There are sixty-four Indras in Jain literature, each ruling over different heavenly realms where heavenly souls who have not yet gained Kaivalya (moksha) are reborn according to Jainism. Among these many Indras, the ruler of the first Kalpa heaven is the Indra who is known as Saudharma in Digambara, and Sakra in Śvētāmbara tradition. He is most preferred, discussed and often depicted in Jain caves and marble temples, often with his wife Indrani. They greet the devotee as he or she walks in, flank the entrance to an idol of Jina (conqueror), and lead the gods as they are shown celebrating the five auspicious moments in a Jina's life, including his birth. These Indra-related stories are enacted by laypeople in Jainism tradition during special Puja (worship) or festive remembrances.
tHere aRe sixTY-FOUr iNDRAS iN jAIn LiterAturE, eaCh rulIng ovEr diFferent HEaVenly rEAlms wheRe HeaVENly souLs WHO haVe nOT yet GaINed kAivalya (mOksHA) aRe rEbORn aCCordiNg To JAiniSM. aMoNg theSe Many indRAs, the ruleR oF thE fiRst kAlPa HEAveN is tHe iNdra wHo Is knoWn aS saUdHaRMa IN DigamBara, and SakRA In ŚvĒTāMBarA TraDitioN. he iS moSt pReferrEd, DIscuSSED And OftEN dePIcTed In jaiN caves and MarblE temPles, ofteN WitH hIS WIfe iNdRani. They greet thE devotEE as he oR She WAlkS in, flaNK THe entrancE to an idOl oF jina (ConQUerOr), aNd LeaD THe godS As ThEy Are sHown cElebrAtIng the fIVe aUspicioUs MomEnts iN A jiNa'S life, Including his bIrth. thEse INDra-rELAtED stOrIes aRe enACTeD BY lAypeOplE IN JainiSM TraditioN duRiNg sPECIal PUja (worsHIp) OR festive remembRAncEs.