Sages & Others

Kamsa

कंस

Tyrant of Mathura

Who was Kamsa?

Kamsa (कंस): Tyrant of Mathura, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. The usurper king of Mathura who imprisoned his sister Devaki and slew her children after a prophecy foretold his death by her eighth son.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Kamsa
Sanskrit nameकंस
Title / EpithetTyrant of Mathura
FactionSages & Others
Key traitstyrannical, fearful, cruel
Featured in3 stories

About Kamsa

The usurper king of Mathura who imprisoned his sister Devaki and slew her children after a prophecy foretold his death by her eighth son. Krishna fulfilled the prophecy in his wrestling arena.

In Their Words

Let no eighth child of Devaki draw breath in my kingdom.

Kamsa

Traits

  • tyrannical
  • fearful
  • cruel

Story Appearances

Places in Kamsa's Story

Drawn from the stories Kamsa appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.