Keshava
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Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Keshava (Template:Langx, Template:IAST3) is an epithet of Vishnu in Hindu tradition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The name appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama of the Mahabharata. Keshava is also venerated by those persons wanting to avert bad luck or ill-omens. His consort is Kirti (Lakshmi).<ref>The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography, Margaret Stutley, pp. 71, 73</ref>
Keshava is an iconographical form of Vishnu.
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EtymologyEdit
Keshava means "the one with beautiful long (unshorn) hair" or "killer of the Keshi demon". According to the Padma Purana, the name refers to Krishna's long, beautiful, looking unshorn hair.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Referring to Sangraha Ramayana of Narayana Panditacharya, Authors Meenakshi Bharat and Madhu Grover says that "The name Keshava refers to Vishnu. The letter 'Ka' refers to Brahma and 'Isha' refers to Shiva. The word Keshava refers to one who animates both Brahma and Shiva".Template:Sfn
LiteratureEdit
A verse from the Vishnu Sahasranama mentions Keshava:
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आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथागच्छति सागरम् ।
'सर्वदव नमस्कारः केशवं प्रतिगच्छति ॥'ākāśāt patitaṃ toyaṃ yathāgacchati sāgaram sarvadeva namaskāraḥ keśavaṃ pratigacchati{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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Just as the rainwater falling on the earth reaches the ocean, in the same way, offerings (namaskara) made to various deities ultimately reach only one God Keshava (Vishnu).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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In Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna uses the name Keshava<ref>Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, pp. 148–149 (v 54)</ref> for Krishna a number of times, referring to him as the 'killer of the Keshi demon':
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"I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Kesava, killer of the Keśī demon."{{#if:Verse 1.30Bhagavad Gita|{{#if:|}}
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The demon Keshi, in the form of a horse, was sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna, but was overpowered and slain (Vishnu Purana 5.15-16).
Keshav is the supreme personality of Godhead who is popularly known as Madhava amongst his devotees. It is also mentioned in the sanaatani scriptures like Bhavishya Malika,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sreemad Bhagwat Mahapuran<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> etc. that by chanting his name "Madhav" all devotees will receive his grace and protection by the end of Kaliyuga.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
SourcesEdit
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (Template:ISBN) by Anna Dhallapiccola
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