The kimpurushas (Sanskrit: किंपुरुष, romanized: Kimpuruṣa) are a race of beings featured in Hindu literature, described as possessing the bodies of human beings and lion heads. They are associated with, and sometimes considered the same as the kinnaras, though some Puranas distinguish between them. They are attendants of the god of wealth, Kubera.
Literature
Bhagavata Purana
Brahma is described to have created the kimpurushas and the kinnaras from his own reflected image.
The kimpurushas, along with a number of other beings, praise the glory of the Narasimha avatar of Vishnu after he slays Hiranyakashipu.
The beings sing the praises of Mahabali for his selfless deed of offering the three worlds to the Vamana avatar of Vishnu.
Ramayana
Budha transforms a number of women into kimpurushis (female kimpurushas) and instructs them to make a mountain their abode and take kimpurushas for their consorts.
Tirumurai
The poet-saint Appar references the kimpurushas as one among the eighteen classes in his hymns.
See also
- Kinnaras
- Yakshas
- Gandharvas
References
