Vedic Mythology c7.s6.2

c7.s6.2

The most common animal form applied in this way is the serpent¹ (*ahi* = Av. *azhi*)². This is generally only another designation of the demon Vṛtra, who probably received his name (cp. § 68) as a formidable enemy of mankind enveloping his prey like a serpent in his coils³. The Vṛtra-slayer Indra, who is also called the serpent-slayer, is said to have slain the serpent (8, 82² cp. 4, 17¹); the identity of Ahi and Vṛtra is clear where the terms interchange (1, 32¹· ²· ⁷⁻¹⁴); and by the 'first-born of the serpents' (ib.³· ⁴) no other can be meant than 'Vṛtra, the most Vṛtra' (ib.⁵). In several passages, too, the words are in apposition and may be translated 'the serpent Vṛtra'⁴. When Ahi is mentioned alone, the results of Indra's victory over him are the same as in the case of Vṛtra, the god causing the waters to flow, delivering the seven streams, or winning the cows⁵. The waters are also described as encompassed by the serpent, the action being expressed by the root *vṛ* (2, 19²) among others. They are similarly said to be swallowed (*√gras*) by the serpent (4, 17¹; 10, 111⁹). Ahi is armed with lightning thunder and hail (1, 32¹³). He is bright, for the Maruts are called *ahi-bhānavah*, 'shining like Ahi' (1, 172¹); and the term *ahi* is applied to Agni, who is described as a 'raging serpent, like the rushing wind' (1, 79¹)¹⁵. Soma is once besought to deliver an enemy to Ahi (7, 104⁹). The plural of the word is occasionally used to express a race of demons (9, 88⁴; 10, 139⁶), of whom *the* Ahi is the first-born (1, 32³· ⁴).