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{{about|the | {{Infobox deity | ||
| type = Hindu | |||
| affiliation = [[Asura]] ([[Daitya]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RvxLEAAAQBAJ&dq=kalanemi+daitya&pg=PT185 | title=Skanda Purana: Maheswara Khanda: Kedara Khanda: English Translation only without Slokas | date=24 October 2021 }}</ref> | |||
| texts = [[Matsya Purana]], [[Skanda Purana]] | |||
| image = Kalanemi.jpg | |||
| caption = Artwork of Kalanemi. | |||
| children = [[Tulasi in Hinduism|Vrinda]] (daughter)<br>Hamsa, Suvikrama, Kratha, Damana, Ripurmardana, and Krodhahanta (sons) | |||
| father = Virochana | |||
| siblings = [[Mahabali]] | |||
}}{{about|the asura regarded to have incarnated as [[Kamsa]]|the rakshasa mentioned in [[Ramayana]] adaptations|Kalanemi (Ramayana)}}{{Short description|Asura in Hinduism}} | |||
'''Kalanemi''' ({{Langx|sa|कालनेमि|lit=felly of the wheel of time}}, {{IAST3|Kālanemi}}) is an [[asura]] in [[Hindu mythology]]. He is the son of [[Virochana]], and the grandson of [[Prahlada]]. He is slain by [[Vishnu]] in the [[Tarakamaya War]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Matchett |first=Freda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HJP_ktuIZWcC&dq=kalanemi+tarakamaya&pg=PA167 |title=Krsna: Lord or Avatara?: The Relationship Between Krsna and Visnu |date=2013-01-11 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-11842-5 |pages=167 |language=en}}</ref> in which he is described to be a commander. In one of his rebirths, in various traditions, he is born as [[Kamsa]], the son of [[Ugrasena]], and becomes the king of [[Mathura]]. His nephew, [[Krishna]], an avatar of Vishnu, slays him for his tyranny.{{Sfn|Williams|2008|pp=172, 178}}{{Sfn|Kennedy|1831|p=441}}{{Sfn|Williams|2008|p=185}} Kalanemi's daughter, [[Vrinda (goddess)|Vrinda]], becomes [[Jalandhara|Jalandhara's]] wife.... | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
Kalanemi is a compound word made up of 'Kala' which means "time", and 'nemi' which means "the felly of a wheel or a portion". It represents the time segment of the wheel of time that denotes "the afternoon leading to sunset". 'Kala' also means "black", perceived to be the [[asura]] Kalanemi who represents the period of darkness that "increases as the day move toward night and as the ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'' moves towards ''[[Kali Yuga]]''."{{Sfn|Hudson|2008|p=282}} | Kalanemi is a compound word made up of 'Kala', which means "time", and 'nemi', which means "the felly of a wheel or a portion". It represents the time segment of the wheel of time that denotes "the afternoon leading to sunset". 'Kala' also means "black", perceived to be the [[asura]] Kalanemi, who represents the period of darkness that "increases as the day move toward night and as the ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'' moves towards the ''[[Kali Yuga]]''."{{Sfn|Hudson|2008|p=282}} | ||
== | ==Legend== | ||
[[ | === Tarakamaya War === | ||
{{Main articles|Tarakamaya War}} | |||
In the [[Padma Purana]], Kalanemi fought on the side of [[Chandra|Soma]] and the rest of the [[Daitya|daityas]] in the Tarakamaya War against the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]. He showered mountains upon the devas, who were terrified by the very sight of him as he had grown to immense proportions. He breathed flames from his mouth, and launched a number of divine missiles on his foes. Vishnu rode upon [[Garuda]] in order to meet him in battle. He shouted obscenities at the preserver deity, who merely smiled and announced his impending doom. Furious, Kalanemi launched a multitude of weapons on Vishnu's chest from his hundred arms. When the asura smashed Garuda's head with his mace, Vishnu retaliated by employing the [[Sudarshana Chakra]] to chop all of the former's arms, causing his lifeless form to shake the earth upon its collapse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-08-23 |title=The Rise of the Lotus and the War between Gods & Demons [Chapter 41] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364164.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Sons === | |||
Kalanemi had six sons: Hamsa, Suvikrama, Kratha, Damana, Ripurmardana, and Krodhahanta,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prabhupāda |first=A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aGvXAAAAMAAJ&q=kalanemi+hamsa |title=Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: pt. 1-4. The summum bonum |date=1999 |publisher=Bhaktivedanta Book Trust |isbn=978-0-89213-261-4 |pages=112 |language=en}}</ref> who in their previous births had been the sons of [[Marichi]], a ''[[manasputra|manasaputra]]'' (mind-born son) of [[Brahma]].{{Sfn|Williams|2008|pp=172, 178}} Due to the fact that they had performed a penance to Brahma, their grandfather, Hiranyakashipu, cursed them first to be condemned to sleep for a long period in [[Patala]], and then altered their curse to be born on earth as the first six sons of [[Devaki]]. Their father, Kalanemi, would be reborn as [[Kans]], the son of [[Ugrasena]], and would be their uncle, killing them all immediately after their birth.{{Sfn|Williams|2008|pp=172, 178}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Kaṃsa |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241678.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Samudra Manthana === | |||
According to the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'', after the [[Samudra Manthana|churning of the ocean of milk]], when the nectar [[amrita]] was denied to the [[daitya]]s and [[danavas]] by [[Vishnu]] in the form of [[Mohini]], a battle ensued between the two asura races and the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]]. The devas were led by [[Indra]], the king of [[Svarga]], while the asuras were led by the sons of Virochana, initially by [[Mahabali|Bali]], the chief of the asuras, and later by Kalanemi. After Indra had slain Bali with a thunderbolt, another daitya king named [[Vrishparva]] attacked Indra, and was also killed. Kalanemi, riding a lion as his mount, fiercely attacked Indra and his followers, which unnerved the devas. They were then advised by [[Narada]] to seek the help of Vishnu, as only he could kill Kalanemi, who had immense powers acquired by meditation. On the request made by the devas, Vishnu, riding his mount [[Garuda]], attacked Kalanemi, and rendered him unconscious. Regaining consciousness, Kalanemi realised that he was confronting Vishnu, and accepted his defeat, requesting Vishnu to grant him beatitude as he had been defeated by a divine being.{{Sfn|Kennedy|1831|p=362}} Thus, Vishnu acquired the epithet of ''kalanemi-niha''.{{Sfn|Kennedy|1831|p=362}} | |||
== | |||
According to the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'', after the [[Samudra | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* {{cite book|last= Hudson |first=D Dennis |title=The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IMCxbOezDi4C&pg=PA282|date= | * {{cite book|last= Hudson |first=D Dennis |title=The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IMCxbOezDi4C&pg=PA282|date=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-970902-1}} | ||
* {{cite book|last= Kennedy |first=Vans |title=Researches Into the Nature and Affinity of Ancient and Hindu Mythology|url=https://archive.org/details/researchesinton00kenngoog|page= [https://archive.org/details/researchesinton00kenngoog/page/n455 362] |year=1831|publisher=Longmans, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green}} | * {{cite book|last= Kennedy |first=Vans |title=Researches Into the Nature and Affinity of Ancient and Hindu Mythology|url=https://archive.org/details/researchesinton00kenngoog|page= [https://archive.org/details/researchesinton00kenngoog/page/n455 362] |year=1831|publisher=Longmans, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green}} | ||
* {{cite book|last= Williams |first=George M. |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA172|date= | * {{cite book|last= Williams |first=George M. |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA172|date=2008|publisher=OUP USA|isbn=978-0-19-533261-2}} | ||
[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]] | [[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Hindu mythology]] | ||
[[Category:Asura]] | |||
[[Category:Daityas]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:34, 28 October 2025
| Kalanemi | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of Kalanemi. | |
| Affiliation | Asura (Daitya)[1] |
| Texts | Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana |
| Personal information | |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Mahabali |
| Children | Vrinda (daughter) Hamsa, Suvikrama, Kratha, Damana, Ripurmardana, and Krodhahanta (sons) |
Kalanemi (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., IAST: Kālanemi) is an asura in Hindu mythology. He is the son of Virochana, and the grandson of Prahlada. He is slain by Vishnu in the Tarakamaya War,[2] in which he is described to be a commander. In one of his rebirths, in various traditions, he is born as Kamsa, the son of Ugrasena, and becomes the king of Mathura. His nephew, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, slays him for his tyranny.[3][4][5] Kalanemi's daughter, Vrinda, becomes Jalandhara's wife....
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Kalanemi is a compound word made up of 'Kala', which means "time", and 'nemi', which means "the felly of a wheel or a portion". It represents the time segment of the wheel of time that denotes "the afternoon leading to sunset". 'Kala' also means "black", perceived to be the asura Kalanemi, who represents the period of darkness that "increases as the day move toward night and as the Dvapara Yuga moves towards the Kali Yuga."[6]
Legend[edit | edit source]
Tarakamaya War[edit | edit source]
In the Padma Purana, Kalanemi fought on the side of Soma and the rest of the daityas in the Tarakamaya War against the devas. He showered mountains upon the devas, who were terrified by the very sight of him as he had grown to immense proportions. He breathed flames from his mouth, and launched a number of divine missiles on his foes. Vishnu rode upon Garuda in order to meet him in battle. He shouted obscenities at the preserver deity, who merely smiled and announced his impending doom. Furious, Kalanemi launched a multitude of weapons on Vishnu's chest from his hundred arms. When the asura smashed Garuda's head with his mace, Vishnu retaliated by employing the Sudarshana Chakra to chop all of the former's arms, causing his lifeless form to shake the earth upon its collapse.[7]
Sons[edit | edit source]
Kalanemi had six sons: Hamsa, Suvikrama, Kratha, Damana, Ripurmardana, and Krodhahanta,[8] who in their previous births had been the sons of Marichi, a manasaputra (mind-born son) of Brahma.[3] Due to the fact that they had performed a penance to Brahma, their grandfather, Hiranyakashipu, cursed them first to be condemned to sleep for a long period in Patala, and then altered their curse to be born on earth as the first six sons of Devaki. Their father, Kalanemi, would be reborn as Kans, the son of Ugrasena, and would be their uncle, killing them all immediately after their birth.[3][9]
Samudra Manthana[edit | edit source]
According to the Skanda Purana, after the churning of the ocean of milk, when the nectar amrita was denied to the daityas and danavas by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, a battle ensued between the two asura races and the devas. The devas were led by Indra, the king of Svarga, while the asuras were led by the sons of Virochana, initially by Bali, the chief of the asuras, and later by Kalanemi. After Indra had slain Bali with a thunderbolt, another daitya king named Vrishparva attacked Indra, and was also killed. Kalanemi, riding a lion as his mount, fiercely attacked Indra and his followers, which unnerved the devas. They were then advised by Narada to seek the help of Vishnu, as only he could kill Kalanemi, who had immense powers acquired by meditation. On the request made by the devas, Vishnu, riding his mount Garuda, attacked Kalanemi, and rendered him unconscious. Regaining consciousness, Kalanemi realised that he was confronting Vishnu, and accepted his defeat, requesting Vishnu to grant him beatitude as he had been defeated by a divine being.[10] Thus, Vishnu acquired the epithet of kalanemi-niha.[10]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Skanda Purana: Maheswara Khanda: Kedara Khanda: English Translation only without Slokas". 24 October 2021.
- ↑ Matchett, Freda (2013-01-11). Krsna: Lord or Avatara?: The Relationship Between Krsna and Visnu. Routledge. p. 167. ISBN 978-1-136-11842-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Williams 2008, pp. 172, 178.
- ↑ Kennedy 1831, p. 441.
- ↑ Williams 2008, p. 185.
- ↑ Hudson 2008, p. 282.
- ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-08-23). "The Rise of the Lotus and the War between Gods & Demons [Chapter 41]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
- ↑ Prabhupāda, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1999). Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: pt. 1-4. The summum bonum. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-89213-261-4.
- ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-01-28). "Story of Kaṃsa". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Kennedy 1831, p. 362.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Hudson, D Dennis (2008). The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-970902-1.
- Kennedy, Vans (1831). Researches Into the Nature and Affinity of Ancient and Hindu Mythology. Longmans, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green. p. 362.
- Williams, George M. (2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.