Was the Hindu God Indra blonde or is this a metaphor?

**Mortimer** · 12-12-2021, 05:47 AM

Rig Veda X.XCVI (Translation by Griffith):

4 As if a lovely ray were laid upon the sky, the golden thunderbolt spread out as in a race. That iron bolt with yellow jaw smote Ahi down. A thousand flames had he who bore the tawny-hued.

5 Thou, thou, when praised by men who sacrificed of old. hadst pleasure in their lauds, O Indra golden-haired. All that befits thy song of praise thou welcomest, the perfect pleasant gift, O Golden-hued from birth.

8 At the swift draught the Soma-drinker waxed in might, the Iron One with yellow beard and yellow hair. He, Lord of Tawny Coursers, Lord of fleet-foot Mares, will bear his Bay Steeds safely over all distress.

9 His yellow-coloured jaws, like ladles move apart, what time, for strength, he makes the yellow-tinted stir, When, while the bowl stands there, he grooms his Tawny Steeds, when he hath drunk strong drink, the sweet juice that he loves.

Rig X. XXIII hymn:

4 With him too is this rain of his that comes like herds: Indra throws drops of moisture on his yellow beard. When the sweet juice is shed he seeks the pleasant place, and stirs the worshipper as wind disturbs the wood.

**Thambi** · 12-12-2021, 06:22 AM

Could be either.

Gold is represented as power/auspiciousness/wealth in hindu culture, so it could be symbolism along those lines. It could also be that he was blonde himself since they kept mentioning the hair and beard.