In Hinduism, Vritra (Sanskrit वृत्र Vṛtra, "the enveloper") was a serpent or dragon, the personification of drought and enemy of Indra. He has three heads.

According to the Rig Veda, Vritra stole all the water in the world until killed by Indra, who destroyed all ninety-nine fortresses of Vritra.

In a later version of the myth, Vritra was created by Tvashtri to get revenge for Indra's murder of his son, Trisiras. Vritra won the battle and swallowed Indra, but the other gods forced him to vomit Indra out. The battle continued and Indra fled. Vishnu and the rishis brokered a truce, and Indra swore he would not attack Vritra with anything made of metal, wood or 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

However, in some places Hindu scriptures also recognize Vritra as a bhakta of Vishnu, and a brahmin. He was slain only due to his failure to live piously and without aggression.

In one place in the Rig-Veda (6,61,7) Sarasvati is credited with killing Vritra, who is also known as Ahi ("snake").

May also be the origin or prototype of the Rama-katha or Ramayana story.

See also

• Azhi Dahaka, Indo-Iranian mythology, Vedic mythology, Hindu mythology

Vritra Vritra