Indra and Vrtra (fwd)

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

On Tue, 5 Nov 2002, Shrinivas Gadkari wrote:

> On Tue, 5 Nov 2002 01:35:54 -0500, Bhadraiah Mallampalli
> <vaidix at HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> >Namaste,
> >
> >I am interested in the etymology of vRtra. The suffix tra means protection.
> >gaayatri is one who sings and protects. Just a speculation, extending this
> >logic vRtra may be one who encircles and protects. Any help is welcome.
> >
>
> Namaste,
>
> First we need to consider how we split vRtra:
> vRtra = vR + tra, OR
> vRtra = vRt + ra,
>
> (Rt = law of nature)
>
> I am not sure which is the correct split and
> more important how to analyze the coppesponding
> segments.
>

vr + tra.  The dhatu vr means to conceal or envelope.  the taddhita tra
signifies a doer.  It's cognate with thec English -tor i.e. creator,
actor etc.  So vrtra is the enveloper or concealer (literally of the
waters but the adhyatmic significance should be obvious.)


--
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>
It's a girl! See the pictures - http://www.braincells.com/shailaja/