Etymology of Indra — The Mighty One
Nirukta (Yaska) · 10 · Verse 1
niruktaindraetymologythunderboltyaska
Sanskrit Original
इन्द्र इति कस्मात्? इदं दर्दर्ति — शत्रून् हिनस्ति। इन्धे वा, ज्वलत्यनेनेति। इद्रि इति वा — परम् ऐश्वर्यमस्य॥
indra iti kasmāt? idaṃ dardarti — śatrūn hinasti | indhe vā, jvalatyaneneti. idri iti vā — param aiśvaryam asya ||
🤖 AI GeneratedAI Generated
Why is he called Indra? (1) From the root "id" (to split) — one who shatters enemies; (2) From "indh" (to kindle) — the one by whom the world is kindled/energized; (3) He possesses supreme lordship (parama aiśvarya). Yaska lists multiple valid etymologies.