The benevolent and famous son of King Mahabali

Sridhar

Hello everyone....!

Let's know about Banasura, one of the hundred and famous sons of King Mahabali.

Bali was a very benevolent king and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Bali had a hundred sons, of whom Banasura with his thousand arms was the eldest. Banasura was a devotee of Lord Siva, and when Siva performed his famous 'Tandav' dance, Banasura used his thousand arms to play the 'Mridanga' in accompaniment. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva asked Banasura to demand a boon.

Banasura asked for Siva to be his protector just like Lord Vishnu was his father's protector. The boon was granted, and Banasura became invincible. Soon he became cruel and arrogant, so much so, even the gods were afraid of him. Banasura had a pretty daughter by the name of Usha. Many suitors came asking for her hand, but Banasura refused them all and had her shut in a fortress called 'Agnigarh' along with her friends. In her sleep Usha saw a handsome young man and fell in love with him. Chithralekha was a close friend of Usha and a great artist. She drew a picture of the young man based on Usha's descriptions. When the drawing was completed, they both knew the young man was Anirudh, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Using her magical powers Chithralekha flew to Dwaraka and brought Anirudh to Usha's side, and they lived together. In course of time Banasura learned about this and flew into a rage. He bound Anirudh with snakes and had him imprisoned.

When Lord Krishna heard about this he came with a mighty army to rescue Anirudh. A great battle ensued. Lord Siva joined the fray, fighting on behalf of Banasura. But even after prolonged fighting Lord Siva was not able to defeat Lord Krishna, and eventually sued for peace, asking Lord Krishna to spare the life of his devotee Banasura. Lord Krishna agreed and granted immortality to Banasura, but cut off all but four of his

thousand arms. He brought Anirudh and Usha to Dwaraka amidst much rejoicing and jubilation.

Banasura retired into the Himalayas to spend the remainder of his life in the service of Lord Siva. Anirudh was none other than Grandson of Lord Krishna and son of Pradyumna, an incarnation of Kamadeva as per Lord Vishnu's boon granted to Rathi, Kamadeva's wife

and daughter of Prajapati Daksha after he was burned to ashes from Lord Shiva's anger.

Rathi was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and wife of Kamadeva in Satyayuga/ Kritayuga. In Dwaparayuga, Rathi incarnated as Rukmavati, princess of Vidharbha and daughter of Rukmi. Also Rati incarnated as Mayavati/ Bhanavati, foster mother of Pradyumna, who told truth of Pradyumna's birth and how he was abducted by demon Sambara. Banasura's/ descendants had their own kingdom known as the Mahavalis Banas/brihadbanas in the present Kolar and Chikkaballapur

districts of Karnataka.