Andhaka (3)

A foster son of Hiranyaksha. Shiva was Andhaka’s real father. Once, while Shiva was meditating, his daughter put her hands over his eyes. A darkness arose, and with a thundering sound, a rakshasa emerged from it. Since he was born from the darkness, he was called Andhaka. During this time, Hiranyaksha was praying to Shiva for a son. As per Vamanapurana Chapter 63, Shiva gave Andhaka to Hiranyaksha and told him that if Andhaka earned the illwill of the world, killed a brahmin or lusted after devis, Shiva would burn him himself.

Once, when he was filled with lust, Andhaka called the asuras and told them that whoever brought Pravati, Shiva’s wife to him first would be considered his dearest friend. On hearing this, Prahlad let Andhaka know that Paravati was his actual mother. Andhaka didn’t relent though Prahlad also told him that lusting after another man’s wife was an evil deed. Andhaka sent Shambarasura to Shiva to demand Parvati for him. Shiva replied that he would hand over Parvati if he could be defeated in a game of dice. Andhaka was angry and proceeded to the mountain Mandara to do battle with Shiva. He was defeated , apologised to Shiva and accepted that Parvati was his mother. He also sought blessings from Shiva to help him get over his evilness. According to Vamanapurana Chapter 63, Shiva blessed him and transformed him into an asura chieftain called Bhringi.

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Andhaka (2)

Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 4 verse 12 mentions a king by this name. The Pandavas sent a messenger to him, seeking his army for the Kurukshetra war.

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Andha (3)

Upamanyu was a perfect disciple of a guru named Dhaumya. He once consumed the leaves of the Calotropis plant as per his guru’s instructions and became blind, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 3. Also see Ayodhadhaumya.

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Andha (2)

A creature who lived in an animal form, and obtained a sarvabhutasamhari boon. To protect the world, Brahma then made this creature blind. It soon came to be called Andha, and it started its destructive activities. A few people ran into the forest to seek refuge in Vishwamitra’s ashram. Andha followed them, and Vishwamitra was intimidated enough by Andha to show them to him. because of this deed, Vishwamitra had to go to naraka.

Once Andha was drinking water from a lake. A hunter called Valaka saw him and killed him with an arrow. This story was told to Arjuna by Krishna during the Kurukshetra war for a specific reason. Arjuna hesitated to use an arrow against Karna and a furious Yudhishtira asked him to give the Gandiva to Krishna. Arjuna was enraged enough by this to attack Yudhishtira with his sword. According to Mahabharata Karnaparva Chapter 69, Krishna related this story to Arjuna to make him understand that one could go to naraka even by doing an evil deed unknowingly.

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Antardhama

The son of King Ansh, who was a descendant of Manu. Antardhama had a son named Havirdhama, according to Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 147 verse 23.

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