / Literary
Definition
Meaning
The name of the principal Vedic deity, the god of sky, rain, and thunder in Hinduism.
In Hinduism, the king of the gods (devas) and ruler of the heavens, often depicted as a wielder of the thunderbolt and a warrior god. More broadly, in contexts like Buddhism and Jainism, he is regarded as a celestial king or a significant divine figure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a proper noun (name) and is not used as a common noun in English. Its usage is almost exclusively confined to contexts discussing Indian religion, mythology, philosophy, or art.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, meaning, or spelling between British and American English.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same religious/mythological connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and context-specific in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Proper noun, no valency patterns as a common word]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None in general English; 'Indra's net' is a philosophical concept in Mahayana Buddhism, not a common idiom]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, South Asian studies, philosophy, and art history texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in discussions of Hinduism or Indian culture.
Technical
May appear in technical Sanskrit or Indological literature.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable as an adjective in standard use]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adjective in standard use]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Indra is an important god in old Indian stories.
- People in ancient times prayed to Indra for rain.
- In Hindu mythology, Indra is the king of the gods and controls the weather.
- Many ancient hymns in the Rig Veda are dedicated to Indra.
- The epic Mahabharata features numerous tales involving Indra and his interactions with heroes.
- Indra's primary weapon, the vajra or thunderbolt, symbolises his power and authority.
- Philosophical interpretations of Indra's net, a metaphor for the interconnectedness of the universe, are profound.
- Theological debates in later Hinduism often centred on Indra's diminished status compared to the Trimurti.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IN the DRAgon's sky, INdra rules with thunder.
Conceptual Metaphor
A powerful ruler; a bringer of rain/storms; the archetypal king of heaven.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the unrelated Russian common noun 'игра' (igra, meaning 'game').
- The name is transliterated as 'Индра' in Russian, which is identical in form and meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an indra').
- Mispronouncing it as /aɪnˈdrɑː/ or /ɪnˈdrɑː/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Practice
Quiz
In which religious tradition is Indra primarily a major deity?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Indra is a male deity's name in Hindu tradition.
Yes, particularly in India and Southeast Asia, Indra is used as a given name for both males and, less commonly, females.
His main weapon is the vajra, a divine thunderbolt or diamond sceptre.
While not a primary focus of mainstream modern Hindu worship like Vishnu or Shiva, Indra is still revered in rituals, especially in traditional Vedic ceremonies, and features prominently in festival mythology.