Madhu-Kaitabha

Madhu (Sanskrit: मधु) and Kaitabha (Sanskrit: कैटभ) are two rakshasas (demons) in Sanatan Scripture and are associated with Hindu religious cosmology. They both originated from the earwax in God Vishnu's ears while he was in the meditative deep sleep state of Yoganidra. From his navel, a lotus sprouted on which Brahma, the creator, was found sitting and contemplating the creation of the cosmos.

Death of Madhu Kaitabha

Bhagavata Purana states that during the creation, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma and deposited them deep inside the waters of the primeval ocean. Vishnu, in his manifestation as Hayagriva, killed them, and retrieved the Vedas. The bodies of Madhu and Kaitabha disintegrated into 2 times 6 — which is twelve pieces (two heads, two torsos, four arms and four legs). These are considered to represent the twelve seismic plates of the Earth.

According to another legend, Madhu and Kaitabha were two demons who had become powerful enough to annihilate Brahma. However, Brahma spotted them and beseeched goddess Mahamaya for help. At this point, Vishnu awoke and the two conspiring demons were killed.[1] This led to Vishnu being called Madhusudanah - the killer of Madhu, and Mahamaya came to be known as Kaitabhi.

According to Devi Bhagavata Purana, Madhu and Kaitabha originated from Lord Vishnu's earwax and performed a long period of tapas devoted to goddess Mahadevi. The goddess granted them the boons of invincibility and voluntary death. The proud-filled demons then started attacking Brahma. Brahma sought Vishnu's help but was unable to awaken Vishnu who was still in deep meditative sleep. Brahma then prayed to Mahadevi and she helped awaken Vishnu. The two demons then fought against Vishnu and defeated him. Upon advice from Mahadevi, Vishnu employs a trick to destroy the two demons.[2] Vishnu praises the battle powers of the two demons and says that he is pleased to grant them boons. The boastful demons, proud of their victories against Vishnu, say that they are willing to grant him boons instead. Vishnu cleverly asks Madhu and Kaitabha for their lives and they are forced to kill each other.[3]

References
  1. "Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board :: Holy Shrine :: Mythology & Legends :: The Story of Madhu & Kaithab". www.maavaishnodevi.org. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  2. "The Eternal Tatva". The Hindu. 3 November 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 July 2020. They are invincible and protected by the boons which Sakti had granted. Sakti intervenes and helps Vishnu to slay them by using Her power to delude
  3. "Essence Of Devi Bhagavatha Purana Vishnu destroys Madhu". www.kamakoti.org. Retrieved 15 July 2020.


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