Sages & Others

Putana

पूतना

The Demoness Nurse

Who was Putana?

Putana (पूतना): The Demoness Nurse, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. A demoness sent by Kamsa who came to Gokula as a beautiful nurse with poisoned breasts; the infant Krishna drained her life away, granting her, by his touch, a nurse's place in liberation.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Putana
Sanskrit nameपूतना
Title / EpithetThe Demoness Nurse
FactionSages & Others
Key traitsdeceptive, deadly, redeemed
Featured in1 story

About Putana

A demoness sent by Kamsa who came to Gokula as a beautiful nurse with poisoned breasts; the infant Krishna drained her life away, granting her, by his touch, a nurse's place in liberation.

In Their Words

Come, beautiful child, drink.

Putana

Traits

  • deceptive
  • deadly
  • redeemed

Story Appearances

Places in Putana's Story

Drawn from the story Putana appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.