Vritra

Indian Vedic Drought Dragon

Vritra (वृत्र) is the most powerful evil dragon of Indian Vedic mythology, the Sanskrit name meaning 'the encloser.' Depicted as a massive serpent (or limbless dragon) who blocks all rivers with his body, bringing drought to humanity. When he blocks the rivers, rain does not fall, the earth cracks, and all life withers. He is the eternal nemesis of Indra, god of thunder. The Rigveda Book 1, Hymn 32 details one of Vedic mythology's greatest battles — Indra received the divine weapon Vajra (thunderbolt) from Tvaṣṭṛ, broke through Vritra's 99 fortresses, and split his skull. Upon Vritra's death, seven great rivers trapped within his body flowed forth to nourish the Indian subcontinent.