A Who's Who of World Mythology : Ahi


In Hindu myth, Ahi or Vritra was a serpent god, a demon or dragon of drought. He was also considered a spider-like being in India, and the son of Danu, a serpent goddess also known as Kabandha. Danu was goddess of primeval waters. In later Hindu mythology, she was the daughter of Daksa a sun god and consort to Kasyapa.

Originally Ahi was slain by Trita, a god who escaped from a well and who was associated with Indra. Later, Trita was replaced by the war god Indra. The story was borrowed from the Zend-Avesta. According to Zoroastrian myth, Verethra (Ahi) was slain by the war god Verethraghna (Indra).