Created by ImportMaster
Last edited December 15, 2022
File:Krishna Killing the Horse Demon Keshi.jpg
Keshava (Krishna) slays Keshi


Template:Other uses Keshava (Sanskrit: Template:Lang Template:IAST) Template:Translation is an epithet of Vishnu in Hindu tradition.[1] Keshava means Parabrahman, according to Hindu scriptures. The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama of the Mahabharata. Keshava is also venerated by those persons wanting to avert bad luck or ill-omens. His consort is Keerti (Lakshmi).[2] Template:Vaishnavism Template:Hinduism

Etymology

Keshava means "the one with beautiful long (unshorn) hair" or "killer of the Keshi demon". According to the Padma Purana, the name refers to Krishna's long, beautiful, looking unshorn hair.[3] Referring to Sangraha Ramayana of Narayana Panditacharya, Authors Meenakshi Bharat and Madhu Grover says that "The name Keshava refers to Vishnu. The letter 'Ka' refers to Brahma and 'Isha' refers to Shiva. The word Keshava refers to one who animates both Brahma and Shiva".Template:Sfn

Literature

File:Keshava.metmuseum.jpg
Representation of Vishnu as Keshava. His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are on either side. Above him are representations of Vishnu's ten avatars.[4]

A verse from the Vishnu Sahasranama mentions Keshava:

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In Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna uses the name Keshava[5] for Krishna a number of times, referring to him as the 'killer of the Keshi demon':

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The demon Keshi, in the form of a horse, was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna, but was overpowered and slain (Vishnu Purana 5.15-16).

References

  1. Kesava, Keshava, Keśava, Keśavā: 30 definitions, www.wisdomlib.org. www.wisdomlib.org(2009-04-12). Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography, Margaret Stutley, p.71, 73
  3. The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co(1991). ISBN 9780892813544
  4. Standing Vishnu as Keshava. The Met Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  5. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 148-149 (v 54)

Sources

  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (Template:ISBN) by Anna Dhallapiccola
  • Representing the Exotic and the Familiar: Politics and perception in literature{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. John Benjamins Publishing Company(2019). ISBN 9789027261908

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