Narakasura
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Narakasura was the son of Goddess earth, (referred to as Bhumi), by Lord Vishnu himself during his Varaha (boar) avatar. In other sources, he is the son of the asura Hiranyaksa. He is said to have established the kingdom of Pragjyotisha in Assam after overthrowing the last of the Danava king Ghatakasura. It was foretold that he would be destroyed by a later incarnation of Vishnu. His mother, the earth, sought the boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and that he should be all powerful. Vishnu readily granted these boons..
The legend of Narakasura is important in the history of Assam since Naraka is cited as the pregenitor of many dynasties that ruled Kamarupa in historical times. A hill, to the south of Guwahati is named after him. He is also associated with the myth of the sakta goddess and place of worship Kamakhya.
[edit] The myth
Narakasura became evil, in association with another Asura named Bana. Drunk with power, as he knew himself to be unrivalled in prowess, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Next, he turned his eyes towards Swargaloka. Even the mighty Indra could not withstand the assault of this son of Vishnu and had to flee the heavens. Now Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. His reign of oppression was in full swing.
All the Devas, led by Indra went to Vishnu, to ask him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he will attend to this matter, when he will be incarnated as Krishna.
As promised to mother earth, Narakasura was allowed to enjoy a long reign. At last Vishnu was born as Krishna. As promised to the Devas, Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount Garuda. The battle was furiously fought. Narakasura possessed 11 Ashtaunis (Ashtauni = a division of the army) large army, that he unleashed on Krishna. However, the Lord slew them all with little effort. In desperation, Narakasura launched his great weapon, sataghini (a thunderbolt) on Krishna. However, it made no impact whatsoever on Krishna. At last, when Narakasura tried to kill the Lord with a trident, Krishna beheaded him with his Sudarsana-Chakra (discus). Before, dying, the Asura requested a boon that his death anniversary should be celebrated by all people on earth. This is the origin of the Diwali festival. (Alternate versions for the origin of Diwali say that the festival was to mark the occasion of Rama return from exile, or that it was in honor of Bali, who went to rule the nether-world obeying the order of Vishnu.)
[edit] The development of the myth
Naraka and his kingdom, Pragjyotisha, find mention in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, in the sections which were written not before the first century. His son, Bhagadatta, is said to have fought for the Kauravas in the Mahabharata battle.
Though the boar Prajapati finds mention as early as the Satapatha Brahmana, that the contact with Bhumi engendered a son is first mentioned in the Harivamsa which is assigned to the fifth century. This theme, that of the son Naraka, is further expanded in the later Vishnu Purana. The Bhagavata Purana, which was composed even later, expands the story even further.
The Naraka myth gets the most extensive elaboration in the Upapurana called Kalika Purana (10th century), which was composed in Assam itself. Here the myth of Janaka of Videha, the father of Sita, is embellished and added to the myth of Naraka.
[edit] References
- Narakasura and Diwali
- Epico-Puranic Myths and Allied Legends, D. C. Sircar, in The Comprehensive History of Assam, Vol 1, ed H. K. Barpujari 1990.
- Vettam Mani, Puranic Encyclopaedia.
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