Vedic Mythology c5.s2.18.1

c5.s2.18.1

Having dealt with Indra’s personal traits and his character, we now come to the great myth which is the basis of his nature. Exhilerated by Soma and generally escorted by the Maruts he enters upon the fray with the chief demon of drought, most frequently called by the name of Vṛtra, the Obstructor (§ 68) and also very often styled *ahi* the ‘Serpent’ or ‘Dragon’ (§ 64). The conflict is terrible. Heaven and earth tremble with fear when Indra strikes Vṛtra with his bolt (1, 80¹¹; 2, 11⁹. ¹⁰; 6, 17⁹); even Tvaṣṭṛ who forged the bolt trembles at Indra's anger (1, 80¹⁴). Indra shatters Vṛtra with his bolt (1, 32⁵. 61¹⁰; 10, 89⁷). He strikes Vṛtra with his bolt on his back (1, 32⁷. 80⁵), strikes his face with his pointed weapon (1, 52¹⁵), and finds his vulnerable parts (3, 32⁴; 5, 32⁵). He smote Vṛtra who encompassed the waters (6, 20² &c.) or the dragon that lay around (*pariśayānam*) the waters (4, 19²); he overcame the dragon lying on the waters (5, 30⁶). He slew the dragon hidden in the waters and obstructing the waters and the sky (2, 11⁵), and smote Vṛtra, who enclosed the waters, like a tree with the bolt (2, 14²). Thus ‘conquering in the waters’ (*apsujit*) is his exclusive attribute. Indra being frequently described as slaying Vṛtra in the present or being invoked to do so, is regarded as constantly renewing the combat, which mythically represents the constant renewal of the natural phenomena.