The Andhakasuravadha Murti of Shiva is a striking depiction of Lord Shiva slaying the demon Andhaka, symbolizing the triumph of divine wisdom over ignorance. Rooted in powerful legends, this fierce form is seen in ancient temples like Elephanta and Ellora Caves. Discover its story, intricate iconography, and spiritual lessons in this detailed exploration of Shiva’s wrathful yet transformative form in which the Lord taught a lesson to his demon-son Andhaka, and the world.
Among the many awe-inspiring yet lesser-known forms of Lord Shiva, the Andhakasuravadha Murti the depiction of Shiva slaying the demon Andhaka stands out due to its dramatic aura and divine details with which it is included in several important ancient sites. First seen in the gigantic wall sculptures, carved in stone, Andhakasuravadha Murti was later popularized in bronze. Let us look at the story behind this powerful and animated iconography of Shiva.
Andhakasura, meaning "the blind one," was born from the union of Parvati’s sweat and Shiva’s potent heat, in a moment when the great goddesses covered his eyes with her hands playfully, emerging out of the darkness that spread when Shiva’s eyes were closed. Andhaka, due to his blindness and dark colored form, was given to the demon Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashyapu, as his son.
Extremely deformed and ugly looking, Andhaka was laughed at by his brothers. “Why did your father perform such penance only to get a son like you?” Andhaka had no answers. Hurt by their actions, Andhaka went into the forest to perform Tapsya, standing on one leg for 10,000 years. It was a penance that was unthinkable, by gods, demons and sages. He lit a great fire and offered his own flesh as a sacrifice. When there was no more flesh to give, he vowed to offer his body into the fire.
Witnessing his efforts, Lord Brahma appeared in front of Andhaka. He prayed to him that his brothers who disrespected him should be made his servants. Andhaka asked Brahma for immortality, that he would not be killed by gods, demons, Gandharva, serpent, Rakshasa, humans, Vishnu or Shiva.
Brahma was worried. He told Andhaka that absolute immortality was not possible. Andhaka then said, “May all the women of this universe be like a mother to me. If and when I desire any woman out of my boastful pride, that moment shall be the end of me.”
Blessed by Lord Brahma, who also gave him a powerful and appealing body and eyesight, Andhakasura went back to his kingdom, now as an almighty ruler, feared by his subjects and desired by all the women.
Roaming the world, Andhakasura, one day, reached Mandarachal with his army. There he saw a supremely beautiful woman, an ascetic adorned with ashes (bhasma), serpents (sarpa), Rudraksha bead necklaces, adorned with skull garland, with Tirshula and Khadag (sickle). First intrigued and then enchanted by the beautiful lady, Andhakasura approached the ascetic and asked, “Why are you engaged in austerities when you have such a beautiful woman accompanying you?” “Who is this exquisite woman and why is she with you?”
The ash-smeared man answered- “I am one without any birth or death, I am the origin of the Universe and its dissolution. And this woman is the embodiment of my Siddhi (potencies) and my beloved wife.” Andhaka had met Shiva and Parvati.
Andhaka was bonded by Kama (imbalanced passion) and Mada (pride) of his boon. The only desire he had was to win the goddess Parvati. Despite Shiva’s warnings, the demon-king drunk with power and Madira (intoxicants), prepared himself for an ill-fated battle with Mahakala. Lord Shiva on the other hand, entered the forest to perform the Paashupata Vrata, to gain a massive army. In the meantime, Andhaka, along with other demons, reached the entryway of the cave in which goddess Parvati was residing.
Parvati and her companions prayed to Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and other gods. Since no man was allowed to enter the cave of Parvati, the gods transformed themselves into divine female-warriors. Brahmi appeared with Danda (staff), Gauri with divine wrath, Narayani with shankha, chakra, gada and dhanush (bow), Ayendri with Vajra (thunderbolt), Vaishvanari with a fierce form, Nritti with sword and bow, Toyaalika with the noose of Varuna, Kuberi with a goad, and Yaksheshwari as fearsome as a snake. Veeraka was made the commander-in-chief of this army of warrior goddesses who attacked Andhaka’s troops with a fury not often seen.
Shiva was watching over the battle unfold. The goddesses were slaying the demon-army but Shukracharya, the master of Mrita-Sanjeevani (the vidya that brought people back from the dead), was blowing life into the dead demons, reviving the demon army. Seeing this, Shiva-ganas tied Shukracharya, and Mahadeva swallowed him, ensuring that the slain demons stay dead.
Alone, Andhaka continued fighting, facing the wrath of Vishnu’s Kaumudaki gada (mace). Even though Andhakasura was weakened, his Maya (illusionary power) was such, that each drop of his blood that fell on the ground, took the shape of a deformed demon, resulting in thousands of Andhakas populating the battlefield.
Then Vishnu with the assistance of Shiva, took the form of an Ugra (terrifying), Ajeya (undefeatable), Karala (ferocious) and Shushka (emaciated) woman. The multi-armed and enraged Vishnu as the awe-inspring woman, emerged on the battle ground from the ear of Lord Shiva. This goddess was revered by all gods as she ran across the field of blood and mud, drinking every drop of Andhaka’s blood.
Bloodless, Andhaka frantically fought with Shiva. Finally, Mahadeva pierced his withering body with his Trishula and hung it towards the sky. His body began drying due to the sun’s heat and was drenched by rainwater. Even then, Andhaka did not die, but he continued praying to Shiva. The merciful Mahadeva took pity on the already shrunken Andhaka, and blessed him with “Ganapatya-pada”, an important spot among his Gana (followers).
The Andhakasuravadha Murti is a powerful and visually striking representation of Shiva’s battle and victory over Andhaka. He is seen surrounded by his army, with the demon hanging from his trident, creating a valorous and charged atmosphere for the viewer.
Some of the key iconographic elements include:
🔸Shiva is depicted with a wrathful expression, with fangs and twisted brows embodying his role as the ultimate destroyer.
🔸His third eye, often shown open, symbolizes divine wisdom that ultimately purified the heart of Andhaka.
🔸Shiva’s trident is impaling the demon Andhaka, symbolizing the destruction of ignorance and darkness.
🔸Andhaka is usually shown writhing in pain, often depicted as a small figure, symbolizing how ignorance and ill-wit shrink when faced by cosmic wisdom.
🔸Shiva is depicted with multiple arms, each holding divine weapons like the damaru (drum), sword, axe, and noose, symbolizing his control over time, destruction, and salvation.
🔸Nearby, Kali or his ganas are often shown drinking Andhaka’s blood, preventing it from regenerating new demons.
🔸Shiva is either standing in a battle stance or trampling a defeated demon, a balance of power and poise of the Alidha pose, that signifies ultimate victory.
The Andhakasuravadha Murti can be found in many ancient temple sculptures and cave carvings across India. Some of the most famous depictions include:
🔶 Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra - A stunning rock-cut sculpture of Shiva slaying Andhaka is found in these UNESCO-listed caves.
🔶 Ellora Caves, Maharashtra - The Kailasa temple features intricate depictions of this battle scene.
🔶 Belur and Halebidu, Karnataka - Hoysala temple reliefs vividly illustrate Shiva’s confrontation with Andhaka.
🔶 Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, Tamil Nadu - Several depictions of Shiva in fierce forms, including the Andhakasuravadha Murti, are found here.
Andhaka’s story reminds us that:
🔸Pride and unchecked desires lead to ruin.
🔸Even those who err can attain redemption through devotion.
🔸Divine wrath is balanced by compassion in dharmic justice.
🔸Darkness (Andhakara) is destroyed by force, and by wisdom.
It teaches that unchecked ego and desire lead to downfall, but sincere penance and faith can restore one’s spiritual path.
As per the Shiva Purana, Parvati playfully closed Shiva’s eyes, unintentionally casting the universe into darkness leading to Andhaka’s birth.
When Parvati covered Shiva’s eyes, the world was wrapped in a deadly darkness, and out of the darkness, the heat of Shiva’s Tapa and the sweat it produced on Parvati’s hands, Andhaka, a blind, deformed, and dark demon was born.
Andhaka (the blind one) is the son of Shiva who was born without eyesight. His blindness is not merely physical, but philosophical, that symbolises the blindness and darkness of mind, in the absence of right and virtuous knowledge.
Karttikeya, Ganesha, Ayappa, Jalandhara, Sukesha and Andhaka are mentioned as the six sons of Shiva. Some Hindu Puranas also mention Bhauma or Angarka as Shiva’s son. Additionally, Ashoka Sundari and Jyoti are worshipped in some parts of India as the daughters of Shiva.
Notable depictions exist in Elephanta and Ellora Caves, and Hoysala temples like Belur and Halebidu, showcasing ancient Indian artistry.
It represents the destruction of ignorance and the transformative power of divine justice. Shiva is shown slaying the demon, embodying cosmic wisdom.
The moral of the story of Andhakasuravadha Murti is that ignorance, arrogance, and unchecked desires lead to one's downfall, but true wisdom and devotion can lead to redemption. Andhaka, despite his immense power and boons, born from the divine Shiva and Parvati, was blinded by his ego and lust, leading him to challenge the very forces that created him. However, Shiva’s divine justice punished him, also gave him a chance for spiritual transformation, showing that even the gravest sinners can attain grace through sincere penance and devotion.
The Andhakasuravadha Murti is an awe-inspring image in ancient Hindu temples and later metal idols, a perfect depiction of Shiva’s role as the destroyer of andhakara (darkness of ignorance). In its dramatic details, this image is a beautiful example of how ancient sculptors narrated legends from the Puranas through their hammer and nail, etching the material with lines, depths and symbols that brought Lilas, the divine drama to the human world.
Want to read the story of Andhakasuravadha and Shiva’s Lilas in Hindu Puranas? Ready to be impressed by the narrative beauty of Indian statues and paintings? Visit Exotic India Art, where a collection of sculptures and books on Hinduism, Puranas, and art will take you to a world of Indian heritage.
1. Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda
2. Vamana Purana
Your email address will not be published *
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist