Editing Apollo (section)

=== Proto-Indo-European ===
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The [[Vedic]] [[Rudra]] has some functions similar to those of Apollo. The terrible god is called "the archer" and the bow is also an attribute of [[Shiva]].<ref>For {{IAST|Śarva}} as a name of Shiva see: Apte, p.&nbsp;910.</ref> Rudra could bring diseases with his arrows, but he was able to free people of them and his alternative Shiva is a healer physician god.<ref>For the association between Rudra and disease, with Rigvedic references, see: Bhandarkar, p.&nbsp;146.</ref> However the [[Indo-European language|Indo-European]] component of Apollo does not explain his strong association with omens, exorcisms, and an oracular cult.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}