Sakra, Vedic God

Sakra or Sakka is a powerful god who has been referred in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, Sakra is another name of Lord Indra. Sakra means powerful. The name of Sakra is mentioned in many verses of the Rig Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Sakra, the epithet of lord Indra is also stated in the epic Mahabharata. Sakra in Buddhism is referred as the ruler of the Trayastrimsa Heaven. The full name of Sakra is `Sakro devanam Indra` means `Sakra, lord of the Devas`. In the legendary stories of Sakra mentioned in Buddhist text is different from the Hindu Indra. In Buddhism, Sakra and Indra are independent identity.

Sakra is the emperor of Trayastrimsa Heaven which is located on the top of Mountain Meru. This paradise is predicted to be the polar center of the material world, around which the Sun and Moon rotate. Trayastrimsa is the highest of all the heavens and is in direct contact with the Earth. The god Sakra is long-lasting but mortal. It is believed that when one Sakra dies, his place is taken by another deity who becomes the new Sakra. In the Jataka stories and several sutras Sakra is mentioned. He is depicted as consulting Lord Buddha in various Buddhist texts on morality. He is believed to be the protector of Buddhism. In Buddhism he is believed to be the God of the sky who fights the demons with his Vajra.

Sakra married Suja, the daughter of Vemacitrin, the Asura chief. In spite of this marriage there is still war between the asuras and gods. Still Sakra manages to resolve with minimum violence and without loss of life. Sakra and Brahma in Buddhism are considered to be the protector of the Buddhist religion.

In Jainism Sakra or Lord Indra and his wife Sachi is portrayed to be riding the Eternal Elephant Airavata. In Jain texts Sakra appears several times as a name of the king of the Devas. Sakra in many Jain texts plays an important part in the lives of the Jains as king of the gods