Narakasura - The end - Part 2

 

Narahasura – The end

Naraka the son of Lord Narayana and Bhudevi had moved from being a warrior with some divine blessings to an asura who was misusing his power and strength to kill dharma. His friendship with others of the adharmic kind like King Kamsa and Banasura made his arrogance and atrocities worse. His kingdom Pragjyotisha was fertile and prosperous due to the presence of Devi Kamakkhya. Despite his atrocities, he was powerful due to the blessings from his parents and the presence of the Devi. The doings of Naraka earned him the name of Narakasura.

During this period, Sage Vasishta used to reside in the Nilanchal hills of that region. He once visited the Kamakhya temple and wanted to take the darshan of the Devi. Narakasura’s powerful ministers prevented the sage from entering the kingdom. Angered at this disrespect the Sage cursed Narakasura that Devi Kamakhya will vanish from his kingdom and his death will soon occur in the hands of his mother.

(The local folklore in the Assam region where the Kamakhya temple is located believes that Narakasura fell in love with the Devi and wanted to marry her. She asked him to build a staircare before sun rise. While completing it the Devi made her mystical cock crow like it was dawn. Narakasura thought he had failed but later realised the trick the Devi played on him. He chased the cock angrily and killed it in a place called Kukurakata )

Coming back to our story, it was Dwarpara Yuga and Narakasura’s evil reign had been going on for a couple of yugas. Lord Krishna was born in Mathura and after a brief phase of hiding at Vrajbhoomi, he came back to Mathura and killed his evil uncle. He was welcomed into Mathura. Krishna made Ugrasena, his grandfather the king of Mathura.

(The following portion is retold from Book 2, Chapter 64 of the Bhagavatha Purana)

Time passed and Krishna had established his own kingdom in Dwaraka. One day when Krishna, Balarama and the Yadavas were seated in their council, the God of Devas, Indra himself paid them a visit. He was received by Krishna and his council with due respects.

After the formalities were over Indra requested Krishna “Krishna, you have been getting rid of some of the most adharmic kings on earth like Kamsa and Rukshmi. There is another asura who is the son of Bhudevi who is causing havoc in heaven and earth. Though the son of the divine couple, he has grown arrogant with his strength both physical and the boons granted by Lord Brahma. Prabho, please set all world’s free from this Asura.”

Lord Indra further added “Garuda, the celestial king of birds is at your service. The Devas would also be at your service my Lord.” The majestic Garuda was also waiting with Indra. Krishna blessed Indra and promised to kill Narakasura.

In front of the waiting council, Krishna assumed his divine form with his shanka, chakra, gadha and sword, Krishna mounted the Garuda. His consort, Sathyabhama (who was the incarnation of Bhudevi, Naraka’s mother) wanted to see her husband vanquish the evil asura.

When they reached Pragjyotisha they saw a big fortress guarded on four sides Hayagriva, Nisunda, Pancananda and the dreaded Mura. Mura had magical powers and he and his 1000 sons who helped him guard the fortress and the 16000 women who were in their prison.

A fierce battle ensued between Krishna and the generals. The Asura generals used both weapons and magic to overcome their enemies. Garuda flew with the divine couple Krishna and Sathyabhama across the fort and tore into the thousands of soldiers standing guard.

One by one, Krishna overcame each of the generals and then their leader Narakasura came with his eyes blazing and his bulging arms carrying weapons. Krishna and Narakasura went after each other with every weapon each of them had.

Krishna killed the charioteer and horses of Narakasura. The Asura came after him with a mace. Krishna with his arrows cut down the mace. Then Narakasura used poisonous arrow and Krishna pretended to swoon. Garuda lifted Krishna out of the battlefield and used his wings and beak to revive Krishna. Angered to see her husband wounded, Satyabhama took his bow and shot at Narakasura. Krishna who had revived by then threw his discus. Narakasura got wounded with the arrow and discus and fell lifeless in the battlefield.

For a person with a glorious parents Narakasura forgot his roots and went on the way of adharma. In the end, his own parents in their new avatars brought about his end.

Krishna and Sathyabhama looked at the dead but brave Asura. The mother in Sathyabhama felt sorry for the Asura who forgot his ways. She prayed to Krishna that the world should remember this tale that even a divine birth does not guarantee protection if a person goes down the adharmic path. Krishna blessed her with her wish and we got a beautiful celebration year after year.