Story of Bāṣkala

A king of the asuras.

Birth.

Two sons, Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu and a daughter Siṃhikā, were born to Kaśyapa prajāpati of his wife Diti. Siṃhikā became the wife of Vipracitti. Four sons, Anuhrāda, Hrāda, Prahlāda and Saṃhlāda, were born to Hiraṇyakaśipu. Hrāda was the son of Hrada. Three sons Āyuṣmān, Śibi and Bāṣkala were born to Saṃhrāda.

Later history.

Bāṣkala became one of the ministers of the famous and mighty hero Mahiṣāsura. Cikṣura was the minister of law and order. Tāmra was the Finance Minister. Asiloma was the Prime Minister and Biḍāla the minister of foreign affairs. Udarkka was the general of the army; Bāṣkala, Trinetra and Kālabandhaka were members of the administrative council. Śukrācārya was the minister of education. Bāṣkala played an important part in the battle between Mahiṣāsura and Indra. When soldiers were killed by thousands, Mahiṣāsura sent lastly, Bāṣkala and Durmukha. Bāṣkala engaged himself in a combat with Devī who fought on the side of the Devas. Bāṣkala became angry and aiming at the breast of Devī he gave a severe blow with his club. But Devī evaded him with her club and gave him a severe thrust with her trident at his breast and Bāṣkala fell dead. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 19; Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 5).