In the Vedas, particularly in the Rigveda, the concept of drought is often personified as a demon, reflecting the ancient people's struggles against natural calamities and their desire to understand and control their environment through religious and mythological narratives.
Vritra: One of the primary figures associated with drought in the Rigveda is Vritra, a serpent or dragon-like demon. Vritra is depicted as an adversary of the god Indra. He is said to withhold the waters, preventing them from reaching the earth, thus causing drought and barrenness. Indra, the warrior god of thunder and rain, slays Vritra, releasing the waters and restoring fertility to the land. This myth symbolizes the victory of order (represented by Indra) over chaos (represented by Vritra) and the re-establishment of cosmic balance.
Namuchi: Another demon associated with drought is Namuchi. In Vedic mythology, Namuchi is a demon who also obstructs the release of waters. Indra defeats Namuchi to ensure the flow of rivers and rain, thus combating drought.
Vala: Similar to Vritra, Vala is another demon mentioned in the Rigveda. Vala is a demon of darkness who imprisons the cows (symbolizing wealth and sustenance) in a cave. Indra, with the help of the Angirasas (a group of sages), frees the cows, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the release of waters or resources necessary for survival.
These myths are rich in symbolic meaning, reflecting the agrarian society's dependence on water and the natural cycle for survival. The personification of drought as demons serves to illustrate the struggle against natural forces and the human quest for prosperity and harmony with the environment. The slaying of these demons by gods like Indra signifies the triumph of life-sustaining forces over destructive ones.