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Answer to #1451

INDRA or Śakra (Vedic name)-- The lord of the devas and Swargaloka.

Clues:
Storm: Lord of the storms
Lightning: Vajra or the thunder bolt; Indra's weapon of choice
Rain: Indra was also the Lord of Rain
Rainbow: Indradhanush, literally Indra's Bow
Ephedra: Possible source of the Soma drink
Dragon: Vritra, Indra's most famous legend

Shamelessly lifting from Wikipedia,

Indra descends from an Indo-Iranian god known as *vrtra-g'han-or Proto-Indo-European*wltro-gwhen, meaning "slayer of the blocker".

The legend of the blocker is the story of the dragon, Vritra (Vṛtra वृत्र "the enveloper"), also described as an Asura or a serpent, the personification of drought and adversary of Indra. Vritra was also known in the Vedas as Ahi ("snake"). He appears as a dragon blocking the course of the rivers and is heroically slain by Indra. Combat began soon after Indra was born, and he drank a large volume of Soma to empower him before facing Vritra.

Another famous legend featuring Indra is that of Vala, Vritra's brother. From the Rig Veda --

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 Soma's rapture.

8.14.7 In Soma's ecstasy Indra spread the firmament and realms of light, when he cleft Vala limb from limb.

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, Shakra, with thunder rent obstructive Vala.

The most interesting fact I learned while researching this puzzle was that Indra had two completely different versions in Hindu mythology -- Vedic Indra and post-vedic Indra. Vedic Indra was a heroic Apollo like figure who was considered the supreme deity, the ultimate god. In fact a majority of the hymns in the Rig Veda were written to propitiate Indra. During post-vedic times Indra's mythology was changed to allow for the rising significance of the trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva. Indra was reduced to a somewhat comical, lascivious demi-god who was forever landing himself in trouble and seeking assistance from the ascending powers of the trinity.

More fascinating stuff here - Indra

 

I was thinking we could start a new theme for March. Any suggestions?

 

Mr Spock returned to the stars today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/arts/television/leonard-nimoy-spock-of-star-trek-dies-at-83.html

His final tweet was poignant and very apt. https://twitter.com/TheRealNimoy/status/569762773204217857

Funny personal story -- when my DH and I were dating, during one of our conversations about Star Trek we discovered he is one of those people who simply can't do the Vulcan salute. I can, of course, do it effortlessly. Poor guy has endlessly been made fun of ever since. He still hasn't mastered it. He claims he is missing the muscle group required to do it. :biggrin2:

Live long and prosper!

 

@Laks09 I like the USA idea. It's the most familiar one after India. Let's go with USA.

@Aria isn't coming back anytime soon. I tried. I hope you enjoy your break babe, and we see you again before summer.

 

@Aria needs some time away. I've been a bit busy but I'll try to post a puzzle today. @sokanasanah Have you forsaken us too?