In Hinduism, Andhaka often refers to a malevolent demon.

The Story

Andhaka was the demon son of Shiva, and was created from a drop of his sweat. He was born blind.

After birth, Andhaka was given to Hiranyaksha to be raised, as he had no sons. Later, Andhaka become 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 then duly appeared and Andhaka asked that he be allowed to see, and become immortal - to be able to be killed 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, Vighasa and Hasti) happened upon Shiva and his wife Parvati in a cave, but did not recognise them. They thought that the woman 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.