Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.544

c5.544

DHANAÑJAYA VI. A brahmin devotee of Mahāviṣṇu who lived in the Tretā yuga. Once, in winter, when for want of proper clothing he could bear the biting cold no longer, he broke some twigs of the Aśvattha tree (poplar leafed fig tree) and made fire to warm him. When Dhanañjaya broke the twigs it gave reflective pain on the body of Mahāviṣṇu. But Mahāviṣṇu who was aware of the unflinching devotion of Dhanañjaya to himself was not displeased but appeared before Dhanañjaya with wounds all over the body. The Brahmin enquired how Viṣṇu got the wounds and on knowing that it was the consequence of his breaking the twigs of Aśvattha Dhanañjaya in utter grief started to cut his own head off. Greatly pleased Viṣṇu stopped him from his attempt and asked him to name a boon. Very modestly he replied that he would be satisfied if he was given the strength to continue as a devotee of Viṣṇu. (Padma Purāṇa, Kriyā Kāṇḍa).