The Slaying of Naraka

The sages told the Pandavas of Narakasura, the demon-king whom Krishna slew, and of how the day of his death became a festival of lights celebrated ever since - the victory of light over darkness, and the rescue of the helpless from a tyrant.

Narakasura was a mighty demon, the son of the Earth herself, who ruled the great kingdom of Pragjyotisha in the east. He had grown vast in power, and by a boon he was protected against almost every death, so that he believed himself invincible. And in his pride and power he became a cruel and terrible tyrant. He conquered the three worlds and oppressed gods and men alike. He stormed even the heavens, stealing the precious earrings of Aditi, the mother of the gods, and seizing the sacred canopy of Varuna and other divine treasures. Worst of all, in his lust and cruelty, he carried off sixteen thousand maidens and princesses from across the worlds, tearing them from their homes and families, and imprisoned them all in his palace, meaning to keep them captive for himself. The cries of these thousands of helpless women, and the groans of the oppressed worlds, rose up at last to heaven.