The Krishna myth cycle has been integrated in such a way that most Hindus do not know its real complexity. Some of its elements are very ancient, showing that many myths have come together to form modern versions. First, there was the Krishna myth of a divine king, possibly…
Ketu had two levels of appearance in Hindu mythology. Astronomically Ketu was a comet, as well as the descending node (waning) of the moon. Ketu’s mythological persona expanded from these associations. Ketu was one of the thirty-three children of Kasyapa and Danu, so that he was technically a danava…
A young Brahmani named Kauthumi, son of Hiranyanabha, challenged the royal priests of King Janaka in debate. But he lost his temper and killed one of them, thus committing brahmahatya (murder of a brahmin). He was cursed and became a leper that very day. After much suffering he followed…
Kasiyapa-Prajapati has a major role in creation. However, there were variations concerning his birth and his status. In the Mahabharata Kasiyapa was only the son of Marici, who was one of the six mind-born sons (manasa-putras) of Brahma. The Valmiki Ramayana added Kasiyapa as the seventh and youngest sons…
Karttikeya’s name derived from his having been raised by the six Krittikas, the name given to six of the seven wives of the seven maharishis. He was also named Skanda and Subrahmanya. Karttikeya appeared in the epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, as a son fathered by (Siva without being…
In the Mahabharata war Karna had a divine birth. His mother, Kunti, was the daughter of King Shurasena. As a girl Kunti was in charge of arrangement in the palace for religious rituals. During a period of four months when the sage Durvasa performed rituals for the king, Kunti…
