What is "parjanya"

Parjanya \Parjanya\ prop. n. 1. (Hinduism) The Hindu god of rain; sometimes identified with Indra.

Parjanya is according to Vedic mythology, a deity of rain, the one who fertilizes the earth. The Atharvanic poet claims Parjanya and Prithvi father and mother of all beings. His other wives are Bhūmi and the sacred cow Vasa. It is assumed Parjanya is the udder and lightning is the teats of the rain-cow, accordingly rain represents her milk. Also he is sometimes considered as a rain-bull controlled by the superior Indra. The thunder is his roar. He is the father of arrow or reed which grows rapidly in rainy season. He is also considered as a protector of poets and an enemy of flesh-eating fire.