The word "narakasura" is a Sanskrit term used in Hindu mythology to refer to a demon king who was defeated by Lord Krishna. In terms of pronunciation, the word is spelled as /nəˈrɑːkəsʊrə/ in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "na," is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the second and third syllables, "ra" and "ka," are pronounced with a long "a" sound. The final syllable, "sura," is pronounced with a short "u" sound. The spelling of this word in IPA helps to accurately capture the sounds of the Sanskrit language.
Narakasura, also known as Naraka or Narak, is a demon king in Hindu mythology. In Hindu scriptures, particularly in the epic Mahabharata and the Puranas, Narakasura is depicted as a powerful and tyrannical asura (demon) who ruled the kingdom of Pragjyotisha. He is described as being the son of the earth goddess Bhudevi and Lord Vishnu's boar-avatar, Varaha.
Narakasura is often characterized as a symbol of evil, darkness, and injustice. He was infamous for his atrocities, including kidnapping and tormenting innocent women, terrorizing the people, and challenging the gods. Due to his misuse of power and his wicked actions, he became a threat to the divine order and peace in the world.
Narakasura's ultimate downfall came when he captured and imprisoned around 16,000 women, including the celestial nymphs known as Apsaras, and the wife of Lord Krishna, Goddess Satyabhama. Lord Krishna, along with his consort Satyabhama, waged war against Narakasura to free the captives and restore righteousness. In a fierce battle, Lord Krishna defeated and killed Narakasura, thus liberating the imprisoned women.
The victory over Narakasura is celebrated as the festival of Diwali in many parts of India, where it is believed that the removal of darkness by Lord Krishna's light signifies the triumph of good over evil. Narakasura's defeat also symbolizes the importance of righteousness and the consequences of one's wicked actions.
The word "narakasura" comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. "Naraka" means "hell" or "underworld" in Sanskrit, and "asura" refers to a specific type of supernatural being or demon. In Hindu mythology, Narakasura is portrayed as a powerful demon king who ruled over a region called Pragjyotisha and was eventually defeated by Lord Krishna. The term "narakasura" is commonly used to refer to this mythological character.