Home > Society > Religion in India > Vritra
Vritra
Vritra is an Asura who is also a serpent. He is the personification of drought and enemy of Lord Indra.

Share this Article:

Vritra, DemonVritra is also known as Ahi in the Vedas. He appears as a dragon who blocks the course of the rivers and is killed by Indra. As per the Rig Veda, Vritra kept the waters of the world confined until he was killed by Indra. Lord Indra destroyed all the ninety-nine fortresses of Vritra before liberating the rivers. The fight began soon after Indra was born, and he had drunk a large volume of Soma at Tvashtri`s house in order to empower himself before facing Vritra. Tvashtri disguised as thunderbolt or Vajrayudha for Indra, and Vishnu made space for the battle by taking the three great strides. During the battle Vritra broke Indra`s two jaws however was thrown down by the latter.

After this Indra was known as Vritrahan "slayer of Vritra" and also as "slayer of the first-born of dragons". Danu, Vritra`s mother was attacked and defeated by Indra with his thunderbolt.

Versions in Puranas
According to Puranic myths Vritra was created by Tvashtri in order to take revenge of his son`s killing by Indra. Vritra won the battle and swallowed Indra. However other gods forced him to vomit Indra out. The battle continued and Indra was forced to flee. Vishnu created a respite, with Indra swearing that he would not attack Vritra with anything that is made of metal, wood, stone nor anything that was dry or wet, or during the day or the night. Indra used the foam from the waves of the ocean to kill him at twilight.

In some Hindu texts Vritra was considered as a devotee of Lord Vishnu who was killed due to his failure to live piously. Vritra was a Brahmin who became the head of the Asuras. He renounced his dharma to do well unto others and turned to violence thereby battling with the Gods. He gained immense power. Lord Indra approached Lord Vishnu for help. He told them that Vritra could not be destroyed by ordinary means and a weapon made of bones of a sage could kill him. Vishnu directed them to approach the sage Dadichi. He gladly gave up his bones for the cause of the good. The Devas crafted the Vajrayudha from them. The battle between the Devas and Vritra lasted for 360 days and he died eventually.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India

Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.
Gotra in Hinduism
In Hinduism, gotra refers to a lineage system tracing descent from ancient sages, primarily through the paternal line. Originating from Vedic tradition, it plays a crucial role in identity and marriage customs. Individuals from the same gotra are considered to share a common ancestor and are traditionally prohibited from intermarrying.