Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1893

c9.1893

ŚIŚUPĀLA. King of Cedi.
1) Previous birth. Jaya and Vijaya, gate-keepers at Vaikuṇṭha were born thrice in asura womb as a result of the curse by munis like Sanaka. They were first born as Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, next as Rāvaṇa and Kumbhakarṇa and the third time as Śiśupāla and Dantavaktra. (See under Jayavijayas).
2) Birth. Śiśupāla was the son of King Damaghoṣa of Cedi by his wife, Śrutaśravas (Bhāgavata, 9th Skandha). He was born with three eyes and four hands, and at the time of birth he brayed like an ass, so the parents decided to abandon the ugly and awkward child. Immediately a Jin (ghost) appeared and told the father that the child would grow up to become very strong and powerful, and that only one person would be able to kill him and that person had already been born on earth. Further questioned by Śiśupāla's mother, the Jin said that as soon as the son saw the person born to kill him, he would lose his third eye, and that if he was seated on the lap of the person, two out of his four hands would be lost. After having said this the Jin disappeared.