Kamsa
In
Hinduism,
Kamsa (
Sanskrit/
Hindi:
कसं), sometimes spelt as
Kans, is the half-brother of
Devaki, and ruler of the
Vrishni kingdom with its capital at
Mathura. He is the principal
antagonist in the tenth book of the
Bhagavata Purana.
Kamsa was told in a prophecy that one of Devaki's sons would kill him, so he murdered the first six. The next were
Krishna and
Balarama, who were saved by moving them to
Rohini's womb. Krishna was then raised by two cowherds,
Nanda and
Yasoda. Kamsa was eventually killed by Krishna.
Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0500510881) by Anna Dhallapiccola
