Vala (Vedic)
Encyclopedia
Vala meaning "enclosure" in Vedic Sanskrit
, is an Asura
of the Rigveda
and the Atharvaveda
, the brother of Vrtra.
Historically, it has the same origin as the Vrtra myth, being derived from the same root, and from the same root also as Varuna
, *val-/var- (PIE *wel-) "to cover, to enclose" (perhaps cognate to veil
).
Parallel to Vrtra "the blocker", a stone serpent slain by Indra
to liberate the rivers, Vala is a stone cave, split by Indra (intoxicated and strengthened by Soma
, identified with Brhaspati in 4.50 and 10.68 or Trita
in 1.52, aided by the Angiras
as in 2.11) , to liberate the cows and Ushas
, hidden there by the Panis
.
Indra descends from an Indo-Iranian god
known as *vrtra-g'han- (virtually PIE
*wltro-gwhen-) "slayer of the blocker". Triptolemos is analysed by Janda (1998) as a Greek continuation of a variant of the epithet, *trigw-t-welumos, a "terpsimbrotos
" compound "cracker of the enclosure", Greek (w)elumos referring to the casings of grain in Greek being descended from the same root *wel-. On such grounds, a rock or mountain *welos or *welumos split by a heroic deity, liberating Dawn or the Sun is reconstructed for Proto-Indo-European mythology (the "Sun in the rock" myth, sometime also speculated to be connected with the making of fire from flintstone).
Already in 2.24, the myth is given a mystical interpretation, with warlike Indra replaced by Brahmanaspati, the lord of prayer, who split Vala with prayer (brahman
) rather than with the thunderbolt.
Vala is mentioned 23 times in the Rigveda, Vala appears in hymns RV 1.11, 52, 62, RV 2.11, 12, 14, 15, 24, RV 3.30, 34, RV 4, 50, RV 6.18, 39, RV 8.14, 24, RV 10.67, 68, 138.
Central verses of the myth (trans. Griffith):
Vedic Sanskrit
Vedic Sanskrit is an old Indo-Aryan language. It is an archaic form of Sanskrit, an early descendant of Proto-Indo-Iranian. It is closely related to Avestan, the oldest preserved Iranian language...
, is an Asura
Asura
-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, the Asuras constitute a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes considered sinful and materialistic. The Daityas and Danavas were combinedly known as Asuras. The Asura were opposed to the Devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa...
of the Rigveda
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
and the Atharvaveda
Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
, the brother of Vrtra.
Historically, it has the same origin as the Vrtra myth, being derived from the same root, and from the same root also as Varuna
Varuna
In Vedic religion, Varuna is a god of the sky, of water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and of the underworld...
, *val-/var- (PIE *wel-) "to cover, to enclose" (perhaps cognate to veil
Veil
A veil is an article of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, that is intended to cover some part of the head or face.One view is that as a religious item, it is intended to show honor to an object or space...
).
Parallel to Vrtra "the blocker", a stone serpent slain by Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
to liberate the rivers, Vala is a stone cave, split by Indra (intoxicated and strengthened by Soma
Soma
Soma , or Haoma , from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the subsequent Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, whose Soma Mandala contains 114 hymns, many praising its energizing qualities...
, identified with Brhaspati in 4.50 and 10.68 or Trita
Trita
Trita "the Third" is a minor deity of the Rigveda, mentioned 41 times. He is associated with the Maruts, with Vayu and with Indra, like Indra, or as Indra's assistant, fighting Tvastar, Vrtra and Vala. He is called Āptya, the deity of the Apas ....
in 1.52, aided by the Angiras
Angiris
According to Hindu mythology, the Angiris are a group of celestial beings who are descendants of the Fire God, Agni and responsible for watching over humans performing Yagna and protecting the sacrificial fires...
as in 2.11) , to liberate the cows and Ushas
Ushas
Ushas , Sanskrit for "dawn", is a Vedic deity, and consequently a Hindu deity as well.Sanskrit is an s-stem, i.e. the genitive case is . It is from PIE , cognate to Greek Eos and Latin Aurora....
, hidden there by the Panis
Panis
The Panis are a class of demons in the Rigveda, from , a term for "bargainer, miser," especially applied to one who is sparing of sacrificial oblations. The Panis appear in RV 10.108 as watchers over stolen cows. They are located behind the stream Rasā, and sought out by Sarama, the female dog...
.
Indra descends from an Indo-Iranian god
Indo-Iranian mythology
Proto-Indo-Iranian religion means the religion of the Indo-Iranian peoples prior to the earliest Vedic and Zoroastrian scriptures...
known as *vrtra-g'han- (virtually PIE
Pie
A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients....
*wltro-gwhen-) "slayer of the blocker". Triptolemos is analysed by Janda (1998) as a Greek continuation of a variant of the epithet, *trigw-t-welumos, a "terpsimbrotos
Terpsimbrotos
Terpsimbrotos is a type of linguistic compound , on a par with the bahuvrihi and tatpurusha types. It is derived from a finite verbal phrase, the verbal inflection still visible at the juncture of the compound members...
" compound "cracker of the enclosure", Greek (w)elumos referring to the casings of grain in Greek being descended from the same root *wel-. On such grounds, a rock or mountain *welos or *welumos split by a heroic deity, liberating Dawn or the Sun is reconstructed for Proto-Indo-European mythology (the "Sun in the rock" myth, sometime also speculated to be connected with the making of fire from flintstone).
Already in 2.24, the myth is given a mystical interpretation, with warlike Indra replaced by Brahmanaspati, the lord of prayer, who split Vala with prayer (brahman
Brahman
In Hinduism, Brahman is the one supreme, universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe. Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute or Godhead which is the Divine Ground of all being...
) rather than with the thunderbolt.
Vala is mentioned 23 times in the Rigveda, Vala appears in hymns RV 1.11, 52, 62, RV 2.11, 12, 14, 15, 24, RV 3.30, 34, RV 4, 50, RV 6.18, 39, RV 8.14, 24, RV 10.67, 68, 138.
Central verses of the myth (trans. Griffith):
- 2.12.3 Who slew the Dragon, freed the Seven Rivers, and drove the kine forth from the cave of Vala,
- Begat the fire between two stones, the spoiler in warriors' battle, He, O men, is Indra.
- 2.15.8 Praised by the Angirases he slaughtered Vala, and burst apart the bulwarks of the mountain.
- He tore away their deftly-built defences. These things did Indra in the SomaSomaSoma , or Haoma , from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the subsequent Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, whose Soma Mandala contains 114 hymns, many praising its energizing qualities...
's rapture.
- 8.14.7 In Soma's ecstasy Indra spread the firmament and realms of light, when he cleft Vala limb from limb. (compare to this description the Purusha suktaPurusha suktaPurusha sukta is hymn 10.90 of the Rigveda, dedicated to the Purusha, the "Cosmic Being". One version of the Suktam has 16 verses, 15 in the meter, and the final one in the meter...
)
- 10.68.6 Brhaspati, when he with fiery lightnings cleft through the weapon of reviling Vala,
- Consumed him as tongues eat what teeth have compassed: he threw the prisons of the red cows open.
- 1.11.5 Lord of the thunder, thou didst burst the cave of Vala rich in cows.
- The Gods came pressing to thy side, and free from terror aided thee,
- 1.62.4 Mid shout, loud shout, and roar, with the Navagvas, seven singers, hast thou, heavenly, rent the mountain;
- Thou hast, with speeders, with Dasagvas, Indra, ShakraShakraShakra is a Swiss hard rock band founded in the late 1990s.-History:With their first releases "Shakra" , and "Moving Force" , and by touring with Great White and Uriah Heep, the early career of this Swiss band was a steep learning curve with dramatic success but the real breakthrough came with...
, with thunder rent obstructive Vala.