202.168.85.144 at 10:26, 20 August 2021

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{{short description|Founder of Bhauma dynasty of Pragjyotisha Kingdom in ancient India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| image = Krishna Narakasura.jpg
| alt = Naraka
| info-hdr=Information
| caption = Krishna and Satyabhama fighting Naraka's armies - Painting from the [[Metropolitan Museum]]
| gender = Male
| spouse = Maya (Princess of [[Vidarbha]])
| children = [[Bhagadatta]] (Son)
| relatives = {{ubl|[[Bhudevi]] (mother)|[[Varaha]] or [[Hiranyaksha]] (father)}}
| lbl21 = Dynasty
| data21 = [[Bhauma dynasty|Bhauma]]
| color = #FFC569
}}
{{Hindu mythology}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{Pragjyotisha}}
'''Naraka''', also known as '''Narakasura''', was a mythical [[asura]] king, the legendary progenitor of all three dynasties of [[Kamarupa|Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa]], and the founding ruler of the legendary [[Bhauma dynasty]] of [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]].<ref>"Pragjyotisha and Pragjyotishapura, which are names of the capital city situated about Guwahati, are mentioned for the first time in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana in connection with the mythical kings Naraka, his son Bhagadatta and latter's son Vajradatta all of whom bear Sanskrit names." {{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=80}}</ref><ref name = "Dalal" >{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA274&dq=Narakasura+bhagadatta#q=Narakasura%20bhagadatta|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>"(I)n the inscriptions issued by the rulers of Pragjyotisa-Kamarupa from the 4th to the 12th century A.D. it has been claimed that the founders of the respective dynasties belong to the Naraka line of kings." {{harvcol|Boruah|2005|p=1465}}</ref> Though the myths about Naraka are first mentioned in the Mahabharata,<ref>"The earlier stage of the myths of Naraka and his son and his grandson is found in the Mahabharata" {{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=82}}</ref> later texts embellish them.<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=84}}</ref> According to later post-Vedic texts such as the [[Brahma Purana]] and [[Vishnu Purana]], he was the son of [[Bhudevi]],<ref>"Naraka is not mentioned (in the Mahabharata) as the son of the Earth...so that the said development in other works must be regarded as a later fabrication" {{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=83}}</ref> fathered either by the [[Varaha]] incarnation of Vishnu<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tiburtius|first=Barnabas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fb_VDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT70&dq=narakasura+mythological#q=narakasura%20Varaha|title=Symbols and Themes in Sacred Texts: Self Empowering Wisdom – Volume 3|date=2020-03-10|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-64760-839-2|language=en}}</ref> or [[Hiranyaksha]].<ref>"The demon Naraka, the son of the demon Hiranyaksha and the earth goddess, was the first ruler of Pragjyotishapura, ancient Assam." {{harvcol|Smith|2007|p=167}}</ref> He is claimed as one who established [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]]. He was killed by [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]]. His son [[Bhagadatta]]—of [[Mahabharata]] fame—succeeded him.

The [[Kalika Purana]] states that he come from [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] and said to have established the kingdom of Pragjyotisha after overthrowing the last of the [[Kirata|Danava]] king Ghatakasura of [[Danava dynasty]].<ref>Kali Prasad Goswami (2000),'' Devadāsī: Dancing Damsel'', p.28 Pragjyotish can be regarded as a Dravida country that was overthrown by the Mongoloid people. Naraka regained this kingdom and drove away from the Mongoloids. According to the Kalika Purana, when Naraka developed demonic qualities Vishnu was invited to kill him. In due course, he came and killed Naraka and enthroned Bhagadatta. This Bhagadatta again introduced the Saiva cult in Pragjyotisha.</ref> It was foretold that he would be destroyed by a later incarnation of Vishnu. His mother, the earth, sought the boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and that he should be all-powerful. Vishnu granted these boons.<ref>George M. Williams (2008), ''Handbook of Hindu Mythology'', p.222</ref>

The legends of Naraka is important in the history of [[Assam]], particularly [[Kamrup region|Kamarupa]]; since Naraka is cited as the progenitor of all three dynasties that ruled [[Kamarupa]] in historical times. A hill, to the south of [[Guwahati]] is named after him.<ref>Siba Pada Sen (1980), ''Sources of the history of India - Volume 3'', p.69</ref> He is also associated with the Hindu belief of the [[shaktism|shakti]] goddess and place of worship [[Kamakhya]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-09|title=Legends of Kamakhya festivity|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/features/legends-kamakhya-festivity-1502507692.html|access-date=2020-06-09|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History of the legend==
Naraka and his kingdom, Pragjyotisha, find mention in both the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Ramayana]], in the sections which were written not before the first century,<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=81}}</ref> where he is not depicted as the son of Bhudevi (earth) and Varaha incarnation of Vishnu.<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=83}}</ref> His son, [[Bhagadatta]], is said to have fought for the [[Kaurava]]s in the Mahabharata battle. Though the boar [[Prajapati]] finds mention as early as the [[Satapatha Brahmana]] and the Taittriya Aranyaka from the mid-first millennium BCE, the avatars were associated with Vishnu later,<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1971|pp=41–42}}</ref> and became popular in the Gupta period<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=85}}</ref> (320-550 CE) and that the contact with Bhumi engendered a son is first mentioned in the Book II of the ''[[Harivamsa]]''<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=85}}</ref> which is assigned to the fifth century. This theme, that of the son Naraka, is further expanded in the later [[Vishnu Purana]] (5th-9th century). In the 7th-century copper place inscriptions, Naraka is claimed as the originator of the [[Varman dynasty]] and that he lived three thousand years earlier.<ref>"The mythical ancestors of this line of rulers were Naraka, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta. Three thousand years after these mythical ancestors there occurred Pushyavarman..." {{harv|Sharma|1978|p=xxix}} In the Nidhanpur copperplate inscription, it is mentioned: "When the kings of his (Vajradatta's) family having enjoyed the position (of rulers) for three thousand years had (all) attained the state of gods, Pushyavarman became the lord of the world." {{harv|Sharma|1978|p=50}}</ref> The [[Bhagavata Purana]] (8th-10th century), which was composed even later, expands the story even further. The Naraka myth gets the most extensive elaboration in the Upapurana called [[Kalika Purana]] (10th century), which was composed in Kamarupa itself. Here the myth of Janaka of Videha, the father of Sita, is embellished and added to the myth of Naraka.<ref>{{harvcol|Sircar|1990|pp=87–90}}</ref>

==Legends==
The birth of Naraka is narrated in various texts. According to earlier versions of the legend, he was born after the horns of Hiranyaksha touched [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]]. In Kalika Purana and other texts, [[Varaha]] is mentioned as Naraka's father.<ref name = "Dalal" />The pious Naraka became evil, in association with [[Asura]] named [[Banasura]] and 'asura' (demon) was added to his name.<ref>Chandra Dhar Tripathi (2008), ''Kāmarūpa-Kaliṅga-Mithilā: a politico-cultural alignment in Eastern India : history, art, traditions'', p.98, p.p 197</ref>Once Naraka, motivated by his desire, wanted to marry [[Kamakhya|Devi Kamakhya]]. When proposed, the Goddess playfully put a condition before him that if he would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal Hill to the temple within one night before the cock crows to indicate Dawn, then she would surely marry him.
Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this huge task. He was almost about to accomplish the job before it was dawn. When Kamakhya Devi got this news, panic-stricken she strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of Dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick even Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it halfway through. Later he chased the cock and killed it. Now the place is known as Kukurakata situated in the district of Darrang. The incomplete staircase is known as Mekhelauja Path.<ref>Kāmarūpa Anusandhān Samiti (2007),'' Journal of the Assam Research Society - Volume 38'',p.30</ref>

== Death ==
[[File: Krishna Cleaves the Demon Narakasura with his Discus.jpg|thumb|left|Krishna decapitates Naraka]]
Drunk with power, as he knew himself to be unrivalled in prowess, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Next, he turned his eyes towards [[Svarga|Swargaloka]]. Even the mighty [[Indra]] could not withstand the assault of this son of [[Vishnu]] and had to flee the heavens.
Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. Addicted to power, he stole the earrings of [[Aditi]], the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped some of her territories, while also kidnapping [[Junior wives of Krishna|16000 women]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Swami|first=Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the Puranas|year=2001|publisher=Sarup and Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=8176252263|page=941}}</ref>All the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], led by [[Indra]], went to Vishnu to ask him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he would attend to this matter, when he would be incarnated as [[Krishna]].<ref>B. K. Chaturvedi (2017), ''Vishnu Puran''</ref>

As promised to Mother Earth, Naraka was allowed to enjoy a long reign. At last, Vishnu was born as Krishna. Aditi, who was a relative of Krishna's wife [[Satyabhama]] (believed to be an Avatar of [[Bhudevi]] - Narakasura' mother), approached Satyabhama for help. When Satyabhama heard of the Narakasura's ill-treatment of women and his behaviour with Aditi, she was enraged. Satyabhama approached Lord Krishna for permission to wage a war against Narakasura. As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount [[Garuda]] with wife Satyabhama.
Krishna used the Narayanastra and the Agneyastra against the army of Narakasura.
The battle was furiously fought. Narakasura possessed 11 [[Akshauhini]]s that he unleashed on Krishna. However, he slew them all with little effort. Krishna also killed [[Ahilawati|Mura]], Narakasura's general. Thus Krishna is called 'Murāri' (the killer of Mura).<ref>Dianne M. MacMillan (2008), ''Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights'', p.24</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=Kavita|date=2018-11-06|title=Satyabhama: The Fiery Woman Who Killed Narakasura|url=https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/satyabhama-fiery-woman-killed-narakasura/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=SheThePeople TV|language=en-US}}</ref>

Narakasura used several divine weapons against Krishna, but Krishna easily neutralized all those weapons. Narakasura used the Brahmastra against Krishna, but Krishna neutralized it with his own Brahmastra. Narakasura used the Agneyastra against Krishna, but Krishna neutralized it with the Varunastra. Narakasura used the Nagapasha against Krishna, but Krishna neutralized it with the Garudastra. In desperation, Narakasura launched the Vaishnavastra on Krishna, but Krishna neutralized it with another Vaishnavastra. At last, when Narakasura tried to kill Krishna with a trident, Krishna beheaded him with his Sudarshana Chakra (discus).<ref>Ayilam Subrahmaṇya Pañcāpageśa Ayyar (1957), ''Sri Krishna: The Darling of Humanity'', p.42</ref>

== In culture ==
It is believed that before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from [[Satyabhama]] (incarnation of Bhudevi), that everyone should celebrate his death with colourful light. Thus this day is celebrated as '[[Naraka Chaturdashi]]' - the day before [[Diwali]]. Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura translated into freedom for all his prisoners and honouring of Aditi.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Happy Diwali: The Legends Linked To Deepavali Festival|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/happy-diwali-deepavali-kali-puja-naraka-chaturdashi-ramayana-legends-linked-to-diwali-2120984|access-date=2020-06-09|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{commons cat}}
*[[Kamarupa]]
*[[Kamrup region|Kamrup]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Barua |first=Kanak Lal |title=Early History of Kamarupa |publisher=Author |year=1933}}
*{{cite journal |last=Boruah |first=Nirode |title='Early State' Formation in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam |journal=Proceedings of the Indian Historical Congress |volume=66 |year=2005 |pages=1464–1465 |jstor=44145968}}
* {{cite book| last = Sharma| first = Mukunda Madhava| title = Inscriptions of Ancient Assam| publisher = Gauhati University, Assam| year = 1978}}
*{{Citation| last = Sircar| first = D C| contribution = Epico-Puranic Myths and Allied Legends| year = 1990| title = The Comprehensive History of Assam| editor-last = Barpujari| editor-first = H K| volume = I| pages = 79–93| place = Guwahati| publisher = Publication Board, Assam}}
*{{Citation| last = Sircar| first = D C| year = 1971| title = Studies in the Religious Life of Ancient and Medieval India| place = Delhi| publisher = Motilal Banarasi Das }}
*{{Citation| last = Smith| first = William L| year = 2007| contribution = Assam: Shankaradeva's ''Parijata Harana Nata'' | title= Krishna: A Source Book| editor-last=Bryant |editor-first=Edwin F.|pages=163–186 |publisher = Oxford University Press }}
* {{citation|first=Vettam |last=Mani |year=1976 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epics and the Puranas |publisher=South Asia Books}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
[[Category: Pragjyotisha Kingdom]]
[[Category: People related to Krishna]]
[[Category: Characters_in_the_Bhagavata_Purana]]
[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Narakasura - Revision history

202.168.85.144 at 10:26, 20 August 2021