A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1373

c5.1373

Pradyumna was killed at Dwārakā in the presence of his father during a drunken brawl. Though Pradyumna passed as the son of Krishna, he was, according to the legend, a revival or resuscitation of Kāma, the god of love, who was reduced to ashes by the fiery glance of Siva, and so the name Pradyumna is used for Kāma. (See Kāma.) The Vishnu Purāna puts the following words into the mouth of Nārada when he presented Pradyumna to Rukminī:—“When Manmatha (the deity of love) had perished, the goddess of beauty (Rati), desirous to secure his revival, assumed a delusive form, and by her charms fascinated the demon Sambara, and exhibited herself to him in various illusory enjoyments. This thy son is the descended Kāma; and this is (the goddess) Rati, his wife. There is no occasion for any uncertainty; this is thy daughter-in-law.” In the Harivansa he has a wife named Prabhāvatī, daughter of King Vajranābha. When he went to see her for the first time, he changed himself into a bee and lived in a garland of flowers which had been prepared for her. According to the Mahā-bhārata, he was Sanat-kumāra, the son of Brahmā.