Sages & Others
Namuchi
नमुचि
The Asura Killed by Foam
Who was Namuchi?
Namuchi (नमुचि): The Asura Killed by Foam, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. A Danava who hid inside a ray of the sun in fear of Indra, until Indra made friends with him and swore not to kill him with anything wet or anything dry, by night or by day.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | नमुचि |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | The Asura Killed by Foam |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | Wary, Trusting, Vengeful, Persistent |
| Notable relationships | Slayer and Sworn Friend: Indra, Fellow Daitya: Prahlada, Fellow Daitya: Bali, Judge of the Deed: Brahma |
| Featured in | 3 stories |
About Namuchi
A Danava who hid inside a ray of the sun in fear of Indra, until Indra made friends with him and swore not to kill him with anything wet or anything dry, by night or by day. Indra waited for a fog, took up the foam of water, and struck off his head; the severed head then pursued the god from behind, calling him friend-slayer and wretch, until the sin was washed away in the tirtha of Aruna.
In Their Words
Slayer of a friend! Wretch! Where will you go that I am not behind you?
Namuchi
Traits
- Wary
- Trusting
- Vengeful
- Persistent
Story Appearances
Stories Featuring Namuchi
2 further tales on this site name Namuchi, in canonical reading order.
Character Arc
- The CovenantTakes Indra's oath and comes out of the sun
- The FogBeheaded with water foam at neither day nor night
- The AccusationHis head follows the god of heaven, naming his crime
Key Relationships
Places in Namuchi's Story
Drawn from the stories Namuchi appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.