The Arctic Home in the Vedas c12.14

c12.14

The struggle between Indra and Vṛitra is represented in the Vedas as being four-fold in character. *First*, it is a struggle between Indra and Vṛitra, the latter of whom appears also under the names of Namuchi, Shushṇa, Shambara, Vala, Pipru, Kuyava and others. This is *Vṛitra-tûrya*, or the fight or struggle with Vṛitra. *Secondly*, it is a fight for the waters, which, either in the form of *sindhus* (rivers) or as *âpaḥ* (simple floods), are often described as released or liberated by the slaughter of Vṛitra. This is *ap-tûrya* or the struggle for waters; and Indra is called *apsu-jit* or conquering in the waters, while Vritra is described as encompassing them (*âpaḥ pari-shayânam*). Thirdly, it is a struggle to regain the cows (*go-iṣṭi*); and there are several passages in the Rig-Veda where the cows are said to have been released by Indra after having overthrown Vritra. Fourthly, it is a fight to regain the day-light or heaven called (*div-iṣṭi*), or the striving for day; and in many places the sun and the dawn are said to be brought out by Indra after killing Vritra.¹ The following extracts from Macdonell's *Vedic Mythology* give the requisite authorities from the Rig-Veda for this four-fold character of the struggle between Indra and Vritra. Speaking of the terrible conflict, he thus sums up the principal incidents thereof as mentioned in the Rig-Veda :—