Indra and Vrtrasura (इन्द्रः वृत्रासुरः च)

Vrttrasura (Samskrit : वृत्रासुरः) the son of त्वष्ट्रः ॥ Tvashtra Prajapati, is an important asuric force about whom mantras are mentioned extensively in the Rig Veda. Indra, slays Vrttra with his Vajrayudha and is greatly praised for his valour and deeds in many suktas of Rig Veda. Indra as a लोकपालकः ॥ lokapalaka (as the ruler of the worlds) and devaloka rakshaka plays a very important role in protection of Dharma and its followers such as other devatas, rishis and pious people. It is to be noted here that Vrttra came into existence for the sole purpose of killing Indra.

परिचय ||Introduction

The most important work of Indra is to stop those energies and powers which are against the flow of life or creation. There is no other personality who is given more importance than Vrttra in the Vedas and there is no other symbolic story as is Vrttrasura vadha (killing of Vrttra). The Vedas describe a continuous battle between  Asuras (demons) and suras (devas).  Every moments result of the battle decides whether there will be flow of life or a regression. There are varieties in the asuric powers or asuric energy. Amongst them Vrttra is most important.

इन्द्रवृत्रयोः युद्धविचारः || Indra and Vrttra War Viewpoint

In Taitreya Samhita and Satapata Brahamana the fight between Indra and Vrttra, the cause and consequences of the battle, has been described.

The Rig veda mantras also describe the symbolism of the wars of Indra as follows

यदचरस्तन्वा वावृधानो बलानीन्द्र प्रब्रुवाणो जनेषु । मायेत्सा ते यानि युद्धान्याहुर्नाद्य शत्रुं ननु पुरा विवित्से ।। (Rig Veda 10.54.2)

yadacarastanvā vāvr̥dhānō balānīndra prabruvāṇō janēṣu । māyētsā tē yāni yuddhānyāhurnādya śatruṁ nanu purā vivitsē ।। (Rig Veda 10.54.2)

Meaning 2nd line: Hey Indra ! you don’t have enemity with anyone, and even so how can any enemy match you? All those who say you fought wars are nothing but maya (illusion) for you do not have any enemies in the past.

वृत्रासुरवध ।। Vrttrasura Vadha

In Taitreya Samhita the story is mentioned in this way: Tvashtra prajapathi had a son named Vishwarupa.

विश्वरूपो वै त्वाष्ट्रः पुरोहितो देवानामासीत्स्वस्रीयोऽसुराणां तस्य त्रीणि शीर्षाण्यासन्त्सोमपानद्ग सुरापानमन्नादनद्ग स प्रत्यक्षं देवेभ्यो भागमवदत्परोऽक्षमसुरभ्य: सर्वस्मै वै प्रत्यक्षम्भा॒गं वदन्ति यस्मा एव परोऽक्षं वदन्ति तस्य भाग उदितस्तस्मादिन्द्रोऽबिभेदीदृङ्वै राष्ट्रं वि पर्यावर्तयतीति तस्य वज्रमादाय शीर्षाण्यच्छिनद्यत्सोमपानमा (Arsheya System 1.2.22.1 and Saraswat system 1.2.5.1.1 in Parankusa.org) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.1)

viśvarūpo vai tvāṣṭraḥ purohito devānāmāsītsvasrīyo'surāṇāṁ tasya trīṇi śīrṣāṇyāsantsomapānadga surāpānamannādanadga sa pratyakṣaṁ devebhyo bhāgamavadatparo'kṣamasurabhya: sarvasmai vai pratyakṣambhā̱gaṁ vadanti yasmā eva paro'kṣaṁ vadanti tasya bhāga uditastasmādindro'bibhedīdr̥ṅvai rāṣṭraṁ vi paryāvartayatīti tasya vajramādāya śīrṣāṇyacchinadyatsomapānamā (Arsheya System 1.2.22.1 and Saraswat system 1.2.5.1.1 in Parankusa.org) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.1)

Once the purohit of the devathas, Brihaspati, being angry, left his priestly work and so the devathas invited Vishwarupa as their priest. Vishwarupa also known as Trisiras was favorable to the asuras. Therefore, without the knowledge of devatas, he offered the havishya (oblations) to the asuras which 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 beget a son who could kill Indra. Tvashtra perfomed a yajna without inviting Indra and did not offer Soma pana. On knowing this, Indra instructed that Tvashtra should invite him. Tvashtra in anger refused to invite him since Indra killed his son. He then performed the yajna without Indra but Indra by force without the permission of Tvashtra drank the Soma during the conclusion of yajna.  

त्वष्टा हतपुत्रो वीन्द्रद्ग सोममाहरत्तस्मिन्निन्द्र उपहवमैच्छत तं नोपा ह्वयत पुत्रम्मेऽवधीरिति स यज्ञवेशसं कृत्वा प्रासहा सोममपिबत्तस्य यदत्यशिष्यत तत्त्वष्टाहवनीयमुप प्रावर्तयत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति यदवर्तयत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं यदब्रवीत्स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्वेति तस्मादस्येन्द्रः शत्रुरभवत्स सम्भवन्नग्नीषोमावभि समभवत्स इषुमात्रमिषुमात्रं विष्वङ्ङवर्धत (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)

tvaṣṭā hataputrō vīndradga sōmamāharattasminnindra upahavamaicchata taṁ nōpā hvayata putrammē'vadhīriti sa yajñavēśasaṁ kr̥tvā prāsahā sōmamapibattasya yadatyaśiṣyata tattvaṣṭāhavanīyamupa prāvartayatsvāhēndraśatrurvardhasvēti yadavartayattadvr̥trasya vr̥tratvaṁ yadabravītsvāhēndraśatrurvardhasvēti tasmādasyēndraḥ śatrurabhavatsa sambhavannagnīṣōmāvabhi samabhavatsa iṣumātramiṣumātraṁ viṣvaṅṅavardhata (Tait. Samh. 2.5.2)

Being angry with Indra, Tvashtra used left over Soma and invoked Havanaagni and the ahavaniiya agni. As the fire blazed in the yagna homa the ritviks chanted स्वाहेन्द्रशत्रुर्वर्धस्व इति. Due to the swara mispronunciation in the mantra, the entire meaning was altered. Instead of "let there be a son who could kill indra" it meant "let there be a son who will be killed by Indra". Instantly, Vrttra was born and started expanding over the entire universe.  

वज्रायुधा || Vajraayudha

स यावदूर्ध्वः पराविध्यति तावति स्वयमेव व्यरमत यदि वा तावत्प्रवणमासीत्यदि वा तावदध्यग्नेरासीत्स सम्भवन्नग्नीषोमावभि समभवत्स इषुमात्रमिषुमात्रं विष्वङ्ङवर्धत स इमाँल्लोकानवृणोद्यदिमाँल्लोकानवृणोत्तद्वृत्रस्य वृत्रत्वं तस्मादिन्द्रोऽबिभेदपि त्वष्टा तस्मै त्वष्टा वज्रमसिञ्चत्तपो वै स वज्र आसीत्तमुद्यन्तुं नाशक्नोदथ वै तर्हि विष्णुरन्या (Arsheya system 4.5.36.2 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.2 in Parankusa.org) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

sa yāvadūrdhvaḥ parāvidhyati tāvati svayamēva vyaramata yadi vā tāvatpravaṇamāsītyadi vā tāvadadhyagnērāsītsa sambhavannagnīṣōmāvabhi samabhavatsa iṣumātramiṣumātraṁ viṣvaṅṅavardhata sa imām̐llōkānavr̥ṇōdyadimām̐llōkānavr̥ṇōttadvr̥trasya vr̥tratvaṁ tasmādindrō'bibhēdapi tvaṣṭā tasmai tvaṣṭā vajramasiñcattapō vai sa vajra āsīttamudyantuṁ nāśaknōdatha vai tarhi viṣṇuranyā (Arsheya system 4.5.36.2 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.2 in Parankusa.org) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

Vrttra means one who grows or goes in circles and though Indra did not fear Vrttra he was not able to control him. Meanwhile Vrttra’s father, Tvashtra offered a special thunderbolt to Indra. Here Vajraayudha is described as "tapo vy sa vajra asit" meaning "tapasaya itself is Vajrayudha (thunderbolt)". As Indra could not lift the Vajraayudha, he prayed to Srimahavisnu.

विष्णुरन्या देवतासीत्सोऽब्रवीद्विष्णवेहीदमा हरिष्यावो येनायमिदमिति स विष्णुस्त्रेधात्मानं वि न्यधत्त पृथिव्यां तृतीयमन्तरिक्षे तृतीयं दिवि तृतीयमभिपर्यावर्ताद्ध्यबिभेद्यत्पृथिव्यां तृती॑यमासीत्तेनेन्द्रो वज्रमुदयच्छद्विष्ण्वनुस्थितः सोऽब्रवीतन्मा मे प्र हारस्ति वा इदं (Arsheya system 4.5.36.3 and Saraswat system 1.2.4.12.3) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

viṣṇuranyā dēvatāsītsō'bravīdviṣṇavēhīdamā hariṣyāvō yēnāyamidamiti sa viṣṇustrēdhātmānaṁ vi nyadhatta pr̥thivyāṁ tr̥tīyamantarikṣē tr̥tīyaṁ divi tr̥tīyamabhiparyāvartāddhyabibhēdyatpr̥thivyāṁ tr̥tī̍yamāsīttēnēndrō vajramudayacchadviṣṇvanusthitaḥ sō'bravītanmā mē pra hārasti vā idaṁ (Arsheya system 4.5.36.3 and Saraswat system 1.2.4.12.3) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

Mahavisnu pleased with Indra's prayers and that of other devatas, divided himself into 3 parts "विष्णुस्त्रेधात्मानं viṣṇustrēdhātmānaṁ" . It indicates His Trivikrama tattva. One third part of Vishnu's energy was placed in the earth, another one third in devaloka and the last third was placed in the Antariksha or Space.

मयि वीर्यं तत्ते प्र दास्यामीति तदस्मै प्रायच्छत्तत्प्रत्यगृह्णादधा मेति तद्विष्णवेति प्रायच्छत्तद्विष्णुः प्रत्यगृह्णादस्मास्विन्द्र इन्द्रियं दधात्विति यदन्तरिक्षे तृती॑यमासीत्तेनेन्द्रो वज्रमुदयच्छद्विष्ण्वनुस्थितः सोऽब्रवीन्मा मे प्र हारस्ति वा इदं (Arsheya system 4.5.36.4 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.4) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

mayi vīryaṁ tattē pra dāsyāmīti tadasmai prāyacchattatpratyagr̥hṇādadhā mēti tadviṣṇavēti prāyacchattadviṣṇuḥ pratyagr̥hṇādasmāsvindra indriyaṁ dadhātviti yadantarikṣē tr̥tī̍yamāsīttēnēndrō vajramudayacchadviṣṇvanusthitaḥ sō'bravīnmā mē pra hārasti vā idaṁ (Arsheya system 4.5.36.4 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.4)(Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

Indra then merged himself with Visnu's energy of prithvi and with that strength was able to lift the vajrayudha. Seeing this Vrttra removed himself from the earth and continued the battle in space and in heavenly planets. Indra with the blessing of Mahavishnu then defeated Vrttra who entered into a truce with indra.

वृत्रः क्षुत्खलु || Vrttra is Hunger

इदमस्मि तत्ते प्र दास्यामीति त्वी (३) इत्यब्रवीत्सन्धान्तु सं दधावहै त्वामेव प्र विशानीति यन्माम्प्रविशेः किम्मा भुञ्ज्या इत्यब्रवीत्त्वामेवेन्धीय तव भोगाय त्वाम्प्र विशेयमित्यब्रवीत्तव्वृँत्रः प्राविशदुदरं वै वृत्रः क्षुत्खलु वै मनुष्यस्य भ्रातृव्यो य (Arsheya system 4.5.36.6 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.6) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

idamasmi tattē pra dāsyāmīti tvī (3) ityabravītsandhāntu saṁ dadhāvahai tvāmēva pra viśānīti yanmāmpraviśēḥ kimmā bhuñjyā ityabravīttvāmēvēndhīya tava bhōgāya tvāmpra viśēyamityabravīttavvr̥m̐traḥ prāviśadudaraṁ vai vr̥traḥ kṣutkhalu vai manuṣyasya bhrātr̥vyō ya (Arsheya system 4.5.36.6 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.6) (Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

Vrttrasura said allow me to enter into your body. Indra asked him what will you do with me? Will you eat me? Vrttra replied that he will become the fire in the stomach, as hunger (jataragni) in humanbeings. In this way Vrttra entered into the body of Indra and the living entities and continues to stay in the form of hunger. He is called as भ्रातृव्यो॒ brathravya and those who understand this, they will conquer hunger.  

एवं वेद हन्ति क्षुधम्भ्रातृव्यं तदस्मै प्रायच्छत्तत्प्रत्यगृह्णात्त्रिर्माधा इति तद्विष्णवेति प्रायच्छत्तद्विष्णुः प्रत्यगृह्णादस्मास्विन्द्र इन्द्रियं दधात्विति यत्त्रिः प्रायच्छत्त्रिः प्रत्यगृह्णात्तत्त्रिधातोस्त्रिधातु॒त्वं यद्विष्णुरन्वतिष्ठत विष्णवेति प्रायच्छत्तस्मादैन्द्रावैष्णवद्ग हविर्भवति यद्वा इदं किंच तदस्मै तत्प्रायच्छदृचः सामानि यजूद्गंषि सहस्रं वा अस्मै तत्प्रायच्छत्तस्मात्सहस्रदक्षिणम् (Arsheya system 4.5.36.7 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.7)(Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

ēvaṁ vēda hanti kṣudhambhrātr̥vyaṁ tadasmai prāyacchattatpratyagr̥hṇāttrirmādhā iti tadviṣṇavēti prāyacchattadviṣṇuḥ pratyagr̥hṇādasmāsvindra indriyaṁ dadhātviti yattriḥ prāyacchattriḥ pratyagr̥hṇāttattridhātōstridhātu̱tvaṁ yadviṣṇuranvatiṣṭhata viṣṇavēti prāyacchattasmādaindrāvaiṣṇavadga havirbhavati yadvā idaṁ kiṁca tadasmai tatprāyacchadr̥caḥ sāmāni yajūdgaṁṣi sahasraṁ vā asmai tatprāyacchattasmātsahasradakṣiṇam (Arsheya system 4.5.36.7 and Saraswat System 1.2.4.12.7)(Tait. Samh. 2.5.12)

In this way because of accepting the valor of Vrttra three times through Indra, Visnu is called Tridaatu. Also the special ingredient called purodasa is offered to Indra and Vishnu. In this episode, the main cause of Indra’s valor is Visnu himself.  

It should be noted that Vrttra 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 hunger.  

क्षुद्रोगौ कामक्रोधौ || Kaama and Krodha - Insatiable Hunger

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita explains

काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः । महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 3.37)

kāma ēṣa krōdha ēṣa rajōguṇasamudbhavaḥ । mahāśanō mahāpāpmā viddhyēnamiha vairiṇam ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 3.37)

Meaning : Bhagavan explains 'Kaama (Desire) and Krodha (wrath or anger) arise from Rajoguna. They are all-consuming, all-polluting, know that they are one's greatest enemy.' Here Bhagavan explains about the sins and delusions. In the 16th chapter of Bhagavad Gita it is explained:

काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विताः । मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रताः ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 16.10)

kāmamāśritya duṣpūraṁ dambhamānamadānvitāḥ । mōhādgr̥hītvāsadgrāhānpravartantē'śucivratāḥ ॥ (Bhag. Gita. 16.10)

Meaning : Contained with insatiable desire, intoxicated with pride, and deceitful, these ignorant ones (people) gripped with illusionary false goals pursue impure sinful activities.

काम ॥ Kaama (desire) is thus compared to the inexhaustible fire. Those afflicted with the hunger of Kama and Krodha are said to be afflicted by the ghost of Vrttra, constantly inhabiting the mind and soul of the human being. Vrttra is the eternal enemy (with kama, krodha) and personification of sins.

Indra and Vrttrasura's story is also described in Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana (Skanda 6, Chap. 9). The preparation of Vajraayudha by Visvakarma from the bones of Dadhichi rishi is explained there in detail.

सम्वाद || Discussion

Interpretation of Vedic texts by Indologists have distorted the Indra & Vrttra episode by giving it a caste and race colour. Using the fake Aryan-Dravidian invasion theory, Vrttra is said to be in charge of the tribes who were the mulnivasis before the 'fair' Aryans invaded. The fight between Vrttra and Indra (portrayed as the God of the Aryans) is interpreted through race theories concluding that Indra is a historical person.

Indra, is the most amazing power and energy assuming different kinds of forms for the sake of well-being of the universe, as explained in the Rig Veda mantras. Therefore the battle between Indra and Vrttra is symbolically very significant and must be seen from this perspective rather than the Indological historic viewpoint.

Many Rig Veda mantras depict that Vrttra was killed and other mantras pronounce that a truce between Indra and Vrtra is established, whereby Vrttra exists in the form of hunger. In this perspective, the battle between Indra and Vrttra is eternal and Vrttra is not killed once and for all.

तव च्यौत्नानि वज्रहस्त तानि नव यत्पुरो नवतिं च सद्यः | निवेशने शततमाविवेषीरहञ्च वर्त्रं नमुचिमुताहन् || (Rig Veda. 7.19.5.)

tava cyautnāni vajrahasta tāni nava yatpurō navatiṁ ca sadyaḥ | nivēśanē śatatamāvivēṣīrahañca vartraṁ namucimutāhan || (Rig Veda. 7.19.5.)

Meaning : With Vajraayudha in his hands, the invincible power, Indra swiftly destroyed 99 of the 100 places and captured the likes of Vrttra and Namuchi in his hundredth attempt.

References

1. Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). Veda Samskrita Parichaya. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.
2. For Krishna Yajurveda Samhita (Taittiriya Samhita): http://parankusa.org/KrYajurBrowse.aspx and http://sanskritlibrary.org/download/krishna_yajur_ved.html
3. For Rig Veda mantras http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita.htm
4. For Bhagavadgita Slokas : https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_giitaa/bhagvadnew.html?lang=sa
5. Puranic Encyclopedia link  https://ia802606.us.archive.org/17/items/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf
6. Nirukta from http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/