Andhakasura, Andhakāsura, Andhaka-asura, Amdhakasura: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Yoga
2. Jyotisha
3. Shaivism
4. Shilpashastra
5. Kavya
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Andhakasura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Yoga and Yantra

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर), the lord of the asuras, became so powerful by the practice of asceticism that he did not shrink from affronting the gods. The latter complained of this to Śiva. At the same moment Andhakāsura appeared on mount Kailāsa, intending to abduct Pārvatī. Thereupon Śiva joined battle against the asuras; he used the famous snakes Vāsuki, Takṣaka and Dhanañjaya as girdle and necklet.

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Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Jyotish Teachings: Maṅgala (Mars)

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर).—Legend, associated with the birth of Maṅgala, has it that Andhakāsura was granted the boon that on being injured in war, another Andhakāsura will arise from each drop of his blood that falls on earth, making him virtually immortal in war. He then began harming others in cluding the sages and even the Devas (gods). None could defeat him in war, as every time he was mortally wounded and blood began to drop from his body another Andhakāsura would be born to harass his enemies. All of his enemies then went to Lord Śiva, seeking his help in destroying Andhakāsura.

Lord Shiva fought with Andhakāsura at Avanti (modern day Ujjain), but due to the boon granted to him each drop of his b lood would create another Andhakāsura, the war was prolonged. Lord Shiva then wiped his brow and some sweat fell off the Lord’s brow on the ground, giving birth to Maṅgala (which is why he is called Bhauma, ‘the son of earth’). The Lord then hurled his trident at the heart of Andhakāsura and the blood that shot out of him was drunk / absorbed by Maṅgala, not allowing it to fall to earth and thus Andhakāsura was killed in combat.

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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śaivism)

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर), on seeing Girijā, the consort of Śiva, with a gorgeous beauty, was troubled by the god of love. To subdue his pride, Śiva went to war with him. But the demon was blessed with a boon that another Andhakāsura will be born when a drop of his blood touches the earth. Now Śiva with his army of gaṇas was in difficulty because hundreds and thousands of Andhakāsura were joining the demon with his blood drops due to the wounds caused during the fight. Śiva prayed to Viṣṇu and the latter created mother goddesses who were able to quench their thirst with the blood. So Śiva could spit his trident in the chest of the demon.

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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śilpa)

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर) is found as a sculpture on the fourth pillar of the maṇḍapa of the temple of Kāśīviśveśvara.—This scene is again in three dimensions. The main theme of the sport of Śiva is that he kills the demon Andhakāsura and thus frees the world from his tyranny. The image is similar to the one in the Lokeśvara except that there is a prologue and an epilogue here. Śiva is shown spitting his trident in the chest of the demon. The jaṭā of Śiva is like that of Pāśupata saints. He has eight hands with usual attributes. In the third right hand he holds lakula, a stick. To the right is the prologue to the story. The haughty demon is shown facing Śiva.

To the left of the panel is the epilogue. Śiva is dancing throwing his hands in karihasta and sandaṃśa, feet in sama and kuñcita. Śiva danced after killing and spitting the demon. At this joyous moment the demon prays to Śiva, eulogizing him. Pleased Śiva pardons the demon and gives him the place of a gaṇa in his entourage. Probably that gaṇa is shown at the feet of Śiva.

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Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर) or simply Andhaka is the name of an Asura, as mentioned in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 114. Accordingly, “... when the goddess [Pārvatī] had said this, she ceased; and at that very moment the Asura Andhaka came there, having heard of the absence of Śiva. The presumptuous Asura hoped to win the goddess, but having been reproached by her attendants he departed; but he was slain on that account by the god, who discovered the reason of his coming, and pursued him”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Andhakāsura, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

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Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Andhakāsura (अन्धकासुर):—[karmadharaya compound] m.

(-raḥ) The demon Andhaka q. v. E. andhaka and asura.

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Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Aṃdhakāsura (ಅಂಧಕಾಸುರ):—[noun] name of a mythological demon slain by Śiva.

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 8 books and stories containing Andhakasura, Andhakāsura, Andhaka-asura, Amdhakasura, Aṃdhakāsura; (plurals include: Andhakasuras, Andhakāsuras, asuras, Amdhakasuras, Aṃdhakāsuras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 3.7 - Andhakasura-murti (conquest of Andhaka Asura) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]

Chapter 4.6 - (f) Symbology of Trisula (the trident) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]

Temples in Tirukkoyilur (13th year) < [Chapter X - Historical Survey]

Temples in Kilur (near Tirukkoyilur) < [Chapter II - Temples of Parantaka I’s Time]

Temples in Kodumbalur < [Chapter IV - Temples of Sundara Chola’s Time]

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7. Fight with Andhakāsura < [Chapter 5 - Rudra-Śiva in the Purāṇic Literature]

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