Home › Glossary › Letter I

Indra

Folklore
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

King of the gods in Hindu and Vedic mythology, wielder of thunder and rain

Detailed Definition
Indra’s victories over chaos (like Vritra) establish cosmic order. In poetry, he symbolizes divine authority, storm energy, and the impermanence of power, often used in epic or devotional contexts.
Example
Example in poetry:
Indra, Vedic king of gods, appears in storm poetry: "Indra rides the thundercloud—vajra flashing, demons flee"; Poets use him to explore divine power: "He split the mountain, freed the streams—Indra’s might shaped earth and sky"; In philosophical verse, his flaws are noted: "Even Indra fears old age—gods, like men, must yield to time"; His elephant Airavata inspires imagery: "White as dawn, vast as cloud—Airavata bears Indra’s throne"
Additional Notes
Indra: King of the devas in Hindu and Vedic mythology, god of thunder, rain, and war, wielding the vajra (thunderbolt). Though diminished in later Hinduism, he remains central in early texts. In poetry, he symbolizes royal power, atmospheric force, and the impermanence of glory. Useful in epic or cosmological verse; contrast with ascetic figures like Shiva.
Also Known As
Indra (Vedic god) Śakra
Skip to main content