Kamsa

One-line: fear-driven king who imprisons Krishna’s parents and kills their children.

First appears: Book 4, in Book 4 retelling.

Who they are: Kamsa is the tyrant in Krishna’s birth story. A prophecy says Devaki’s child will kill him, and Kamsa responds by turning family into prison. In the Devi Bhagavatam’s version, his cruelty becomes part of the Goddess’s larger plan for Krishna’s descent.

What they do that matters:

• Imprisons Devaki and Vasudeva.
• Kills Devaki’s children out of fear of prophecy.
• Is fooled by the birth-swap arranged through Yoga Maya.

Other names: None in this storybook layer.

Family / lineage (when relevant): Devaki’s cousin in the Krishna story.