Chapter 93 - The Narrative of the Asura Andhaka

The sages said:—

1-5. How did the leading Daitya named Andhaka obtain the chieftaincy of the Gaṇas from Maheśvara after being subdued in the Mandara mountain with many charming caves? It behoves you to recount it in the manner it happened and in the way you have heard.

Sūta said:

I shall succinctly mention how Andhaka was blessed, how he was dessicated on the Mandara mountain and how he attained boons. I shall mention everything briefly. Formerly a son was born to Hiraṇyākṣa. He was comparable to Hiraṇyanayana (i.e. his father in prowess). He was well known as Andhaka. By means of penance he attained great prowess. Thanks to the grace of Brahmā, he attained immunity from death. He enjoyed the whole of the three worlds. Formerly, he conquered the city of Indra sportively and terrified Indra without any strain.

6. All Devas, Nārāyaṇa and others were oppressed, beaten, bound and struck down by him. They became frightened and entered Mandara.

7. After afflicting Devas thus, Andhaka the great Asura happened to come casually to the mountain. Mandara with charming caves.

8. Then all those leading Devas including Sādhyas, approached Maheśa, the lord of all Devas and said thus:—

“We have been split and pierced by the weapons of Andhaka, the king of Daityas. We are of very little virility. Hence, we are quickly struck and split in every limb.

9-10. On hearing thus of the arrival of the Daitya through this leading Gaṇas the lord set out against Andhaka. At that place, Indra, the lotus-born Brahmā, Viṣṇu and other leading Devas and the excellent brahmins shouted victories to the lord from all sides. They kept their joined palms on their crown to show their reverence.

11-13. Reducing the entire host of the Asuras to ashes in crores and hundreds of crores, Mahādeva pierced Andhaka with his trident. On seeing that Andhaka was pierced and that his coat of mail of sin had been burnt, Brahmā, shouted in joy after bowing down to Īśa. On hearing that shout Devas bowed down to the lord and shouted. The sages danced. The Gaṇas rejoiced.

14. Then Devas showered plenty of flowers on lord Śiva. The whole of the three worlds rejoiced with delight and shouted.

15. Transfixed to the trident and burned like a dead body in fire the demon assumed Sāttvika emotions and thought thus in his mind.

16-19. “Previously, lord Maheśvara had been propitiated by me in the previous birth since I have been burned now by Śiva. Hence, this has come to pass. Otherwise, this does not fit in. He who remembers Rudra even once in his mind at the time of death attains identity with him. Why not then he who remembers many times. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Devas including Indra seek refuge in him. One shall certainly seek refuge in him alone.” After thinking thus, Andhaka, delighted in his mind, eulogised Śiva, Īśāna who had suppressed him. It was due to the weightiness of his merit that Andhaka could eulogise thus.

20-21. On being prayed to by him, lord Śiva, the lord of Devas, the dispeller of dejection, said to Andhaka the son of Hiraṇyanetra, who was fixed to the tip of the trident. Glancing at the Dānava, the lord spoke with mercy.

22. “O dear one, I am delighted with you. Welfare unto you. What cherished desire of yours shall I fulfil. O leading Daitya, O Andhaka, choose the boons. I am known as the bestower of boons.

23. On hearing the words of the Jord, the son of Hiraṇyanayana spoke thus to Maheśvara in words choked within, due to excess of delight.

24. O lord. O Śaṅkara, the dispeller of the agony of your devotees, O lord of the chiefs of Devas, I crave for your devotion if a boon is to be given unto me. O Īśa, be pleased.”

25-26. On hearing the words of Andhaka, the great Ātman, Bhava of great lustre granted him pure devotion which is difficult of access. He conferred on him the chieftancy of the Gaṇas. The leading Devas and others bowed down to him who had been thus established in the position as the chieftain of the Gaṇas.