Vedic Mythology c8.s2.5

c8.s2.5

D. Namuci¹⁰ is mentioned nine times in the RV. besides several times in the VS., TB., and ŚB. He once receives the epithet *āsura*, ‘demoniac’, in the RV. (10, 131⁴; ŚB. 12, 7, 1¹⁰) and is called an Asura in later Vedic texts. He is also spoken of as a Dāsa in three or four passages of the RV. (5, 30⁷. ⁸, &c.) and once as ‘wily’ (1, 53⁷). In vanquishing Namuci Indra is twice associated with Namī Sāpya as his protégé (1, 53⁷; 6, 20⁶). Namuci is slain like several other demons (2, 14⁵; 7, 19⁵) or struck down (1, 53⁷) by Indra. Indra destroyed a hundred castles, slaying Vṛtra and Namuci (7, 19⁵). The characteristic feature about the conflict is that Indra twirls (*√math*) off the head of Namuci (5, 30⁸; 6, 20⁶), while he is said to pierce *√bhid*) that of Vṛtra. Otherwise Indra is described as having twisted (*vartaya*) the head of Namuci (5, 30⁷) or to have twisted it off with the foam ofwater (8, 14¹³). The Brāhmaṇas also refer to Indra's cutting off Namuci's head with the foam of the waters¹¹. In one passage of the RV. (10. 131⁴·⁵) Indra is described as having drunk wine beside the demoniac Namuci, when the Aśvins aided and Sarasvatī cured him (cp. p. 87).