# अक्रूर (akrūra)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/akrura

अक्रूर (akrūra) is a Sanskrit word meaning not cruel, gentle, manly, an uncle of Krishna, gentle, not cruel, the name of Krishna's paternal uncle and friend, the paternal uncle and friend of Krishna. Its 18 recorded definitions are grouped into 8 contexts, among them Adjective: Not cruel / Gentle, Adjective (not cruel) & Proper Noun (Kṛṣṇa's uncle), Proper Noun: Akrūra (Kṛṣṇa's uncle).

- **Etymology:** E. अ neg. क्रूर cruel — E. a neg. krūra cruel
- **SLP1:** `akrUra`  **IAST:** akrūra  **Devanagari:** अक्रूर
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akrura
- **Declensions:** 48 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/akrura/declensions.md

## Meanings by context

### Adjective: Not cruel / Gentle (5 definitions)
- not cruel, gentle  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1) [Printed book page 3,1] अ - क्रूर (a-krūra) mfn. not cruel, gentle [ ID=405 ]
- not cruel  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 0005-c ] अक्रूर (akrūra) a. [ न (na). त (ta).] Not cruel
- Not harsh, tender, or gentle.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 002-1 ] अक्रूर (akrūra) a-krūra, a. not harsh, tender, gentle; -parivāra, a. having gentle attendants. [ ID=152 ]
- not cruel or harsh  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 002 ] अक्रूर (akrūra) a. not cruel or harsh. [ ID=111 ]
- not harsh  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 111-a ] a-krūra, a. not harsh. [ ID=16 ]

### Adjective (not cruel) & Proper Noun (Kṛṣṇa's uncle) (4 definitions)
- 1. Gentle, not cruel. 2. The paternal uncle and friend of Krishna.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) [Printed book page 003 ] अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) mfn. ( - रः (-raḥ)- रा - रं (-raḥ-rā-raṃ) ) Gentle, not cruel. m. ( - रः (-raḥ) ) The paternal uncle and friend of KṚṢṆA. E. अ (a) neg. क्रूर (krūra) cruel. [ ID=118 ]
- 1. Gentle, not cruel. 2. The paternal uncle and friend of Krishna.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) [Printed book page 003-a ] अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) mfn. ( - रः (-raḥ)- रा - रं (-raḥ-rā-raṃ) ) Gentle, not cruel. m. ( - रः (-raḥ) ) The paternal uncle and friend of KṚṢṆA. E. अ (a) neg. क्रूर (krūra) cruel. [ ID=117 ]
- 1. Gentle, not cruel. 2. The son of Shvaphalka by Gandini, the paternal uncle and friend of Krishna.  
  *Goldstücker Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) [Printed book page 005-a ] अ (a) क्रूर (krūra) (akrūra) Tatpur. I. m. f. n. ( - रः (-raḥ)- रा - रम् (-raḥ-rā-ram) ) Gentle, not cruel. II. m. ( - रः (-raḥ) ) The son of Śvaphalka by Gāndinī, the pa- ternal uncle and friend of Kriṣṇa. E. अ (a) neg. and क्रूर (krūra). [ ID=161 ]
- 1. Gentle, not cruel. 2. The name of Krishna's paternal uncle and friend.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 0002-c ] अक्रूर (akrūra) a-krūra, as, ā, am, not cruel, gentle; ( as ), m., N. of Kṛṣṇa's paternal uncle and friend. [ ID=145 ]

### Proper Noun: Akrūra (Kṛṣṇa's uncle) (4 definitions)
- an uncle of Krishna  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > [Printed book page 3,1] अ - क्रूर (a-krūra) m. N. of Kṛṣṇa's paternal uncle, Mahābhārata (Title) [ ID=406 ]
- A Yadava, friend and uncle of Krishna.  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — रः (raḥ) N. of a Yādava, a friend and uncle of Kṛṣṇa. [It was he who induced Rāma and Kṛṣṇa to go to Mathurā and kill Kaṃsa. He told the two brothers how their father Ānaka-Dundubhi, the princess Devakī and even his own father Ugrasena had been insulted by the iniquitous demon Kaṃsa, and told them why he had been despatched to them. Kṛṣṇa consented to go and promised to slay the demon within 3 nights, which he succeeded in doing.] [ ID=111 ]
- 1. A Vrishni hero and general of the Vrishni warriors. 2. A king present at Yudhishthira's palace.  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 028-2 ] Akrūra 1. § 232 (Svayaṃvarap.): I, 186, 6998 (comes to the svayaṃvara of Kṛṣṇā).—§ 252 (Subhadrāharaṇap.): I, 219, 7915.—§ 253 (Haraṇāharaṇap.): I, 221, 7990 ( Vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṃ senāpatir; visited Arjuna at Khāṇḍavaprastha together with Kṛṣṇa).—§ 264 (Sabhākriyāp.): II, 4 β, 125 (among the kings present when Yudhiṣṭhira entered his palace).—§ 320 (Saubhavadhop.): III, 18, 736 (a Vṛṣṇi hero).—§ 342 (Indralokābhigam.): III, 51, 1994 ( °Gada- Sāmbaiś ca, a Vṛṣṇi hero).—§ 641 (Rājadh.): XII, 81, 3033 ( Āhukākrūrau, v. the note by PCR., p. 260), 3037 (“Baladeva and others of the Bhoja race are partisans of Akrūra”).—§ 793 (Mausalap.): XVI, 6 κ, 157; 7, 248 (his widow(s) desire to retire into the woods).—§ 795 (Svargārohaṇap.): XVIII, 5 μ, 162 (among the kings that entered the deities, Viśveṣāṃ devatānān te viviśur ). [ ID=364 ]
- A Yadu prince, son of Shvaphalka and Gandini, who welcomed Krishna to Dwaraka, held the Syamantaka jewel, and played a prominent role in the Bhagavata Purana.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > अक्रूर (akrūra) [Printed book page 1-003 ] Akrūra (I) — a Yadu prince; welcomed Kṛṣṇa to Dvā- raka. 1 The foremost of the sons of Śvaphalka and Gāndinī; married a daughter of Ugrasena and had two sons, Devavān and Upadeva (Deva and Anupadeva- Vi ). 2 Stayed in Madhu- rā (Mathurā) when the Yadus migrated. 3 Once visited Brah- maḥrada. 4 Kaṃsa sent for him and asked him to take in his chariot Kṛṣṇa and Rāma to the capital for the Dhanur- yāga (‘festival of arms’) at which they were to be killed. Returned home with this message. 5 When the night passed by, Akrūra started for the vraja of Nanda thinking all the way of the meeting and embraces of Kṛṣṇa and Rāma who had made friends with people of Brindāvan. Reached Gokula by evening. 6 Saw Rāma and Kṛṣṇa in fine deportment and form, milking cows: prostrated before them in divine ecstasy. Welcomed in the proper way by the brothers and Nanda, Akrūra was lost in wonder, and did not feel the fatigue of the journey. 7 Gopis who came to know of Akrūra's mission called him Krūra for taking away Kṛṣṇa from their midst. 8 It was early morning when Akrūra and the two brothers started after morning prayers. Reaching the Yamunā, Akrūra went to the river for a bath, asking the brothers to stay in the cha- riot. But he was surprised to see the brothers in the waters, and at the same time in the chariot also. He also saw Hari reclining on Śeṣa. 9 Akrūra's praise of Hari. 10 Con- gratulating himself on his luck to have had a darśan of Hari, he drove Kṛṣṇa and Rāma to Mathurā before sunset. 11 Invited Kṛṣṇa to his home, and the latter agreed to go to his place only after Kaṃsavadha. Informed Kaṃsa of Page1-004+ 49 Kṛṣṇa's arrival in the camp, and went back to his house. 12 Attended the wrestling match. 12(a Gopis took Uddhava to Akrūra. 13 Was visited by Kṛṣṇa with Rāma and Uddhava to whom Akrūra gave a royal welcome. 14 Kṛṣṇa told Akrūra that they looked to him for guidance, and that he was their guru. Was requested by Kṛṣṇa to go to Hastināpura to find out the exact position of the Pāṇḍavas. 15 Visited Hastināpura and returned to Mathurā after meeting Kunti and ascertain- ing the evil intentions of Dhṛtarāṣṭṛa against the Pāṇḍavas. 16 One of those stationed by Kṛṣṇa to defend the western gate of Mathurā, 17 was consulted by Kṛṣṇa on the eve of his attack on Jarāsandha. 18 A member of the Yādava sabhā. 19 Satya- bhāmā refusing to part with the jewel Syamantaka (s.v.), Akrūra suggested with Kṛtavarman to Śatadhanvan Bhoja its seizure from Satrājita as he had failed to keep his promise to marry his daughter to them. 20 Asked by Śatadhanvan for help against Kṛṣṇa, Akrūra refused; Bhoja Śatadhanvan killed Satrājita, the father of Satyabhāmā, and secured the jewel but placed it in Akrūra's custody. 21 Became afraid, after Śatadhanva's death at the hands of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, and left Dvārakā. Evil portents in the city and cessation of rains. It was said that rain fell where Akrūra lived. Was sent for by Kṛṣṇa to return to Dvārakā; gave his sister in marriage to Kṛṣṇa who after duly honouring him, requested him to show the jewel in public, so that Rāma might not misunderstand him. He did so in the sabhā of the Sātvatas but Kṛṣṇa placed Syamantaka back in his hand. 22 Was sent back to Dvārakā after the Rāja- sūya for its defence. 23 Visited Syamantapañcaka on the occasion of the solar eclipse. 24 Fought with Bhoja, deluded by Kṛṣṇa. 25 Got killed in the Yādava contest at Prabhāsa. 26 Page1-005+ 26 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. I. 11. 16; 14, 28.] [ Footnote: 2) Bhā. IX. 24. 15, 17, 18; Br. III. 71. 113; Vi. IV. 13. 126; 14. 7, 10; Vā. 96. 112.] [ Footnote: 3) Bhā. X. 2. 4 [].] [ Footnote: 4) Bhā. X. 28. 16.] [ Footnote: 5) Bhā. X. 36. 27-40; Vi. V. 15, 9, 12.] [ Footnote: 6) Bhā. X. 38, 1-24 Vi. V. 15. 24.] [ Footnote: 7) Bhā. X. 38. 25-43; Vi. V. 17. 2-25.] [ Footnote: 8) Bhā. X. 39. 21-26.] [ Footnote: 9) Bhā. X. 39. 32-57; Vi. V. 18. 11 and 19.] [ Footnote: 10) Bhā. X. 40. (whole).] [ Footnote: 11) Bhā. X. 41. 4-6.] [ Footnote: 12) Bhā. X. 41. 11-18.] [ Footnote: 12(a) Vi. V. 20. 28.] [ Footnote: 13) Bhā. X. 46. 48.] [ Footnote: 14) Ib. X. 48. 12-28.] [ Footnote: 15) Ib. X. 48. 29-35.] [ Footnote: 16) Ib. X. ch. 49 (whole).] [ Footnote: 17) Ib. X. 50. 20[4].] [ Footnote: 18) Ib. X. [50. (V). 8].] [ Footnote: 19) Ib. X. [52. (V). 15].] [ Footnote: 20) Ib. X. 57. 3; Vā. 96. 57, 97; Vi. IV. 13. 115-26.] [ Footnote: 21) Bhā. X. 57. 14-18.] [ Footnote: 22) Ib. X. 57. 29-41 [1-4]; Br. III. 71. 59 and 83; Vi. IV. 13. 67-90.] [ Footnote: 23) Bhā. X. 76. 7 [5] 14.] [ Footnote: 24) Ib. X. 82. 5.] [ Footnote: 25) Ib. XI. 12. 10.] [ Footnote: 26) Ib. XI. 30. 16.] [ ID=19 ]

### Adjective: Manly / Not impotent (1 definition)
- manly  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > [Printed book page 1308,2] not impotent, manly, Buddha-carita (Title) [ ID=405.1 ]

### Proper Noun: Akrūra (a Nāga) (1 definition)
- a poisonous snake  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 1-005 ] Akrūra (II) — a kādraveya nāga. Br., III. 7. 36. [ ID=20 ]

### Proper Noun: Akrūra (Epithet of Viṣṇu) (1 definition)
- an epithet of Vishnu  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Akrūra 2 = Viṣṇu (1000 names). [ ID=365 ]

### Proper Noun: Akrūra (Mahāsena/Varamūrti) (1 definition)
- a form of Mahasena  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Akrūra (III) — Mahāsena: a varamūrti. Br. IV. 44. 50. [ ID=21 ]

### Proper Noun: Akrūra (Son of Jayanta) (1 definition)
- 1. A son of Jayanta. 2. The father of eleven powerful sons.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Akrūra (IV) — a son of Jayanta, married Ratnā, Śaibya's daughter; father of eleven powerful sons. M. 45. 27-8. [ ID=22 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Goldstücker Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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