[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.1138 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1138 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.1138 - **Language:** English ### [c4.1138](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1138) (4) How Atri became Sun and Moon. Once there was a fierce battle between Devas and Asuras. Owing to the shower of arrows from the Asuras, the Sun and Moon became dim. Darkness spread everywhere. The Devas began to grope in the dark. They requested Atri Maharṣi to find a remedy for this. Moved by their distress, Atri suddenly transformed himself into the Sun and Moon. The Moon gave light to the Devas. The Sun burnt up the Asuras by his intense heat. Thus the Devas were saved. This story was told by Vāyu Bhagavana, to Arjuna. (M.B., Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 156). (5) Atri and King Vṛṣādarbhi. In the Mahābhārata we find a story about a difference of opinion between King Vṛṣādarbhi and some Maharṣis. This story was told by Bhīṣma to Yudhiṣṭhira about the kind of persons from whom Brahmins may accept gifts. Once the Munis, Kaśyapa, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Bharadvāja, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, and Paśusakhā, with Arundhatī and Gaṇḍā, who were the wives of two Munis, travelled round the world. Their object was to go to Brahmaloka. At that time there was drought in the world. King Vṛṣādarbhi, the son of Śibi, suggested that the above-mentioned Munis should be called and given wealth. They refused to accept it. Vṛṣādarbhi became angry. He performed Homa in Āhavanīyāgni and from the agnikuṇḍa, the Rākṣasī Yātudhānī (Kṛtyā) arose. Vṛṣādarbhi sent Yātudhānī to destroy Atri and all other Munis. As Yātudhānī was guarding a lotus pond in the forest, the munis led by Atri happened to come that way. The Maharṣis were able to recognize Yātudhānī. They beat her with their tridaṇḍu (Trident or a kind of magic wand) and reduced her to ashes. After satisfying their hunger by eating the lotus flowers the Maharṣis went to Brahmaloka. (M.B., Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 93). - [Previous: c4.1137](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1137) - [Next: c4.1139](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1139) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1138](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1138) · Pramāṇa