Pradyumna- Hindu DemigodDemigod"Son of Krishna"
Also known as: प्रद्युम्न
Description
Six days old when the demon Shambara stole him from his cradle and hurled him into the sea. Swallowed by a fish, found in a demon's kitchen, raised by his own wife from a past life. Pradyumna grew up inside his enemy's palace and killed him with the magic she had taught him.
Mythology & Lore
Birth and Abduction
Pradyumna was born to Krishna and Rukmini in Dvaraka as the reincarnation of Kamadeva, the god of love whom Shiva had burned to ashes for disrupting his meditation. Kamadeva's wife Rati had been promised by Shiva that her husband would be reborn as Krishna's son. Only six days after Pradyumna's birth, the demon Shambara, who had learned from a prophecy that this child would one day destroy him, stole the infant from the lying-in chamber and cast him into the ocean. A great fish swallowed the baby. Fishermen later caught the fish and brought it to Shambara's own kitchen.
Raised by Mayavati
In Shambara's household, a woman named Mayavati served as the cook. She was Rati herself, reborn and waiting. When the fish was cut open and the living infant found inside, the sage Narada appeared and told Mayavati that this child was Kamadeva reborn. She raised the boy in Shambara's palace, nurturing him in secret. As Pradyumna grew, Mayavati revealed his true identity and taught him the magic art of Mahamaya to counter Shambara's sorcery.
Slaying of Shambara
Pradyumna challenged Shambara to battle. The demon conjured terrible illusions and rained weapons upon him. Pradyumna dispelled every illusion with the Mahamaya that Mayavati had taught him and overpowered the demon. He slew Shambara and flew through the sky with Mayavati to Dvaraka. Krishna and Rukmini recognized their long-lost son. Mayavati was acknowledged as Rati reunited with Kamadeva.