But more important than being seen as moral, is being seen as great and mightily.

They are also portrayed as moral entities, who punish the sinful and wicked while rewarding the pious and righteous. And when the gods defeat the demons, such as bringing on the rains, it only shows the beneficent of the gods even more. When evil does befall, such as in the case of a draught and/or famine, it is not the work of the gods, but the work of demons. The Vedic Gods are shown predominantly as being beneficent beings who bestow prosperity and good fortune upon their followers. Thus with males being the dominant and more powerful figures in the society, and females having only a supporting role, so too did the gods. This was most likely because Aryan tribes practiced a patriarchal system instead of a matriarchal one. These Vedic gods also resemble other Aryan gods in that they are overwhelming male, with female gods playing a minor role in the heavenly hierarchy. As stated by Donald Mackenzie in Indian Myth and Legend: 'Indra is the Indian Thor, the angry giant-killer, the god of war and conquest'(pg. One example of this, is that Indra shares characteristics with Thor and other 'hammer gods'. The Vedic gods also resemble other Aryan gods in their duties and actions. Macdonell in Vedic Mythology: 'The true gods of Veda are glorified human beings, inspired with human motives passions, born like men, but are immortal'(pg.

These Vedic gods, like most ancient Aryan gods, are depicted in an anthropomorphic way. These Aryan gods became known in India as the Vedic Gods. With these invading tribes came their deities. Aryan tribes from the region of Iran moved into the northern part of India.

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