Keshi (demon)
Encyclopedia
In Hindu mythology, Keshi (Keśi, Nominative singular masculine from the root Keśin, literally "long haired") is the horse-demon, killed by Krishna
, an Avatar
of god Vishnu
. The demon was dispatched by Krishna's evil uncle Kans
, who was destined to die at Krishna's hands.
Krishna is often praised as Keshava
- the slayer of Keshi - in scriptures.
(between 500 CE - 1000 CE). Kans
, the evil king of Mathura and the maternal uncle of Krishna, was destined to be killed by Krishna. In an attempt to avoid his death, Kans sent a series of demons to Gokula
, where Krishna was staying with his foster-parents. After Krishna killed the bull demon Arishta - dispatched by Kans, the divine sage Narada
confirmed to Kans that Krishna was his sister Devaki's child and that the girl-child that Kans had killed mistaking her as the child of Devaki, was in fact the daughter of Yashoda, Krishna's foster-mother. Infuriated hearing this, Kans called the demon Keshi and ordered him to kill Krishna and his brother Balarama
.
Keshi assumed the form of a huge horse, who galloped at the speed of thoughts, wore the earth with his hooves and scattered celestial vehicles and clouds in the sky with his mane. His neighing terrified the people. So, Krishna challenged Keshi to a duel, as the horse was creating havoc around Gokula. Keshi roared like a lion and charged towards Krishna striking him with the hooves. Krishna caught hold of Keshi's two legs and tossed him to a great distance. Recovering from his fall, the agitated Keshi opened his mouth and attacked Krishna. As soon as Krishna thrust his left arm into Keshi's mouth than all of Keshi's teeth fell. Soon, Krishna's arm suddenly started expanding. Keshi choked to death, as sweat flowed from his body, his eyes rolled and he struggled kicking his feet. As Keshi fell lifeless on the ground assuming his true demon form, the gods and Narada extolled Krishna. Narada in his panegyric thanks Krishna for slaying the horse-demon with such ease, by whose neighing alone, the gods were abandoning heaven. He further prophesies the great deeds that Krishna will perform later, including the killing of Kans.
The fourth Book of the Vishnu Purana
(between 1st century BCE to 4th century CE) also tells the story. However, Keshi first appears in the episode when Kans calls the host of his demons to kill all male children, once he realizes Krishna is born. Chapters 15 and 16 of the fourth Book presents a detailed account of Keshi's death which parallels the Bhagavata Purana account. The narrative of Arishta's death, Narada's disclosure to Kans and the subsequent ordering of Keshi is the same. Though the terror by Keshi on earth and sky and Krishna's challenge is the same, the fight starts directly with Keshi attacking Krishna with his opened mouth. The hand of Krishna choking Keshi at the same time, tearing his body into two halves. The splitting of Keshi's body is not told in Bhagavata Purana. Narada's eulogy and prophesy about Kans's death follows the account, where Narada decreed that Krishna would be called Keshava, the slayer of Keshi. The Harivamsa
from the epic Mahabharata
also narrates that the incident in a similar fashion complete with Narada's praise identifying Krishna as Vishnu. the Vishnu Purana and the Harivamsa (1st - 2nd century BCE) tell that Keshi is the last agent sent by Kans to kill Krishna, after Keshi's killing, Krishna and Balarama go to Mathura, where Kans is killed. However, the Bhagavata Purana describes the killing of the demon Vyoma sent by Kans, before he leaves for Mathura.
The first century CE Buddhist writer Ashvaghosa also mentions about the killing of Keshi in a passage in his Saundarananda.
, though not in relation to Krishna. The passage reads: "Let us keep the black asura Keśin, born in the reed clump, snout-mouthed and all other harmful creatures, away from her genitals and her loins" [IAST original]. Although Phyllis Granoff
argues that the Keshi - killed by Krishna - is a demon of childhood diseases, this hypothesis is not unanimous. The tales of Keshi-vadha ("The killing of Keshi") was well-known in the Kushan period (60-375 CE). Metropolitan Museum of Art
parallels Krishna killing Keshi to the labour of Greek hero Heracles
- slaying the horses of Diomedes
, from which episode the former may be inspired. Keshi or Keśī could be the earliest Sanskrit
word known in Chinese; the (2nd century BCE) Huainanzi
records treasures given in ransom for King Wen of Zhou
to King Zhou of Shang
in 1103 BCE, including the mount named jisi 雞斯 or Old Chinese
*kese.
, Krishna got the name Keshava
as he slew Keshi. Krishna is referred to as slayer of Keshi twice in the Bhagavata Gita by Arjuna
, once as Keshava (1.30) and Keshi-nisudana (18.1). In the first chapter (1.30), addressing Krishna as slayer of Keshi, Arjuna expresses his doubts about war, at the same time, finds Krishna capable to destroy them. Here, Keshi represents false pride and the reference as slayer of Keshi by Arjuna expresses his humility. Keshi as a mad horse who created havoc in Vraja - also represents the wild horse of doubts who runs in the mind of a person. In the last chapter (18.1), Arjuna addresses Krishna as Maha-baho ("mighty-armed") paired with the slayer of Keshi epithet, reminding the reader how Krishna killed Keshi with his arms alone. Vishnu sahasranama
("The Thousand names of Vishnu")
calls him Keshava (Names 23, 648) and Keshitha (649) - the slayer of Keshi. The fourth century play Mudrarakshasa
also interprets the epithet Keshava as the slayer of Keshi. Keshighat is a major bathing ghat
along the river Yamuna
in Vrindavan
, where Krishna is believed to have overpowered Keshi.
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, an Avatar
Avatar
In Hinduism, an avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"....
of god Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
. The demon was dispatched by Krishna's evil uncle Kans
KANS
KANS is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Emporia, Kansas, USA. The station is currently owned by Kansas Radio, Inc. and features programing from Jones Radio Network.-History:...
, who was destined to die at Krishna's hands.
Krishna is often praised as Keshava
Keshava
Keshava is a name of Krishna from within Hindu tradition.The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu sahasranama.Lord Keshava is venerated by those persons wanting to avert bad luck, or ill omens...
- the slayer of Keshi - in scriptures.
Legend
Keshi's legend is recounted in the tenth Book of the Bhagavata PuranaBhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
(between 500 CE - 1000 CE). Kans
KANS
KANS is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Emporia, Kansas, USA. The station is currently owned by Kansas Radio, Inc. and features programing from Jones Radio Network.-History:...
, the evil king of Mathura and the maternal uncle of Krishna, was destined to be killed by Krishna. In an attempt to avoid his death, Kans sent a series of demons to Gokula
Gokula
Gokula or Gokul Singh was a Jat chieftain of Sinsini village in Bharatpur district in Rajasthan, India. Later, he became a chieftain of Tilpat in Haryana. His father's name was Madu. Madu had four sons namely, Sindhuraj, Ola, Jhaman and Saman. The second son Ola later became famous as Gokula...
, where Krishna was staying with his foster-parents. After Krishna killed the bull demon Arishta - dispatched by Kans, the divine sage Narada
Narada
Narada or Narada Muni is a divine sage from the Vaisnava tradition, who plays a prominent role in a number of the Puranic texts, especially in the Bhagavata Purana, and in the Ramayana...
confirmed to Kans that Krishna was his sister Devaki's child and that the girl-child that Kans had killed mistaking her as the child of Devaki, was in fact the daughter of Yashoda, Krishna's foster-mother. Infuriated hearing this, Kans called the demon Keshi and ordered him to kill Krishna and his brother Balarama
Balarama
Balarama , also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of the divine being, Krishna in Hinduism. Within Vaishnavism Hindu traditions Balarama is worshipped as an Avatar of Vishnu, and he is also listed as such in the Bhagavata Purana...
.
Keshi assumed the form of a huge horse, who galloped at the speed of thoughts, wore the earth with his hooves and scattered celestial vehicles and clouds in the sky with his mane. His neighing terrified the people. So, Krishna challenged Keshi to a duel, as the horse was creating havoc around Gokula. Keshi roared like a lion and charged towards Krishna striking him with the hooves. Krishna caught hold of Keshi's two legs and tossed him to a great distance. Recovering from his fall, the agitated Keshi opened his mouth and attacked Krishna. As soon as Krishna thrust his left arm into Keshi's mouth than all of Keshi's teeth fell. Soon, Krishna's arm suddenly started expanding. Keshi choked to death, as sweat flowed from his body, his eyes rolled and he struggled kicking his feet. As Keshi fell lifeless on the ground assuming his true demon form, the gods and Narada extolled Krishna. Narada in his panegyric thanks Krishna for slaying the horse-demon with such ease, by whose neighing alone, the gods were abandoning heaven. He further prophesies the great deeds that Krishna will perform later, including the killing of Kans.
The fourth Book of the Vishnu Purana
Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana is a religious Hindu text and one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. It is considered one of the most important Puranas and has been given the name Puranaratna...
(between 1st century BCE to 4th century CE) also tells the story. However, Keshi first appears in the episode when Kans calls the host of his demons to kill all male children, once he realizes Krishna is born. Chapters 15 and 16 of the fourth Book presents a detailed account of Keshi's death which parallels the Bhagavata Purana account. The narrative of Arishta's death, Narada's disclosure to Kans and the subsequent ordering of Keshi is the same. Though the terror by Keshi on earth and sky and Krishna's challenge is the same, the fight starts directly with Keshi attacking Krishna with his opened mouth. The hand of Krishna choking Keshi at the same time, tearing his body into two halves. The splitting of Keshi's body is not told in Bhagavata Purana. Narada's eulogy and prophesy about Kans's death follows the account, where Narada decreed that Krishna would be called Keshava, the slayer of Keshi. The Harivamsa
Harivamsa
The Harivamsha is an important work of Sanskrit literature, containing 16,374 verses, mostly in metre. The text is also known as . This text is believed as a khila to the Mahabharata and is traditionally ascribed to Krishna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa...
from the epic Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
also narrates that the incident in a similar fashion complete with Narada's praise identifying Krishna as Vishnu. the Vishnu Purana and the Harivamsa (1st - 2nd century BCE) tell that Keshi is the last agent sent by Kans to kill Krishna, after Keshi's killing, Krishna and Balarama go to Mathura, where Kans is killed. However, the Bhagavata Purana describes the killing of the demon Vyoma sent by Kans, before he leaves for Mathura.
The first century CE Buddhist writer Ashvaghosa also mentions about the killing of Keshi in a passage in his Saundarananda.
Origins
Keshi, the "hairy one", first appears as a demon who attacks the unborn - in the AtharvavedaAtharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
, though not in relation to Krishna. The passage reads: "Let us keep the black asura Keśin, born in the reed clump, snout-mouthed and all other harmful creatures, away from her genitals and her loins" [IAST original]. Although Phyllis Granoff
Phyllis Granoff
Phyllis Emily Granoff is a specialist in Indic religions. She is currently the Lex Hixon Professor of World Religions at Yale University. She also serves as the editor of the Journal of Indian Philosophy.-Academic credentials:...
argues that the Keshi - killed by Krishna - is a demon of childhood diseases, this hypothesis is not unanimous. The tales of Keshi-vadha ("The killing of Keshi") was well-known in the Kushan period (60-375 CE). Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
parallels Krishna killing Keshi to the labour of Greek hero Heracles
Heracles
Heracles ,born Alcaeus or Alcides , was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, foster son of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus...
- slaying the horses of Diomedes
Mares of Diomedes
The Mares of Diomedes, also called the Mares of Thrace, were four man-eating horses in Greek mythology. Magnificent, wild, and uncontrollable, they belonged to the giant Diomedes , king of Thrace, a son of Ares and Cyrene who lived on the shores of the Black Sea...
, from which episode the former may be inspired. Keshi or Keśī could be the earliest Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word known in Chinese; the (2nd century BCE) Huainanzi
Huainanzi
The Huáinánzǐ is a 2nd century BCE Chinese philosophical classic from the Han dynasty that blends Daoist, Confucianist, and Legalist concepts, including theories such as Yin-Yang and the Five Phases. It was written under the patronage of Liu An, Prince of Huainan, a legendarily prodigious author...
records treasures given in ransom for King Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou family name : Ji , Clan name : Zhou Personal name: Chang, known as Zhou Chang or Xibo Chang was the founder of the Zhou Dynasty and the first epic hero of Chinese history....
to King Zhou of Shang
King Zhou of Shang
Emperor Xin of Shang was the last king of the Shang Dynasty. He was later given the pejorative posthumous name Zhòu . He is also called Zhou Xin or King Zhou . He may also be referred to by adding "Shang" in front of any of his names...
in 1103 BCE, including the mount named jisi 雞斯 or Old Chinese
Old Chinese
The earliest known written records of the Chinese language were found at a site near modern Anyang identified as Yin, the last capital of the Shang dynasty, and date from about 1200 BC....
*kese.
Commemoration
According the Malayam Bhagavata PuranaBhagavata purana
The Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
, Krishna got the name Keshava
Keshava
Keshava is a name of Krishna from within Hindu tradition.The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu sahasranama.Lord Keshava is venerated by those persons wanting to avert bad luck, or ill omens...
as he slew Keshi. Krishna is referred to as slayer of Keshi twice in the Bhagavata Gita by Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, once as Keshava (1.30) and Keshi-nisudana (18.1). In the first chapter (1.30), addressing Krishna as slayer of Keshi, Arjuna expresses his doubts about war, at the same time, finds Krishna capable to destroy them. Here, Keshi represents false pride and the reference as slayer of Keshi by Arjuna expresses his humility. Keshi as a mad horse who created havoc in Vraja - also represents the wild horse of doubts who runs in the mind of a person. In the last chapter (18.1), Arjuna addresses Krishna as Maha-baho ("mighty-armed") paired with the slayer of Keshi epithet, reminding the reader how Krishna killed Keshi with his arms alone. Vishnu sahasranama
Vishnu sahasranama
The Vishnu sahasranama is a list of 1,000 names of Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the personal supreme God for Vaishnavas . It is also one of the most sacred and commonly chanted stotras in Hinduism...
("The Thousand names of Vishnu")
calls him Keshava (Names 23, 648) and Keshitha (649) - the slayer of Keshi. The fourth century play Mudrarakshasa
Mudrarakshasa
The Mudrarakshasa , a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta in late 4th or early 5th century narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.-Origin:...
also interprets the epithet Keshava as the slayer of Keshi. Keshighat is a major bathing ghat
Ghat
Ghat is the capital of the Ghat District in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya.-History:In historical times, Ghat was a major terminal point on the Trans-Saharan trade route and a major administrative center in the Fezzan...
along the river Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
in Vrindavan
Vrindavan
Vrindavan also known as Vraj is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India...
, where Krishna is believed to have overpowered Keshi.