Putana is a demoness from Hindu mythology, sent by King Kamsa to kill the infant Krishna by nursing him with poisoned milk. Krishna, recognizing her divine nature, slew her while granting her spiritual liberation.
Putana
Putana
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Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Putana is described in the Bhagavata Purana as a Rakshasi (demoness) in the service of King Kamsa
- She disguises herself as a beautiful woman to approach the infant Krishna and attempt to poison him
- Krishna suckles her poisoned milk and draws out her life force, killing her instantly
- Despite her evil act, she receives moksha (liberation) because she nursed Krishna, even unwillingly
Works & Achievements
The foundational story in which the infant Krishna kills the demoness Putana by draining her poisoned milk. Considered Krishna's first heroic feat as a child, it opens the cycle of Krishnalilas in the Puranic texts.
The most complete and revered text narrating Krishna's life, devoting several chapters to the Putana episode. The foundation of bhakti devotion, it has been commented upon by thousands of Hindu theologians over the centuries.
One of the earliest texts to give narrative form to the Putana episode within the genealogical framework of Krishna's life. It represents a key milestone in the literary shaping of Krishnaite mythology.
Putana has been depicted in Indian art since antiquity, appearing on bas-reliefs at Mathura and Amaravati: she is shown nursing Krishna or dying in his divine embrace, a powerful motif in Krishnaite religious art.
Theatrical and dance performances of episodes from Krishna's life. The Putana episode is among the most frequently staged, especially in Vrindavan during Krishnaite festivals, keeping the Puranic traditions alive and vivid.
Anecdotes
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Putana was a fearsome demoness capable of shapeshifting into a beautiful woman. To approach the infant Krishna without arousing the suspicions of Gokul's inhabitants, she coated her breasts with a powerful poison before presenting herself as a kind mother wishing to nurse the child.
When Putana took little Krishna in her arms to nurse him, the infant immediately recognized her demonic nature. Instead of being killed, he began to suckle with such force that he drew out not only the poisoned milk, but also the demoness's entire life force, killing her on the spot in terrible convulsions.
As she died, Putana reverted to her gigantic demonic form: according to the Puranic texts, her body stretched across several leagues. The inhabitants of Vraja were astounded, but when they burned her body, it released a pleasant celestial fragrance — a sign interpreted by the sages as proof that Krishna had granted her spiritual liberation (moksha).
Hindu theologians have long pondered the paradox of Putana: although she intended to kill Krishna with poisoned milk, she nonetheless played the role of a nursing mother. Krishna, it is said, always honors whoever feeds him, even unwillingly, by granting them liberation from the cycle of rebirths.
In devotional traditions (bhakti), Putana is held up as a figure of universal redemption: she illustrates that even an evil intention, once it comes into intimate physical contact with the divine, can lead to liberation. Some Krishnaite hymns affectionately refer to her as the “foster mother” of the child god.
Primary Sources
Kamsa sent Putana, the child-slayer, to take the life of divine newborns. Taking the form of a beautiful woman, she traveled through towns and villages until she reached Gokula and approached the home of Nanda. She took the child in her arms and offered him her poison-laced breast; Krishna grasped the breast and drank, drawing out her very life along with the milk.
The demoness Putana, sent by Kamsa, coated her breast with poison and approached the sleeping Krishna. The child grasped her breast and drank, drawing out her life at the same time. Putana let out a terrible cry, her body resumed its gigantic form, and she died, crushing the surrounding forests.
Kamsa, upon learning of Krishna's birth, called upon Putana to destroy the child. She advanced toward Vraja in a seductive form and, having smeared her breast with deadly venom, approached the son of Yashoda. The child grasped her breast with tremendous force.
Krishna, though an infant, grasped Putana's breast and drew out not only the milk but her very life. Purified by this divine contact, Putana was granted the status of Krishna's spiritual mother and was liberated from the cycle of rebirths, ascending to the celestial realms.
Key Places
Village in the Braj region where Nanda, Yashoda, and the young Krishna lived. It was here that Putana came to carry out her murderous mission and met her death — and simultaneously the spiritual liberation granted by the divine child.
Capital of King Kamsa, who sent Putana from this city to eliminate Krishna. Mathura is also the birthplace of Krishna, the central hub of sacred Krishnaite geography and a major pilgrimage site.
Sacred forest on the banks of the Yamuna river, the setting for Krishna's childhood and divine play (*lilas*). The episode of Putana represents the intrusion of evil into this idyllic pastoral world — and its immediate defeat at the hands of the divine.
Vast sacred territory encompassing Mathura, Vrindavan, and Gokul, the setting for Krishna's entire childhood. Pilgrims still walk these lands today in remembrance of the Puranic episodes, including the victory over Putana.
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Épisode du Putana-vadha (destruction de Putana)
Temps mythique ; codifié dans les Puranas entre le IVe et le Xe siècle apr. J.-C.
Bhagavata Purana, Livre X — vie et exploits de Krishna
VIIIe–Xe siècle apr. J.-C. (forme canonique)
Harivamsa — appendice héroïque du Mahabharata
Entre le IIe siècle av. J.-C. et le IVe siècle apr. J.-C.
Représentations sculptées du Putana-vadha
IIe siècle av. J.-C. – époque contemporaine
Théâtre Ras Lila — représentations des Krishnalilas
Tradition continue depuis le XVIe siècle, réformée par Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
