Andhaka

In Hinduism, Andhaka (अंधक) often refers to a malevolent demon.

Story

Shiva as Bhairava slaying the demon Andaka, Elephanta Caves

Shiva kills the demon Andhaka - ca. 1590 (painted) Razmanama

The name "Andhaka" refers to "the blind one." Some commentators say that the symbology of Andhaka being born "blind" relates to the passage of the soul to enlightenment and the conflict of the soul with the Divine. [Needs References.]

It is said that Andhaka was born blind as a son to Lord Shiva. After birth, Andhaka was given to the demon Hiranyaksha to be raised, as Hiranyaksha had no sons. Hiranyaksha spent many years in prayer to Lord Shiva and requested a son as a boon. Lord Shiva provided Hiranyanksha with his own son, Andhaka. Later, Andhaka became the king of Hiranyaksha's kingdom.

Shortly after becoming king Andhaka discovered that his cousins were plotting to overthrow him, so he retreated to the forest to meditate. He fasted and stood upon one leg for more than one million years, chopping off parts of his body as a sacrifice to Brahma as he waited.

Brahma finally appeared and Andhaka asked that he be allowed to see, and become immortal — to be able to be killed by no-one. Brahma agreed so long as Andhaka named the circumstances of his own death, to which Andhaka said he would die if he ever chose to marry a woman who is like a mother to him.

Andhaka returned to his kingdom and quickly calmed the problems with his cousins.

Some millions of years later, three of Andhaka's generals (Duryodhana [This is not the Duryodhana from the Mahabharata], Vighasa and Hasti) happened upon Shiva and Parvati in a cave, but did not recognise them. They thought that the woman was beautiful enough for their king, and so hurried back to tell him the good news.

Andhaka asked them to return and ask for the woman in marriage. Shiva refused and Andhaka rushed to the cave to do battle.

There then followed a battle that lasted for hundreds of years and involved many other gods and demons, but finally Shiva killed Andhaka by thrusting his trident through his son's chest. In some accounts, Lord Shiva held Andhaka on His (Lord Shiva's) trident until the Sun withered away Andhaka's sins. After that time, Andhaka was purified by the Lord's touch and became a Gana (attendant) to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.