Madhu

In Hindu mythology, one of the two
demons who attempt to kill the god
Brahma; the other demon is Kaitabha.
The story is recounted in several mythic
sources with some marked differences
between stories. All versions agree that
Madhu and Kaitabha are born from the
god Vishnu’s ear wax during the period
of cosmic dissolution (pralaya). As the
creation of the world begins anew, a
lotus sprouts from Vishnu’s navel. It
opens to reveal the creator-god Brahma,
who is immediately menaced by Madhu
and Kaitabha. In all versions of the
myth, Brahma appeals for help, and
Vishnu tricks the demons and slays
them. The difference in the stories
pertains to the deity to whom Brahma
appeals for help. The story first
appears in the mythology of Vishnu;
here Brahma invokes Vishnu. Yet this
same story also appears in the
Devimahatmya, the earliest source in
which the Mother Goddess appears as
the supreme divine power. In this version, Brahma’s hymn of praise is to the
Goddess, who in her form as Yoganidra
(“sleep of yoga”) has lulled Vishnu into a
cosmic stupor, rendering him unable to
come to Brahma’s aid. Pleased by
Brahma’s praise, the Goddess withdraws
her influence over Vishnu; he awakens,
and slays the demons.