Indra Character Analysis in The Ramayana

Indra is a lesser god in Hindu mythology. He becomes obsessed with the perfect woman, Ahalya, and tricks her into having sex with him before assuming the body of a cat to escape. As punishment, Ahalya's husband curses Indra's feline body to be covered in "a thousand female marks." When Indra's embarrassment at his state causes him to be unable to perform his duties as a god, Ahalya's husband changes the "female marks" to eyes, and Indra is known from then on as the "thousand-eyed god." He offers Rama his magical chariot to help defeat Ravana.

Indra Character Timeline in The Ramayana

The timeline below shows where the character Indra appears in The Ramayana. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...become vassal kingdoms of the horse's owner. Because the horse's owner can challenge the god Indra after completing this sacrifice, the gods become nervous when they hear that this sacrifice will... (full context)

This man's horse set out but was quickly abducted by Indra and taken to the underworld, where Indra hid the horse behind a sage. The man's... (full context)

...as Ahalya, and tells her story to Rama. Brahma created her to be absolutely perfect. Indra wanted Ahalya, but Brahma found a sage to raise her instead. When it was time... (full context)

The sage cursed Indra the cat to be covered with a thousand "female marks," and Indra slunk away back... (full context)

Ravana's resolve attracts the attention of the gods, and they send down Indra's chariot to help Rama. The charioteer introduces himself as Matali, and explains that the gods... (full context)

...of the universe Vishnu's conch answers with its own call. Matali follows this by blowing Indra's conch, and the battle begins. Ravana shoots arrows at Rama, but Rama's arrows stop Ravana's... (full context)

Ravana notices that Rama is riding in Indra's chariot, which makes him angry that the gods are supporting Rama. He shoots more arrows... (full context)