Andhaka

Andhaka
Andhaka
Shiva slays Andhaka, c. 1590, a translation of Harivamsa commissioned by Akbar
AffiliationAsura
GenderMale
Genealogy
ParentsHiraṇyākṣa (adoptive father in some Puranas)
Shiva and Parvati (parents; in some Puranas)
ChildrenAdi[1]

In Hindu literature, Andhaka (Sanskrit: अन्धक, IAST: Andhaka; lit. "He who darkens") refers to a malevolent asura, whose pride is vanquished by Shiva and Parvati.[2]

His story finds mention in various Hindu texts, including the Matsya Purāṇa, the Kūrma Purāṇa, the Liṅga Purāṇa, the Padma Purana, and the Shiva Purana.[3] He is believed to have one thousand heads, and one thousand arms, and also having two thousand eyes. In another version, he has two thousand arms, and two thousand legs.[4] In some versions of his story, Andhaka is described as a son of Shiva and Parvati.[5][6]

  1. ^ Williams, George M. (27 March 2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
  2. ^ .Stella Kramrisch (January 1994). The Presence of Siva. Princeton University Press. p. 375. ISBN 978-0-691-01930-7.
  3. ^ B. K. Chaturvedi (2004). Shiva Purana. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 106. ISBN 978-81-7182-721-3.
  4. ^ Gopal, Madn (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 67.
  5. ^ Charles Dillard Collins (1988). The Iconography and Ritual of Siva at Elephanta. SUNY Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7914-9953-5.
  6. ^ George M. Williams (2008). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. Oxford University Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.