Aghasura
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{{Hindu mythology}}{{short description|Demon in Hindu scriptures}}
Aghasura (Sanskrit: अघासुर) is an asura featured in Hindu literature, most notably in the Bhagavata Purana. He was one of Kamsa's generals,A Dictionary of Hindu Mythology & Religion by John Dowson, {{ISBN|978-81-246-0108-2}}Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and the elder brother of the demoness Putana and Bakasura.
Agha is stated to be as one of the tribes that was in alliance with Kamsa.[https://archive.org/stream/astudyofthebhaga00sinhuoft#page/n267/mode/2up/ A study of the Bhagavata Purana; or, Esoteric Hinduism] by Purnendu Narayana Sinha, p. 247 The killing of Aghasura by Krishna is narrated by the sage Shuka to King Parikshit in the Bhagavata Purana.{{Cite web|title=King Parikshit's Question to Suka Maharishi - The Glory of God: A Summary of the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana - Discourse 1|url=https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/bhagavata/bhagavata_1.html|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.swami-krishnananda.org}}
Legend
King Kamsa made many attempts on the life of Krishna, all of them failing.{{Cite web|title=The Hare Krsnas - Krsna's Later Pastimes with Demons - The Demon Kamsa|url=https://www.harekrsna.com/philosophy/associates/demons/mathura/kamsa.htm|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.harekrsna.com}} He then sent Aghasura to kill Krishna, a deed which Aghasura willingly attempted to carry out, knowing that his younger siblings Putana and Bakasura were killed by Krishna.{{Cite web|title=The Hare Krsnas - Krsna's Vrindaban Pastimes - Aghasura Demon|url=https://www.harekrsna.com/philosophy/associates/demons/vrindaban/aghasura.htm|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.harekrsna.com}} He assumed the form of the 8-mile-long serpent, disguising his open mouth against a mountain.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-01|title=Krishna Kills the Great Python Aghasura|url=https://back2godhead.com/the-killing-of-the-great-python/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Back to Godhead}} All the cowherd boys entered the mouth of the demon, mistaking it to be a cavern.{{Cite web|title=Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead|url=https://krsnabook.com/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=krsnabook.com}} When the serpent closed his mouth, the victims generally suffocated to death.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-26|title=Krishna Kills the Snake Demon Aghasura|url=https://www.4to40.com/folktales-for-kids/folktales-in-english/krishna-kills-the-snake-demon-aghasura/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kids Portal For Parents|language=en}}
Krishna entered the serpent upon his arrival and then increased the size of his own body.{{Cite web|title=PrabhupadaBooks.com Srila Prabhupada's Original Books|url=https://prabhupadabooks.com/kb/1/12|access-date=2021-10-17|website=prabhupadabooks.com}} In response, the demon also extended his own body's size, but started suffocating as Krishna was expanding more quickly than him, causing his eyes to pop out.{{Cite web|title=Mythological Story : Krishna kills Aghasura|url=https://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/indian_mythology_stories/krishna_kills_aghasura.htm|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.kidsgen.com}} The demon's life force, however, could not pass through any outlet, and therefore burst out through a hole in the top of Agasura's head, meeting his end in Krishna's hand.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-26|title=Krishna Kills the Snake Demon Aghasura|url=https://www.4to40.com/folktales-for-kids/folktales-in-english/krishna-kills-the-snake-demon-aghasura/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kids Portal For Parents|language=en}}
See also
References
External links
File: Mewar School - Krishna's Victory Over Aghasura - Google Art Project.jpg
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060626031357/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/12/en "The Killing of the Aghasura demon"] - Bhagavata Purana, 10th Canto, translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Category: People related to Krishna
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