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Dhadichi
Dhadichi, the great Indian sage who was an example who had gone out of his way for the welfare of others. Legend says that the bones of Dhadichi had killed the demon Vritra.

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Dhadichi, Indian SageDhadichi is also known as Dadhyancha. He is an important character of Hindu Mythology. He is revered as one of the greatest Indian sages. He is also one of the greatest members of the clan of Bhrigus. Mythology says that Dhadichi had given up his life so that the Devas could use his bones to make weapons to defeat the demon Asura Vritra. Dhadichi is the son of Atharvan Rishi and Chitti. Swarcha was his wife and his son was Pippalda. His son Pippalada was a great sage himself and is known to be associated with the composition of the Prashnopanisad. Dhadichi was an expert in a Vedic vidya known as Brahma Vidya. With the knowledge of this Vidya, mortals were able to attain immortality. Legends say that it was Dhadichi who had saved the Ashwin twins from the furore of Indra. From this incident Dhadichi came to be known as Ashvashira.

The legend regarding the giving up of life of Dhadichi says that once Indra the king of the Devalokas was ousted by an asura named Vritra. Vritra was with a boon that no weapon made of metal or wood could kill him. As a result Indra was confused so he had approached Lord Shiva. Even Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma could not give any solution to the problem. Finally they approached Lord Vishnu who said Vritra could only be killed by the weapon made with the bones of Dhadichi. Therefore Indra approached Dhadichi whom he had once beheaded and requested him for the favour. The sage soon agreed to the request of the Devas and said that only he wanted to visit all the holy places before giving up his life. At this Indra brought all the holy waters Naimisharanya. And then Dhadichi gave up his life through the art of Yoga and the weapon called Vajrayudha was made from his spine and it was used to kill the demon Vritra.

Some of the other legends which are associated with Maharishi Dhadichi are that Dhadichi was the first one who had left the sacrifice ceremony of Daksha because Lord Shiva had not been invited in it. The Mantra of Devi Hinglaj is also attributed to saint Dhadichi.


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