Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Dhenuka included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Dhenuka
General information.
A fierce Rākṣasa (giant) with the figure of a donkey. He lived in the forest of Kālī (Tāla). People did not dare to pass by that way fearing this giant. Hearing about him, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and his elder brother Balabhadra Rāma went to the forest. There were several palm trees in the forest, the fruits of which they shook with force. Hearing the noise Dhenuka ran to them. Balabhadra and Śrī Kṛṣṇa beat the giant to death.
Other details.
(1) In Bhāgavata, Skandha 10, it is stated that Pralambaka, Cāṇūra, Tṛṇāvarta, Muṣṭika, Ariṣṭaka, Keśi, Dhenuka and others were the followers of Kaṃsa.
(2) In Bhāgavata, Skandha 10, there is another story that while Balabhadra Rāma, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the other cowherds were looking after the cows an asura entered into the midst of the flock, in the shape of a cow (Dhenu). Rāma and Kṛṣṇa saw him, struck him against a tree and killed him.