E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Krish’na (the black one).
The eighth avâtara or incarnation of Vishnu. Kansa, demon-king of Mathura’, having committed great ravages, Brahman complained to Vishnu, and prayed him to relieve the world of its distress; where-upon Vishnu plucked off two hairs, one white and the other black, and promised they should revenge the wrongs of the demon-king. The black hair became Krishna. (Hindu mythology.)
