Narakaasur or Bhaumaasur was a Raakshas who ruled the kingdom of Praagjyotish Pur. Puraan have it that Narakaasur, the son of Bhoo Devee, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Brahmaa Jee after a severe penance. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardships as he tortured them and kidnapped their women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might. Thus he had collected 16,000 women in his prison.

Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishn to save them from his torture. But the problem was that Narakaasur had a boon that he would be killed only at the hands of his mother Bhoo Devee. So, Krishn took his wife Satyabhaamaa, who was the reincarnation of Bhoo Devee, as His charioteer in the battle with Narakaasur.

Krishn attacked Narakaasur. When Krishn fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Narakaasur, Satyabhaamaa took the bow and aimed the arrow at her son Narakaasur, killing him instantly. Later Shree Krishn reminded her of the boon she had sought as Bhoo Devee that she had asked Brahmaa Jee that her son should be killed at his mother's hands only. [At the time of killing she did not know that Narakaasur was her own son.]

Narakaasur Vadh by Satyabhaamaa could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they step in onto the wrong path.

The message of Narak Chaturdashee Parv (Kaartik Krishn 14, the day before Deepaavalee) is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds. It is also interesting to note that Bhoo Devee, the mother of the slain demon Narakaasur, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is also said that Krishn had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood of Narakaasur spattered on His body when he was killed.

The tradition is followed and people offer prayers to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath on the previous day of the Narakaa Chaudas. Hindu light fireworks also on this day which are regarded as the effigies of Narakaasur who was killed on this day.

[ Bhaagvat Puraan, 10/u8]