Kimpurushas
The kimpurushas (Sanskrit: किंपुरुष, romanized: Kimpuruṣa) are a race of beings featured in Hindu literature, described as possessing the bodies of human beings and lion 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
[edit | edit source]Bhagavata Purana
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]The poet-saint Appar references the kimpurushas as one among the eighteen classes in his hymns.[8]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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