Sri Airavata_ Lord Indra's Divine Vahana

7/20/2014 Sri Airavata: Lord Indra's Divine Vahana

http://www.indiadivine.org/news/hindu-gods-and-goddesses/sri-airavata-lord-indras-divine-vahana-r387 2/5

The eight guardian deities who preside over the eight points of the

compass each sits on an elephant vahana. They are: Kubera (north),

Yama (south), Indra (east), Varuna (west), Isana (northeast), Agni

(southeast), Vayu (northwest), and Nirrti/raksasa (southwest). Each of

these elephant take part in the defense and protection of its respective

quarter. Chief among them is Airavata of Indra. Airavata also stands at

the entrance to Svarga, Indra's palace.

Airavata is also known as 'Ardha-Matanga', meaning "elephant of the

clouds", and 'Naga-malla', meaning "the fighting elephant". He is also

called 'Arkasodara', meaning "brother of the sun", and yet another of his

names means "the one who knits or binds the clouds".

Elephants are known to be capable of producing clouds. The connection of

elephants with water and rain is emphasized in the pastimes of Indra,

who rides Airavata when he defeats Vritra. The mighty elephant reaches

down his trunk into the watery underworld, sucks up water, then sprays it

into the clouds, which Indra then causes to rain forth cool water.

Therefore, Airavata is linking the waters of the sky with those of the

underworld.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna says, "Of horses, know Me to be the

nectar-born Ucchaisravas; of lordly elephants, Airavata and of men, the

monarch." (10.27)

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Airavatesvara Temple

At Darasuram near Kumbakonam, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu,

is a temple where it is believed that Airavata worshipped the Shiva-

lingam, which was thereafter named Airavateswara. This Airateswara

temple, which is rich in rare Dravidian sculpture and architectural

workmanship, was built by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-73).

Lord Shiva is here known as Airavateshwara, because he was worshipped

at this temple by Airavata. Airavata, while suffering from a change of

colour due to a curse from Sage Durvasa, had his colours restored by

bathing in the sacred waters of this temple. In commemoration of the

pastime, an image of Airavata with a seated Indra is found in an inner

shrine.

It is said that the King of Death, Yama, also worshipped Shiva here.

Yama, who was also suffering under a Rishi's curse, had a burning

sensation all over the body, was cured by the presiding deity

Airavateswarar. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the

burning sensation, and since then, the tank has been known as

Yamateertham.



Erawan

Erawan is the name Airavata is known by in Thailand. There, he is

depicted as a huge elephant having three, and sometimes with 33 heads.

The heads are often shown with more than two tusks. Some statues show

Lord Indra riding on Erawan.

Erawan is sometimes associated with the old Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang

and the defunct Kingdom of Laos. Their society pictured Erawan, more

commonly known there as "The three headed elephant" on their Royal

Flag.[1]

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Author's

Name:

Sampradaya Sun

Author's

Website:

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/

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Sri Airavata_ Lord Indra's Divine Vahana