Banasura: Usha and Aniruddha

Love transcends demon territory

Banasura's daughter Usha dreams of Aniruddha (Krishna's grandson) and has him kidnapped. Krishna, Balarama, and Pradyumna wage war against Banasura, who is protected by Lord Shiva. After an epic battle, Krishna spares Banasura for Shiva's sake, and the lovers are united.

The Thousand-Armed Demon

Among the great asuras of ancient times, few could match the power of Banasura, king of Shonitapura. He was the eldest of the hundred sons of Bali Maharaja - that same Bali to whom Lord Vamana had appeared, and who now ruled the underworld with divine blessing. But unlike his father's gentle devotion, Banasura possessed a fierce, restless energy.

Banasura had performed tremendous austerities and earned a thousand arms from Lord Shiva. With these arms he could wield five hundred weapons simultaneously. He was invincible in battle, a terror to the three worlds. Yet this very power became his torment.

"O Mahadeva," Banasura complained to Shiva, "these thousand arms hang useless. There is no one worthy to fight me. They itch for battle, but where is the opponent? The mountains bow, the oceans tremble, the gods flee. My strength has become my burden."

Shiva, amused by his devotee's strange lament, replied: "One day, your flag bearing the lion symbol will fall. On that day, you will find the opponent you seek. And then, O Bana, you will have all the battle you desire."

Banasura left, half-excited, half-apprehensive. Who could possibly make his flag fall?

A Dream of Love

Banasura had a daughter named Usha, beautiful as the dawn for which she was named. One night, Usha experienced a vivid dream - she was in the arms of a young man of extraordinary beauty, dark-complexioned, lotus-eyed, with a smile that seemed to hold all the worlds' tenderness. She had never seen him before, yet she loved him completely.

Waking, Usha wept. The dream-lover had vanished. She was in her father's fortress, surrounded by demon guards, and the one who had touched her heart existed only in sleep's shadows.