Indrani (Sanskrit: इन्द्राणी, IAST: Indrāṇī), also known as Shachi and Paulomi, is a prominent Hindu goddess, primarily revered as the wife of the king of the devas, Indra. Her name literally means "wife of Indra" in Sanskrit, formed from the root Indra with a feminine suffix. According to Vedic tradition, she is the daughter of the asura Puloman, hence her epithet Paulomi, and embodies beauty, pride, and jealousy—the latter a common attribute in Hindu mythology where she is often envious of other women's attractions. Mythological Episodes Indrani's story is closely tied to that of her husband. In one famous legend, after Indra killed the demon Vritrasura, he went into hiding to atone for the sin of Brahmanicide. During his absence, the mortal king Nahusha of the Lunar dynasty was appointed ruler of heaven. Nahusha became enamored with Indrani’s beauty and sought to marry her. The goddess, remaining loyal to Indra, cleverly delayed the marriage by setting impossible conditions—such as demands about the method of Nahusha’s arrival. Eventually, through her wit and the intervention of the sage Bhrigu, Nahusha was overthrown and Indra was restored to his throne, reuniting with Indrani. Iconography and Worship Indrani is described as tantalizingly beautiful, often depicted with golden skin and adorned with jewels, sometimes shown riding an elephant alongside Indra or seated on a throne. In art, she may be depicted with two or four arms, holding a lotus or a thunderbolt (Indra's weapon). She is also identified as Aindri, one of the Sapta Matrikas (seven divine mothers), each representing the energy of a major god. As Aindri, she displays the wrathful warrior aspect, mounted on an elephant and carrying a thunderbolt, mirroring Indra's attributes. In Shaktism, she is an important deity, invoked for protection and strength. Temples dedicated to the Matrikas often include a shrine to Indrani. Notable Bearers Indrani – Indian classical dancer and actress (born 1939), known for popularizing Indian classical dance abroad. Indrani Haldar – Bengali actress. Indrani Rahman – Indian classical dancer. Distribution and Variants Indrani is a common feminine given name in India, particularly among Bengali and Hindi speakers, and in Hindu communities. It may also appear in South Asian diaspora populations. Variants include Shachi (derived from the root śacī, meaning "speech" or "power") and Paulomi. The masculine root is Indra. Meaning: Wife of Indra Origin: Sanskrit Type: Usage regions: Bengali, Hindi, Hindu