HINDU ENCYCLOPEDIA

सनातन धर्म भूमिका

Meaning of "Vajra"

Word

Vajra

Sanskrit

वज्र

IAST

vajra

In General

The word Vajra means both thunderbolt and diamond. Vajra is famous in Puranas as the weapon, by which Indras protect humans and punishes the evil forces. This weapon makes thunder and lightning. According to the Puranic stories once Devas were defeated by Asuras and found no way to defeat Vritra. Then they were advised by Vishnu to make a weapon by the bones of Rishi Dadichi. Dadhichi was son of Rishi Atharvan and Shanti, the daughter of Daksha. Dadhichi was ready to sacrifice for a noble cause and happily donated his bones. By the bones of Dadhichi Tvastar made the Vajra for use of Indra. With the Vajra Indra easily defeated Vritra, the demon.

Veda

Vajra is the forces of potent word, the Mantra. The Rigveda states that the weapon was made for Indra by Tvastar, the maker of divine instruments. So, symbolically, R.V. says, it is by the mantra of Dandhichi the darkness of ignorance is removed and new spiritual dawn began.

Purana

Once the demons Vritra and Namuchi dethroned Indra from Swarga and made earth dry and dark. The Asuras were the recipient of a boon whereby they could not be killed by any weapon made of wood or metal could harm him. So, as advised by Vishnu, Indra approached Dandhichi and requested to have his bones for manufacturing the dreaded weapon. Dandhichi, the respected Vedic seer was the preceptor of Gods when Brihaspathi left them for a brief period. A story about him tells that Dandhichi would sit in meditation at a place for years together and ants would make anthill around his body. Dadhichi acceded to the Deva's request and donated his bones, which was made the strongest material in the world by the boon he received once

Reference

R.V. 1.121.12

Related entries found !

Word Sanskrit IAST In General Veda Purana
Vajraवज्रvajra

The prince of Dwaraka when it was destroyed. Vajra was the great grandson of Sri Krishna,...

Read More
Vajrajvalaवज्रज्वालाvajrajvālāA grand daughter of Virochana and the wife of Kumbhakarna (brother of Ravana). She had two sons... Read More
Vajranabha Vajranabha was a demon king Once Vajranabha performed penance to propitiate Brahma. Brahma appeared before him and he got ...Read More
Vajrangaवज्राङ्गvajrāṅga

Father of Tarakasura

Vajranga was son of Kashyapa Prajapati and his wife Danu. He was very good natured and...

Read More
Vajrasuci Upanishadवज्रसूचिकोपनिषद् vajrasūci upaniṣhad

Vajrasuci Upanishad is about removal of ignorance for the realization of the truth. This minor...

Read More
Vajrasuci_Upanishadवज्रसूचिकोपनिषद् vajrasūci upaniṣhad

Vajrasuci Upanishad is about removal of ignorance for the realization of the truth. This minor...

Read More
Vajrajvalaवज्रज्वालाvajrajvālāA grand daughter of Virochana and the wife of Kumbhakarna (brother of Ravana). She had two sons... Read More
Vajranabha Vajranabha was a demon king Once Vajranabha performed penance to propitiate Brahma. Brahma appeared before him and he got ...Read More