Iyravata is the magnificent divine white elephant, known as Airavata, and serves as the mount of Indra, the mighty king of the Devas. Described in various texts as having four tusks and bearing a white hue as brilliant as the moon, Iyravata is revered for his strength and loyalty to Indra. He is a symbol of royalty and power and often accompanies Indra in battles, protecting the heavens from the Asuras (demons) and other cosmic threats. The creation of Iyravata is itself a fascinating story: he emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk, a divine event where the Devas and Asuras worked together to obtain Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Alongside other treasures like the goddess Lakshmi and the divine physician Dhanvantari, Iyravata was born from the ocean, gifted to Indra as a symbol of his sovereignty and protection over the heavens.
Iyravata’s lineage and story extend even further into Hindu mythology through his connection with the goddess Parvati and her son Ganapati. When Parvati’s son was beheaded by Shiva in a moment of misunderstanding, the grief-stricken mother demanded that her son be revived. Shiva, seeking to appease Parvati, ordered his attendants to bring back the head of the first creature they encountered, which happened to be a baby elephant, a descendant of Iyravata. The attendants took the head, and it was used to bring Ganapati back to life, thus creating the elephant-headed deity revered as Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. In some retellings, the baby elephant that sacrificed its head is referred to as a progeny of Iyravata, further connecting the legendary elephant to Ganesha’s divine origin.
As the mount of Indra, Iyravata is also believed to bring rains. In Vedic hymns, he is often associated with clouds and thunder, making him a source of life-giving water and sustenance for all beings on earth. Indra, as the rain-god, is often depicted riding Iyravata across the skies, symbolizing the arrival of monsoons and prosperity. In Buddhist and Jain traditions as well, Iyravata is recognized as a celestial elephant, though with some variations in his attributes, signifying the elephant’s presence as a powerful and benevolent force across different spiritual narratives.
The presence of Iyravata in mythology thus intertwines with several iconic events, from the cosmic churning of the ocean to the story of Ganesha’s creation, reflecting the richness and interconnectedness of Hindu mythology.