Indra also known as SAKRA is the Hindu Supreme God of India and the God of Battle. This is a superstar deity and ruler of the Vedic Gods. Indra is in charge of fighting, storms and war. He also invented the curious practice of drinking water. He is admired and honored as Leader of the Gods. Depicted as a man with four arms he uses a white elephant – the Airavata to ride on and the world’s only portable Heaven to run his affairs. Abusing his position is his privilege, just like many other top Indian Gods.
Indra indulges in alcoholism, sexual naughtiness and other wayward behavior. Devouring the potent SOMA, in large quantities is something he prefers. This drink seems to set him off with thunderbolts. Indra is described in the Rig Veda (an antique Hindu hymns collection) as the king of Gods. With his authority over the sky he uses the power of the thunderbolt as his weapon to make rain and conquer the asuras (anti-gods). Against the native inhabitants of lands, the dasyus or dasas, over which his people range, this king leads cattle raids.
Indra had a naughty fling with Ahalya, the beautiful wife of Gautama after which he was given an embarrassing curse as punishment. He lost his testicles first and then hundreds of tiny vaginas covered his body. He told everyone that they were ‘eyes’ to avoid shame, which is why he attained the nickname ‘Indra the Thousand-Eyed’.
