One of two demons who arose from Vishnu's ear to threaten Brahma and the Vedas, killed by Vishnu alongside his companion Madhu.
Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Puranic tradition, with other tellings (Vedic tradition (Rigveda), Regional and sectarian traditions) noted where relevant.
Introduction
Kaitabha is an Asura, born together with Madhu from an impurity in Vishnu's ear at the start of a cycle of creation, and killed with him by Vishnu after they threatened Brahma and the Vedas.
In the story
Kaitabha shares fully in the story of Madhu: their common birth from Vishnu's ear, their attack on Brahma and the Vedas, and their joint death, when Vishnu placed them on his thighs to satisfy the terms of a boon protecting them from death on land or in water. See the article on Madhu for the fuller account.
This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above.
Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.