Dhenuka

In Hindu mythology, Dhenuka, also known as Dhenukasura, is an asura (demon) killed by Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.^[1]^[2]

Kashyapa (father)
Danu (mother)

Siblings60 brothers including Shumbha , Nishumbha , Keshi , Hayagriva , Rambha , Karambha , Vaprichitti

The Harivamsa states that Dhenuka, with his host of attendant demons, all in the form of donkeys, as ruled over a forest of tala or palms trees, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, north of mount Govardhana. Once, Balarama, Krishna and cowherds wandered into this forest, captivated by the fragrance of the fruits of the palm trees. When Krishna commented on the possible sweet taste of the fruit, Balarama shook the trees and the fruits fell on the ground. A jealous Dhenuka charged at Balarama, bit him and kicked with his hind legs. Balarama caught hold of Dhenuka's legs and whirled him towards a tree, shattering his chest, neck and waist as the tree fell with the demon. Balarama killed Dhenuka's demon attendants and set the forest open for the cowherds.^[3]^[4]

In Literature

The Vishnu Purana also describes his legend:^[5]

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Notes

^ Dowson, John (1879). A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature. London: Trübner/Routledge. p. 90. OCLC 248990032.
^ Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1970). "15: Killing of Dhenukasura". Krsna: the supreme personality of Godhead. International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. OCLC 17312347.
^ Bhattacharya p. 32
^ Dowson 1879, p. 90.
^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Destruction of demon Dhenuka [Chapter VIII]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-07-17.

References

Sunil Kumar Bhattacharya (1 January 1996). Krishna-cult in Indian Art. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-001-6.
The Concise Srimad Bhagavatam
Brahmapurāṇa
The Purana Index