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Story - How Lord Vishnu Got The Name Madhusudana

Madhusudana is one among the numerous names of Vishnu. He got this name after he annihilated the demon named Madhusudana. Legend has it that Madhu and Kaitabha came of Narayana’s ear. This happened at the beginning of a cycle of creation. The story if mainly found in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana and other Puranas.

Narayana lies on the milky ocean and from the navel in his lotus appeared Brahma. Similarly, Madhu and Kaitabha appeared from the ears of Narayana.

They both then attempted to kill Brahma.



Brahma then prays to Goddess Mahamaya to wake up Lord Vishnu. Brahma appeals to Mother Goddess who is in the form of sleep to come forth from Vishnu so that he will awaken and slay the two demons..

Narayana then annihilated the demons and got the name Madhusudana.

As per Shakti Tradition, Vishnu is able to annihilate the demons because he gets boons and blessing from Mother Goddess.

She confuses and creates illusion which makes the demons less powerful.

When the story is explained in the Devi Bhagavatam, Mother Shakti provides all the strength and help to annihilate the demons.