Kimpurushas Explained
The kimpurushas are a race of beings featured in Hindu literature, described as possessing the bodies of human beings and equine heads. They are associated with, and sometimes considered the same as the kinnaras,[1] though some Puranas distinguish between them.[2] They are attendants of the god of wealth, Kubera.[3]
Literature
Bhagavata Purana
Brahma is described to have created the kimpurushas and the kinnaras from his own reflected image.[4]
The kimpurushas, along with a number of other beings, praise the glory of the Narasimha avatar of Vishnu after he slays Hiranyakashipu.[5]
The beings sing the praises of Mahabali for his selfless deed of offering the three worlds to the Vamana avatar of Vishnu.[6]
Ramayana
Budha transforms a number of women into kimpurushis (female kimpurushas) and instructs them to make a mountain their abode and take kimpurushas for their consorts.[7]
Tirumurai
The poet-saint Appar references the kimpurushas as one among the eighteen classes in his hymns.[8]
See also
References
- Book: Hudson, D. Dennis . The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram . 2008-09-25 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-970902-1 . 589 . en.
- Book: Pargiter, F. E. (Frederick Eden) . The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa . 1904 . Calcutta : Asiatic Society of Bengal . Cornell University Library . 381.
- Book: Joseph O. Gill . Dictionary Of Mythology, Folklore And Symbols, Vols 1 3 Gertrude Jobes 1962 . 2021-05-17 . 928.
- Book: Purnendu Narayana Sinha . A Study Of The Bhagaata Purana . 1901 . 41.
- Book: Ramakrishna Math . Bhagavat Vol. 2 Translated By Swami Tapasyanand Ramakrishna Math . 250.
- Book: Ramakrishna Math . Bhagavat Vol. 2 Translated By Swami Tapasyanand Ramakrishna Math . 377.
- Book: Hari Prasad Shastri . The Ramayana of Valmiki, translated by Hari Prasad Shastri - 3 Volumes Combined - 1709 Pages, with complete Outline . 604 . English.
- Book: T.n.ramachandran . Tirumurai The Sixth St Appars Thaandaka Hymns . 1995 . 507.
