Nikumbha () is the name of multiple beings in

Hindu mythology Hindu mythology is the body of myths and literature attributed to, and espoused by, the adherents of the Hindu religion, found in Hindu texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like ''Mahabharata'' and ''Ramayana'', the Puranas, and ...

, a

rakshasa Rakshasas ( sa, राक्षस, IAST: : Pali: ''rakkhaso'') lit. 'preservers' are a race of usually malevolent demigods prominently featured in Hindu mythology. According to the Brahmanda Purana, the rakshasas were created by Brahma when ...

and a danava.

Legend

Hanuman vanquishes Nikumbha by wrenching off his head

Rakshasa Nikumbha

Nikumbha, the rakshasa, is the son of Kumbhakarna and Vajramala. He is instructed by

Kubera Kubera ( sa, कुबेर, translit=Kuberā) also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism. He is regarded as the regent of the north (''Dikpala''), and a protecto ...

to watch over the

Pisaca Pishachas ( sa, पिशाच, ') are flesh-eating demons in Dharmic religions, appearing in Buddhist and Hindu mythologies. A pishacha is a malevolent being that has often be referred to as the very manifestation of evil. Mythology The ...

s (a type of evil spirit). The Nilamata Purana refers to him as "the noble and strong lord of the Pisacas." Seeing Kumbha, his brother killed in battle, the enraged ran with an iron club towards the battle.

Hanuman Hanuman (; sa, हनुमान, ), also called Anjaneya (), is a Hindu god and a divine '' vanara'' companion of the god Rama. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is an ardent devotee of Rama and on ...

directly attacks Nikumbha, by striking his fist forcibly on Nikumbha’s chest. Unmoved by that blow, Nikumbha lifts Hanuman off the ground. Hanuman in retaliation frees himself and throws down Nikumbha on the ground. Hanuman descends on Nikumbha, pounds his chest with his fist, catches his head and tears it off. Thus, Nikumbha dies at the hands of Hanuman. Krishna and pradyumna

Danava Nikumbha

Nikumbha, the danava, appears in a story of

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is on ...

, where the deity, his brother

Balarama Balarama ( Sanskrit: बलराम, IAST: ''Balarāma'') is a Hindu god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannath tradition, as one of the triad deities. He is also known as Haladhara, Halayudha, Bala ...

, along with the rest of the

Yadava The Yadava (literally, descended from Yadu) were an ancient Indian people who believed to be descended from Yadu, a legendary king of Chandravamsha lineage. The community was formed of various clans, being the Abhira, Andhaka, Vrishni, and ...

clan undertake a pilgrimage to attend a festival. While the Yadavas engage in revelries, Nikumbha abducts a maiden among them named Bhanumati. While Krishna's son,

Pradyumna Pradyumna ( sa, प्रद्युम्न) is the eldest son of the Hindu deities Krishna and his chief consort, Rukmini. He is considered to be one of the four vyuha avatars of Vishnu. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Pradyumna was ...

, rescues Bhanumati, the deity himself slays the danava.

References

{{Ramayana Rakshasa in the Ramayana Rakshasa Danavas Characters in the Ramayana