Kauravas

Alambusha

अलम्बुष

Rakshasa of the Kaurava Host

Who was Alambusha?

Alambusha (अलम्बुष): Rakshasa of the Kaurava Host, one of the Kauravas in the Mahabharata. A rakshasa master of illusion who fought for Duryodhana and hated Bhima for the killing of Vaka.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Alambusha
Sanskrit nameअलम्बुष
Title / EpithetRakshasa of the Kaurava Host
FactionKauravas
Key traitsIllusive, Vengeful, Cruel, Formidable
Notable relationshipsSlayer of: Iravan, Slain by: Ghatotkacha, Ally: Duryodhana, Enemy: Bhima
Featured in4 stories

About Alambusha

A rakshasa master of illusion who fought for Duryodhana and hated Bhima for the killing of Vaka. Sent against Arjuna's naga-born son, he swallowed Iravan's serpent kin in the shape of Garuda and cut off the boy's diademed head; on the night of the fourteenth day Ghatotkacha bore him down and threw his head into Duryodhana's car.

In Their Words

Cut me into pieces if you can; I am younger each time I rise.

Alambusha

Traits

  • Illusive
  • Vengeful
  • Cruel
  • Formidable

Story Appearances

3 further tales on this site name Alambusha, in canonical reading order.

Character Arc

  1. The CommissionDuryodhana sets him on the son of Arjuna
  2. The Garuda ShapeHe devours the nagas that shielded Iravan
  3. The Head in the CarGhatotkacha flings his severed head at the Kuru king

Key Relationships

Places in Alambusha's Story

Drawn from the stories Alambusha appears in.

Others counted among the Kauravas.