नरकासुर
Narakasura: The Asura Who Met His End at the Hands of Krishna
Narakasura was the son of Bhudevi (Goddess Earth), referred to as Dharthi, and Lord Vishnu, born during Vishnu’s Varaha (boar) incarnation. Although the child was destined for a dark future, his mother sought blessings for him. She requested that her son should have a long life and be all-powerful. Lord Vishnu, fulfilling her wishes, granted these boons, unaware of the destructive path Narakasura would later take.
Narakasura’s Rise to Power
With these divine blessings, Narakasura grew mighty, his strength unmatched. He aligned himself with another demon, Bana, and together they sowed chaos and tyranny. Narakasura’s power became overwhelming, and he conquered all the kingdoms of Earth, subjugating kings and subjects alike. But his ambitions did not stop there.
Drunk on his victories, Narakasura turned his attention toward the heavens (Swargaloka). Not even the mighty Indra, king of the gods, could withstand his force. Indra fled, and soon Narakasura became the overlord of both Earth and heaven, ushering in an era of oppression and terror.
The Devas Seek Vishnu’s Intervention
Unable to resist Narakasura’s tyranny, the Devas (gods), led by Indra, sought help from Vishnu. They pleaded with him to rid them of Narakasura’s reign of terror. Vishnu assured the gods that he would defeat Narakasura in his next incarnation as Krishna. However, in keeping with the promise made to Bhudevi, Narakasura was allowed to enjoy a long rule before his eventual downfall.
Krishna’s Battle with Narakasura
As prophesied, Vishnu was reincarnated as Krishna, and when the time came, he set out to defeat Narakasura. Krishna, riding his mighty mount Garuda, attacked Narakasura’s formidable fortress. The battle that ensued was fierce. Narakasura commanded an army of 11 Ashtaunis (a large military division), yet Krishna, with divine power, dispatched them with ease.
In desperation, Narakasura hurled his most powerful weapon, the sataghini (a thunderbolt), at Krishna. However, the weapon had no effect on the god. Finally, Narakasura attempted to kill Krishna with a trident, but Krishna swiftly beheaded him using his Sudarsana-Chakra (the discus weapon). Thus, Narakasura’s reign of terror came to an end.
Narakasura’s Last Request and the Origin of Diwali
As Narakasura lay dying, he made one final request to Krishna. He asked that his death be celebrated by the people of Earth. Krishna granted this boon, and it is said that this event gave rise to the festival of Diwali, celebrated in many parts of India to this day.
However, there are alternative stories regarding the origin of Diwali. Some believe it marks the return of Rama from his 14-year exile, while others attribute the festival to the honor of King Bali, who was sent to rule the netherworld by Vishnu. Despite these varied traditions, the slaying of Narakasura remains one of the prominent reasons behind the celebration of Diwali.
Narakasura in Indian Mythology
Narakasura’s tale highlights the complex interplay of boons, destiny, and divine intervention often found in Hindu mythology. Born from a divine being yet corrupted by power, his story echoes themes of dharma (righteousness) versus adharma (unrighteousness) that pervade the epics. His eventual defeat by Krishna, a reincarnation of his own divine father, underscores the cyclical nature of justice in Hindu belief, where even the mightiest of rulers must face the consequences of their actions.
The story of Narakasura is also significant because it ties into the broader framework of Hindu festivals and traditions, with his death serving as one of the explanations for Diwali, a festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.