Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Andhaka included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana�).
Story of Andhaka
An Asura.
Birth.
This Asura was the foster son of ᾱṇyṣa. Ś was really his father. While once Ś was immersed in yoga his daughter closed his eyes playfully with her hands, and lo! a darkness rose and enveloped the whole place. From that darkness, with a sound as that of thunderbolt, appeared a ṣa. He got the name Andhaka as he was born from darkness. At that time ᾱṇyṣa was doing tapas for a son. Ś appeared before him and bestowing on him Andhaka as a foster son said as follows: "If he (Andhaka) earns the hatred of the world or desires even the mother of the three worlds or kills brahmins I will myself burn him to ashes". After saying this Ś disappeared. (峾Բ ʳܰṇa, Chapter 63).
Andhaka desires ī with lust.
One day overcome by erotic passion Andhaka said to his henchmen as follows: "He is my true friend who brings Ś’s consort, ī to me. Yes, he is my brother, nay, father even." Hearing these ravings of Andhaka, ʰ岹 went to him and convinced him that ī, in fact was his mother. But Andhaka was not quietened. Then ʰ岹 explained to him the gravity of the sin of desiring other people’s wives. Even this had no effect on Andhaka. He sent Śambarāsura to Ś to ask for and bring ī to him. Ś sent word to Andhaka that if the latter would defeat him in the game of dice ī would be sent to him. Andhaka got enraged and rushed to mount Mandara and began a fight with Ś.
Death.
Defeated in the encounter, Andhaka craved for Ś’s pardon. He admitted that ī was his mother. He also prayed for Ś’s blessings for removal of his Asurahood. Ś granted him the prayers. The sins and Asurahood of Andhaka were thus ended. Ś made him the head of the Asuras, named ṛṅ. (峾Բ ʳܰṇa, Chapter 63 etc.).