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Kamsa

The tyrant king of Mathura, killed by his nephew Krishna.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Puranic tradition, with other tellings (Mahabharata) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Parents
Ugrasena
Spouse
Asti · Prapti

Introduction

Kamsa is the son of Ugrasena, who took the throne of Mathura from his father. He is the maternal uncle of Krishna, who kills him.

Family

The prophecy

Kamsa was told that Devaki's eighth son would kill him. He imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their first six children. Krishna, the eighth, was smuggled out and raised at Gokula.

Death

Kamsa sent many demons to kill the boy. When Krishna and Balarama came to Mathura for a festival, Krishna killed Kamsa in the arena. He restored Ugrasena to the throne.

Jarasandha

Kamsa was married to Asti and Prapti, the daughters of Jarasandha of Magadha. After his death, Jarasandha repeatedly attacked Mathura, which led the Yadavas to move to Dwaraka.

Sources

  1. Harivamsha (primary text)
  2. Bhagavata Purana (primary text)
  3. Mahabharata, Sabha Parva (primary text) — https://sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm

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.