Mushtikaghn (मुष्टिकघ्न, IAST: Muṣṭikaghn) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “Slayer of the wrestler-demon Mushtika”. Joining 'Muṣṭika' (the powerful court wrestler of Kamsa) with 'ghna' (slayer), this name exalts the Lord's triumph over demonic brawn through divine grace and skill.

Meaning, etymology & significance

Mushtika was the fearsome wrestler commissioned by King Kamsa to kill Balarama in the wrestling arena of Mathura. When Balarama and Mushtika locked in combat, Balarama struck him down with powerful blows, establishing the supremacy of divine strength over demonic might. This episode, recounted vividly in the Bhagavata Purana, underscores that the Lord's body—though appearing human—is the very source of all cosmic power.

As an epithet, Mushtikaghn is specific to Balarama and hence to Vishnu as the Supreme source of both brothers' power; it is too compound in form for everyday use as a given name. Pronounced moosh-ti-ka-gna, with 'ṣ' as a retroflex 's'.

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Scriptural source

Mushtikaghn appears in the Vishnu Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Vishnu.

Astrology — nakshatra, rashi & numerology

By the standard Vedic correspondence between a name’s first syllable and the lunar mansion, Mushtikaghn aligns with the Magha nakshatra, under the Simha rashi (Moon sign). Its Chaldean name-number is 3.