He is the demon previously known as Ravana. Although vanquished, like any villain worth a film script he came back for a sequel. This time with only four arms and three eyes and the name Sisupala.

First of all he was only a baby. He came with a warning that he must be loved and adored — otherwise he would turn really nasty. Especially if he sat on the knee of someone who wanted to do away with him.

In this new incarnation, Sisupala now had mortal parents who lived in a palace. They were often held lavish banquets and were visited by celebrities. Getting used to being loved, the toddler demon would run over to these strangers and climb onto their laps. You can see where this is going, can’t you?

One day his old arch enemy Krishna came visiting. The moment he sat down, Ravana rushed him and clambered onto his knee. Krishna muttered something extremely uncharitable and the baby’s extra demon arms and eye disappeared.

The parents were delighted. “He’s cured!” they cried. But little Sisupala was not happy — he enjoyed being a little devil and always being noticed.

He brooded for a long time but grew up seemingly normal and even found a prospective wife, Rukmini. She was not at all keen but arrangements went ahead against her wishes, so she wrote to Krishna.

He came flying to the rescue, whisked her off and married her himself. After that Sisupala plotted and planned to ambush and destroy Krishna who smiled and enjoyed it all. He just loved being grudged. What were another hundred failed attempts on his life?

Then at an important sacrifice held by King Yudhishthira, SISUPALA insulted KRISHNA face to face and also drew his sword to start off by slaughtering the king. This was too much. Krishna cried ‘Drop the Disc!’ and down came the Sun Disc, slicing Sisupala neatly in two.

His blood gushed out in a fiery pool and lapped over Krishna’s feet. Part of his spirit is now absorbed into Krishna so the demon did get a partial revenge.

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Article last revised on November 04, 2018 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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