Vrtrasura (वृत्रासुरः)

VRITRASURA( INTERNAL HUNGER)

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. “ishumatra mishumatra avardhatha sa vishwajana iman lokan avranoth lokan yadiman avranoth tadvra trasya vritratvam” that means Vrithra means one who getows or in circles. This meaning has come in Vedas. Indra seeing this got afraid. He was finding some means and ways to control Vritra. Meanwhile Vritra’s father, Trashtra became repentant and became fearful and he gave a special thunderbolt and made it powerful by invoking certain mantras and offered it to Indra.

Vritra Defeated and the Power of vajrayudha (thunderbolt)

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”

Vritra in the body of Indra

In this way when Vritra entered into the body of Indra he extended himself and stayed in the bodies of all living entities and he stays in the form of hunger and keeps on troubling them and in this way because Vritra is staying in the belly of human being, and that hunger itself is Vritraha. He is called: brathravya and those who understand this, they will conquer hunger certainly. That’s what Vedas offer benefits. “vritraha pravishath udaram vy vritaha shuth khalu vai manushyasya brathravyo ya ya evam vedahanthi kshudam brathavyam” In this way because accepting 3 times, the valor of Vritra through Indra, Vsnu is called Tridatu. Sruthi itself defines this. Also the special ingredient called “purodasa” which is offered to Indra and Vsnu, therefore also it is called “trudatu uktahaa vith tridathu”.In this episode, the main cause of Indra’s valor is Visnu himself. It is openly described. Keno Upanishad explains that the parakrama or valor of all the devathas, the bhagvatha himself is responsible for it. We can recollect this. Mostly all the victories of Indra, Indra’s valor, Indra’s glorification all these suktas are basically glorifying the lord who is residing in the devathas. The Vedas are glorifying paramatma or bhagavan who is the inner dwelling soul of Indra. That’s how it should be taken, and for this there is ample evidence “indrasya yajna yajja satha” In the Vsnu Sukta, part of Rk Samhita Sri Sayana Acarya he gives Taitreya Samhita as the example: the Rk Bhaga is 1.22.19

Some Explanation or Esoteric Meaning

There are many points here to be observed Vritra was not killed here but he was given a place in every living entity: hunger. There is an important and a very interesting understanding here. There is a concept of eternal reality here. Therefore the disturbance to the living entity is an eternal experience in this world, symbolically, hunger is the sign of dissatisfaction. Gita explains “Kama esa krodha esa rajo guna samudbava mahasano mahapapma viddhy enam iha vairinam” 3.37 The hunger which is in the form of kama and krodha: lust and anger is insatiable hunger. In the 16th chapter of Bhagavad Gita it is explained: “Kamam asritha duspuram” and “duspurena analenaca” repeatedly the kama is compared to the inexhaustible fire. Those who are very much hungry it is said that there is a ghost sitting in them. It’s a village way of saying. Here Vritra is such ghost who is in the belly . Such ghost had affected Indra. This is explained in the Ramayana “shudda chaiva sahasrakham brahma hatya samavishat” Bala Kanda 14.15. The above episode is explained in Tairteya , that since then all the living entities are affected by Vritra and entered into their belly. Therefore the devathas are closely connected to human beings and there is even a chance that they could be affected by Vritra. At the same time, whatever benefits the devathas got, the humans also got benefitted indirectly. In this way Vritra is called “vranothervan vartathervan, vardadervan” on who walks by creating circles, who is always existing, who always grows. In that sense, he is the eternal enemy: kama, krodha and personification of sins. That is how Vedas define. But those who still doubt, can read the verse from Srimad Bhagavatham 6.9.18 “yenāvṛtā ime lokās tapasā tvāṣṭra-mūrtinā sa vai vṛtra iti proktaḥ pāpaḥ parama-dāruṇaḥ” 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.

Story of Dadichi Rishi

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.

The description by Skanda Swami

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 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 “munahe shaktibihi utsiktaha bhagavth tejas svamitaha” 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.

Mesmerizing description by one English poet

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 waited for rain, while the black clouds gathered far distant, over Himavanta. The jungle crouched, humped in silence. Then spoke the thunder.”

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. “tadedeva vesha daivi vak anuvadathi stahan itnu da da da iti damaiti danya datta iti” 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.