Region: IndiaTime Period: circa 1500-1200 BCReferences in Literature: Vedic Mythology, Rig Veda of Hinduism (compiled c 1000 bc), Mahabharata, Catapatha-BrahmanaSources: Many, including Biopark and Python: A Study of Delphic Myth and Its OriginsAbout Vritra:
Possibly a Naga; huge, greedy and hoarding
Sometimes representative of winter.
Son of Dami and mother of Danvas
Cataputha-Brahmana says that he was created by Tvashtri "of soma cast upon the fire; he grew thereafter an arrowshot in all directions until he had forced back the oceans and enveloped the worlds" (Source: Python pg 194.) About Indra:
Killed Vritra in his youth - possibly on a few days old, like Apollo
Also known as - Vritrahan, the Vritra Slayer
Tale:First, he took in all the waters of the cosmos, then wrapped himself around a mountain to rest. Most of the gods ran away, but the hero Indra came along, bribed Agni and Soma to help him, and killed Vritra with thunder and lightning forged by Tvashtri, thus releasing the waters and sun (world order) back upon the earth. He was rewarded with the king's crown and Vritra was cast into hell.Variations include:
Some sources say he wrapped around the navel of the cosmos to stop the water.
Vritra is cut in 2 pieces (moon and "bellies for earth's creatures") after begging for his life.
Indra ran away after killing him and had to be told by the other gods that Vritra was dead.
Vritra shattered Indra's jaw then Indra fled and made a truce with Vritra.
According to the Mahabarata "First Vritra Seized Indra and put him in his mouth to swallow him; the gods at once created Jrimbhika, spirit of yawning, whose power opened Vritra's mouth and allowed Indra to escape." Related Tales:
Apsu and Tiamat
Apollo
Azhi Dahaki Further Reading:
The Encyclopedia Mythica has a version from the Rig Veda
PJ Criss's site