156 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 9

King of heaven, approached Dadhici and said, “My dear Muni, the
Asvini-kumaras are only physicians. Please do not instruct them in
spiritual science. If you impart the spiritual science to them despite my
warning, I shall punish you by cutting off your head.” After warning
Dadhici in this way, Indra returned to heaven. The Asvini-kumaras, who
understood Indra’s desires, returned and begged Dadhici for brahma-
vidya. When the great saint Dadhici informed them of Indra’s threat, the
Asvini-kumaras replied, “Let us first cut off your head and replace it
with the head of a horse. You can instruct brahma-vidyd through the
horse’s head, and when Indra returns and cuts off that head, we shall
reward you and restore your original head.”’ Since Dadhici had promised
to impart brahma-vidya to the Asvini-kumiaras, he agreed to their pro-
posal. Therefore, because Dadhici imparted brahma-vidyda through the
mouth of a horse, this brahma-vidyd is also known as Aévasira.

TEXT 53
TSAR THA HATA |
Perey TYME ALT A TAIT: 1431

dadhyann atharvanas tvastre
varmabhedyam mad-dtmakam
visvariipaya yat pradat
tvasta yat tvam adhas tatah

dadhyan—Dadhyaiica; atharvanah—the son of Atharva; tvastre—
unto Tvasta; varma—the protective covering known as Narayana-
kavaca; abhedyam—invincible; mat-adtmakam—consisting of Myself:
visvariipaya—unto Visvariipa; yat—which; prdddt—delivered:
tvasta—Tvasté; yat—which; tuam—you; adhah—received; tatah—
from him.

TRANSLATION

Dadhyaiica’s invincible protective covering known as the
Narayana-kavaca was given to Tvasta, who delivered it to his son
Visvaripa, from whom you have received it. Because of this
Narayana-kavaca, Dadhici’s body is now very strong. You should
therefore beg him for his body.
