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Vrtrasura (Samskrit : वृत्रासुरः) the son of [[त्वष्ट्रः Tvashtra|त्वष्ट्रः ॥ Tvashtra]] Prajapati, is an important asuric force about whom mantras are mentioned extensively in the Rig Veda. Indra, slays Vrtra with his [[Vajraayudha|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 [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] came into existence for the sole purpose of destroying Indra.

Vrtrasura (Samskrit : वृत्रासुरः) the son of [[त्वष्ट्रः Tvashtra|त्वष्ट्रः ॥ Tvashtra]] Prajapati, is an important asuric force who came into existence for the sole purpose of destroying Indra. Indra, slays Vrtra with his [[Vajraayudha|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. Thus the enmity of Indra and Vrtrasura, starts from the birth of Vrtrasura.

== परिचयः ||Introduction ==

== परिचयः ||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 [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] in the Vedas and there is no other symbolic story as is Vrtrasura vadha (killing of Vrtra). 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 [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] is most important<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>.

The most important work of Indra is to stop those energies and powers which are against the flow of life or creation. 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 [[Vritrasura (वृत्रासुर)|Vrtra]] is the most important<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref>.

 

=== वृत्रासुरजननम् || Vrtrasura Jananam ===

=== वृत्रासुरजननम् || Vrtrasura Jananam ===

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.  <blockquote>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)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Being angry with Indra, Tvashtra used left over Soma and invoked 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, Vrtra was born and started expanding over the entire universe.   

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.  <blockquote>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)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Being angry with Indra, Tvashtra used left over Soma and invoked 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, Vrtra was born and started expanding over the entire universe.   

=== वज्रायुधा || Vajrayudha ===

=== वज्रायुधम् || Vajrayudha ===

<blockquote>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)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Vrtra means one who grows or goes in circles and though Indra did not fear him he was not able to control him. Meanwhile Vrtra’s father, Tvashtra offered a special thunderbolt to Indra. Here Vajrayudha is described as "tapo vy sa vajra asit" meaning "tapasaya itself is Vajrayudha (thunderbolt)". As Indra could not lift the [[Vajraayudha|Vajrayudha]]''',''' he prayed to Srimahavisnu.<blockquote>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) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>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.<blockquote>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) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Indra then merged himself with Visnu's energy of prithvi and with that strength was able to lift the vajrayudha. Seeing this Vrtra removed himself from the earth and continued the battle in space and in heavenly planets. Indra with the blessing of Mahavishnu then defeated him who entered into a truce with indra.  

<blockquote>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)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Vrtra means one who grows or goes in circles and though Indra did not fear him he was not able to control him. Meanwhile Vrtra’s father, Tvashtra offered a special thunderbolt to Indra. Here Vajrayudha is described as "tapo vy sa vajra asit" meaning "tapasaya" itself is Vajrayudha (thunderbolt)". As Indra could not lift the [[Vajraayudha|Vajrayudha]]''',''' he prayed to Sri MahaVishnu.<blockquote>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) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>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.<blockquote>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) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>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)</blockquote>Indra then merged himself with Visnu's energy of prithvi and with that strength was able to lift the vajrayudha. Seeing this Vrtra removed himself from the earth and continued the battle in space and in heavenly planets. Indra with the blessing of Mahavishnu then defeated him who entered into a truce with indra.  

=== वृत्रासुरवध ।। Vrtrasura Vadha ===

=== वृत्रासुरवध ।। Vrtrasura Vadha ===

Many Rig Veda suktas (1.80, 1.32) glorify the war of Indra against Vrtrasura. Indra's power and strength in wielding the Vajrayudha is beautifully described in these mantras.   

Many Rig Veda suktas (1.80, 1.32) glorify the war of Indra against Vrtrasura. Indra's power and strength in wielding the Vajrayudha is beautifully described in these mantras.   

Indra and Vrtrasura's  story is also described in Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana (Skanda 6, Chap. 9)<ref>www.vcscsd.org/content/balabhavan/18-Puranas.pdf</ref>. The preparation of Vajrayudha by Visvakarma from the bones of [[Dadhichi Rishi (दधीचि ऋषि)|Dadhichi]] rishi is explained there in detail.   

Indra and Vrtrasura's  war is also described in Shrimad Bhagavata Mahapurana (Skanda 6, Chap. 9)<ref>www.vcscsd.org/content/balabhavan/18-Puranas.pdf</ref>. The preparation of Vajrayudha by Visvakarma from the bones of [[Dadhichi Rishi (दधीचि ऋषि)|Dadhichi]] rishi is explained there in detail.   

Mahabharata (Vana Parva. Chap 101, Verses 14, 15. Santi Parva. Chap 281. Verses 13 -21) also discusses about the war with Vrtrasura.   

Mahabharata (Vana Parva. Chap 101, Verses 14, 15. Santi Parva. Chap 281. Verses 13 -21) also discusses about the war with Vrtrasura.   

=== प्रकृति प्रतीतिविचारः || Natural Phenomenon  ===

=== प्रकृति प्रतीतिविचारः || Natural Phenomenon  ===

Many definitions as per Nirukta (10.8) <ref>http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/</ref> for example : इरां ददातीति वा ॥ irāṁ dadātīti vā,  indicate Indra's association with water, clouds and winds. Through the study of the water cycle, one can understand the formation of rain and the inter-relativity of sun, clouds and water precipitation. From the following mantras of Rig Veda, it can be understood that the natural phenomenon of clouds, lighting and rains have been minutely studied and water cycle was well established during the vedic period. Astrologically also the correlation of nakshtra constellations with the formation of clouds and rains have been identified.   

Many definitions as per Nirukta (10.8) <ref>http://vedicreserve.mum.edu/</ref> for example : इरां ददातीति वा ॥ irāṁ dadātīti vā,  indicate Indra's association with water, clouds and winds. Through the study of the water cycle, one can understand the formation of rain and the inter-relativity of sun, clouds and water precipitation. From the following mantras of Rig Veda, it can be understood that the natural phenomenon of clouds, lighting and rains have been minutely studied and water cycle was well established during the vedic period. Astrologically also the correlation of nakshtra constellations with the formation of clouds and rains have been identified.   

By a study of the scriptures as an application to modern science, Sri. C V B Subrahmanyam<ref>Dr. C V B Subrahmanyam and Ch V Ananth, Vedic Sciences - Applicability to Modern Life (2013). Vedic Seminar Series, USCEFI, Hyderabad</ref> proposed a relationship between Indra and Vrtrasura yudda (as mentioned in Rig veda mantras) along with the story Maruts (as given in Ramayana and Vishnu Purana) that clearly refers this natural phenomenon. The concept is extended to how lightning (Vajrayudha the lighting bolt) can be used to pierce through the strong circling winds (Vrtra) and clouds (Indra's strength) and control cyclones.       

By a study of the scriptures as an application to modern science, Sri. C V B Subrahmanyam<ref>Dr. C V B Subrahmanyam and Ch V Ananth, Vedic Sciences - Applicability to Modern Life (2013). Vedic Seminar Series, USCEFI, Hyderabad</ref> proposed a relationship between Indra and Vrtrasura yudda (as mentioned in Rig veda mantras) and the story Maruts (as given in Ramayana and Vishnu Purana) that clearly refers to the natural phenomenon of rains and cyclones. The concept is extended to how lightning (Vajrayudha the lighting bolt) can be used to pierce through the strong circling winds (Vrtra) and clouds (Indra's strength) and control cyclones.       

'''Rig Veda (1.32)'''<blockquote>अहन् वृत्रं वृत्रतरं व्यंसमिन्द्रो वज्रेण महता वधेन । स्कन्धांसीव कुलिशेना विवृक्णाऽहि: शयत उपपृक् पृथिव्याः ॥५ (Rig. Veda. 1.32.5)<ref name=":2">Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-032/ Mandala 1, Sukta 32])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Indra killed Vrtra by the fatal blows of his Vajrayudha (lightning strike). Just like how an axe is used to cut down the branches of a tree which falls down to the ground.  

'''Rig Veda (1.32)'''<blockquote>अहन् वृत्रं वृत्रतरं व्यंसमिन्द्रो वज्रेण महता वधेन । स्कन्धांसीव कुलिशेना विवृक्णाऽहि: शयत उपपृक् पृथिव्याः ॥५ (Rig. Veda. 1.32.5)<ref name=":2">Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-032/ Mandala 1, Sukta 32])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Indra killed Vrtra by the fatal blows of his Vajrayudha (lightning strike). Just like how an axe is used to cut down the branches of a tree which falls down to the ground.