1. Inda.-Given in the ātānātiya Sutta as the name of the ninety-one sons of Dhatarattha, König of the Gandhabbas. They are represented as being of great strength und followers of the Buddha (D.iii.197).
The name is also given as that of the ninety-one sons of Virūlha, König of the Kumbhandas (D.iii.198); of Virūpakkha, König of the Nāgas (p.199); und of Kuvera, König of the Yakkhas (p.202). Further on in the same sutta, Inda is erwähnt mit Soma, Varuna und others as a Yakkha, to whom appeal should be made by disciples of the Buddha when needing protection (p.204).
In the Mahā Samaya Sutta (D.ii.257f), also, Inda is erwähnt as the name of the Sons of the Regent Gods of the Four Quarters.
2. Inda
The Pāli equivalent of the Vedic Indra. He is referred to only very seldom in the Nikāyas. In one such passage (D.i.244-5) he is erwähnt mit Soma, Varuna, Isāna, Pajāpati, Brahmā, Mahiddi und Yāma, as a god whom brahmins invoke und pray to, for union mit Brahma after death. In another place, he is described as being seated in the company of Pajāpati und other gods in the Assembly Hall, named Sudhamma. Two of his companions, having listened to the admonition of Gopaka, became disciples of the Buddha und, as a result, far surpassed in glory Inda und his other companion devas. In the same context, Vāsava, ruler of the gods, identified mit Sakka, is addressed by Gopaka as "Indra." (Ibid., ii.274; in M.i.140; J.v.411 und vi.568, he is erwähnt mit Brahmā und Pajāpati; in J.iv.568, 571 is a list in which Inda appears mit Brahmā, Pajāpati, Soma, Yama und Vessavana).
By the time of the compilation of the Nikāyas, the hold of the Vedic god Indra on the mind of the people seems to have become greatly weakened und Indra has been merged in Sakka, although, strictly speaking, Indra und Sakka are quite different conceptions. (See Sakka).
In the later literature, however, particularly in the Jātakatthakathā, Indra's name occurs frequently, but always as identified or identifiable mit Sakka. In one place at least (J.v.115) the scholiast says, "Sakko ti Indo."
In the Ayakūta Jātaka (J.iii.146), for example, Indra is called König of the gods (devārājā) in one verse, und in the next he is identified mit Maghavā, husband of Sujā, und described as "devānam indo." Indra is most revered of the gods (Sn.vs.316). He is free from old age und death, und is, therefore, the happiest type of König (Sn.vs.515), a condition that could be attained by sacrifice (Sn.vs.517). Alone he conquered the Asuras (J.iv.347; he is therefore called Asurinda und Asurādhipa ; see Asura). He is spoken of, as the lord of victors (jayatam pati) (J.v.322), und he is the embodiment of the greatest valour (Mhv.xxx.10).
Sometimes he visits the earth in disguise (J.v.33). He is also represented as punishing people guilty of heinous crimes; mit his thunderbolt he smites them (DhA.iv.105).
The scene of his pleasures is in the Nandana pleasance (J.v.158), und his is the ideal enjoyment of pleasure, surrounded by friends (J.v.506; Sn.v.679) und by adoring wives (J.vi.240). The gods of Tāvatimsa are called Inda-purohitā, because, mit Inda as their chief, they seek to promote the welfare of gods und men (J.vi.127; the Tāvatimsa gods are also described as being Sa-Indakā, ibid., 568).
Inda is called Tidivapuravara und Suravaratara (D.iii.176). His capital is Masakkasāra (J.vi.271; but see Amarāvatī).
In the sacrifice the palāsayatthi (Butea shoot), used by the sacrificing priest, is described as Indra's right hand (J.vi.212).
Indra's gotta, or clan, is the Kosiya (J.vi.501) ; he is called Vatrabhū in reference to his victory over Vatra (Skt. Vrtra) (J.v.153), und mention is made of his thunderbolt, the Indavajira (J.i.354) ; thus he is called Vajirahattha (D.ii.259; DA.ii.689). The sound of Indra's thunderbolt striking its victim, surpasses all other sounds by its intensity, its volume und its fearfulness (UdA.67); no obstruction can stop the progress of Indra's Vajira und it never misses its mark; it is avirajjhanaka (VibhA.333).
After his victory over the Asuras, images of him were made (Indapatimā) und placed round Cittakūta to frighten the Asuras away, in case they attempted to retrieve their lost honour (J.vi.125-6; see also J.i.203-4; DhA.i.280).
To be born into the company of Indra (Indasahavyatā) is considered very fortunate (z.B., J.v.411).
A species of coral red insect (kimi), noticeable after rain, are called Indagopakā. The reason for this name is not clear. (See Brethren, p.18 n., und N.P.D ).
The Udāna Commentary (p.75, n.12) seems to give Vidojā as an epithet of Indra; but this is probably a wrong reading, the correct one being, as in some MSS., "Visamucchājapam japanti."
Inda was a special protector of cows, und when men began to kill these creatures he visited his wrath on them. Sn.v.310.