Vedic Mythology c5.s2.42

c5.s2.42

The name of Indra occurs only twice in the Avesta⁴⁰. Beyond the fact of his being no god, but only a demon, his character there is uncertain⁴¹. Indra's distinctive Vedic epithet *vṛtrahan* also occurs in the Avesta in the form of *vərəthraghna*, which is, however, unconnected with Indra or the thunderstorm myth, designating merely the God of Victory⁴². Thus it is probable that the Indo-Iranian period possessed a god approaching to the Vedic form of the Vṛtra-slaying Indra. It is even possible that beside the thundering god of heaven, the Indo-European period may have known as a distinct conception a thundergod gigantic in size, a mighty eater and drinker, who slays the dragon with his lightning bolt⁴³. The etymology⁴⁴ of Indra is doubtful, but that the root is connected with that in *indu*, drop, seems likely.