Kauda (cannibal)

Mural depicting Guru Nanak and his companions encountering the cannibal Kauda, from Gurdwara Lohgarh, Dina

Kauda (Kauḍā) also known as Koda Rakshash,[1][2] is a character that appears in all four major Janamsakhi traditions of the Sikhs.[3] The story occurred during Nanak's second udasi (travel-tour).[4] As per the traditions, Kauda was a cannibal and a yogi belonging to the Kāpālikas sect who used to capture and eat humans. According to the Bala Janamsakhi tradition (the only one that names the figure), Kauda captured Bhai Mardana and was going to cook him in a cauldron but was stopped from doing-so by Guru Nanak, with Kauda surrendering to the guru.[3][5][4][6][7] The event supposedly occurred in a place called Dhanasari Des.[8] One theory believes Kauda belonged to the Bhil tribe.[9][1] The mythology of the Gond tribe of Central India features a demon named Koda or Kodi that captured their ancestor Lingo.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Guru Nanak And Kauda". Discover Sikhism. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Khalsa, Harijot Singh (2 March 2022). "Kauda, Guru Nanak & Your Life". SikhNet. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Singh, Gurnek. "KAUḌĀ". The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism (Online Conversion). Punjabi University, Patiala. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 Singh, Prithi Pal (2006). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Press. p. 14. ISBN 9788183820752.
  5. ↑ Johar, Surinder Singh (1969). Guru Nanak: A Biography. New Book Company. pp. 168–169.
  6. ↑ Singh, Diwan (1993). The Revolution of Guru Nanak. Peoples Publishing House. p. 57.
  7. ↑ Anand, Balwant Singh (1983). Guru Nanak, His Life was His Message: A Biography. Guru Nanak Foundation. p. 108.
  8. ↑ Grewal, Dalvinder Singh (17 March 2015). "The Cannibal & Guru Nanak History". SikhNet. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  9. ↑ Jethuwal, Jaspal Singh (4 November 2019). "Gurū nānaka atē kauḍā" ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਤੇ ਕੌਡਾ [Guru Nanak and Kauda]. Jagbani - Punjab Kesari (in Punjabi). Jalandhar. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
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