A Treasure from the Mythology

In a world where people often do things out of motive or have friends for benefit, the question of how selfless one can be for a stranger becomes all the more relevant. For those of us who love reading stories and animal fables that have a subtle message interwoven in the theme, I am certain the story of Rishi Dadichi will always remain embedded in our hearts and souls.

Rishi Dadichi was the son of Rishi Atharvan (the author of Atharvaveda) and his wife Chitti. He was a living embodiment of sacrifice, donation, and selflessness. The legend goes that once upon a time, the Asuras had attacked the Devtas with the ulterior motive of capturing heaven. Vritra, the head of the Asura clan, was a recipient of a boon that he could not be hurt by any weapons made of metal or wood. Lord Indra was helpless and dejected.

So, he went to ask for help from Lord Shiva but even he could not help the Devtas. Finally, Indra, Brahma, and Shiva went to Lord Vishnu for a resolution. Vishnu ji revealed that only a weapon made from the bones of Maharishi Dadichi could kill Asur Vritra.

Indra approached the sage and asked for his help to which he agreed at once. But he wished to go on a pilgrimage before giving up his life. So, Indra brought all the pious rivers to Naimisharanya, a place near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, so that the sage could fulfill his wish without further ado. Maharishi willingly gave up his life through the art of yoga so that the weapon, Vajra, could be made from his spine. Indra used the weapon to kill Vritra and reclaimed his kingdom, becoming the king of the Devloka once again.

The story of Rishi Dadichi is just one of the many inspiring stories found in our Vedas and Puranas that teach us selflessness and devotion. The path of spirituality, I believe, makes one more humble, kind, and compassionate.

Rishi Dadichi’s selfless act of giving up his life so that the Devtas could reclaim their kingdom is a reminder that true sacrifice comes from the heart without any expectations of reward or recognition.

PS: This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023