Note 311 — Chapter I
Reading edition
The rainbow is believed to be the bow of Indra,311 the god of rains, and is therefore called ‘Indra-dhanushya.’ We see it when Indra draws his bow to release the rains from the rākshasas (demons);312 or, when successful in bringing down rain, Indra manifests his glory by drawing a bow;313 or when in the struggle for supremacy between Summer and the rainy season, Indra draws his bow to defeat Summer.314