A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.802

c5.802

KANSA. A tyrannical king of Mathurā, son of Ugra-sena and cousin of Devakī the mother of Krishna; so he was the cousin, not the uncle, of Krishna, as he is often called. He married two daughters of Jarā-sandha, king of Magadha. He deposed his father. It was foretold that a son born of Devakī should kill him, so he endeavoured to destroy all her children. But Bala-rāma, her seventh son, was smuggled away to Gokula, and was brought up by Rohinī. When Krishna the eighth was born his parents fled with him. The tyrant then gave orders for a general massacre of all vigorous male infants. Kansa became the great persecutor of Krishna, but was eventually killed by him. Kansa is also called Kalānkura, ‘crane.’ He is looked upon as an Asura, and is in some way identified with the Asura Kāla-nemi.