SACRIFICE - The Story of Dadhichi

SACRIFICE --THE STORY OF DADHICHI

“ Nakarmana naprajaya na dhanena thayge naikena amrutatwa manasuhu” - Neither through deeds or progeny or money can one become immortal. It is only through sacrifice that one  can attain ‘amrutatwa ‘or immortality.This is nowhere established than in the story of the renowned sage DADHICHI who sacrificed his life for the sake of the general good of the Devas. As per legend, Indra in his pomp and pleasure disrespected his mentor Brihaspati and the sage vanished with displeasure! When Indra realized his mistake and went to apologize, the sage could not be seen. In his absence the demons invaded Swarga and defeated all the Devas. On approach, Creator Brahma advised Indra to take the help of Viswarupa, son of Thwashta. He gave Indra ‘Narayana Kavacha’ by repeating which Indra vanquished the demons and regained his lost kingdom. Partial to the demons,Viswarupa gave the sacred offerings to asuras during the yagna. Noticing the fraud,Indra cut off Viswarupa’s three heads and was afflicted with the sin of 'brahmahatya!’

To avenge the death of his son Viswarupa, Thwashta performed a homa to invoke a form that would kill Indra! Soon a terrible and fierce form, dense like the dark clouds, emerged from the homa! It's hair and eyes were of the color of copper. They generated intense heat like that of the rays of the noontide sun! It had the trisula or the trident in its hand! Looking at this terrible form all ran in fear of their lives! This demon was Vrutrasura who defeated the Devas once again and drove Indra away from Swarga! Dejected and humiliated by the successive defeats, Indra and the Devas approached Lord Vishnu for succor. The protector of all Gods,Vishnu directed them to the great sage Dadhichi whose bones alone could save them and kill the fearful demon Vrutrasura. Accordingly the Devas approached the sage DADHICHI and requested him to  sacrifice his life and offer his bones to be made into a weapon that could kill the demon.

Dadhichi had three boons from Lord Siva. He could be never humiliated and his bones would beA as hard as the diamond.The relationship between Indra and the sage was not good but he heard the request of the Devas and decided to give up his life for the sake of the well-being of Indra and the Devas! He wanted them to wait for a while so that he could bathe in the waters of the holy rivers and return. In order not to waste time, Indra caused all the rivers to come to the famous place of Naimisaranya! Dadhichi finished his ablutions and went into deep meditation and his spirit left  the body! It is said that the heavenly cow Kamadhenu licked the body to secure the bones of the sage! Thereupon,the bones of the vertebral column of Dadhichi were made into the invincible and very strong ‘Vajrayudha’ that became the main weapon of Indra. It was Viswakarma that hammered all the bones into that wonderful weapon ‘Vajrayudha’!

With the new weapon Vajrayudha and resurgent vigour, Indra and  his forces attacke Vrutrasura and his army of demons! lt was a fierce encounter and the demon's generals Namuchi, Sambara,Puloma and others were killed. Indra and Vrutrasura met face to face and exchanged various weapons in fight! Suddenly Vrutrasura opened his monstrous mouth and swallowed Indra along with his elephant Iravata! But Indra was safe because of the ‘Narayana Kavacha' given by Viswarupa! At this a turning point takes place and Vrutrasura  becomes non attachched and philosophical! He lost all interest in material existence. He desires to get released from Maya or illusion. He calls upon Indra to use his ‘Vajrayudha’ and kill him! Indra smites him with the weapon killing Vrutrasura! A radiant light emanated from his body and merges into the Lord!

The sin of 'brahmahatya’ chases Indra and he tries to save or hide himself! Finally he takes refuge in the lotus stalk in Manasarovar where he will be unaffected as the lake is the abode of Goddess Lakshmi! It is said that Indra  remained there for a thousand years! In his absence   king Nahusha became the Indra and ruled Swarga! The supreme sacrifice of sage Dadhichi thus resulted in the destruction of evil in the form of Vrutrasura and made life easy for all Devas. There cannot be a greater sacrifice than one’s own life for the sake of the good of society!