Vritrasur's Devotion And Chitrakatu's Desire!

In the previous blogs "Consequences of Disrespect" and "Clash of Egos," we explored the story of King Indra, whose arrogance led him to disrespect his Guru Brihaspati, ultimately resulting in his downfall. In a fit of rage, Indra then killed Guru Vishvaroop, setting off a chain of vengeance when Vishvaroop's father, Tvasht, vowed to kill Indra and performed a yagna from which Vritrasur emerged.

Vritrasur, fueled by a desire for revenge for his brother's death, sought to confront Indra. However, despite his fury and determination, Vritrasur was no match for the powerful Indra. Now, we continue this story.........

God's Abode for a Demon

When King Pareekshith heard Shukdev Paramhans recount the tale of Vritrasur, he was astonished to learn that Vritrasur attained God’s abode upon his death.

Shukdev explained to the King:

"Lord Vishnu is a rare treasure, even among the divine devatas! Only a handful of humans embark on this sacred path, and even fewer manage to anchor their minds to the divine steadfastly.

So, the question lingers—how did Vritrasur, born of the demon race, demonstrate such extraordinary devotion to God amidst the roaring chaos of a fierce battle against Indra?"

Picture the scene: the clash of titans, the thunderous roars of battle echoing through the heavens, and there stands Vritrasur, fierce yet focused, his heart ablaze with devotion.

As the mighty Indra approached, Vritrasur closed his eyes, pushing aside the chaos around him.

A Warrior's Prayer

"My dear Lord Vishnu!" He cried:

"Let me not crave power over the three worlds. Make me the servant of your servants.

Let my thoughts be forever entwined with your divine essence, and let my voice resonate with songs of your praise.

I want to love and long for you the way a baby bird desperately yearns for its mother, the way a calf aches for its mother cow, or the way a woman passionately yearns for her beloved.

I am caught up in the relentless whirlpool of birth and death; release me from the bondage of Maya.

Let my heart overflow with love for your devotees, for that is the path that leads me closer to you."

In the heat of battle, facing his enemy, Vritrasur's deepest longing was not for victory or revenge, but for devotion and love for the Divine and His devotees. This gives us a profound glimpse into the true nature of this seemingly vengeful being.

Shukdev further explained to King Pareekshith that Vritrasur was an evolved soul and was able to attach his mind and pray to His Lord while standing on the battlefield. I will now tell you about his previous birth, which would explain Vritrasur, the devotee of Lord Vishnu.

The Unfillable Void

In the heart of a vibrant kingdom, where the lush fields and the rivers sparkled like jewels, there lived a remarkable king named Chitraketu. His kingdom of Shoorsen lay close to what we now call Mathura. Chitraketu was no ordinary monarch; he was young, strikingly handsome, and possessed a wisdom that captivated all. His empire stretched beyond the horizons.

Despite the opulence surrounding him, Chitraketu was tormented by one harrowing void—he had many beautiful queens, but no heir to his throne. This absence weighed heavily on him, filling his days with unease and sadness.

A Sage's Visit and a King's Unwavering Desire

One fateful day, a revered sage appeared at the gates of the royal palace. It was Sage Angira, a figure of legend known for his profound wisdom and powers. Chitraketu welcomed the sage with utmost respect and reverence.

The wise sage observed that something was troubling the king. The sage asked, “O King! What weighs heavily on your spirit?”

With a troubled sigh, Chitraketu leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper:

“Great Sage, my heart aches for a son. Wealth, power, and glory mean nothing to me when my lineage hangs by a thread. My kingdom, my people, and even the love of my queens offer no solace in my darkest hours.”

Leaning back, Sage Angira, in his wisdom, attempted to guide the king towards spiritual understanding, speaking about detachment and accepting destiny. But Chitraketu's desire was unyielding, a storm brewing within him that no amount of philosophical discourse could calm.

A Sacred Ritual

Seeing the depth of the king's yearning, Sage Angira, in his compassion, decided to act. He gathered the sacred ingredients and initiated a grand yagya, invoking the powerful Tvasht devata. The atmosphere buzzed with divine energy, as vibrant flames danced and the chants echoed through the heavens. Chitraketu, his heart pounding with anticipation, watched the oblations being poured into the fire.

As the ritual reached its zenith, Sage Angira turned to the eldest queen, Kritadyuti. He presented her with the precious offering from the yagya.

"Rejoice, for soon a son shall be born to you. Oh! king, this son shall bring you immense joy and profound sorrow."

He proclaimed, his voice resonating with prophetic weight. 

Chitraketu's heart soared with excitement, yet a strange unease crept in at the sage's foreboding words. What awaited him on this new journey of fatherhood?

To be continued...................

Summary

The story narrative shifts from the battle between Indra and Vritrasur to explore the surprising spiritual attainment of the demon Vritrasur upon his death. King Pareekshith inquires about this, prompting Shukdev to reveal Vritrasur's deep devotion to Lord Vishnu even amidst conflict. The explanation then transitions to the story of King Chitraketu, who longed for an heir and received a child through the blessings of a sage, setting the stage to explain Vritrasur's previous birth.

Let's Reflect

Did you ever feel tormented after your burning desire was fulfilled?