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Indrajit

INDRAJIT. [Source: Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology] Meghanada, son of Ravana.

When Ravana went against Indra's forces in Swarga, his son Meghanada accompanied him, and fought most valiantly. Indra himself was obliged to interfere, when Meghanada, availing himself of the magical power of becoming invisible, which he had obtained from Siva, bound Indra and carried him off to Lankha.

The gods, headed by Brahma, went thither to obtain the release of Indra, and Brahma gave to Meghanada the name Indrajit, 'conqueror of Indra.' Still the victor refused to release his prisoner for anything less than the boon of immortality. Brahma refused, but Indrajit persisted in his demand and achieved his object.

One version of the Ramayana states that Indrajit was killed and had his head cut off by Lakshmana, who surprised him while he was engaged in a sacrifice.

Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D. The textual material made available at this website is licensed under a Creative Commons License. You must give the original author credit. You may not use this work for commercial purposes. If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one. No claims are made regarding the status of images used at this website; if you own the copyright privileges to any of these images and believe your copyright privileges have been violated, please contact the webmaster. Page last updated: October 16, 2007 12:22 PM