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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.

nomadwilson
08-09-2023, 11:16 AM
Well I never heard of Indra being Blonde though.