Mayasura | |
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The great demon architect | |
Krishna requests Mayasura build a palace for the Pandavas | |
Affiliation | Asura |
Personal information | |
Parents |
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Siblings | Shringaketu, Kumbhaketu, and others |
Spouse | Hema |
Children | Mayavi, Dundubhi and Mandodari |
In Hindu scriptures, Maya (Sanskrit: मय) or Mayāsura (मयासुर) was a great ancient king of the asuras, daityas and rākṣasa races[citation needed]. Maya was known for his brilliant architecture. In Mahabharata, Mayasabha – the hall of illusions – was named after him.
Mayasura had befriended a Nāga named Takshaka and lived with him in the area of Khandavprastha along with his family and friends, but when the Pandavas came there after the partition of Hastinapur, Arjun burnt the entire forest, forcing Takshaka to flee and killing everyone else. This made Mayasura decide to surrender to the Pandavas. Krishna was ready to forgive him and in return, Mayasura built a grand palace named Maya-Mahal / MayaSabha, where the Pandavas would perform the Rajsuya Yagna. Mayasura also offers him gifts like a bow, a sword etc. He gives a mace to Arjuna's brother Bhima named Vrigodharam.[1] In some versions of the Mahabharata he also gives Arjuna the Gandiva bow.
In Ramayana he is the husband of Hema[2][3] and the father of Mayavi, Dundubhi and Mandodari, the beautiful wife of Ravana, King of Lanka.[4]