Who Was Pippalaad?

Pippalaad was Maharshi Dadheechi's son. He was none other but Rudra's incarnation for the welfare of all.

Rishi Dadheechi with his tough penance received the boon from Shiv Jee that, firstly his bones should be harder than any Vajra and secondly he should get Shiv Jee as his son. After leaving his body for Devtaa, Devtaa's architect Vishwakarmaa built Vajra weapon from his bones and then only Indra could kill that demon - Vritraasur.

When Dadheechi's wife came back to the Aashram and learnt how her husband had sacrificed his life for Devtaa, she got very angry and cursed Indra and the other Devtaa. Then she got a pyre ready to become Satee, but just as she was going to do that, she heard a celestial voice from heaven which said - "Hey Devee, You are carrying the sage's child in your womb, therefore, you should give up the idea of being Satee."

A pregnant woman should not destroy her body by burning it. Hearing all this, she was dismayed at once but her only desire was to go to the place where her husband had gone. So she tore her stomach with a piece of stone and the embryo came out of it. It was so bright that all the three Lok were lit up. He was an incarnation of Rudra. As she was aware of the fact that child was Rudra's incarnation, she offered her prayers - "Dear son, I leave you near this fig tree. May you grow into a person who will bring happiness to one and all." and saying all this she followed her husband and ended her life.

After that Brahmaa and all other Devtaa came there and offered prayers to the infant incarnation of Rudra. Brahmaa Jee named him Pippalaad, because he took birth under a Peepal tree. Later on this tree took care of the infant. Then performing all ceremonies, Devtaa went back to their respective abodes leaving Pippalaad under the fig tree. The Rudra incarnation Pippalaad performed Tap for long time under that fig tree for the welfare of all.