Shiva, Bana and Krsna

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The boon that became bane

An asura (demon) by the name of Bana was a great devotee of Lord

Shiva and ruled over his kingdom from his capital at Shonitpura.

 

Once Bana decided to do penance by dancing a thousand different

forms of dance in praise of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was so pleased with

his devotion that He granted him a boon. As per the boon, Lord Shiva

promised to live in Bana's kingdom and protect him in adversity. Lord

Shiva also granted the asura a thousand arms to help him in

vanquishing his enemies. In no time Bana became all-powerful and won

over all the three worlds—heaven, earth and hell. He even overpowered

the devas (gods).

 

After some time, Bana became bored and decided to do penance again.

He danced for days and days till Lord Shiva appeared to ask what he

wanted. Bana replied that with Lord's grace he had overpowered the

entire universe but now that no one was left to conquer, he found his

thousand arms useless. So now he wanted to wage another battle

where he could reveal the prowess of his thousand arms.

 

Lord Shiva found the suggestion by Bana as reeking of arrogance. He

however, told the asura, "One day the pennant on your fort will fall and

you will have to fight a mighty warrior who will destroy all your thousand

arms."

 

Bana was so excited at the boon that he began to wait for the day of the

battle with anticipation.

 

One day, after some time, the pennant of the fort was found broken.

Next moment the guards rushed in to announce to Bana that a man had

been found in his daughter, Princess Usha's room."

 

Bana became livid with rage. He ordered his guards to kill the intruder

who happened to be Aniruddha, grandson of Shri Krishna. A fierce battle

ensued and Aniruddha was taken captive by Bana's soldiers. Just as

Bana was about to behead his enemy, a voice from the heavens warned

him from doing so.

 

Meanwhile, word reached Dwarka that Aniruddha had been taken

captive. Shri Krishna proceeded towards Shonitpura with a large army.

Lord Shiva, as already promised to Bana, had to protect Bana. A fierce

battle raged between Shri Krishna and Lord Shiva and it continued for

days. Finally Shri Krishna pleaded with Lord Shiva, "I am in this battle to

destroy Bana's conceit. Please find a way out of this gruesome fight."

 

Lord Shiva advised Shri Krishna to use the jhumbanastra to knock the

asura down unconscious. Shri Krishna did as advised and knocked off

Bana's thousand hands. Just as he was about to kill the asura, Lord

Shiva came to the rescue of Bana. Bana surrendered to Shri Krishna

and requested Lord Shiva to grant him the permission to remain as his

servant. The request was granted and peace was restored in

Shonitpura.