Vritra

Vritra

Vritra is a Vedic serpent, dragon or demon in Hinduism, the personification of drought and adversary of Indra. Vritra was also known in the Vedas as Ahi. He appears as a dragon blocking the course of the rivers and is heroically slain by Indra.

About Vritra in brief

Summary VritraVritra is a Vedic serpent, dragon or demon in Hinduism, the personification of drought and adversary of Indra. Vritra was also known in the Vedas as Ahi. He appears as a dragon blocking the course of the rivers and is heroically slain by Indra. In one of the versions of the story, three Devas – Varuna, Soma and Agni – were coaxed by Indra into aiding him in the fight. Srimad Bhagavatam recognizes Vritr as a bhakta of Vishnu who was slain only due to his failure to live piously and without aggression. He was actually the son of Tvashta, who covered all the planetary systems by dint of austerity, Therefore he was named Vrita, or one who covers everything with his head.

He became the head of the Asura. He won the battle and swallowed Indra, but the other gods forced him to vomit Indra out. The battle continued and Indra was eventually forced to flee. He used the foam from the waves of the ocean to kill him at twilight. The story runs thus: SB 6. 9. 13-17: Like arrows released in the four directions, the demon’s body grew, day after day, he appeared like a burnt hill.