Iyravata, the divine white elephant, is a revered and powerful entity in Hindu mythology. It is the mount of Indra – The King of Heaven, the king of the Devas, and is considered a symbol of strength, wisdom, and good fortune.
As the mount of Indra, Iyravata is a loyal and faithful companion to the king of the Devas. It is said to possess great strength and agility, and is able to carry Indra on its back as he rides through the skies, striking down his enemies and protecting the innocent.
Iyravata is also associated with the story of Ganapati, the remover of obstacles. According to myth, Ganapati was born with an elephant’s head, which was given to him by Iyravata, the mother of the baby elephant. This story highlights the close relationship between Iyravata and Ganapati, and the importance of the elephant in Hindu mythology.
In addition to its association with Indra and Ganapati, Iyravata is also connected to the concept of dharma, or righteousness. As a symbol of strength and wisdom, Iyravata is often depicted as a guardian of the dharma, and is said to protect those who follow the path of righteousness.
Some closely related entities in Hindu mythology include:
- Indra: The king of the Devas, who is often depicted as a powerful and wise ruler.
- Ganapati: The remover of obstacles, who is often depicted as a wise and benevolent deity.
- Devas: The gods of Hindu mythology, who are often depicted as powerful and wise beings.
- Dharma: The concept of righteousness, which is often depicted as a guiding principle in Hindu mythology.
- Elephant: A symbol of strength and wisdom in Hindu mythology, which is often associated with the god Ganapati.
Iyravata is also associated with the following mythological stories:
- The story of Indra’s battle with the Asuras: In this story, Iyravata is depicted as a powerful and loyal mount, carrying Indra into battle against the Asuras.
- The story of Ganapati’s birth: In this story, Iyravata is depicted as the mother of the baby elephant, which gives up its life to supply Ganapati with an elephant’s head.
- The story of the creation of the universe: In this story, Iyravata is depicted as a symbol of the creative power of the gods, and is said to have played a role in the creation of the universe.
Overall, Iyravata is a powerful and revered entity in Hindu mythology, associated with strength, wisdom, and good fortune. Its connection to Indra, Ganapati, and the concept of dharma makes it an important symbol in Hindu mythology.
Sources & further reading
These themes are explored in greater depth across the following authoritative resources:
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Hindu Philosophy
- Britannica, Dharma
- Britannica, Karma
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Bhagavad Gita
- A. K. Ramanujan, Speaking of Siva (Penguin Classics, 1973)
External resources for further reading. Apam Napat is not affiliated with these publishers; citation does not imply endorsement.
Based on the classical texts of Hindu mythology, see our sources.