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Vedas describe a continuous battle between  Asuras (demons) and the Suras (devas).  There is no other personality or subject that is accorded more importance than Vrtra  and his vadha '''('''killing of Vrtra ).   

Vedas describe a continuous battle between  Asuras (demons) and the Suras (devas).  There is no other personality or subject that is accorded more importance than Vrtra  and his vadha '''('''killing of Vrtra ).   

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==

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.   

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.   

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 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.    

== वृत्रस्य पूर्वजन्म || Vrtra's Previous Birth ==

== वृत्रस्य पूर्वजन्म || Vrtra's Previous Birth ==

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 spiritual wisdom to Chitraketu and his wife. Both of them then immerse themselves in the spiritual 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.   

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 spiritual wisdom to Chitraketu and his wife. Both of them then immerse themselves in the spiritual 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.   

== सप्तसिन्धवः || Saptasindhus  ==

== सप्तसिन्धवः || Saptasindhus  ==

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.   

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.   

'''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 spiritual existence & elevation. Every aspect of human beings, the emotions, intellectual capacity, friendship, values or relationships are affected by the lack of spiritual elevation which is a drought-like situation. Anything which stagnates brings about decay and destruction.<ref name=":2" />  

'''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 spiritual existence & elevation. Every aspect of human beings, the emotions, intellectual capacity, friendship, values or relationships are affected by the lack of spiritual elevation which is a drought-like situation. Anything which stagnates brings about decay and destruction.<ref name=":2" />

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 spiritual elevation and to lie down and sleep against this flow of water is the important activity of Vrtrasura.  [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]] steal spiritual 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" />  

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 spiritual elevation and to lie down and sleep against this flow of water is the important activity of Vrtrasura.  [[Panis (पणिकाः)|Panis]] steal spiritual 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" />

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]]).  

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>  ==

== 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.

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.

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.  

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" />  

'''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" />

== References ==

== References ==