Dadhichi, son of Atharva Muni, used to practise severe penances to such an extent that even the king of the gods, Indra became afraid of him. Once the gods were driven away from heaven by a demon named Vritrasura. The gods then learnt that the only way to drive away the demon was to forge weapons out of the bones of Dadhichi. Indra approached Dadhichi with great diffidence but Dadhichi felt that the cause for which Indra had come was one for which he should lay down his mortal frame. He, therefore, gladly responded to the wishes of the gods and gave up his body voluntarily by the use of his yogic power. The gods then made weapons out of his bones and with the help of them killed the demon.