Bmgrouprealty at 14:32, 26 May 2026

2026-05-26T14:32:40Z

New page

{{Short description|Hindu mythological character}}
{{for|the dam|Banasura Sagar Dam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Banasur Garva Parihar.jpeg
| caption = Banasura begs mercy from Krishna
| affiliation = [[Asura]], [[Shaivism]]
| texts = [[Bhagavata Purana]]
| children = [[Uṣā|Usha]]
| father = [[Mahabali]]
| consort = Ambavati also known as Vrinda
| deity_of = King of the Asuras
| predecessor = [[Mahabali]]
| successor =
}}'''Bana''', also referred to as '''Banasura''' ({{Langx|sa|बाणासुर|translit=Bāṇāsura}}), is an [[asura]] king in [[Hindu mythology]], ruling from the city of Śoṇitapura. He is described to be the son of [[Mahabali]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.krishna.com/node/338 |title=krishna.com – Glossary description |access-date=12 November 2007 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001123350/http://www.krishna.com/node/338 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Kumar2012">{{cite book|last=Kumar|first=Anu|title=Banasura: The Thousand-Armed Asura|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uitM7zXHImQC|date=30 November 2012|publisher=Hachette India|isbn=978-93-5009-537-9}}</ref> His tale of battling Krishna is described in the [[Bhagavata Purana]].

==Legend==
A mighty [[asura]], Bana once ruled over a large kingdom, [[Tezpur|Śoṇitapura]]. His influence was so strong and fierce that all the kings – and even some of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] – shuddered in front of him. Banasura used to worship a [[rasalingam]] given to him by [[Vishvakarman]], on instruction from [[Vishnu]]. As an ardent devotee of [[Shiva]], he used his thousand arms to play the [[Mridanga|mridangam]] when Shiva was performing the [[tandava|tandavam]] dance. When Shiva offered Banasura a boon, the latter requested Shiva to be his city's guardian: therefore, Banasura became invincible. As time passed, he became even more cruel and arrogant. One day, Banasura's daughter, Usha, saw a young man in her dream, made love to him, and fell in love with him. <ref>{{Cite web|title=The Story of Usha and Aniruddha|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2014/aug/01/the-story-of-usha-and-aniruddha-642616.html|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The New Indian Express|date=August 2014 }}</ref> [[Chitralekha (deity)|Chitralekha]], a friend of Usha and a talented artist, helped Usha to identify the young man seen in her dream by sketching various portraits of the [[Vrishni|Vrishnis]]. Usha realised that she had dreamt of [[Aniruddha]], the grandson of [[Krishna]]. Chitralekha, through her yogic powers, abducted Aniruddha from the palace of Krishna and brought him to Śoṇitapura.<ref name=" CompetitionShankar2004">{{cite book|author=M. Padmanabhan|author2=Meera Ravi Shankar|title=Tales of Krishna from Mahabharatha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39TA4-XyaQkC&pg=PT56|date=1 August 2004|publisher=Sura Books|isbn=978-81-7478-417-9|pages=56–57}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= Vanamali|title= The Complete Life of Krishna |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LFwoDwAAQBAJ&q=banasura+krishna+shiva&pg=PT170|year=2012|publisher= Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1594776908 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= Stephen Knapp|title= Krishna Deities and Their Miracles |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Fw_ODQAAQBAJ&q=banasura+krishna+shiva&pg=PT16|publisher= Prabhat Prakashan |date= January 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Krishna |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=L1SrCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA23|year=2009|publisher= Har Anand Publications |isbn=978-8124114223 |pages=68 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= Chandra Sekhar Singh|title= The Purans volume-02 |date= 8 December 2016 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=iifBDQAAQBAJ&q=banasura+krishna+shiva&pg=PT393|publisher= Lulu.com |isbn=978-1365593277 }}</ref>

Usha worshipped her lover and furnished him with priceless garments, garlands, fragrances, lamps, and with beverages, dishes, and words. Breaking her vow of chastity with him, she kept him hidden in her maiden quarters, and the lovers lost track of the days. Catching wind of his daughter's activities, Banasura rushed to her chambers to find her playing dice with Aniruddha. Even as the prince fended off the guards, Banasura subdued him with the mystical ropes of [[Varuna]]. Usha was overwhelmed with sorrow due to this incident. Aniruddha was held captive by Banasura for a month, until [[Narada]] informed the [[Yadava|Yadus]] in [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]], who were searching for Aniruddha.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10 - Chapter 62 |url=http://bhagavata.org/canto10/chapter62.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=bhagavata.org}}</ref>

The Yadus' army attacked Banasura in a great battle. The Yadu princes and their army besieged his kingdom with 12 [[Akshauhini|''akshauhinis'']], surrounding it completely. Banasura staged a fierce counterattack. During the war, [[Shiva]] appeared on the battlefield, riding on [[Nandi (Hinduism)|Nandi]], to protect his devotee, Banasura. Balarama fought against Banasura's commander, while [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]] fought against Banasura's son. To bear witness, the leaders of the godly souls headed by Brahma came in their celestial vehicles, as also did the sages, the perfected souls, and the venerable personalities, the singers and [[Apsara|apsaras]] of heaven, and the [[Yakshini|yakshinis]]. Krishna and Shiva faced each other. Krishna used a ''[[brahmastra]]'' against Shiva's ''brahmastra'', a mountain weapon against a wind weapon, a rain weapon against a fire weapon, and his ''[[narayanastra]]'' against Shiva's ''[[pashupatastra]]''. [[Kartikeya]], assaulted by [[Pradyumna]]'s arrows, fled the battlefield on his peacock. After duelling with [[Satyaki]], Bana took up arms against [[Krishna]]. However, Krishna blew his conch and instantly, Banasura's charioteer was killed and his chariot broken and shattered.
When Shiva's forces had been defeated, [[Jvarasura|Jvara]], the embodiment of Shiva's fever, bearing three heads and three feet, attacked Krishna with scorching heat. Krishna produced his own Jvara of frigid coldness, and the two fought each other. Overwhelmed by Vishnu's fever, Shiva's Jvara offered its surrender and obeisance to Krishna and departed. Krishna then put Shiva to sleep using 'Jrmbhunastra'.

Meanwhile, [[Balarama]] defeated Banasura's commander. Bana rode forth upon his chariot to fight with Krishna, and the latter fought back with his [[Sudarshana Chakra]]. When Krishna started chopping Banasura's arms, [[Shiva]] returned to his senses and extolled the glories of [[Krishna]], requested him not to kill Banasura, whom he had bestowed with fearlessness. Obliging, Krishna replied that he had never intended to kill Banasura, since he was the son of Bali and the great-grandson of the devout [[Prahlada]]. Vishnu had promised Bali not to kill any member of his family, and therefore would not slay him. However, Krishna severed Banasura's extra arms to destroy the latter's pride, leaving Banasura with only four arms.

Banasura realised his mistake and bowed his head before Krishna, arranging for a chariot to seat Aniruddha and Usha for their wedding in Dvaraka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 10 - Chapter 63 |url=http://bhagavata.org/canto10/chapter63.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=bhagavata.org}}</ref>

[[Narakasura|'''Naraka''']], also known as '''Narakāsura''', and '''Bhaumāsura''' was an [[asura]] king, the legendary progenitor of all three dynasties of [[Kamarupa|Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa]], and the founding ruler of the legendary [[Bhauma dynasty]] of [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]].<ref>"Pragjyotisha and Pragjyotishapura, which are names of the capital city situated about Guwahati, are mentioned for the first time in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana in connection with the mythical kings Naraka, his son Bhagadatta and latter's son Vajradatta all of whom bear Sanskrit names." {{harvcol|Sircar|1990|p=80}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&dq=Narakasura+bhagadatta&pg=PA274|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|language=en}}</ref><ref>"(I)n the inscriptions issued by the rulers of Pragjyotisa-Kamarupa from the 4th to the 12th century A.D. it has been claimed that the founders of the respective dynasties belong to the Naraka line of kings." {{harvcol|Boruah|2005|p=1465}}</ref> He is claimed as one who established [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]]. The pious Naraka became evil due to his association with an [[asura]] named Banasura, and hence the suffix 'asura' (demon) was added to his name.<ref>Chandra Dhar Tripathi (2008), ''Kāmarūpa-Kaliga-Mithilā: a politico-cultural alignment in Eastern India : history, art, traditions'', p.98, p.p 197</ref> He was slain by [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]], who was the incarnate of Bhudevi.

==Family==
[[File:Krishna defeat Banasura.jpg|thumb|Krishna defeats Banasura.|347x347px]]
The genealogy of Banasura is as follows:<ref>Bhaleram Beniwal: Jāt Yodhāon ke Balidān, Jaypal Agencies, Agra 2005</ref>

* [[Brahma]]'s son was [[Marichi]]
* [[Marichi]]'s son was [[Kashyapa]],
* [[Kashyapa]]'s sons were [[Hiranyakashipu]] and [[Hiranyaksha]],
* [[Hiranyakashipu]]'s son was [[Prahlada]],
* [[Prahlada]]'s son was [[Virochana]],
* [[Virochana]]'s son was [[Mahabali|Bali]],
* [[Mahabali|Bali]]'s eldest son was Banasura

Banasura's story has been narrated in Indian epic [[Mahabharata]] and [[Bhagavata Purana]].

Banasura' story as the rejected suitor for goddess [[Shakti]] is present in [[Tamil Sangam]] [[The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature|literary works]] ''[[Manimekalai]]'' and ''Puranaanooru''; Bhattavataar's ''Banasura Katha''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kalla|first1=Krishan Lal|title=The Literary Heritage of Kashmir|publisher=Mittal Publications|location=Jammu and Kashmir (India)|page=11}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
{{Photomontage|photo1a=Agnigarh Hill, Tezpur.JPG|photo2a=Mahabhairab temple, Tezpur.jpg|photo4a=Banasurasagar dam1(wayanad).jpg|spacing=2|position=center|color_border=white|color=black|size=180|foot_montage=[[Agnigarh|Agnigarh Hill]] (top) [[Mahabhairav Temple]] (middle) [[Banasura Sagar Dam]] (bottom)}}

* According to Assamese belief, the [[Agnigarh]] hillock was built by Banasura to keep his daughter Usha in isolation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agnigarh {{!}} Sonitpur District {{!}} Government Of Assam, India|url=https://sonitpur.gov.in/portlet-sub-innerpage/agnigarh|access-date=2020-06-13|website=sonitpur.gov.in|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817160923/https://sonitpur.gov.in/portlet-sub-innerpage/agnigarh|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Mahabhairav Temple]] is believed to have been established by king Bana with a [[Lingam|Siva lingam]]. Formerly, this temple was built of stone but the present one is built of concrete. During the later years, the Ahom kings donated devottar{{which lang|date=July 2020}} land for the Temple and Pujaris and Paiks were appointed to look after the temple.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabhairab Temple {{!}} Sonitpur District {{!}} Government Of Assam, India|url=https://sonitpur.gov.in/portlet-sub-innerpage/mahabhairab-temple|access-date=2020-06-13|website=sonitpur.gov.in}}</ref>
* To the east of Tezpur, on the bank of the river Brahmaputra, a temple called Rudrapada is situated. It is believed that [[Rudra]] ([[Shiva]]) had left the print of his left foot (pada) on a stone found in the temple. It is believed that Mahadeva showed his real self to king Bana there.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rudrapada Temple {{!}} Sonitpur District {{!}} Government Of Assam, India|url=https://sonitpur.gov.in/portlet-sub-innerpage/rudrapada-temple|access-date=2020-06-13|website=sonitpur.gov.in|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817160801/https://sonitpur.gov.in/portlet-sub-innerpage/rudrapada-temple|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Banasura Sagar Dam]], Kerala is named after Banasura because he was the son of [[Mahabali]] and as per local belief, Mahabali is a very respected king in Kerala.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal |last=Boruah |first=Nirode |title='Early State' Formation in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam |journal=Proceedings of the Indian Historical Congress |volume=66 |year=2005 |pages=1464–1465 |jstor=44145968}}
*'' Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna Dhallapiccola
* {{Citation| last = Sircar| first = D C| contribution = | year = 1990| title = The Comprehensive History of Assam| editor-last = Barpujari| editor-first = H K| volume = I| pages = 79–93| place = Guwahati| publisher = Publication Board, Assam}}
* Acharya Chandra Shekhar Shastri: Puranon ki Anmol Kahanian, 2006 {{ISBN|81-902258-6-3}}

{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Asura]]
[[Category: Characters_in_the_Bhagavata_Purana]]

Banasura - Revision history

Bmgrouprealty at 14:32, 26 May 2026