It was the ‘ Treta’ yuga (epoch). The sage Bharadwaj had completed his pilgrimage to Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantica and other places which together is know as ‘Saptapuri Yatra’ (i.e. Pilgrimage to seven holy places). He took bath in the river Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and particularly in Vajra and earned knowledge. These rivers are such that even there memories gives one the benefit of having taken an early-morning bath. He paid visit to the 12 Jyotirlingas, and completed the ‘Chardhama’ and ‘Tristhali’ pilgrimage. He also did penances, distributed charity, and performed. ‘Havana’. Inspite of this, Bharadwaj could not secure mental peace. He then went to the sage Vyasa who lived along the bank of the river Vajra. Vyasa was engrossed in the worship of the Vajramata. Bhardwaj offerd salutes to the sage and waited for the worship to be over. When that happened, Vyasa enquired about his well being. Bhardwaj told him about the lack of mental peace and asked Maharshi Vyasa many questions. In whose worship were you so engrossed? What calamity had befallen during the performance of the fire sacrifice? Was it unsurmountable? When did you become aware of the powers of the Mahamaya in the form of Vajreswari? And so on and so forth. Maharshi Vyasa at once realised that Bhardwaj was every eager to know the story of Vajreswari and started narrating it to him.In the ‘ Treta’ epoch, lived the sage Vasishtha who was the greatest among the seven greatest sages {Saptrishi). He had acquired divine luster and supernatural powers by performing various religious rites and penances. The demons ‘Kalikal’ and ‘Sinhamar’ had become insolent. Using tyrannical force, they harassed all living beings including humans and made it impossible for them to live in peace. It was therefore, decided to perform a ‘Trichandi’ Yagnya (fire sacrifice) to ward off this evil. Vasishtha was chosen as the chief priest as he was the master of Vedic hymns and he could also compose new hymns if need arose. The place selected for the yagnya was along the bank of the river Tejaja near Mandkini mountain. The proposed ‘Trichandi’ Yagnya to be performed with sacrificial rites was meant for invoking Adishakti, the deity endowed with three qualities of Satva, Rajas and Tamas. A mandapa was raised at the place and a brick-alter was constructed. All the provisions needed for the fire-sacrifice special kitchens for the sagas, variety of other articles and utensils were collected. Invitations were sent, beautiful huts were constructed. The day of the fire-sacrifice at last dawned. The sages came with their spouses. As the auspicious moment, the firegod was invoked and the fire was lit amidst the chanting of Mantras.The worship of lord Ganesh was performed and was followed by subsequent religious rites. The ‘Grahamakh’ Yagnya was performed. It was marked by setting up idols with due rites at various places.e.g. Bhimeswara at Ganeshpuri, Rameshwar at Akloli, Kapileshwar at Vjreshwari, Tungareshwar at Tungar, Nagmath on the banks of Vaitrana etc. This entire region had become as holy as the kailash mountain. The sage who penance here is sure to get salvation. The fire - sacrifice had begun, the mantras were being chanted. But offering to the Fire - God in the name of Indra was inadvertantly forgotten. Indra was a powerful king of the Devas. He possessed various weapons such as ‘Parjanyastra’, ‘Vajrstra’ etc. As a matter of fact Indra was so powerful, it was not necessary to perform ‘Trichandi’ Yagnya. Vasistha could well have performed Indra yagnya and that would have been enough. Indra should have at least been remembered at the time of giving offerings to the Fire - God. As this was not done Indra got annoyed and took a vow to destroy the ‘Trichandi’ yagnya. Using his different prowesses one by one, Indra began to destroy the yagnya.

All of a sudden the rivers, ponds, springs and wells literally went dry. Not a drop of water was to be found. Leave aside water for bath, the guests had no water even to quench their thirst. Because of this acute water problem, epidemics set in. In facing the series of calamities, the ‘Trichandi’ Yagnya was forgotten as there was devastation everywhere. All the sages too, were at their wit’s end. Rishi Vasistha, however, decided to face the situation with composure. Reciting mantras, he charged the ‘Darbha’ grass with divine powers and with its help, created springs of warm water. Using the medicinal plants that grew on the Tungar mountain as also the newly created water, Vasistha could fully control the epidemic and water became available in plenty, not only for drinking but also for taking bath.

Thinking that the calamities were over, the Yagnya was recommenced but lo! A lightening hit the earth. Indra had used ‘Vajra’ his powerful weapon. There was stampede everywhere. Realising that human efforts would no more be of any avail, Vasistha, along with other Rishis began to invoke the deity Adimaya Amba for her blessings and help "O" protector of all living beings, of the heaven, the Mrutyu Loka (Earth), the Yakshas and Kinneras (heavenly musicians) of Apsaras, of saints, rishis and munis, of ignorant children; O’ mother of the Universe; O’ prigeniter of fourteen Vidyas (branches of Knowledge), thou hast the power of salvation of this world. "Indra has become arrogant because he has been endowed with honorific titles such as "Vajrabahu’ Vajravah’ ‘Vajrabhuta’ His act of disturbing the ‘Trichandi’ yagnya is born out of his arrogance. O! Bhagavati! Only thou art our defender. You are known as ‘Vajrin’, (i.e. destroyer of ‘Vajra’) At once assume that incarnation and let your powers save us!"

As Indra, In his typical arrogance was launching the ‘Vajra’ attack, a mysterious thing happened. The Adimaya amba (i.e. Parvati) responded to the invocations of the sage Vashistha. There was a sudden lightening accompanied by stormy winds, and there appeared the Goddess in all her glory and calm and swallowed the Vajra before it fell on the sage Vashistha.

When the Goddess Ambabai, with a sword in one hand and a mace in the other appeared at the scene, there was peace and happiness every where. The sage Vashistha and all the assembled guests most revently bowed to the protector Goddes who was the amalgam of satva, raja, tamas and pity. The Goddess Parvati took the form and became Vajreshwari. Seeing her haloed incamation, India began to tremble in his feet. His energy having been sapped, Indra was terrified and he prostrated before Her.

The Goddess took pity on Indra and said, "O Amarnath (i.e. One who has attained Immortality) ignoring the pityfulnes, forgiveness and peaceloving nature of the most enlightened Vashistha, you have insulted him. I cannot but condemn this act of yours to put obstacles in the course of this fire sacrifice which was being performed with a view to emancipate the people from the dreaded demons ‘Kalikal’ and ‘Sinhamar’. Surrender before Vashistha if you wish to save your face. Hearing these words of Vajrayogini, Indra came to his senses and surrendered to the sage Vashistha. Maharshi Vyasa, preached Indra emancipated him from conceit and blessed him. He became pious. All Goodness was aroused within him. Both, Vashistha and Indra went to the Goddess Jagadamba and lay prostrated before her. She became pleased.

The Goddess then blessed the Devas, the Rishis and all others who had assembled there on the occasion of the Trichandi Yagnya. The Yagnya was carried to its consummation. As the Goddess Parvati had to swallow the Vajra, She assumed the name Shree Vajreshwari, She still stands there to ward off the ignorance of her devotees and and to bless them.