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== Story of Dadichi Rishi ==
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Dadhichi (Samskrit : दधीचिः) maharishi, the son of Atharva was associated with the creation of Vajrayudha, the thunderbolt weapon, wielded by Suradhipathi Indra. He is referred to in the context of killing of Vrtrasura by Indra.  The invincible Vajrayudha is prepared by Viswakarma (also known as Tvashtra Prajapati) from the bones of Dadhichi.
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.
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== The description by Skanda Swami ==
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== परिचयः ||Introduction ==
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.
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Dadhichi could terrify and defeat the asuras by a mere glance. When he went to the heavens, the earth was filled by many asuras and Indra was overpowered by them'''.''' The devatas upon enquiry learnt about his whereabouts and searched if he left behind anything to be used as weapon. "Dadhichi had with him a horse head" he was told. Indra went in search of it and found it in a lake at a place called Sharnayavati. With those bones the Vajrayudha was prepared with which he killed all the asuras.<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> Dadichi is one of the greatest rishis with great character. The entire Atharva Veda and other corollary scriptures, and the knowledge of [[Madhuvidya (मधुविद्या)]] are his greatest gifts.<ref name=":0">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Samskrita Parichaya''. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.</ref> He was referred to in Vedas and Puranas as given below.
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.
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=== ऋग्वेदे || Rig Veda ===
“tad bhath samuthaya bhutebyo vividhan varan pradhaya yuga pariyantham tasmai vasunimajjathi(3.9.24 Bhr, dev)
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The Rig Veda mantras extoll the glory of Indra thus<ref>Rig Veda Samhita ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-084/ Mandala 1, Sukta 84])</ref><blockquote>इन्द्रो दधीचो अस्थभिर्वृत्राण्यप्रतिष्कुतः | जघान नवतीर्नव || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 13)</blockquote><blockquote>indrō dadhīcō asthabhirvr̥trāṇyapratiṣkutaḥ | jaghāna navatīrnava || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 13)</blockquote>Meaning : Armed with the bones of Dadhichi, Indra was invincible and slayed hundreds of Vrtras (asuras). <blockquote>इछन्नश्वस्य यच्छिरः पर्वतेष्वपश्रितम् |  तद विदच्छर्यणावति || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 14)</blockquote><blockquote>ichannaśvasya yacchiraḥ parvatēṣvapaśritam |  tada vidaccharyaṇāvati || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 14)</blockquote>Meaning: Desiring the horse-head (of Dadhichi) Indra roamed in the mountains, and found it at Sharnayavati.  
== The story of Vritrasura in Srimad Bhagavatham ==
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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. 
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Dadhichi, was given the horse-head by Ashvinikumaras, who learnt Madhuvidya from him. Dadhichi received this vidya from Indra on condition that if he imparted this vidya to anyone else his head will shatter. Ashvinikumaras desirous of obtaining the vidya offered to replace his head with a horse head, through which he can impart the vidya. After receiving the madhuvidya the horse-head fell off and Ashvinikumaras replaced the rishi's original head.<ref name=":1">Rig Veda Samhita ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-116/ Mandala 1, Sukta 116])</ref><blockquote>तद् वां नरा सनये दंस उग्रमाविष्कर्णोमि तन्यतुर्न वृष्टिम् | दध्यङ ह यन्मध्वाथर्वणो वामश्वस्य शीर्ष्णा प्र यदीमुवाच || (Rig. Veda. 1.116.12)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>tad vāṁ narā sanayē daṁsa ugramāviṣkarṇōmi tanyaturna vr̥ṣṭim | dadhyaṅa ha yanmadhvātharvaṇō vāmaśvasya śīrṣṇā pra yadīmuvāca || (Rig. Veda. 1.116.12)</blockquote>Summary : I reveal, that mighty deed of yours, just as the thunder announces the rain, when through the horse's head, Aatharvan (son of Atharva, Dadhichi) you were given the soma (madhuvidya).
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
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“munahe shaktibihi utsiktaha bhagavth tejas svamitaha
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The story of Dadichi rishi getting a horse head is also described in Rig veda<ref>Rig Veda Samhita ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-117/ Mandala 1, Sukta 117])</ref>  and the head or skull was found in Sharyanavati. 
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.
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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.
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ऋतेऽस्थिभ्यो दधीचस्य निहन्तुं त्रिदशद्बिषः .तस्मात् यत्नादृषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमाः ..दधीचेऽस्थीनि देहीति तैर्व्वधिष्यथ दानवान् .तत् श्रुत्वा सहसा देवैर्याचितो मुनिभिस्तथा ..ददौ चास्थीनिं देवेभ्यो दधीचिः सुमनास्तदा .प्राणायामं ततः कृत्वा देहं त्यक्त्वा सुभास्वरान् ..सर्व्वलोकान् क्षयान् प्राप्तो येभ्यो नावर्त्तनं पुनः .तस्यास्थिभिरथो शक्रः प्रहृष्टः सुमनास्तथा ..कारयामास दिव्यानि तानि प्रहरणान्युत .वज्रासिशूलचक्रञ्च परिघा विविधा गदाः ..विश्वकर्म्मा सुराणान्तु परिघाद्यायुधानि च ..” इति वह्निपुराणे दानावस्थानिर्णयनामाध्यायः  
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=== श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणे || SrimadBhagavatham<ref>Shrimad Bhaagavatamahapuranam (2013). Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref> ===
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Tvashtra's son Viswarupa’s (also known as Trisiras) was killed by Indra. Tvashtra commenced a yajna out of anger against Indra. Vrtrasura was born out of the yagna fire as Indra shatru (Indra’s enemy) and he expanded rapidly all over the 3 planetary systems. All the devatas took shelter in Srimahavishnu. Accordingly, Mahavishnu informed Indra to approach the great Rishi Dadhichi. The Shrimad Bhagavatham explains the role of Dadhichi rishi in the following slokas<ref>Bhag. Puran. 6.9.51 to 6.9.55</ref><blockquote>मघवान् यात भद्रं वो दध्याञ्चमृषिसत्तमम् | विद्याव्रततपःसारं गात्रं याचत मा चिरम् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.51)</blockquote><blockquote>maghavān yāta bhadraṁ vo dadhyāñcamr̥ṣisattamam | vidyāvratatapaḥsāraṁ gātraṁ yācata mā ciram || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.51)</blockquote>Meaning : Oh Maghavaan (Indra)! Go to Dadhyancha rishi (who is best among rishis). Ask him for his body which is the personification of vidya (knowledge), vrata (austerities and vows) and tapasya (penance).  <blockquote>स वा अधिगतो दध्यङ्ङश्विभ्यां ब्रह्म निष्कलम् | यद् वा अश्वशिरो नाम यतोरमरतां व्यधात् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.52)</blockquote><blockquote>sa vā adhigato dadhyaṅṅaśvibhyāṁ brahma niṣkalam | yad vā aśvaśiro nāma yatoramaratāṁ vyadhāt || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.52)</blockquote>Meaning : Dadhyancha imparted the adhyatmik knowledge to Ashvinikumaras from the head of a horse (hence Dadhichi is called Asvashira), who then achieved immortality.  <blockquote>दध्यङ्ङाथर्वणस्त्वष्ट्रे वर्माभेद्यं मदात्मकम् | विश्वरूपाय यत् प्रादात् त्वष्टा यत् त्वमधास्ततः || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.53)</blockquote><blockquote>dadhyaṅṅātharvaṇastvaṣṭre varmābhedyaṁ madātmakam | viśvarūpāya yat prādāt tvaṣṭā yat tvamadhāstataḥ || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.53)</blockquote>Meaning : Dadhyancha, the son of Atharva, delivered his invincible armor (of Narayana Kavacha mantras) controlled by Me (Vishnu) to Tvashtra who in turn gave it to Visvarupa. He in his turn delivered this armor of Narayana Kavacha protection to you (Indra).  <blockquote>युष्मभ्यं याचतोऽश्विभ्यां धर्मज्ञोऽङ्गानि दास्यति | ततस्तैरायुधश्रेष्ठो विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितः | येन वृत्रशिरो हर्ता मत्तेजउपबृंहितः || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.54)</blockquote><blockquote>yuṣmabhyaṁ yācato'śvibhyāṁ dharmajño'ṅgāni dāsyati | tatastairāyudhaśreṣṭho viśvakarmavinirmitaḥ | yena vr̥traśiro hartā mattejaupabr̥ṁhitaḥ || (Bhag. Puran. 6.9.54)</blockquote>Meaning : Upon your request the knower of Dharma (Dadhyancha), will provide his body parts to Ashvinikumaras, from whom Visvakarma will prepare an invincible weapon, invested with My (Vishnu) power, by which Vrtrasura's head can be severed.    <blockquote>तस्मिन् विनिहते यूयं तेजोऽस्त्रायुधसम्पदः | भूयः प्रप्स्यथ भद्रं वो न हिंसन्ति च मत्पुरान् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.55)</blockquote><blockquote>tasmin vinihate yūyaṁ tejo'strāyudhasampadaḥ | bhūyaḥ prapsyatha bhadraṁ vo na hiṁsanti ca matpurān || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.55)</blockquote>Meaning : Upon his (Vrtrasura's) death, you all will have the wealth of radiant weapons and will regain the good fortunes.  
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According to Srimahavishnu's advice devatas asked for the body of Dadichi. Viswakarma prepared a Vajrayudha, a thunderbolt from his bones and as it is invested with the power of Srimahavishnu, it surely killed Vrtrasura.  Vajraayudha was used not only to kill Vrtra but also his followers such as  Namuchi, Sambara, Dvimurdva, Anarva, Puloma, Hayagriva, Sankuchiti, Viprachiti, Ayomuka.  
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== संवादः|| Discussion ==
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It may be seen that Vajraayuda or thunderbolt was given by Tvashtra Prajapati (the father of Vrtra) to Indra. One may express a contradiction between what Bhagavatham says and the Vedas. It should be noted that Tvashtra is Vishwakarma himself or the devashilpi who makes the thunderbolt from the bones of Dadhichi rishi.<ref name=":0" />
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In the Taitreya Samhita extensive description of Dadichi has not been given, in essence it is said that Tvashtra made Vajraayudha using Dadhichi’s bones or horse head - symbolically there is no difference about the material used.   
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== References ==
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<references />
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[[Category:Rishis]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 12 March 2020

Dadhichi (Samskrit : दधीचिः) maharishi, the son of Atharva was associated with the creation of Vajrayudha, the thunderbolt weapon, wielded by Suradhipathi Indra. He is referred to in the context of killing of Vrtrasura by Indra. The invincible Vajrayudha is prepared by Viswakarma (also known as Tvashtra Prajapati) from the bones of Dadhichi.

परिचयः ||Introduction

Dadhichi could terrify and defeat the asuras by a mere glance. When he went to the heavens, the earth was filled by many asuras and Indra was overpowered by them. The devatas upon enquiry learnt about his whereabouts and searched if he left behind anything to be used as weapon. "Dadhichi had with him a horse head" he was told. Indra went in search of it and found it in a lake at a place called Sharnayavati. With those bones the Vajrayudha was prepared with which he killed all the asuras.[1] Dadichi is one of the greatest rishis with great character. The entire Atharva Veda and other corollary scriptures, and the knowledge of Madhuvidya (मधुविद्या) are his greatest gifts.[2] He was referred to in Vedas and Puranas as given below.

ऋग्वेदे || Rig Veda

The Rig Veda mantras extoll the glory of Indra thus[3]

इन्द्रो दधीचो अस्थभिर्वृत्राण्यप्रतिष्कुतः | जघान नवतीर्नव || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 13)

indrō dadhīcō asthabhirvr̥trāṇyapratiṣkutaḥ | jaghāna navatīrnava || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 13)

Meaning : Armed with the bones of Dadhichi, Indra was invincible and slayed hundreds of Vrtras (asuras).

इछन्नश्वस्य यच्छिरः पर्वतेष्वपश्रितम् |  तद विदच्छर्यणावति || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 14)

ichannaśvasya yacchiraḥ parvatēṣvapaśritam |  tada vidaccharyaṇāvati || (Rig. Veda. 1.84. 14)

Meaning: Desiring the horse-head (of Dadhichi) Indra roamed in the mountains, and found it at Sharnayavati. Dadhichi, was given the horse-head by Ashvinikumaras, who learnt Madhuvidya from him. Dadhichi received this vidya from Indra on condition that if he imparted this vidya to anyone else his head will shatter. Ashvinikumaras desirous of obtaining the vidya offered to replace his head with a horse head, through which he can impart the vidya. After receiving the madhuvidya the horse-head fell off and Ashvinikumaras replaced the rishi's original head.[4]

तद् वां नरा सनये दंस उग्रमाविष्कर्णोमि तन्यतुर्न वृष्टिम् | दध्यङ ह यन्मध्वाथर्वणो वामश्वस्य शीर्ष्णा प्र यदीमुवाच || (Rig. Veda. 1.116.12)[4]

tad vāṁ narā sanayē daṁsa ugramāviṣkarṇōmi tanyaturna vr̥ṣṭim | dadhyaṅa ha yanmadhvātharvaṇō vāmaśvasya śīrṣṇā pra yadīmuvāca || (Rig. Veda. 1.116.12)

Summary : I reveal, that mighty deed of yours, just as the thunder announces the rain, when through the horse's head, Aatharvan (son of Atharva, Dadhichi) you were given the soma (madhuvidya).

The story of Dadichi rishi getting a horse head is also described in Rig veda[5] and the head or skull was found in Sharyanavati.

ऋतेऽस्थिभ्यो दधीचस्य निहन्तुं त्रिदशद्बिषः .तस्मात् यत्नादृषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमाः ..दधीचेऽस्थीनि देहीति तैर्व्वधिष्यथ दानवान् .तत् श्रुत्वा सहसा देवैर्याचितो मुनिभिस्तथा ..ददौ चास्थीनिं देवेभ्यो दधीचिः सुमनास्तदा .प्राणायामं ततः कृत्वा देहं त्यक्त्वा सुभास्वरान् ..सर्व्वलोकान् क्षयान् प्राप्तो येभ्यो नावर्त्तनं पुनः .तस्यास्थिभिरथो शक्रः प्रहृष्टः सुमनास्तथा ..कारयामास दिव्यानि तानि प्रहरणान्युत .वज्रासिशूलचक्रञ्च परिघा विविधा गदाः ..विश्वकर्म्मा सुराणान्तु परिघाद्यायुधानि च ..” इति वह्निपुराणे दानावस्थानिर्णयनामाध्यायः 

श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणे || SrimadBhagavatham[6]

Tvashtra's son Viswarupa’s (also known as Trisiras) was killed by Indra. Tvashtra commenced a yajna out of anger against Indra. Vrtrasura was born out of the yagna fire as Indra shatru (Indra’s enemy) and he expanded rapidly all over the 3 planetary systems. All the devatas took shelter in Srimahavishnu. Accordingly, Mahavishnu informed Indra to approach the great Rishi Dadhichi. The Shrimad Bhagavatham explains the role of Dadhichi rishi in the following slokas[7]

मघवान् यात भद्रं वो दध्याञ्चमृषिसत्तमम् | विद्याव्रततपःसारं गात्रं याचत मा चिरम् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.51)

maghavān yāta bhadraṁ vo dadhyāñcamr̥ṣisattamam | vidyāvratatapaḥsāraṁ gātraṁ yācata mā ciram || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.51)

Meaning : Oh Maghavaan (Indra)! Go to Dadhyancha rishi (who is best among rishis). Ask him for his body which is the personification of vidya (knowledge), vrata (austerities and vows) and tapasya (penance).

स वा अधिगतो दध्यङ्ङश्विभ्यां ब्रह्म निष्कलम् | यद् वा अश्वशिरो नाम यतोरमरतां व्यधात् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.52)

sa vā adhigato dadhyaṅṅaśvibhyāṁ brahma niṣkalam | yad vā aśvaśiro nāma yatoramaratāṁ vyadhāt || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.52)

Meaning : Dadhyancha imparted the adhyatmik knowledge to Ashvinikumaras from the head of a horse (hence Dadhichi is called Asvashira), who then achieved immortality.

दध्यङ्ङाथर्वणस्त्वष्ट्रे वर्माभेद्यं मदात्मकम् | विश्वरूपाय यत् प्रादात् त्वष्टा यत् त्वमधास्ततः || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.53)

dadhyaṅṅātharvaṇastvaṣṭre varmābhedyaṁ madātmakam | viśvarūpāya yat prādāt tvaṣṭā yat tvamadhāstataḥ || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.53)

Meaning : Dadhyancha, the son of Atharva, delivered his invincible armor (of Narayana Kavacha mantras) controlled by Me (Vishnu) to Tvashtra who in turn gave it to Visvarupa. He in his turn delivered this armor of Narayana Kavacha protection to you (Indra).

युष्मभ्यं याचतोऽश्विभ्यां धर्मज्ञोऽङ्गानि दास्यति | ततस्तैरायुधश्रेष्ठो विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितः | येन वृत्रशिरो हर्ता मत्तेजउपबृंहितः || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.54)

yuṣmabhyaṁ yācato'śvibhyāṁ dharmajño'ṅgāni dāsyati | tatastairāyudhaśreṣṭho viśvakarmavinirmitaḥ | yena vr̥traśiro hartā mattejaupabr̥ṁhitaḥ || (Bhag. Puran. 6.9.54)

Meaning : Upon your request the knower of Dharma (Dadhyancha), will provide his body parts to Ashvinikumaras, from whom Visvakarma will prepare an invincible weapon, invested with My (Vishnu) power, by which Vrtrasura's head can be severed.

तस्मिन् विनिहते यूयं तेजोऽस्त्रायुधसम्पदः | भूयः प्रप्स्यथ भद्रं वो न हिंसन्ति च मत्पुरान् || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.55)

tasmin vinihate yūyaṁ tejo'strāyudhasampadaḥ | bhūyaḥ prapsyatha bhadraṁ vo na hiṁsanti ca matpurān || (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.55)

Meaning : Upon his (Vrtrasura's) death, you all will have the wealth of radiant weapons and will regain the good fortunes.

According to Srimahavishnu's advice devatas asked for the body of Dadichi. Viswakarma prepared a Vajrayudha, a thunderbolt from his bones and as it is invested with the power of Srimahavishnu, it surely killed Vrtrasura. Vajraayudha was used not only to kill Vrtra but also his followers such as Namuchi, Sambara, Dvimurdva, Anarva, Puloma, Hayagriva, Sankuchiti, Viprachiti, Ayomuka.

संवादः|| Discussion

It may be seen that Vajraayuda or thunderbolt was given by Tvashtra Prajapati (the father of Vrtra) to Indra. One may express a contradiction between what Bhagavatham says and the Vedas. It should be noted that Tvashtra is Vishwakarma himself or the devashilpi who makes the thunderbolt from the bones of Dadhichi rishi.[2]

In the Taitreya Samhita extensive description of Dadichi has not been given, in essence it is said that Tvashtra made Vajraayudha using Dadhichi’s bones or horse head - symbolically there is no difference about the material used.

References

  1. Vettam. Mani, (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). Veda Samskrita Parichaya. Hubli:​Sahitya Prakashana​.
  3. Rig Veda Samhita (Mandala 1, Sukta 84)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Rig Veda Samhita (Mandala 1, Sukta 116)
  5. Rig Veda Samhita (Mandala 1, Sukta 117)
  6. Shrimad Bhaagavatamahapuranam (2013). Gorakhpur: Gita Press
  7. Bhag. Puran. 6.9.51 to 6.9.55