Raktabija
Raktabija is an asura who is undefeated because of his ability to reproduce himself from every drop of his blood that reaches the ground. Kali eventually defeats him by sucking his blood before it can reach the ground, and eating the numerous clones.
↻ synthesized from 6 sources
When
- First attested
- 500 CE
- Attested period
- 500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Appears in the sixth century text Devi Mahatmyam.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Vishalakshi, Mahavidyas, Madhu-Kaitabha, Daruka, Gauri, Shumbha, Nishumbha, Cāṃuṇḍā, Chanda, Munda, Shumbha-Nisumbha, Narasimhi, Andhakasura, Kauśikī, Katyayini Durga, Vindhyavasini, Yogmaya, Maheshwari, Vaishnavi, Andreye, Aditi, Chamunda, Chandamari, Durgasur, Guhyakali, Navadurgas, Matangi, Bagalamukhi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Dakshinakalika, Smashanakalika, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Nilasarasvati, Jayadurga, Vashuli, Mahakali, Śiva, Lakshmi, Ambika, Parvati, Indra, Bhadrakali, Mahishasuramardini, Pratyangira, Tulja Bhavani, Kaśyapa
- sibling of
- Surapadman, Simhika, Holika, Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha, Vajranaka, Arunasura
- serves
- Kolhasura
- child of
- Diti
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“Later in the same battle, the asura Raktabija is undefeated because of his ability to reproduce himself from every drop of his blood that reaches the ground. Countless Raktabija clones appear on the battlefield. Kali eventually defeats him by sucking his blood before it can reach the ground, and eating the numerous clones.”
#12710 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“The most prominent of her sons were Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha, Vajranaka, Arunasura, Raktabija and Surapadman.”
#30623 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“Then, a demon named Raktabija arrived. Raktabija had the boon that if any drop of blood of his fell onto the ground, a clone of him would be created. When Kalaratri attacked him, his spilt blood gave rise to several clones of him.”
#30989 · extracted by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5