Aghasura (Sanskrit: अघासुर) is an asura featured in Hindu literature, most notably in the Bhagavata Purana. He was one of Kamsa's generals,[1][2] and the elder brother of the demoness Putana and Bakasura.

Krishna enters the mouth of Aghasura

Agha is stated to be as one of the tribes that was in alliance with Kamsa.[3] The killing of Aghasura by Krishna is narrated by the sage Shuka to King Parikshit in the Bhagavata Purana.[4]

Legend edit

King Kamsa made many attempts on the life of Krishna, all of them failing.[5] Then he sent Aghasura to kill Krishna, who did so willingly knowing that his younger siblings Putana and Bakasura were killed by Krishna.[6] He assumed the form of the 8-mile-long serpent, disguising his open mouth against a mountain.[7] All the cowherd boys entered the mouth of the demon, mistaking it to be a cavern.[8] When the serpent closed his mouth, the victims generally suffocated to death.[9]

Krishna entered the serpent upon his arrival and then increased the size of his own body.[10] In response, the demon too extended his own body's size, but started suffocating as Krishna was expanding more faster than him, causing his eyes to pop out.[11] 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.[12]

See also edit

References edit

 
Agasura (a serpent demon) is killed by Krishna
  1. ^ A Dictionary of Hindu Mythology & Religion by John Dowson, ISBN 978-81-246-0108-2
  2. ^ Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology
  3. ^ A study of the Bhagavata Purana; or, Esoteric Hinduism by Purnendu Narayana Sinha, p. 247
  4. ^ "King Parikshit's Question to Suka Maharishi - The Glory of God: A Summary of the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana - Discourse 1". www.swami-krishnananda.org. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. ^ "The Hare Krsnas - Krsna's Later Pastimes with Demons - The Demon Kamsa". www.harekrsna.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  6. ^ "The Hare Krsnas - Krsna's Vrindaban Pastimes - Aghasura Demon". www.harekrsna.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Krishna Kills the Great Python Aghasura". Back to Godhead. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead". krsnabook.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Krishna Kills the Snake Demon Aghasura". Kids Portal For Parents. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  10. ^ "PrabhupadaBooks.com Srila Prabhupada's Original Books". prabhupadabooks.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Mythological Story : Krishna kills Aghasura". www.kidsgen.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Krishna Kills the Snake Demon Aghasura". Kids Portal For Parents. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.

External links edit

 
Krishna subdues the serpent Aghasura