Kamsa

Birth and early life

In his previous birth Kamsa was a demon called Kalanemi, slain by Vishnu. He is generally described as the son of the Yadava ruler Ugrasena, though some texts such as the Padma Purana state he was not Ugrasena's biological son. In that story, a supernatural being named Dramila transformed into Ugrasena's form and inseminated Ugrasena's wife Padmavati. She cursed Dramila to hell and later cursed her son to be killed by a family member.

Ugrasena adopted the child and named him Kamsa. As a child, Kamsa trained with the Yadava warriors and his eight brothers. He impressed Jarasandha by single-handedly routing his invading army, and Jarasandha made Kamsa his son-in-law.

Warning issued by Yogamaya

Kamsa, fearing a prophecy that his cousin Devaki's eighth child would kill him, planned to murder her. Her husband Vasudeva saved Devaki by promising to hand over all their children to Kamsa, who agreed and let her live. Imprisoned, Devaki gave birth six times, and Kamsa killed each newborn. Before the seventh pregnancy, Vishnu instructed the goddess Yogamaya to move that child into Rohini's womb; the boy was named Balarama.

Yogamaya was also to be born as Yashoda's daughter. When Krishna arrived, Vasudeva carried him to Nanda and Yashoda's home, exchanging him for their infant girl, Yogamaya. Kamsa tried to kill the baby, but she escaped his grasp, revealed her divine form, and announced that the eighth child destined to slay him was in Gokula.

Death

Kamsa's prophecy foretold his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth child. To thwart this, he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva, killing their first six newborns. The seventh child, Balarama, was saved by being transferred to Rohini's womb. The eighth, Krishna, was rescued and raised by the cowherds Nanda and Yasoda.

After returning as an adult, Krishna beheaded Kamsa. Balarama then killed Kamsa's eight brothers, including Kanka. Following these deaths, Ugrasena was restored as Mathura's king.

Did You Know?

• During his wedding in Mathura, Jarasandha brought his army to escort the Princesses Asti and Prapti.
• Using the army of Magadha as political cover, Kamsa overthrew his father after he refused to voluntarily retire.
• After Ugrasena failed to show up for public events, Kamsa announced his coronation.