Airavata

Indra (alias Sakra) and Shachi riding the five-headed Divine Elephant Airavata, Folio from a Jain text, Panch Kalyanaka">Shachi.html" ;"title="Indra (alias Sakra) and Shachi">Indra (alias Sakra) and Shachi riding the five-headed Divine Elephant Airavata, Folio from a Jain text, Panch Kalyanaka (Five Auspicious Events in the Life of Jina Rishabhanatha), c. 1670–1680, Painting in LACMA museum, originally from Amber, India, Amber, Rajasthan

Airavata (, Pāḷi ''Erāvana, Sinhala language, Sinhala:'' ''Airāvana'') is a divine elephant, characterized by four tusks, seven trunks and a white complexion. He is the "king of elephants" also serves as the main vehicle for the deity Indra. It is also called 'abhra-Matanga', meaning "elephant of the clouds"; 'Naga-malla', meaning "the fighting elephant"; and 'Arkasodara', meaning "brother of the sun". 'Abhramu' is the elephant wife of Airavata. Airavata is also the third son of Iravati. In the ''Mahabharata'' he is listed as a great serpent.

Hindu tradition

The appearance or birth of Airavata varies according to different Hindu texts. In the Ramayana, Airavata was born to Iravati (descendant of the sage, Kashyapa) whereas, the Vishnu Purana notes that Airavata was born from the churning of the ocean of milk. According to the Matangalila, Airavata was born when Brahma sang sacred hymns over the halves of the egg shell from which Garuda hatched, followed by seven more male and eight female elephants. Prithu made Airavata king of all elephants. One of his names means "the one who knits or binds the clouds" since myth has it that these elephants are capable of producing clouds. The connection of elephants with water and rain is emphasized in the mythology of Indra, who rides the elephant Airavata when he defeats Vritra.

It is believed that the elephant guards one of the points of compass. Airavata also stands at the entrance to Svarga, Indra's palace. In addition, the eight guardian deities who preside over the points of the compass each sit on an elephant ( world elephant). Each of these deities has an elephant that takes part in the defense and protection of its respective quarter. Chief among them is Airavata of Indra. There is a reference to Airavata in the Bhagavad Gita:

Airavata is also known for being the cause of the churning of the ocean of milk. Once sage Durvasa presented a garland to Indra, who passed it on to Airavata. The elephant then threw the garland on to the ground, which angered Durvasa and resulted in the demigods to be "subject to old age and death." Reversing the curse required the devas to retrieve the nectar of immortality by churning the ocean of milk.

At Darasuram near Tanjore is a temple where it is believed that Airavata worshipped the Lingam; the Lingam is named after him as Airavateshwara. This temple, which abounds in rare sculpture and architectural workmanship, was built by Rajaraja Chola II (1146–73 CE).

Jain tradition

In Jain tradition, when a Tirthankara is born, Indra descends with his consort, Shachi, riding their mount, the great elephant Airavata, to celebrate the event.

Flags with Airavata

; Laos

Flag of French Laos.svg, Flag of French Laos (1893–1952)
Flag of Laos (1952-1975).svg, Flag of Laos (1952–1975)
Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Laos.svg, Laotian royal standard (1952–1975)

; Siam (Thailand)

Siamese Royal Standard (absent) (Rama IV).svg, "Thong Airaphot" (ธงไอยราพต) King's Absent Standard (1855–1891 & 1897–1910)
Siamese Royal Standard (absent) (Rama V).svg, "Thong Chuthathipathai" (ธงจุฑาธิปไตย) King's Absent Standard (1891–1897)
Flag of Bangkok.svg, Flag of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Erawan

Erawan (, from Pāḷi ''Erāvana'', or Sanskrit ''Airāvana'') is one of the Thai names of Airavata. It is depicted as a huge elephant with either three or sometimes thirty-three heads which are often shown with more than two tusks. Some statues show Indra, the king of Tavatimsa Heaven, riding on Erawan.

The elephant became the symbol of Bangkok by association with Indra during its foundation as the capital of the new Rattanakosin Kingdom . It is also sometimes associated with the old Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang and the defunct Kingdom of Laos, where it was more commonly known as the "three-headed elephant" and had been used on the royal flag.

In popular culture

Airavata is a recruitable character in the ''Megami Tensei'' video game series.

Airavata is referenced in the song "The Animal Tent" on the album ''The Circus'' by The Venetia Fair:

Airavata is the name of the Volvo bus service that Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation provides.

See also

* Erawan Shrine
* Erawan Museum

Citations

General references

*

External links

*

{{Hindu deities and texts

Elephants in Indian culture
Elephants in Thailand
Hindu iconography
Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology
Indian legendary characters
Mythological elephants
Thai art
Culture of Thailand
Elephants in Buddhism
Elephants in Hinduism
Indra
Legendary creatures with supernumerary body parts