Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,526

Date uploaded in London – 23 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

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Lord Krishna killed numerous demons and tyrants to restore dharma, primarily during his childhood in Vrindavana and later in Mathura and Dwarka. Key demons included Putana, Trinavarta, Aghasura, Bakasura, Dhenukasura, Keshi, Vyomasura, Narakasura, and his maternal uncle, Kamsa. His elder brother Balarama also joined him in his adventurous deeds.

1

Putana (Witch): Attempted to poison Krishna with her breast milk.

Putana was a demoness sent by King Kansa to kill the infant Krishna by breastfeeding him with poisoned milk. Disguised as a beautiful woman, she entered Gokul, but Krishna sucked her life force along with the poison, killing her.

2

Trinavarta (Whirlwind): Sent by Kamsa to carry away the infant Krishna.

 Trinavarta  was a demon in the form of a whirlwind sent by King Kansa to kill infant Krishna; he kidnapped the child by creating a massive dust storm in Gokul. As he flew into the sky, Krishna became unimaginably heavy, choking the demon, causing him to crash to the ground dead. Krishna was found unharmed, playing on the demon’s body.

3

Sakatasura (Cart): A ghost inhabiting a cart, broken by infant Krishna.

The Sakatasura anecdote tells of Lord Krishna killing a cart-demon sent by Kamsa to harm him during his childhood. As a three-month-old baby, Krishna kicked over a cart (his disguises) when it tried to crush him, killing the demon.

4

Vatsasura (Calf): Disguised as a calf, killed by being thrown into a tree.

Vatsasura was a demon sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna and Balarama in Vrindavana by disguising himself as a calf. While grazing calves, Krishna recognized the demon, caught him by his hind legs and tail, and spun him to death before throwing him into a tree.

5

Bakasura (Crane Demon):

One day, Kansa called for Bakasura – a fearsome bird – and told him to go get rid of Krishna. At that time, Krishna was playing in the forest with his friends, until a massive shadow fell on them. Looking up, the kids saw a monstrous bird flying straight at them. As Bakasura swooped down with his beak wide open, Krishna grabbed the sharp beak, and jumped right into it. Bakasura’s beak cracked and broke. The pain was too much, and the demon collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

6

Aghasura (Python): Younger brother of Putana, who swallowed the cowherd boys.

Aghasura was a gigantic serpent demon and brother to Putana and Bakasura, sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna in Vrindavan. He took the form of a long snake, creating a cave-like mouth that tempted cowherd boys and calves inside. Krishna rescued them by killing the demon from within, offering him liberation.

7

Dhenukasura (Ass): Killed by Balarama, with assistance from Krishna, at the palm tree forest.

Dhenukasura was a donkey-demon who guarded the Talavana (palm forest) near Vrindavan, preventing anyone from enjoying its fruits. At the urging of cowherd friends, Lord Balarama and Krishna entered the forest, where Balarama shook the trees, provoking Dhenukasura to attack. Balarama swiftly killed the demon by whirling him around and tossing him into a tree.

8

Kaliya (Serpent): Subdued and banished from the Yamuna river.

Kaliya, a Naga (serpent), moved to the Yamuna River to flee Garuda, contaminating the water so heavily that birds and trees died and the area was rendered inhabitable, say Villains Wiki and Facebook post.

While playing, Krishna’s ball went into the river, prompting him to climb a Kadamba tree and jump in to confront the beast,

Kaliya wrapped his coils around Krishna, attempting to kill him. Krishna, as a child, grew in size and began dancing on the snake’s heads, crushing him.

Kaliya’s wives, the Nag-patnis, pleaded for mercy. Krishna granted this, ordering Kaliya to leave the Yamuna forever and return to Ramanaka Dwipa, promising him safety from Garuda.

9

Pralambasura (Fiery/Forest): Slain by Balarama (with Krishna’s aid).

Pralambasura was a powerful demon sent by King Kamsa to kill Krishna and Balarama, who disguised himself as a cowherd boy to join their games in Vrindavan. During a game of tag where losers carried winners, Pralambasura lost to Balarama and carried him, aiming to kill him, but Balarama killed him with a massive blow to the head.

10

Kesi (Horse): A horse demon who was killed by Krishna.

Keshi (also spelled Kesi or Keśī, meaning “the hairy one”) is a fearsome horse-demon who was sent by the evil King Kamsa to kill Lord Krishna.

•  After his other demons failed to eliminate Krishna, Kamsa sent Keshi, a mighty demon capable of shapeshifting, to Vrindavan to destroy him.
• Keshi took the form of a gigantic, ferocious horse. He created chaos in Gokula, terrifying residents, shattering the earth with his hooves, and roaring so loudly that clouds were scattered.
• Krishna, along with his cowherd friends, challenged the horse. Keshi charged at Krishna with his mouth open, intending to devour him. Krishna, appearing unfazed, caught the demon’s legs and threw him a significant distance.
• Reinvigorated, Keshi charged again. This time, Krishna thrust his left hand into the demon’s gaping mouth
• Inside the demon’s throat, Krishna’s hand began to expand, choking Keshi. The demon fell to the ground dead.

11

Vyomasura (Sky/Bat): Killed while trying to hide with cowherd boys.

Vyomasura (“sky demon”) was a magical demon and son of Mayasura, sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. While playing a game of thieves and sheep with cowherd boys on Govardhana Hill, Vyomasura disguised himself as a cowherd and kidnapped most of the boys, trapping them in a mountain cave. Krishna killed him to rescue his friend

12

Kamsa (Uncle): Tyrannical king of Mathura.

A tyrannical king of Mathura. Maternal uncle of Krishna . son of ugrasena and father of Devaki, mother of Krishna. He married twin daughters of Jarasandha named Asti and Prapti, king of Magadha. He deposed his father Ugrasena. It was foretold that a son born of Devaki should kill him. So he killed all children born to her except two. Balarama, her seventh son was smuggled out to Gokula and was brought up by Rohini. When Krishna was born as the eighth child his parents fled with him. The tyrant then gave orders to kill all vigorous male children . Kamsa persecuted Krishna and at the end Krishna killed him. Because of this he earned the enmity of Jarasandha. Kamsa was also called kalaankura, the crane.

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13

Narakasura (Demon King): Killed for ruling with terror and imprisoning thousands of women.

Narakasura,, the son of Bhudevi (Earth Goddess) and Vishnu’s Varaha avatar, was known for his tyranny, abduction of 16,100 women, and theft of divine treasures. He was killed by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama (reincarnation of Bhudevi) to restore righteousness, with his death celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi before Diwali. 

• Born from the union of Vishnu’s Varaha form and Bhudevi, he was initially pious but grew arrogant and evil due to the influence of Banasura.
• He terrorized the three worlds (heavens and earth), stole Aditi’s (mother of gods) earrings, and forced 16,100 women into captivity.
• Due to a boon, he could only be killed by his mother. Satyabhama, Krishna’s wife and Bhudevi’s reincarnation, fought him, while Krishna killed him with the Sudarshana Chakra.
• Legacy (Diwali): He requested that his death be celebrated as a victory of light over dark, leading to the tradition of Naraka Chaturdashi, where his effigies are burned.
• Liberation of Wives: Following his death, Krishna married the 16,100 women rescued from captivity to restore their social honor.

14

Shishupala

Shishupala was a Chedi king in the Mahabharata born with three eyes and four arms, destined to die at Krishna’s hands. Due to a promise made to Shishupala’s mother, Krishna forgave his first 100 insults, but killed him with the Sudarshana Chakra at the Rajasuya Yajna after the 101st insult, granting him liberation.

Birth & Prophecy: Born to Damaghosha and Shrutashrava (Krishna’s aunt), his physical abnormalities vanished when placed on Krishna’s lap, confirming the prophecy.

The Promise: His mother, knowing his destined death, persuaded Krishna to pardon 100 offenses.

Enmity toward Krishna: Shishupala harbored deep hatred after Krishna married Rukmini, who was intended for him.

The Final Insult: At Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya sacrifice, Shishupala insulted Krishna when he was honored as the supreme guest. Krishna unleashed the Sudarshana Chakra after the 100th insult.

Liberation: Shishupala was a reincarnation of Jaya (a gatekeeper of Vishnu) cursed to spend three lives as Vishnu’s enemy. His death by Krishna granted his soul liberation

15

Dantavakra: Dantavakra, the King of Karusha and a cousin to Krishna, was a ferocious enemy of Krishna, acting as a mortal incarnation of Vishnu’s gatekeeper, Vijaya. Seeking to avenge the death of his friend Shishupala, he attacked Krishna alone with a mace but was killed, granting him salvation.

16

Wrestler Chanura

The fight between Chanura/Mushtika and Krishna/Balarama was a pivotal wrestling match held in Mathura, orchestrated by King Kamsa to kill Krishna. 

• Kamsa invited Krishna and Balarama to a Dhanur Yajna (bow ceremony) intending to trap them. He set up his strongest wrestlers, Chanur and Mushtika, to fight the young brothers, hoping to end them.
• Despite the unfair matchup, Krishna fought Chanur while Balarama took on Mushtika. The fight took place in an arena watched by Kamsa.
  • Krishna defeated and killed Chanur, showcasing his divine strength.
  • Balarama defeated and killed Mushtik.
• Aftermath: Following the defeat of these champions, Krishna killed the tyrant king Kamsa in a subsequent confrontation in the same arena.

17

Wrestler Mushtika

18

Arishtasura (Bull Demon)

The demon Ariṣṭa wanted to kill Krishna and Balarāma, and thus he assumed the form of a huge bull with sharp horns. Everyone in Kṛishṇa’s cowherd village became terrified when Ariṣṭāsura approached it;but twhen the bull demon charged him he seized him by the horns and threw him to the ground and thrashed him like a pile of wet clothing. The demon gave up his life.

19

Kala Yavana

Kalayavana- kaalayavana

Kālayavana (कालयवन).—a kind of yavanas and enemy of Kṛṣṇa and an invincible foe of the Yādavas. Kṛṣṇa, finding it impossible to vanquish him on the field of battle, cunningly decoyed him to the cave where Muchakunda was sleeping who burnt him down.

Lord Krishna was chased by a Kala yavana and Krishna entered the cave where Mucukunda was sleeping. When Mucukunda became tired he got a boon from God to sleep undisturbed for a long time in a cave. Kalayavana also entered the cave and slapped on Mucukundan thinking that it was Krishna pretending to sleep. When Mucukunda opened his eyes, Kalayavana was burnt to ashes. Tricky Krishna came out of his hiding and blessed Mucukunda.

20

Kuvalayapeedam

The anecdote of Kuvalayapida (often referred to as Kuvalaya Peedam in Tamil contexts) concerns a massive, intoxicated royal elephant sent by the tyrant King Kamsa to kill Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama upon their arrival in Mathura. 

• The Trap: Knowing that Krishna was destined to destroy him, Kamsa arranged a wrestling match and stationed his most feared, maddened elephant, Kuvalayapida, at the gate of the arena, managed by a skilled rider.
• The Challenge: As Krishna and Balarama approached the entrance, the mahout ordered the elephant to attack.
• The Victory: Krishna accepted the challenge and, showcasing superhuman strength, seized the elephant by its tusks, broke them off, and used them to instantly kill both the beast and its rider. 

21

·         The Binding (Damodara): Dama means rope, udara means belly; Krishna is named Damodara for having a rope tied around His abdomen.

·         The Turning Point: Seeing His mother tired, Krishna allows Himself to be bound, demonstrating His love for His devotees.

·         The Liberation: While tied to the mortar, Krishna drags it and topples two Arjuna trees, liberating the sons of Kubera, Nalakubara and Manigriva, who were cursed to be trees.

–-subham—

Tags- Demons, killed by, Krishna, Balarama, 21 demons, Narakasura, Diwali,