Indra- Persian DemonDemon"Demon of Apostasy"
Also known as: Andra and Indar
Titles & Epithets
Domains
Description
Among the six archdaevas who serve Angra Mainyu, Indra works against truth itself. His weapon is apostasy: the whisper that turns the faithful from Asha toward the Lie. At the Frashokereti, Asha Vahishta will destroy him and the temptation to false worship will end.
Mythology & Lore
The Archdaeva
The Bundahishn names Indra as one of the six archdaevas, the chief demons who serve Angra Mainyu. His adversary is Asha Vahishta, the Amesha Spenta of truth and righteousness. Where Asha holds the faithful to proper worship, Indra pulls them toward the Lie: apostasy, false worship, the abandonment of what they know to be true. The Vendidad lists him among the creatures of evil.
The name itself marks a break. In the older Indo-Iranian religion, Indra had been a god. When Zoroaster declared the old gods to be daevas, servants of the Lie, Indra was cast down with them. The same root word means "god" in one tradition and "demon" in the other.
The Frashokereti
At the final renovation of creation, each Amesha Spenta will face and destroy their demonic counterpart. Asha Vahishta will overcome Indra, and the temptation to apostasy will cease to exist. The Greater Bundahishn describes this confrontation as the last battle, after which all beings will recognize the truth of Ahura Mazda.
Relationships
- Serves
- Equivalent to