THE DEATH OF VRUTRASURA

                                                      

Taking leave of Sage Agasthya, sri Rama came back to Ayodhya and sent for Bharatha and Lakshmana. He embraced them and said he wanted to perform the great RAJASUYA YAGA. Bharatha advised Sri Rama  not to contemplate on performing the yaga as it implies fighting with many kings and defeating them. There will ba a lot of destruction. As the emperor of the loand it is totally undesirable for Sri Rama to perform the RAJASUYA. Sri Rama appreciated the counsel of Bharatha and was delighted. Soon after, Lakshmana suggested that “ Aswamedha Yaga is the appropriate yaga that can remove all sins and render the performer pure!

       To illustrate the efficacy of ASWAMEDHA YAGA, Lakshmana narrated to Sri Rama the story of Indra who cleansed himself of the sin of Brahmahatya after killing Vrutrasura by performing the Aswamedha Yaga. Vrutrasura was a rakshasa. He was, however, a good and popular king and ruled the country righteously. Because of his dharmic rule there was plenty and prosperity in his land! There was no want that was not satisfied! Feeling that penance was the best and ultimate end of life, Vrutrasura crowned his son Madhureswara as the king and left for performing tapas! The intensity of his tapas was such that it affected all the three lokas and Indra could not bear its heat and energy! He ran to Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu and fell at his feet and requested him for protection! He prevailed upon Lord Vishnu to Kill Vrutrasura though he was the friend of the Lord. The Lord replied that Vrutrasura was his good friend and so he cannot kill him! But he would reveal a way to kill the asura!

       The Lord said that he would split himself into three divisions. With one part Indra can Kill Vrutrasura! The second division will be in Indra’s weapon the Vajra! The third part will be in the earth! Indra and all the Devas were immensely pleased at the words of Mahavishnu. They immediately went to the forest where Vrutra was performing tapas! Even as they wondered how to kill Vrutra in his deep and frightening tapas Indra with his deadly Vajrayudha beheaded Vrutrasura! But  Indra realized the great blunder he had committed and the sin that he has done! In his fear he hid himself in a lake nearby! The sin of BRAHMAHATYA followed him and spread itself all over his body! The Devas felt happy at the death of Vrutrasura but at the same time were deeply distressed at the fate of Indra the lord of heaven! They approached Lord Vishnu again for a remedy and relief for Indra from Brahmahatya! It was then the Lord recommended the performance of Aswamedha Yaga! He wanted Indra to worship him to get rid of his sin!

        The effect of Brahmahatya was terrible on Indra! He was thrown into darkness, lost his consciousness and was dangling like a snake! The whole world was steeped in fear! The earth was sad! Forests dried up; lakes, ponds and rivers evaporated! Unseasonal rains created havoc! Devas urgently gathered strength, made all arrangements and performed Aswamedha yaga with Indra! Then Brahmahatya came in its physical form and demanded a place for it after leaving Indra! Devas wanted it to split into four divisions. Brahmahatya said that one part would remain for four months in the rivers during the rainy season! The second part would stay in the barren soil! The third part would be during the menstrual period of arrogant women! The final part will vest in people who kill innocent Brahmins and speak lies! The Devas allowed it do likewise and sent it away! Indra came out pure and fresh. The world became peaceful! Indra worshipped the “ yagna Purusha”—Lord Vishnu and returned to his abode!!Lakshmana thus explained to Sri Rama the effect and usefulness of Aswamedha Yaga!