Reading Notes: Krishna and Narakasura

I've heard a lot of stories of Krishna growing up, but I am surprised I have never actually heard of this story! Looking at the Wikipedia page, it seems like Narakasura is a rather famous demon that Krishna defeats, because this is the legend behind the second day of Diwali, a popular holiday in India. Krishna meets him a little later in life, after he married Satyabhama. In some versions, Narakasura is a more significant character in the Mahabharata, as his son Bhagadatta fought on the Kauravas side of the Kurukshetra war. It is said that Narakasura is a great asura king who is the son of Bhudevi (Mother Earth) and either Varaha (avatar of Vishnu), or Hiranyaksha, the asura who is defeated by Varaha when he kidnaps Bhudevi (this is a story I have heard of, the story of the third avatar of Vishnu - Varaha saves Bhudevi from Hiranyaksha, so I guess it makes sense that Narakasura is the son of either Varaha of Hiranyaksha).

According to the Wikipedia article, Narakasura was so power-hungry that he seized control of Swargaloka (heaven), and was ruling over both heaven and earth. Indra (king of heaven) fleed to Vishnu for help, and Vishnu promised he would defeat Narakasura when he would be incarnated as Krishna. Therefore, the defeat of Narakasura in the hands of Krishna was decided even before Krishna was born!

Krishna and Satyabhama battling Narakasura

Here are the events of this story:

• Bhudevi (Narakasura's mother) had prayed to Vishnu to grant her son a long and powerful life, and Vishnu granted her wish
• With his power, Narakasura took over Swargaloka, stole the earrings of Aditi (heavenly mother goddess, mother of all deities), and kidnapped 16,000 women
• All the Devas of heaven went to Vishnu and asked him to save them from Narakasura, and Vishnu makes the promise to kill Narakasura, as Krishna
• Aditi is a relative of Satyabhama (thought to be an avatar of Bhudevi!), Krishna's wife, and she approached Satyabhama for help to deal with Narakasura
• Satyabhama was enraged by Narakasura's behavior and asked Krishna's permission to wage war on Narakasura
• Krishna battled Narakasura and beheaded him with his chakra (discus)
• Also defeated Narakasura's general, Mura (hence Krishna is also known as "Murari," killer of Mura)
• Krishna marries all 16,000 women Narakasura captured (hence, why he has 16,000+ wives)

In origin of the Diwali (a five-day holiday), Narakasura asked for a boon from Satyabhama that everyone celebrate his death with colorful light. Diwali (the festival of lights) celebrates Naraka Chaturdashi, the second day of Diwali. This is a special holiday because it represents the freedom of 16,000 women and honoring of Aditi, the mother of all deities.

Bibliography:

Guide to Krishna and Narakasura, Amar Chitra Katha, Link.

Narakasura, Wikipedia page, Link.