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== VRITRASURA( INTERNAL HUNGER) ==

Vrtrasura(Samskrit : वृत्रासुरः) is the son of Tvashtra Prajapati.

The Vritrasura’s episode described in Taitreya Samhita: In Taitreya Samhita 2.4.1 the story is mentioned in this way: Trashtra prajapathi had a son named Vishwarupa. Once the purohit of the devathas: Brihaspati, being angry, he left his priestly work and so the devathas invited Vishwarupa as their priest and Vishwarupa had some inclination towards the demons. Therefore without the devathas noticing, he would offer some of the oblations to the asuras, which was arranged by, devas. When Indra got to know about this, he was furious and killed Vishwarupa. When Trashtra got to know about this, he was very upset and performed a yajna to get a son who could kill Indra. But how could one do yajna without Indra. Trashtra perfomed yajna without inviting Indra. He did not invite him to drink Soma pana. Indra told Trashtra that he should invite him and Trashtra said since you have killed my son, I’ll not and he performed his yajna without Indra and Indra by force without the permission of Trashtra drank Soma pana during the conclusion of yajna. Being angry with Indra, Trashtra used left over Soma and invoked Havan-agni and took that left over soma and went to ahavana agni and then he blazed the fire and performed the homa and chanted “sva indra chatru vardhasya”. While chanting this mantra there was some mistake in pronunciation and because of that mispronunciation, the entire meaning got changed. Instead of “let there be a son who could kill indra”, it became, “let there be a son who will be killed by Indra”. Instantly, Vritra was born. Indra by knowing that if the Yajna gets complete and if he stays there and devathas would be defeated by Vritra forever, Indra he disappeared from that place meanwhile Vritra started growing like the bow or the as the arrow leaves, he started growing to such an extent and started covering the entire universe.

What is Vajrayudha? The Vedas itself answer this question: “tapovysa vajra asit” that means tapasaya itself is the Vajrayudha or the thunderbolt. Indra couldn’t lift that weapon and prayed to Visnu and Visnu being pleased with Indra, he divided himself that into 3 parts: “Vishnu tridha atmaanam”. It indicates the trivikrama tattva of the lord. One part of him he placed on earth, the other in devaloka and the third one in space. Indra entered into Vsnu who is part of prithvi and was able to lift vajrayudha and when he was coming to kill Vritra and Vritra became fearful. He said he will go out of the bhumidevi and said he would offer all his power to Indra and in this way the war continued in space and in heavenly planets. Indra defeated Vritra and Indra had a truce with Vritra and accepted his semen and offered to Vi snu and in conclusion, Vritra while making truce with indra, Vritrasura said allow me to enter into your body. “tvame va pravishami” Indra asked him what will you do with me? Will you eat me? “yanma pravishya kim ma bhunja itya bravith” that time Vritra said, not like that, I’ll become the fire in our belly jataragni and I’ll be favorable to you and for your pleasure to help you digest grain and will continue to render service to you “tvameva indiya tava bhogaya tvam pravisheyam itya bravith”

one who is in dark form or form of ignorance, darkness, from that Trastra covers the 3 planets, personification of sin, the most destructive power is called Vritraha.

Vedas describe a continuous battle between  Asuras (demons) and the Suras (devas). There is no other personality who is given more importance than Vrtra in the Vedas and there is no other symbolic story as is Vrtrasura vadha (killing of Vrtra).

Previously Dadichi the son of Atharva putra when he was living simply when he glanced the asuras they were defeated. “jivatho darshanena” after sometime by the power of time factor, when he went back to heavens and earth was filled by many demons and indra got defeated and was not able to fight demons. That time they came looking for this Rishi.They realized that this Rishi has gone to the heavens, then when they inquired with those people who stayed with Rishi, they asked if there is anything that is left over, that is connected to Dadichi Rishi?,  Any of his bodily limb? Etc?  Indra was thinking that as Dadichi was a great Rishi and every part of his body is affected by tapsasya had the power to restrain the demons. That’s how Indra understood. That time those who have served Dadichi they have told Indra by narrating another story and assisted Indra. Previously to get madhu vidya, Dadichi maharshi who received from Indra and he had also taken shelter of Aswini Devathas. But Dadichi had one restriction: if he shares that vidya to others, then his head will explode. Then Aswini devatas had suggested a good idea to replace the head of Dadichi Rishi with a horse head and then after receiving the madhu vidya then the head will fall off and they could replace his original head back. Therefore they said the head of the horse was unknown to us and when Indra ordered to search, they found that it had fallen in Kurukshetra in a lake called “sharyanavatha” and they found it. And then Indra made Vajrayudha from the skull of the horse that is how Sayana Acarya explains in many places.

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== The description by Skanda Swami ==

From origin perspective Vrtra  is Tvaashtra, the son of Tvashtra. However, Vrtra  has been defined by Yaska maharshi as follows  <blockquote>तत्को वृत्रः। मेघ इति नैरुक्ताः । त्वाष्ट्रोऽसुर इत्यैतिहासिकाः । अपां च ज्योतिषश्च मिश्रीभावकर्मणो वर्षकर्म जायते । तत्रोपमार्थेन युद्धवर्णा भवन्ति । (Nirukta 2.16)<ref>[http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/nirukta/nirukta.pdf Nirukta]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatkō vr̥traḥ। mēgha iti nairuktāḥ । tvāṣṭrō'sura ityaitihāsikāḥ । apāṁ ca jyōtiṣaśca miśrībhāvakarmaṇō varṣakarma jāyatē । tatrōpamārthēna yuddhavarṇā bhavanti । (Nirukta 2.16)</blockquote>Meaning : Nirukta defines Vrtra as the cloud, which is a water body. A combination of water and lightning (electricity) gives rise to the process of rain and this process is used as a simili to describe a war. 

Skanda Swami in his purport, he narrates this story little differently. Previously kala kanja the demons defeated devatas in the war and they came to Brhama and Brhama sent them to Dadichi maharshi and told them to give ability to defeat demons and devathas came to Dadichi maharshi ashram and Dadichi maharshi sitting in yoga and by the power of yoga he renounced his body and through his bones, Indra created thunderbolt. The story of Dadichi maharshi getting a horse head is described in Rk Samhita 1.117.22 and the head or skull was found in Saryanavathi. This is described in Rk Samhita 1.84.13. Saunaka maharishi in Brihad devatha  explains in 3.19.4. 

Another very significant point here:  Ashwini kumuaras, who received the braham svarupa, hayasirasu. That hayasirasu was removed and fell in saryanavathi. But along with that, horse head was offering benediction to all living entities and time to time it would come from the lake and go down again. This is going to happen till yuga.

“tad bhath samuthaya bhutebyo vividhan varan pradhaya yuga pariyantham tasmai vasunimajjathi”(3.9.24 Bhr, dev)

== The story of Vritrasura in Srimad Bhagavatham ==

The Taittiriya samhita describes Vrtra  as follows  <blockquote>....इषुमात्रमिषुमात्रव्विँष्वङ्ङवर्धत स इमाल्लोँकानवृणोद्यदिमाल्लोँकानवृणोत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वन्तस्मादिन्द्रोऽबिभेदपि.... (Arsheya system 4.5.36.2 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.2)<ref name=":0">Krishna Yajurveda Samhita ([http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx Taittiriya Samhita]) </ref><ref name=":1">[http://sanskritlibrary.org/download/krishna_yajur_ved.html Krishna Yajurveda Samhita]</ref> </blockquote>Meaning : Vrtra  is the one who grows circularly, who goes in circles and occupies the worlds.  

The Srimad Bhagavatham explains this story in 6th canto in chapter 9 in this way: We have heard that Viswarupa’s head was cut off by Indra. And this exact head became: Somapeetha, Surapeethaha and Annaada. They became very famous. In future they will became: Kapinjala, Kalavinka, and Tithiri bird. Indra distributed the consequences of killing Brahmana: Brahmana hatya to earth (prithvi/bhumi devi), water, tree, and women and how that sin is manifested is explained in Srimad Bhagavatham. 

In the Trashtra’s yajna,which was arranged out of anger against Indra, Vritrasura was born as Indra shatru, Indra’s enemy and he covered all the 3 planetary systems.  He aslo became the highest  of the sinful person. In this way he came to be known as Vritra, aptly as his name suggests.  All the devathas they came together and took shelter of Vasudeva bhagavan. That Vasudeva bhagavan gave message to Indra: “Oh Indra please go and approach the great Rishi Dadyancha, his body which is personification of vidya, vrata and tapasya, ‘vidya vrata tapasaram gatram’ you ask for his body. Please go. He understands brahma swarupa. His body is unbreakable. It has taken me as the antaratma. If you ask from him, he will not say no. and through Viswakarma you can make a thunderbolt from his bones. It will always benefit you.” Here Dadichi’s body is described very significantly. When the devatas approached Dadichi asking for his body, it has a significant import.  Ultimately Dadichi was happy to offer his body. Indra explained

Chitraketu ruled over Soorasena kingdom. Chitraketu and his wife Kritadyuti were childless. Seeing their sorrow Angirasa maharshi informs them that a son would be born to them. However, the envy of Chitraketu's other wives led them to poison the child and kill him at birth. Angirasa and Narada tried to revive the child but the soul replies that he was the son to a large number of parents, in various births, and requested to be enlightened as to which of those parents he was to live with. Understanding the situation, Narada leaves after imparting adhyatmik wisdom to Chitraketu and his wife. Both of them then immerse themselves in the adhyatmik path and attain the form of Gandharvas. Once in the land of Vidyadharas, Chitraketu was travelling in the aerial space in the vehicle given by SriMahavishnu. When flying over the Mountain Kailasa, the abode of Shiva and Parvati, Chitraketu laughs at the sight of Parvati being seated in the lap of Shiva. He accuses Shiva, being enlightened is embracing his consort, Parvati, when present in the view of Siddhas and saintly people as an ordinary human being. This anecdote is mentioned in Puranic Encyclopedia<ref>Vettam. Mani, (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref> given in Bhagavata Purana in 6th Skanda as follows    <blockquote>जटाधीस्तीव्रतपा ब्रह्मवादिसभापतिः अङ्कीकृत्य स्रियं चास्ते गतह्रीः प्राकृते यथा || (Bhag. Pura. 6.17.7)<ref>[https://vedpuran.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/vishnu-puran.pdf Shrimad Bhagavata Puranam] </ref></blockquote><blockquote>प्रायशः प्राकृताश्चापि स्रियं रहसि बिभ्रति । अयं महाव्रतधरो बिभ्रर्ति सदसि स्रियम् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.17.8)</blockquote>Enraged by his laughter, Parvati curses Chitraketu to be born as an asura.  <blockquote>नायमर्हति वैकुण्ठ पादमूलोपसर्पणम् सम्भावितमतिः स्तब्धः साधुभिः पर्युपासितम् (Bhag. Pura. 6. 7.15)</blockquote><blockquote>अतः पापीयसीं योनिमासुरीं याहि दु्र्मते यथेह भूयो न कर्ता पुत्र किल्बिषम् </blockquote><blockquote>जज्ञे त्वष्टुर्दक्षिणाद्नौ दानवीं योनिमाश्रितः वृत्र इत्यभिविख्यातो ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुतः (Bhag. Pura. 6.17.38)</blockquote>Thus Chitraketu was born as Vrtrasura in his next birth.

He said by the power of muni shakti or Rishis Shakti(power) and also by the teja(splendor) of the lord, that vajrayudha/thunderbolt can be used and kill Vritra and his followers such as  Namuchi, Sambara, Dvimurdva, Anarva, Puloma, Hayagriva, Sankuchiti, Viprachiti, Ayomuka—all were killed by Indra’s power. We read that vajrayuda or thunderbolt was given by Tvashtra. There is no contradiction between what Bhagavatham says and the Vedas. Trashtra himself is the Vishwakarma. He is the one who made the thunderbolt from the bones. In the Taitreya Samhita because there is not much description of Dadichi, in essence it is said that Trashtra gave the vajrayudha and using the  Dadichi’s bones or skull or pack of bone symbolically there is no difference. Dadichi is one of the great rishi among the galaxy of Rishis with great character. The entire Atharva Veda and other corollary scriptures are his greatest gift. His life was full of commitment, sacrifice and the madhu vidya which came from him which is braham swarupa, it appeared first from him. Paramatma tattva was established in that and the Taitreya Sruthi which is compared to bird and it is said “antharvagirasa puchyam pratishta”. Only when Rishis like Dadichi personifies exhibits his dedication and commitment, that tyagashakti(dedication) what makes thunderbolt. Which is able to kill Vrtra, who is all pervading. This is the essence of this story.

Indra might be ready to kill Vritra and yes the lord is also ready to destroy the papa Shakti, which is growing in our system. Then why is he not doing? Because wherever there is that symbolical dedication of Dadichi is there and wherever that commitment is there, then that becomes vajrayudha for Indra and Vritra’s death continues to happen and if some reason Vritra’s death doesn’t happen, that is not fault of Indra. Because one may not have the commitment of Dadichi. Therefore this Vritra killing it is the principle of eternal reality. A significant understanding given here.

One of the English poets: T.S. Elliot he gives significant meaning of this in his poem called Waste Land. That story is the story of Vritra’s death. The human being if his life becomes like a desert, like a desert forest and if you want to turn that into green pasturing ground, then how is it possible? How will it rain? The Niruktakara says “tatko vritha medha ithi” Vritra is described  as clouds which are not pouring rains, the English poet depicts it. One of the slanderous persons who write against Vedas he is Gricewald.  

He writes (and that we have taken in Veda Sanskriti in part 1) “…….Vritra manipulates lightening, thunder, mist, darkness and hail…..His mother is Danu: drip, a name of the rain cloud which sprinkles only few drops. ‘She of the drip’ is the mother of a demon brood. Of which Vrtra means a false thunderstorm with little or no rain. While Indra means thunderstorm followed by abundant rain……”

Many points here are acceptable. But Vritra being considered  as cloud who doesn’t pour rains is not only story, but importantly has significant symbolic idea, or else  the study of Veda and the understanding will not be complete.  Falling in the ditch trapped by the Christian missionary, our own people (Indians) should understand as they are missing the point on English poet has understood it depicted the picture aptly which puts us in shame:

. “Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves

त्वष्ट्रा॥ Tvashtra angered by Indra's killing of his son विश्वरूप || Vishwaroopa (also called Trisiras), initiates an आभिचारिकं यागं || aabhaicharikam yagam (a yagam performed to cause harm to an intended person) to procure a son to kill Indra (Devi Bhagavatam (Skanda 6)). However, due to the mispronunciation of the swara of mantra "इन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व", the entire meaning of the mantra was altered (Devi Bhagavatam, Skanda 6) . Instead of "let there be a son who could kill Indra" it meant "let there be a son who will be killed by Indra". Thus, was born Vrtrasura, who eventually was killed by Indra. Rig veda mantras dedicated to Indra's might and valor in killing Vrtra are plenty in number. 

waited for rain, while the black clouds

gathered far distant, over Himavanta.

Vrtrasura is also associated with other asuric activities such as blocking the flow of water. Rig Veda describes the following about Vrtrasura and his blocking the Sapta sindhu's (the seven rivers).  <blockquote>अतृप्णुवन्तं वियतमबुध्यमबुध्यमानं सुषुपाणमिन्द्र | सप्त प्रति प्रवत आशयानमहिं वज्रेण वि रिणा अपर्वन् || (Rig. Veda. 4.19.3)<ref>Rig Veda Samhita ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-04-sukta-019/ Mandala 4, Sukta 19])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>atr̥pṇuvantaṁ viyatamabudhyamabudhyamānaṁ suṣupāṇamindra | sapta prati pravata āśayānamahiṁ vajrēṇa vi riṇā aparvan || (Rig. Veda. 4.19.3)</blockquote>Meaning : Vrtra  having an insatiable bulky body, is very powerful, personification of ignorance, and deep in slumber. Serpent like he sleeps in a way that the sapta sindus can’t flow. Such Vrtra  is killed by Indra with his thunderbolt, on the day of full moon. 

The jungle crouched, humped in silence.  

 

Then spoke the thunder.”

'''Esoteric Meaning :''' Here the birth and killing of Vrtra represent an eternal principle that happens in this world. Water is the main life force that keeps things green, without water nothing survives, drought occurs. Similarly in the personality of human beings, if the flow of life or the sapta sindus stop, then there is a drought of adhyatmik existence & elevation. Every aspect of human beings, the emotions, intellectual capacity, friendship, values or relationships are affected by the lack of adhyatmik elevation which is a drought-like situation. Anything which stagnates brings about decay and destruction.<ref name=":2" />

== The message by the Cloud “DA” ==

 

But the clouds did not pour rain, but the clouds made thundering sound and in that sound, there are three words it resounded and suddenly there was silence. And those 3 words were: da, datta, dayathvam, damyaat. Here the English poet has taken a story from Vedas and very timely has interwoven it. This is from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.3. The famous story of Prajapathi”s instruction: one time devas, manushas, asuras, they came to prajapathi’s gurukul and to receive knowledge, they practiced brahmacarya. When they finished studies and as they were heading to their homes, they requested Prajapthi to give them secret education. At that time prajapathi gave them only one alphabet as “da”. All the 3 understood it differently. Devathas understood as damyatha: control your senses. Human beings understood as datta: give charity. And the asuras they heard: dayatvam: become compassionate. (Devathas are very proud of their senses. Therefore dama or sense control is important. Humans are naturally selfish they are told to give charity and asuras are naturally cruel and they are told to be compassionate. These are the important qualities. That’s how the story is narrated. Whoever doesn’t have these specific qualities are given instructions to develop those qualities. )According to the study of (manas shastra) psychology and when all the three got proper understanding of what Prajapthi gave them, he gave blessings and he sent them back. Since then whenever there is rain, that time megha or the cloud gives this message: dha da da dame, dana daya: control, charity, compassion.  

In this way the flow of ruthu or season has to continue which is the nature of this world. One who is on the ruju marga (path of righteousness) seeks to go with the flow of adhyatmik elevation and to lie down and sleep against this flow of water is the important activity of Vrtrasura.  [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]] steal adhyatmik knowledge, but Vrtra is the one who stops the flow of life. He is the one who lays down obstacles for those who seek to achieve higher realms of life and that gives him happiness.<ref name=":2" />

 

Therefore if megha or cloud has to give rain, then humans need to have dana, daya and dama control, charity and compassion. Otherwise there will be drought and this is the message of Vritra and is very meaningful. How it is that Dadichi maharshi’s skull or spine is the symbol of commitment and dedication? Indra makes thunderbolt from this and down pours. He kills Vritra. Here also there is an indication of loka sangraha: Benefitting the people. Therefore this English poet in his poetry explained “dattha dayathvam danyatha shanthihi shantih shanthi” in this way he concludes his poem. It is not said that it rained, but the shanthi pata the concluding verses itself give such feeling. Therefore wherever there are such qualities there are rains and such understanding and is not forgotten by poet. Therefore the story between Indra and Vritra, there is an important principle of Veda and is hidden and this is well known to everybody and at least now, we Bharatiyas should try to understand.

This relationship of Vrtrasura as one who seeks to impede water flow is given in the following Rig Veda mantras<blockquote>समुद्रज्येष्ठाः सलिलस्य मध्यात्पुनाना यन्त्यनिविशमानाः | इन्द्रो या वज्री वृषभो रराद ता आपो देवीरिहमामवन्तु || (Rig. Veda. 7.49.1)<ref>Rig Veda Samhita ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita-2/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-07-sukta-049/ Mandala 7, Sukta 49])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>samudrajyēṣṭhāḥ salilasya madhyātpunānā yantyaniviśamānāḥ | indrō yā vajrī vr̥ṣabhō rarāda tā āpō dēvīrihamāmavantu || (Rig. Veda. 7.49.1)</blockquote>Meaning : The river waters flow continuously, purifying the entire existence on their way to reach the chief of waters, the Ocean. Oh Indra! the one who wields the Vajra (Vajraayudha) free the waters, (as you are the) one who freed the cows. Protect me just as you freed the rivers (by removing the impediment of Vrtra) and freed the cows (by removing the impediment of Vala and [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]]).  

== वृ॒त्रः क्षु॒त्खलु॒ || Vrtra is Hunger<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>  ==

Tvashtra prajapathi first had a son named Vishwarupa. Once the devaguru, Brihaspati, being angry, left his priestly work and so the devatas invited Vishwarupa to conduct their activities as their priest. Vishwarupa, (whose mother belonged to Asuras) was favorable to the asuras and without the devatas knowledge, he offered havishya (oblations) to the asuras which rightfully belonged to devatas.  When Indra came to know about this, he was furious and killed Vishwarupa. Hearing this,Tvashtra was very angry and performed a yajna to get a son who could kill Indra.

 

While chanting the mantras due to wrong pronunciation the purport changed. Instead of "let there be a son who could kill indra", it became "let there be a son who will be killed by Indra". Instantly, Vrtra was born and he grew over the expanse of the universe in circular fashion. Indra with the blessing of Mahavishnu then defeated Vrtra who entered into a truce with Indra.<blockquote>इ॒दमस्मि॒ तत्ते॒ प्र दास्या॒मीति॒ त्वी (३) इत्य॑ब्रवीत्स॒न्धान्तु सं द॑धावहै॒ त्वामे॒व प्र वि॑शा॒नीति॒ यन्माम्प्र॑वि॒शेः किम्मा॑ भुञ्ज्या॒ इत्य॑ब्रवी॒त्त्वामे॒वेन्धी॑य॒ तव॒ भोगा॑य॒ त्वाम्प्र वि॑शेय॒मित्य॑ब्रवी॒त्तव्वृँ॒त्रः प्रावि॑शदु॒दरं॒ वै वृ॒त्रः ख्षुत्खलु॒ वै म॑नु॒ष्य॑स्य॒ भ्रातृ॑व्यो॒ यः [41] (Tait. Samh. Arsheya system 4.5.36.6 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.6)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Summary : Vrtrasura said allow me to enter into your body. Indra asked him what will you do with me? Will you eat me? Vrtra replied that he will become the fire in the stomach, as hunger (jataragni) in human beings.

 

In this way Vrtra entered into the body of Indra and the living entities and continues to stay in the form of hunger. He is called as भ्रातृ॑व्यो॒ brathravya (those who understand conquer hunger.  

 

'''Esoteric Meaning''' : It should be noted that Vrtra was though killed in historic perspective, was not killed but was given a place in every living entity as hunger. Therefore the disturbance to the living entity is an eternal experience in this world, symbolically, hunger is the sign of dissatisfaction. Similarly, hunger is not just limited to physical hunger but is connected to insatiable wants and desires. Lust and anger are insatiable hungers.<ref name=":2" />