Biography:Bakasura (crane demon)

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Short description: Crane demon in Hindu mythology


File:Southern India, probably Mysore, late 18th Century - Krishna Vanquishing Vakasura - 1966.29 - Cleveland Museum of Art.tif


Bakasura (Sanskrit: बकासुर) or Vakasura is the crane asura killed by the Hindu god Krishna. He was an evil companion of King Kamsa and the brother of Putana and Aghasura.[1] He was sent by him in the form of a giant crane to kill Krishna so that the boy would not be able to kill the king, which was claimed as a prophecy by an unknown voice and the Devi Yogamaya.[2][3] Bakasura was then killed by Krishna when the boy pushed his beak until it snapped easily.[4]

Legend

Bala Krishna with his brother Balarama and the cowherd boys (gopas) were enjoying their pastimes with their cows near the banks of the Yamuna river, while in other accounts they were in the forests of Gokul.[5][6] Bakasura, in the form of a crane with a sharp beak, swooped down from the sky and swallowed Krishna, but he felt intense heat in his throat, causing him to vomit the child out.[7] Krishna then caught Bakasura by the beak and pushed it until it snapped, causing the asura's to expire and attain Moksha (liberation), as it is believed that Krishna can liberate anyone's Atman (roughly translating to soul) if he slays them.[8]

References