The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c17.s9.9

v1.c17.s9.9

With the waters are connected not only gods like Agni, but various plants³ and animals, of whom the most prominent are the snakes, the ants, and the frogs. The connexion with the water of the snakes appears to be a case of theriomorphism, as seen in the deity Ahi Budhnya, and in the snake form of Agni as well as in the case of the demon Vṛtra. The ants⁴ are evidently brought into connexion with water, because of their ability to find for themselves water in apparently dry places as the Brāhmaṇa legends show, and the frogs⁵ are invoked to send water, because of their close connexion with the waters in which they move and have their being. The ritual emphasizes this connexion by the use of a frog in rites where cooling is needed, and several plants are employed in the same way. The most important of the terrestrial waters are the streams and these will be treated in the next chapter. Among the minor figures who have some connexion with water must be included the Gandharvas and Apsarases.