A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.767

c5.767

KĀLA-NEMI. 1. In the Rāmāyana a Rākshasa, uncle of Rāvana. At the solicitation of Rāvana, and with the promise of half his kingdom, he endeavoured to kill Hanumān. Assuming the form of a hermit-devotee, he went to the Gandha-mādana mountain, and when Hanumān proceeded thither in search of medicinal herbs, the disguised Rākshasa invited him to his hermitage and offered him food. Hanumān refused, but went to bathe in a neighbouring pond. Upon his placing his foot in the water it was seized by a crocodile, but he dragged the creature out and killed it. From the dead body there arose a lovely Apsaras, who had been cursed by Daksha to live as a crocodile till she should be released by Hanumān. She told her deliverer to be beware of Kāla-nemi; so Hanumān went back to that deceiver, told him that he knew him, and, taking him by the feet, sent him whirling through the air to Lankā, where he fell before the throne of Rāvana in the council-room. 2. In the Purānas a great Asura, son of Virochana, the grandson of Hiranya-kasipu. He was killed by Vishnu, but was said to live again in Kansa and in Kāliya.