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Shambaraasur was the son of Maharshi Kashyap and Daksh's one of the 13 daughters married to Kashyap Jee - Danu. Agni Puraan, 7 and Bhaagvat Puraan, 7/2 say that he was the son of Hiranyaaksh.

He had many very well known Daanav sons as his brothers. Some are very well known, such as - Vrishparvaa, Pulomaa, Swarbhaanu, Taarakaasur, Viprachitti etc. He lived for three Yug. H had a daughter named Preetikaaya whom he married to Krodhaasur. He was present in Sat Yug with Hiranyakashyap, and he was present in Krishn's times a lso. He stole Kishn's son Pradyumn also from his birth room.

V-Raamaayan, 2/19, says that Subaahu, who was killed by Raam on His way to Vishwaamitra's Yagya protection, was Shambaraasur's son.

Shambaraasur and Prahlaad
Shambaraasur is mentioned in Vishnu Puraan, 1/9 also in the context of Prahlaad. Prahlaad was one of the four sons of Hiranykashyap (son of Maharshi Kashyap and Diti). He was a great Bhakt of Vishnu,  and that is why Hiranykashyap wanted to kill him. He tried many ways to kill him, but because of his Bhakti he always escaped unharmed. Since Prahlaad was not being killed by anything and anybody, Hiranyakashyap, ordered Shambaraasur to kill Prahlaad. Shambaraasur was good at Maayaa (see "Pradyumn Kills Shambaraasur" below). Hiranyakashyap thought that his son knew some kind of Maayaa that is why he was not being killed by anything, so he asked Shambaraasur to use his Maayaa and kill him. Shambaraasur said - "I will kill him just now. You just watch my tricks. I will show you hundreds and thousands of Maayaa." Then he created many Maayaa to kill Prahlaad, but Prahlaad always remembered Madhusoodan. At that time Keshav's Chakra came to protect him from Shambaraasur's Maayaa. It destroyed Shambaraasur's all Maayaa and protected the child from them. ( Vishnu Puraan, 1/12)

Pradyumn Kills Shambaraasur
Taken from      Bhaagvat Puraan, 10/u5

Shambaraasur Raakshas was killed by Krishn's son Pradyumn who was the Ansh Avataar (part incarnation) of Kaam Dev. Since Naarad Jee had already told him that "Shree Krishn and Rukminee's son will be your killer", Shambaraasur brought Pradyumn from the delivery room of Rukminee Jee when he was not even 10 days old and threw him in the sea to kill him and went to his home. He knew that Pradyumn was his future enemy, so he had to kill him anyway. But the baby Pradyumn was not killed in the sea, a very large fish swallowed him. A fisherman came for fishing there and caught that fish also, which swallowed Pradyumn, along with other fishes.

The fish was extraordinarily large, so he presented that large fish to Shambaraasur. His cook brought that fish to kitchen and cut it with an axe. They found a baby inside the stomach of that fish. They gave that baby to Maayaavatee - the maid-servant of Shambaraasur. She was very surprised to see the baby.

Then Naarad Jee told Maayavatee everything, that the baby was nobody else but Kaam Dev himself, was born to Rukminee, and was swallowed by the fish. Now that Maayaavatee was the incarnation of Rati, the wife of Kaam Dev. She had been waiting for her husband's rebirth since the day he was burned. So the same Rati was appointed by Shambaraasur to cook his food. When she knew that that child was her husband, she started loving him. Pradyumn grew up as a handsome young man in a very short time. He was so handsome that whosoever saw him got attracted to him. Rati used to do all actions as if she were his wife and served him well. Noticing her changing behavior, one day Pradyumn said - "Devee, You are my mother. Why do you behave like this. I can see that you don't behave like a mother but like a beloved."

Rati said - "You are the son of Bhagavaan Naaraayan Himself. Shambaraasur stole you from Rukminee's delivery room. You are my husband Kaam Dev and I am your wife Rati. When you were not even 10 days old, he brought you from there and threw in the sea to kill you. A large fish swallowed you in the sea and I have got you from the stomach of that fish only. Shambaraasur knows many kinds of Maayaa, that is why it is very difficult to win him. You kill your enemy with your Mohan etc Maayaa. Your mother is very sad after you have disappeared from the room." Then Rati taught him Mahaa Maayaa Vidyaa and said - "This Vidyaa destroys all kinds of Maayaa.

Now Pradyumn went to Shambaraasur and invited him for a fight. Shambaraasur came out with his Gadaa in his hand. Both used their Gadaa to fight then Pradyumn thought to use His Mahaa Maayaa. Shambaraasur also used his Taksh, Gandharv, Pishaach, Naag and Raakshasee Maayaa, but all his Maayaa did not work at all against Pradyumn's Mahaa Maayaa. Then Pradyumn picked a sword and cut his neck from his body. After this Maayaavatee (Rati) who knew flying in sky took her husband through sky way to Dwaarakaa Puree.

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