Who is Krishna?
KRISHNA AND THE DEMONESS PUTANA Next | Back | Section | Home | Index

Kamsa, learning that Krishna still survived, safe in the home of the cowherd Nanda and his wife Yashoda, connived with the evil demoness Putana to kill Krishna. Putana planned to offer herself to Krishna's adoptive family as a nursemaid. In order to appeal to the family, she concealed her own horrifying form, appearing as a young and beautiful woman.

"One night when they were living in Gokula, the child-killer Putana picked up the sleeping Krishna and gave him her breast. Every child to whom Putana gives suck at night has his body destroyed. But Krishna grabbed her nipple, squeezed it tightly with both hands and furiously sucked out the milk, together with her life. Screeching loudlly, the cords of her muscles cut asumder, the ghastly Putana fell dying to the ground."(Dimmitt & vav Buitenen, 1978:111)

These events astounded Krishna's parents and the villagers, being one of many signs that the son they had taken in was no ordinary being.