Birth of Andhakasura
It was a beautiful day on the Mount Mandara. Devi Parvati was in amorous mood while Lord Shiva was in deep contemplation. In this state, His eyes were wide open as if trying to see far in the future.
Devi Parvati wanted Shiva to be with Her both physically and mentally. She tried to gather His attention but it was futile. She realized that till the time Shiva’s eyes are wide open He would be continuously thinking about the world and would be lost in His thoughts.
So to divert Lord Shiva’s attention from the world, She playfully covered His eyes with Her lotus like hands. It created havoc on earth. As Shiva’s eyes closed, it engulfed the whole universe in darkness.
Shiva’s closed eyes generated enormous heat and Devi Parvati’s hand started sweating profusely. The sweat oozing out of Devi’s hand fell on the ground and from it was born Andhaka – a strange monstrous, ugly and blind baby. He was born blind because Lord Shiva’s eyes were closed at the time of his birth.
Devi Parvati was terrified looking at Her own offspring, but Lord Shiva convinced Her that she must accept the kid as it was born of their union.
Around the same time something interesting was happening in the demonic world as well. Powerful Asura Hiranyaksa was observing great austerities to propitiate Lord Shiva for a powerful son.
Who was Hiranyaksa and why was he doing Tapasya
Kashyapa Muni, the revered saint and one of the Saptarishis had thirteen wives. These thirteen wives of Kashyapa were real sisters, daughters of Daksha. In the present context we would keep ourselves limited to Diti only.
According to the mythology, during Samudra Manthan, Diti was grossly disturbed by the injustice meted out to Asuras. She requested sage Kashyapa for powerful sons who would restore the lost dignity of the Asuras and thus born Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa.
Another story of birth of Hinyaksh and Hiranyakashipu
According to another belief Diti had a desire to copulate with the sage at sandhya time – a time considered inauspicious and unsuitable for the union. Sandhya time is the time when Lord Shiva and his retinue of ghosts and spirits move around. Sage Kashyapa knew it and tried to explain it to Diti. But she was adamant. It was a protocol of never putting down wives request for a union and so the sage reluctantly agreed.
From this union were born Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. As the two were born due to union at the inauspicious time so even though they were very powerful, they had demonic qualities.
A slight note and digression here, “I have noticed that in many mythological stories the blame of any sexual misdeed is squarely and conveniently put on women, the same can be observed in this story too.
Both Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were very powerful. They married Rushabhanu and Kayadhu respectively. Hiranyaksha was elder among the two and ruled the demon world. The two brothers were very close and had high respect for each other.
In due time, younger brother Hiranyakashipu’s wife Kayadhu gave birth to four sons and a daughter – Prahlada, Sahlad, Ahlad, Anuhlada and Simhika. However, Hiranyaksha and Rushabhanu did not have any offspring.
One day, Rushabhanu taunted Hiranyaksha that his brother had four sons and he has none; so the next king would be Hiranyakashipu’s son and there would be no-one to take care of them. When Hiranyaksha learned about it, he also felt same. He decided to worship Shiva to get a boon of a powerful son.
Shiva gifting Andhakasura to Hiranyaksha
As told earlier, Hiranyaksha was doing severe tapsaya at the same time, when Andhakasura was born. Lord Shiva was pleased by his austerities and asked Hiranyaksha the reason for his tapasya. When Hiranyaksha explained the reason that he was doing tapasya for a powerful son, Lord Shiva wondered at the destiny over which even He had little control.
He knew that Hiranayaksha cannot have a biological son, and Andhakasura was born at the same time while Hiranayaksha was observing severe austerities. He knew that the boy would be very powerful as it was son of Him and Devi Parvati. Lord Shiva revealed to Hiranayaksha that he cannot have his own son, but he can adopt a blind kid who will one day become very powerful. Hiranayaksha accepted Lord Shiva’s offer as a boon and returned to his kingdom with the boy.
We all know that finally Varaha avatar and Narasimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu killed Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. However, this post is about Andhaka, so I would not write about these well-known stories. Let us come back to Andhaka.
The Penance of the young Andhakasura
In his growing years, when Andhaka was playing with his cousins, they made fun of him and sneered at him, “We don’t know why uncle brought him, he is blind and has a weird body”. This taunt made Andhaka aware of his severe bodily limitation and that he would never be able to stand against his cousins. He decided to do penance and please lord Brahma.
Andhaka did serious penance for thousand years, chanting and reciting mantras and leading a life that no God or Asura can do. It was impossible for Brahma to neglect Andhaka any further. He appeared in front of him and asked, “What is your wish my son? Why are you doing such a severe penance?” Andhaka replied, “I want to be very powerful. So powerful whom no-one can defeat and no-one can kill”.
The boon-request brought Lord Brahma in pensive mood and he spoke, “Dear Andhaka, you must understand, everyone who is born has to die. Its a law of nature and can never change.”
Andhakasura accepted Lord Brahma’s explanation and asked, “Can I ask for a long-life?” lord Brahma replied, “Yes you can ask for such a boon.”
Andhaka replied, “Lord give me a boon that no-one can kill me till I cast evil eyes on a mother figure. The most excellent of the ladies in the world of all times, whether of mature, middle or young age, would be like mother to me. She may be rarest in the world, unapproachable to all men – bodily, mentally or verbally. O’ self born Lord, should I yearn to possess her, let destruction befall on me instantaneously, depriving me the position of a ruler”.
Lord Brahma accepted his request and granted him the boon.
Andhakasura – the powerful demon
The boon made Andhaka a powerful demon. He also got his vision back. by the time he returned back, his father and uncle were dead and even Prahlada had left the kingdom. His other cousins soon realized that they were no match to Andhaka’s invincible powers and thus accepted him as their leader.
Andhaka soon made the complete universe subservient to him by winning over Devas, Nagas, Suparnas, Rakshas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Manavs as well.
Indra Seeking help of Narada to eliminate Andhakasura
Powerful Andhakasura defeated Indra several times and also abducted many Apsaras from his court. Tormented king of Gods approached Narada Muni for his assistance in getting rid from Andhakasura.
Lord Narada thought something and went to meet Andhakasura. He was wearing a garland of Mandara flowers that had sweet fragrance. The sweet smell captivated Andhakasura. He asked Narada, ” Where did you get these flowers ?” When Andhakasura learned that Mandara mountain has those flowers, he decided to rule from that part of the world.
It was a trap as Narada muni knew that in this egoistic prideful state sooner or later he would bump into Lord Shiva and would antagonize Lord Shiva who was also residing on the mount with Devi Parvati.
Andhakasura lusting on Devi Parvati
Andhakasura built a beautiful city on the ridges of the Mt Mandhara. One day, three ministers of Andhaka – Duryodhana, Vighasa and Hasti caught sight of Devi Parvati. They were dazzled and followed the beautiful lady. They saw that the lady was living with a handsome ascetic (who else, but Lord Shiva) in a cave.
The charmed ministers informed Andhaka about Devi Parvati. They stressed, “The lady is a real gem. Even among the many beautiful wives of yours, there is none who can match her beauty. She should be your wife.”
The description made Andhaka, desirous of the lady. He drank wine and smitten by the description of the lady’s beauty started from his palace like an elephant in rut.
He reached the place where Lord Shiva was meditating and bullied him saying, “O’ handsome ascetic, you should continue your meditation and prayers. You don’t have any business to own such a beautiful woman. Please surrender that woman to me. Think over my proposal and make-up your mind”.
Andhaka thought that the young ascetic would be afraid of him and his might, and thus will surrender his wife to him quietly.
Birth of Saptmatrikas
Lord Shiva told Devi Parvati that the demon is very powerful and to defeat him he has to do meditation and regain some of his powers. He sought Her permission to go for the meditation.
Devi Parvati told her that she can easily take care of the demon till He returns and allowed Him. As Lord Shiva left Devi Parvati invoked seven Gods to come for Her help till Shiva returns. As Devi Parvati was alone, the Gods felt uncomfortable to go themselves. So they created their female forms and send these seven Goddesses or Saptmatrikas to protect Devi Parvati till Lord Shiva returns.
Seven Saptmatrikas
The seven Goddesses thus created were following:
- Brahmini – This female form of Lord Brahma destroys pride. Like Lord Brahma she rides swan. In her hands she is carrying Akshamala and a pot of water.
- Kaumari – This Female form of Lord Kumara (lord Kartikeyan) destroys Attachment. Her vehicle is peacock and she is wearing a garland of flowers.
- Vaishnavi – This female form of Lord Vishnu destroys Greed. She is riding Garuda and holds Chakra and Gada in her two upper hands and the other two hands are in Abhay and Varada Mudra.
- Maheshwari – This female form of Lord Maheshwara destroys Anger. She rides Nandi and wears a Jata Mukut. She carries trishula in her hands, snakes are her bangles, and the moon sits on her forehead.
- Varahi – This female form of the Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu destroys jealousy. She is depicted with a human body and a boar head.
- Indrani – This female form of Lord Indra destroys fault finding and jealousy. She rides elephant and holds thunderbolt in her hand.
- Chamunda – This female form of Lord Yama destroys depravity. She is carved wearing the garlands of skulls and is shown carrying a staff in her hand.
Andhakasura soon learnt that the hermit has left the cave. He was glad that the hermit abandoned his wife. After waiting for some days, he still waited and waited but the beautiful lady still did not come to him to marry. He sent his army to capture and bring the lady to her. Saptmatrikas defeated and repulsed his army. This stiff resistance from seven women infuriated Andhaka and he decided to lead his army himself so to end all this quickly.
Demon Nila Attacking Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva returned by this time. But, troubles don’t come one at a time. At the same time another demon Nila planned to kill Lord Shiva and arrived in the form of an elephant. Nandi noticed the demon in-time and informed Veerbhadra. Veerbhadra took the form of a Lion, attacked and eventually killed the elephant. He presented the hide of the killed demon-elephant to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva getting ready for battle with Andhakasura
Lord Shiva was ready for the battle with Andhakasura. He wore elephant hide as upper garment; wore Nagas – Vasuki, Takshak, and Dhananjaya as his belt and bracelets and started his expedition in this strange attire. He was carrying with him his powerful trident. Shiva-ganas, Lord Vishnu and other Gods also joined him in the expedition.
Lord Shiva soon cornered Andhakasura and wounded him with His arrow. However to his surprise he noticed that from every blood drop of Andhakasura falling on the ground, another Andhakasura was taking birth. Soon many Andhakasura originated from the exudation of his body with hideous face resembling his own.
Birth of Devi Yogeshwari
At this point, Lord Shiva created Devi Yogeshwari from the flame that was oozing out from his mouth. Yogeshwari went close to the bleeding Andhakasura and collected the blood drop dripping from his body in a bowl, ensuring that none of it fell on the ground. Devi Yogeshwari is believed to destroy lust.
At the same time, Lord Vishnu destroyed all the secondary Andhakasuras with his blazing chakra.
How Andhakasura became sage Bhringi
Lord Shiva seized this opportunity and thrust his trident into the body of the original Andhakasura and started to dance – the dance of death and destruction. Shiva finally transfixed Andhakasura on his trident and held him aloft like a long-pole. Shiva held his body like this for thousand of years . Clouds drenched his body in heavy downpour and wind tore his limbs asunder.
However, the moment Lord Shiva pierced Andhakasura, Andhakasura realized his mistake and why he got defeated in this battle. He realized that he is facing none but his parents and lusted for none else but his own mother. With this realization, transfixed on the trident he started worshiping and praising Lord Shiva.
In the thousand years that followed, he withered to skeleton but still did not stop singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, thus becoming pious and free of sins he committed.
Lord Shiva, knew that Andhakasura has realized his mistake, so He pardoned him, restored his tortured body, and joyously made him the chieftain of His ganas and renamed him Bhringi.
In this manner physically and spiritually blind Andhakasura got a celestial status and become Bhringi – a staunch supporter of Lord Shiva. The message of the story is also that the greatness of Shiva is immense. He protects those who seek refuge in him.
Bhringi Carvings
Bhringi sculpture usually holds a staff in one hand and rosary in another. He has his eyes transfixed on his ishta – Lord Shiva. Legend says that after the incident Bhringi became an ardent follower of Lord Shiva and believed that there is no-one as great as Shiva and even Devi Parvati can’t match Him. This stubbornness lead to the Ardhanareeswara form of lord Shiva. Read about it here
Carving of guards in Shiva Temple
Interestingly, I learnt that according to Shilpasar, there is a set of deities that guard the Shiva temples. The Eastern entrance is guarded by Nandi and Mahakal; Bhringi and Vinayaka guard the Southern Entrance, Nandi and Skanda guard the Western Entrance and Chandi is usually carved guarding the Northern Entrance.
Sculptural details of Andhakasura
Andhakasura sculptures usually have Shiva piercing the body of the demon with his trident. These sculptures also has Goddess Yogeshwari in the panel, holding a bowl collecting the blood dripping from the body of Andhakasura.
As you can see, Shiva has many arms in all the panels of Andhakasura in this article.
In some of these he is carrying a kapala (skull) or a bowl collecting the blood flowing down. In the other hands he is carrying damaru (drum), and a khadaga (dagger). His other hands are holding the stretched skin of the elephant like a prabhamandala. His remaining hand is in tarjani pose.
In topmost panel, goddess Yogeshwari is carved in the form of Kali. Apart from the bowl, she is carrying a curved dagger in her hand. She has an emaciated body and head has a Jatamandala. Above the head of the Goddess is Dakini – half human, half bird, waiting for her prey of flesh.
Devi Parvati is sitting in Ardhamatsyendrasana pose at the right of Yogeshwari Devi, viewing the unfolding events in awe. Saptamatrikas are sitting in Padamasana.
The Andhakasura panel in Pattadakal shows the events in motion, with Andhakasura pinned at one end of the trident, and then successively he is shown being brought down and eventually blessed by Lord Shiva by putting him under his feet.
Tatvachintan behind Andhakasura Vadh
Andhakasura represents ignorance, and Shiva represents the spirit of knowledge. This episode is about the fight between the demon of darkness/ignorance and the power of knowledge.
Knowledge is powerful still a person acquires pure, absolute knowledge only when he destroys the eight evil vices – pride, attachment, greed, anger, jealousy, fault finding, depravity and lust, just like each Saptmatrikas & Devi Yogeshwari did; otherwise even the knowledge leads to multiplication of ignorance, false pride and ego.
References
Elements of Hindu Iconography, By T. A. Gopinatha Rao
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