The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c17.s2.6

v1.c17.s2.6

The Avestan parallel of Trita is Thrita, the third preparer of the Haoma, who received from Ahura 10,000 healing plants, which grew round the healing Haoma. Cognate with Thrita is Thraētaona, son of Āthwya, who slays the serpent of three heads and six eyes, Aži Dahāka; in his expedition for this purpose he is accompanied by two brothers who seek to slay him. The name Trita of course is third, while Āptya seems to refer to water and to be equivalent to Apāṁ Napāt.