The Purana Index v1.c5.s1.29

v1.c5.s1.29

*Akrūra* (1)—a Yadu prince; welcomed Kṛṣṇa to Dvāraka.¹ The foremost of the sons of Śvaphalka and Gāndinī; married a daughter of Ugrasena and had two sons, Devavān and Upadeva (Deva and Anupadeva-Vi).² Stayed in Madhurā (Mathurā) when the Yadus migrated.³ Once visited Brahmrada.⁴ Kaṃsa sent for him and asked him to take in his chariot Kṛṣṇa and Rāma to the capital for the Dhanuryāga (‘festival of arms’) at which they were to be killed. Returned home with this message.⁵ When the night passed by, Akrūra started for the vraja of Nanda thinking all the way of the meeting and embraces of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma who had made friends with people of Brindāvan. Reached Gokula by evening.⁶ Saw Rāma and Kṛṣṇa in fine deportment and form, milking cows: prostrated before them in divine ecstasy. Welcomed in the proper way by the brothers and Nanda, Akrūra was lost in wonder, and did not feel the fatigue of the journey.⁷ Gopis who came to know of Akrūra’s mission called him Krūra for taking away Kṛṣṇa from their midst.⁸ It was early morning when Akrūra and the two brothers started after morning prayers. Reaching the Yamunā, Akrūra went to the river for a bath, asking the brothers to stay in the chariot. But he was surprised to see the brothers in the waters, and at the same time in the chariot also. He also saw Hari reclining on Śeṣa.⁹ Akrūra’s praise of Hari.¹⁰ Congratulating himself on his luck to have had a darśan of Hari, he drove Kṛṣṇa and Rāma to Mathurā before sunset.¹¹ Invited Kṛṣṇa to his home, and the latter agreed to go to his place only after Kaṃsavadha. Informed Kaṃsa of Kṛṣṇa's arrival in the camp, and went back to his house.¹² Attended the wrestling match.¹³⁽ᵃ⁾ Gopīs took Uddhava to Akrūra.¹³ Was visited by Kṛṣṇa with Rāma and Uddhava to whom Akrūra gave a royal welcome.¹⁴ Kṛṣṇa told Akrūra that they looked to him for guidance, and that he was their guru. Was requested by Kṛṣṇa to go to Hastināpura to find out the exact position of the Pāṇḍavas.¹⁵ Visited Hastināpura and returned to Mathurā after meeting Kuntī and ascertaining the evil intentions of Dhṛtarāṣṭra against the Pāṇḍavas.¹⁶ One of those stationed by Kṛṣṇa to defend the western gate of Mathurā,¹⁷ was consulted by Kṛṣṇa on the eve of his attack on Jarāsandha.¹⁸ A member of the Yādava sabhā.¹⁹ Satyabhāmā refusing to part with the jewel Syamantaka (s. v.), Akrūra suggested with Kṛtavarman to Śatadhanvan Bhoja its seizure from Satrājit as he had failed to keep his promise to marry his daughter to them.²⁰ Asked by Śatadhanvan for help against Kṛṣṇa, Akrūra refused; Bhoja Śatadhanvan killed Satrājit, the father of Satyabhāmā, and secured the jewel but placed it in Akrūra's custody.²¹ Became afraid, after Śatadhanva's death at the hands of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and left Dvārakā. Evil portents in the city and cessation of rains. It was said that rain fell where Akrūra lived. Was sent for by Kṛṣṇa to return to Dvārakā; gave his sister in marriage to Kṛṣṇa who after duly honouring him, requested him to show the jewel in public, so that Rāma might not misunderstand him. He did so in the sabhā of the Sātvatas but Kṛṣṇa placed Syamantaka back in his hand.²² Was sent back to Dvārakā after the Rājasūya for its defence.²³ Visited Syamantapañcaka on the occasion of the solar eclipse.²⁴ Fought with Bhoja, deluded by Kṛṣṇa.²⁵ Got killed in the Yādava contest at Prabhāsa.²⁶