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==Names== | ==Names== | ||
Various [[Sanskrit]] and [[Prakrit]] texts offer the name "Nalakuvara", "Nalakūvala", "Mayuraja", "Narakuvera", and "Naṭakuvera" to describe the son of Kubera. The god also appears in Chinese texts as "Nazha", and later "[[Nezha]]", a shortened transliteration of the word "Nalakuvara". | Various [[Sanskrit]] and [[Prakrit]] texts offer the name "Nalakuvara", "Nalakūvala", "Mayuraja", "Narakuvera", and "Naṭakuvera" to describe the son of Kubera. The god also appears in Chinese texts as "Nazha", and later "[[Nezha]]", a shortened transliteration of the word "Nalakuvara".<ref>{{cite book|last=Shahar|first=Meir|title=India in the Chinese Imagination|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-4560-8|pages=27|editor=John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar|chapter=Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna |date=2014}}</ref> | ||
== Legend == | == Legend == | ||
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==== Ramayana ==== | ==== Ramayana ==== | ||
In the [[Rāmāyaṇa|Ramayana]], Nalakuvara's, first wife, [[Rambha (apsara)|Rambha]], was sexually assaulted by his uncle, [[Rāvaṇa|Ravaṇa]]. In the Valmiki Ramayana, Nalakuvara curses Ravana that he would never be able to approach another youthful woman unless she shares his love; if, carried away by lust, he does violence to any woman who does not love him, his head would split into seven pieces. | In the [[Rāmāyaṇa|Ramayana]], Nalakuvara's, first wife, [[Rambha (apsara)|Rambha]], was sexually assaulted by his uncle, [[Rāvaṇa|Ravaṇa]]. In the Valmiki Ramayana, Nalakuvara curses Ravana that he would never be able to approach another youthful woman unless she shares his love; if, carried away by lust, he does violence to any woman who does not love him, his head would split into seven pieces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-ramayana-of-valmiki/d/doc424792.html|title= Ramayana of Valmiki, Book 7: Uttara kanda: Chapter 26|date= 28 September 2020|publisher= Wisdom Library}}</ref> This curse protected the chastity of [[Sītā|Sita]], the wife of [[Rāma|Rama]], after she was kidnapped by Ravana.<ref>Puranic Encyclopedia: a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature, Vettam Mani, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1975, p. [https://archive.org/stream/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft#page/519/mode/2up 519].</ref> | ||
==== Bhagavata Purana ==== | ==== Bhagavata Purana ==== | ||
[[File:Unknown Indian - Untitled (Story of Krishna) - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|Krishna frees the brothers from the curse.]] | [[File:Unknown Indian - Untitled (Story of Krishna) - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|Krishna frees the brothers from the curse.]] | ||
In the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Nalakuvara, and his brother [[Manibhadra|Manigriva]], are cursed by the sage [[Narada]] into becoming trees. | In the [[Bhagavata Purana]], Nalakuvara, and his brother [[Manibhadra|Manigriva]], are cursed by the sage [[Narada]] into becoming trees.<ref>{{cite book|last=Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 1|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=9788176252263|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QxPCBCk3wVIC&q=nalakubara&pg=PA902|accessdate=9 May 2014}}</ref> They are later liberated by the child-god [[Bala Krishna|Krishna]]. | ||
Nalakuvera and Manigriva were playing, in the nude, in the [[Ganges]], with [[Apsara|apsaras]], when Narada walked by after a visit with Vishnu. Upon seeing Narada, the maidens covered themselves, while Nalakuvara and Manigriva were too intoxicated to notice Narada, and remained unclothed. According to some accounts, Narada pitied the brothers for wasting away their lives through their excessive indulgence in women and wine. In order to help the brothers realise their mistake, Narada cursed them into two Arjuna trees. Narada wished for the brothers to meet Krishna after many years, who would be able to liberate them from the curse. In other accounts, it is said that Narada is so offended by the brothers’ lack of dignity and respect, that he cursed them into trees. After the two brothers pleaded with Narada, he consented that they could be liberated if Krishna touched them. | Nalakuvera and Manigriva were playing, in the nude, in the [[Ganges]], with [[Apsara|apsaras]], when Narada walked by after a visit with Vishnu. Upon seeing Narada, the maidens covered themselves, while Nalakuvara and Manigriva were too intoxicated to notice Narada, and remained unclothed. According to some accounts, Narada pitied the brothers for wasting away their lives through their excessive indulgence in women and wine. In order to help the brothers realise their mistake, Narada cursed them into two Arjuna trees. Narada wished for the brothers to meet Krishna after many years, who would be able to liberate them from the curse. In other accounts, it is said that Narada is so offended by the brothers’ lack of dignity and respect, that he cursed them into trees. After the two brothers pleaded with Narada, he consented that they could be liberated if Krishna touched them.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Prabhupada|first1=His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oohOCgAAQBAJ&q=nalakuvara&pg=PT656|title=Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto: The Summum Bonum|last2=Prabhupada|first2=Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami|date=1977-12-31|publisher=The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust|isbn=978-91-7149-643-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Nalakūbara |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241787.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Many years later, when Krishna was in his infancy, his foster-mother [[Yashoda]] had tied him to a mortar in order to prevent him from eating dirt. Krishna dragged the mortar along the ground until it became wedged between two trees. These trees happened to be Nalakuvara and Manigriva, and upon contact, they returned to their original forms. The brothers then paid homage to Krishna, apologised for their previous mistakes, and departed. | Many years later, when Krishna was in his infancy, his foster-mother [[Yashoda]] had tied him to a mortar in order to prevent him from eating dirt. Krishna dragged the mortar along the ground until it became wedged between two trees. These trees happened to be Nalakuvara and Manigriva, and upon contact, they returned to their original forms. The brothers then paid homage to Krishna, apologised for their previous mistakes, and departed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shahar|first=Meir|title=India in the Chinese Imagination|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-4560-8|pages=35|editor=John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar|chapter=Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna|date=2014}}</ref> | ||
===Buddhism=== | ===Buddhism=== | ||
In the [[Kākāti Jātaka]] story, Nalakuvara (here Naṭakuvera), appears as the court musician of the king of [[Benares]]. After the King's wife, Queen Kākātī, is kidnapped by the [[Garuḍa]] King, the King of Benares sends Naṭakuvera to look for her. Naṭakuvera hides within the plumage of the Garuḍa King, who carries Naṭakuvera to his nest. Once he has arrived, Naṭakuvera has sex with Queen Kākātī. Afterwards Naṭakuvera returned to Benares in the Garuḍa's wing, and composed a song telling of his experiences with Kākātī. When the Garuḍa hears the song, he realises that he has been tricked, he brings Kākātī back home to her husband. | In the [[Kākāti Jātaka]] story, Nalakuvara (here Naṭakuvera), appears as the court musician of the king of [[Benares]]. After the King's wife, Queen Kākātī, is kidnapped by the [[Garuḍa]] King, the King of Benares sends Naṭakuvera to look for her. Naṭakuvera hides within the plumage of the Garuḍa King, who carries Naṭakuvera to his nest. Once he has arrived, Naṭakuvera has sex with Queen Kākātī. Afterwards Naṭakuvera returned to Benares in the Garuḍa's wing, and composed a song telling of his experiences with Kākātī. When the Garuḍa hears the song, he realises that he has been tricked, he brings Kākātī back home to her husband.<ref>{{cite book|last=Malalasekera|first=G.P.|title=Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, Vol. 1|date=September 2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LEn9i9pnRHEC&q=kakati+jataka&pg=PA559|accessdate=9 May 2014|page=559|publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=9788120618237}}</ref> | ||
Tantric masters invoked Nalakuvara as the commander of Kubera's army of yakṣas. He appears in the tantric text "Great Peacock-Queen Spell," which portrays him as a heroic yakṣa general and invokes Nalakūvara's name as a way to cure snakebites. Some versions of the "Great Peacock-Queen Spell" (Mahāmāyūrīvidyārājñī and the "Amogha-pāśa" give Nalakuvara the title "Great Yakṣa General." | Tantric masters invoked Nalakuvara as the commander of Kubera's army of yakṣas. He appears in the tantric text "Great Peacock-Queen Spell," which portrays him as a heroic yakṣa general and invokes Nalakūvara's name as a way to cure snakebites. Some versions of the "Great Peacock-Queen Spell" (Mahāmāyūrīvidyārājñī and the "Amogha-pāśa" give Nalakuvara the title "Great Yakṣa General."<ref>{{cite book|last=Shahar|first=Meir|title=India in the Chinese Imagination|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-4560-8|pages=27–29|editor=John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar|chapter=Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna|date=2014}}</ref> Nalakuvara appears in two other tantric texts: "The Yakṣa Nartakapara’s Tantra," and "The Great Yakṣa General Natakapara’s Tantric Rituals."<ref name="auto">{{cite book|last=Shahar|first=Meir|title=India in the Chinese Imagination|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-4560-8|pages=27|editor=John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar|chapter=Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna|date=2014}}</ref> | ||
==Worship in East Asia== | ==Worship in East Asia== | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
Nalakuvara was transmitted through Buddhist texts into China, where he became known as [[Nezha]] (known earlier as Nazha).{{cn|date=March 2025}} In Chinese mythology, Nezha is the third son of the Tower King, so many people also called Nezha as the third prince. Nezha is also called "Marshal of the Central Altar". | Nalakuvara was transmitted through Buddhist texts into China, where he became known as [[Nezha]] (known earlier as Nazha).{{cn|date=March 2025}} In Chinese mythology, Nezha is the third son of the Tower King, so many people also called Nezha as the third prince. Nezha is also called "Marshal of the Central Altar". | ||
According to [[Meir Shahar]], the etymology of the word “Nezha” showed that the name is a shortened (and slightly corrupted) transcription of the Sanskrit name "Nalakūbara." | According to [[Meir Shahar]], the etymology of the word “Nezha” showed that the name is a shortened (and slightly corrupted) transcription of the Sanskrit name "Nalakūbara."<ref name="auto"/> It has been suggested by Shahar that the legends surrounding Nezha are a combination of the mythology of Nalakuvara and the child-god Krishna (Bala Krishna). | ||
Nezha is a well-known Daoist deity in Japan. The Japanese refer to Nezha as Nataku or Nata, which came from the readings of ''[[Journey to the West]]''{{cn|date=March 2025}} | Nezha is a well-known Daoist deity in Japan. The Japanese refer to Nezha as Nataku or Nata, which came from the readings of ''[[Journey to the West]]''{{cn|date=March 2025}} | ||
Latest revision as of 11:31, 22 March 2026
| Nalakuvara | |
|---|---|
God of Desire | |
 Krishna liberates Nalakuvara and Manibhadra from their curse. | |
| Other names | Nalakubera, Kuberaputra, Mayuraja, Kamayaksha |
| Affiliation | Deva, Yaksha |
| Abode | Alakapuri |
| Mantra | Om Kuberaputra Kamyukshaha Nalakubera Namah |
| Weapon | Bow and Arrow |
| Symbol | Cashewnut |
| Day | Monday |
| Mount | Parrot |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | |
| Siblings | Manibhadra |
| Consort | Rambha and Priti (love partners) Somaprabhā and Ratnamala (wives) |
| Children | Sumita by Rambha and Chitrangadata by Priti (sons) |
Nalakuvara, also known as Nalakubara (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), appears in Hindu and Buddhist mythology as the brother of Manigriva (also known as Manibhadra), the son of the yaksha king Kubera (also known as Vaishravana), and husband of Rambha and Ratnamala. Nalakuvara often appears as a sexual trickster figure in Hindu and Buddhist literature.
Names[edit | edit source]
Various Sanskrit and Prakrit texts offer the name "Nalakuvara", "Nalakūvala", "Mayuraja", "Narakuvera", and "Naṭakuvera" to describe the son of Kubera. The god also appears in Chinese texts as "Nazha", and later "Nezha", a shortened transliteration of the word "Nalakuvara".[1]
Legend[edit | edit source]
Hinduism[edit | edit source]
Ramayana[edit | edit source]
In the Ramayana, Nalakuvara's, first wife, Rambha, was sexually assaulted by his uncle, Ravaṇa. In the Valmiki Ramayana, Nalakuvara curses Ravana that he would never be able to approach another youthful woman unless she shares his love; if, carried away by lust, he does violence to any woman who does not love him, his head would split into seven pieces.[2] This curse protected the chastity of Sita, the wife of Rama, after she was kidnapped by Ravana.[3]
Bhagavata Purana[edit | edit source]
_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
In the Bhagavata Purana, Nalakuvara, and his brother Manigriva, are cursed by the sage Narada into becoming trees.[4] They are later liberated by the child-god Krishna.
Nalakuvera and Manigriva were playing, in the nude, in the Ganges, with apsaras, when Narada walked by after a visit with Vishnu. Upon seeing Narada, the maidens covered themselves, while Nalakuvara and Manigriva were too intoxicated to notice Narada, and remained unclothed. According to some accounts, Narada pitied the brothers for wasting away their lives through their excessive indulgence in women and wine. In order to help the brothers realise their mistake, Narada cursed them into two Arjuna trees. Narada wished for the brothers to meet Krishna after many years, who would be able to liberate them from the curse. In other accounts, it is said that Narada is so offended by the brothers’ lack of dignity and respect, that he cursed them into trees. After the two brothers pleaded with Narada, he consented that they could be liberated if Krishna touched them.[5][6]
Many years later, when Krishna was in his infancy, his foster-mother Yashoda had tied him to a mortar in order to prevent him from eating dirt. Krishna dragged the mortar along the ground until it became wedged between two trees. These trees happened to be Nalakuvara and Manigriva, and upon contact, they returned to their original forms. The brothers then paid homage to Krishna, apologised for their previous mistakes, and departed.[7]
Buddhism[edit | edit source]
In the Kākāti Jātaka story, Nalakuvara (here Naṭakuvera), appears as the court musician of the king of Benares. After the King's wife, Queen Kākātī, is kidnapped by the Garuḍa King, the King of Benares sends Naṭakuvera to look for her. Naṭakuvera hides within the plumage of the Garuḍa King, who carries Naṭakuvera to his nest. Once he has arrived, Naṭakuvera has sex with Queen Kākātī. Afterwards Naṭakuvera returned to Benares in the Garuḍa's wing, and composed a song telling of his experiences with Kākātī. When the Garuḍa hears the song, he realises that he has been tricked, he brings Kākātī back home to her husband.[8]
Tantric masters invoked Nalakuvara as the commander of Kubera's army of yakṣas. He appears in the tantric text "Great Peacock-Queen Spell," which portrays him as a heroic yakṣa general and invokes Nalakūvara's name as a way to cure snakebites. Some versions of the "Great Peacock-Queen Spell" (Mahāmāyūrīvidyārājñī and the "Amogha-pāśa" give Nalakuvara the title "Great Yakṣa General."[9] Nalakuvara appears in two other tantric texts: "The Yakṣa Nartakapara’s Tantra," and "The Great Yakṣa General Natakapara’s Tantric Rituals."[10]
Worship in East Asia[edit | edit source]
_(15513109434).jpg)
Nalakuvara was transmitted through Buddhist texts into China, where he became known as Nezha (known earlier as Nazha).[citation needed] In Chinese mythology, Nezha is the third son of the Tower King, so many people also called Nezha as the third prince. Nezha is also called "Marshal of the Central Altar".
According to Meir Shahar, the etymology of the word “Nezha” showed that the name is a shortened (and slightly corrupted) transcription of the Sanskrit name "Nalakūbara."[10] It has been suggested by Shahar that the legends surrounding Nezha are a combination of the mythology of Nalakuvara and the child-god Krishna (Bala Krishna).
Nezha is a well-known Daoist deity in Japan. The Japanese refer to Nezha as Nataku or Nata, which came from the readings of Journey to the West[citation needed]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Shahar, Meir (2014). "Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna". In John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar (ed.). India in the Chinese Imagination. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8122-4560-8.
- ↑ "Ramayana of Valmiki, Book 7: Uttara kanda: Chapter 26". Wisdom Library. 28 September 2020.
- ↑ Puranic Encyclopedia: a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature, Vettam Mani, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1975, p. 519.
- ↑ Parmeshwaranand (2001). Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 1. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 9788176252263. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ Prabhupada, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami; Prabhupada, Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (31 December 1977). Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto: The Summum Bonum. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. ISBN 978-91-7149-643-0.
- ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (28 January 2019). "Story of Nalakūbara". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ↑ Shahar, Meir (2014). "Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna". In John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar (ed.). India in the Chinese Imagination. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-8122-4560-8.
- ↑ Malalasekera, G.P. (September 2003). Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, Vol. 1. Asian Educational Services. p. 559. ISBN 9788120618237. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ Shahar, Meir (2014). "Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna". In John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar (ed.). India in the Chinese Imagination. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 27–29. ISBN 978-0-8122-4560-8.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Shahar, Meir (2014). "Indian Mythology and the Chinese Imagination: Nezha, Nalakubara, and Krshna". In John Kieschnick and Meir Shahar (ed.). India in the Chinese Imagination. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8122-4560-8.