The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c18.s3.12

v1.c18.s3.12

The god who is most closely united with Soma is Indra, who needs the drink to strengthen him to perform the slaying of Vṛtra: hence the drink is called the bolt, and Soma even takes the title of Vṛtra-slayer. Again Indra makes the sun to rise when he has drunk Soma, so that Soma is credited with this feat also. From this it is a short step to becoming a great cosmic power, who generates the two worlds and wields universal sway. He rides in a chariot with Indra, and is connected with the Maruts. He becomes a great and terrible warrior with a bow and shaft: he (alone of Vedic gods ³) is described as killing the wicked and he also kills the demons. The Yajurveda ⁴ says that Brahmans who drink the Soma can slay their foes by their mere look. Through Indra he is associated with Vāyu, and, more superficially, he is connected with Pūṣan and Rudra.