andhaka

andhaka mfn. (-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) Blind. m. (-kaḥ)

1 The name of a country, apparently Behar.

2 The name of a king.

3 Of a Muni.

4 Of an Asura.

E. andha to be blind, and kan aff.

andhaka (kaḥ) 1. m. The name of a
country, king, demon, &c.

andhaka 1. m. f. n. (-ndhakaḥ-ndhikā-ndhakam) Blind. E. andha, taddh. aff. ka.

2. m. (-kaḥ) A proper name of: ¹ a demon, a son of

Kaśyapa and Diti ‘with thousand arms and heads, two

thousand eyes and feet and called Andhaka because he walked

like a blind man although he saw very well’; in his attempt

of taking a Pārijāta tree of the Swarga he was slain by

Śiva (see andhakaghātin, andhakaripu); ² a grandson of Kroṣṭṛ,

and son of Yuddhājita, who together with his brother Vṛṣṇi

is the ancestor of the celebrated family of the Andhaka-

Vṛṣṇis; ³ a grandson of Vṛṣṇi (the brother of Andhaka)

and son of Śvaphalka by Gāṇḍinī; ⁴ a son of Sattwat, be-

longing to the same family, by Kauśalyā; ⁵ a son of Bhīma

(of the same family) and father of Revata. [The forgoing

lineage, 2--5, is taken from the Harivanśa. In the Linga

Purāṇa an Andhaka is a son of Nahusha who, according

to other Purāṇas, is the ancestor of Kroṣṭṛ; in the Kūrma

Purāṇa an Andhaka is a son of Anśa and father of Sāttvata,

while in the Viṣṇu P. a prince of that name is mentioned

as the son of Sāttvata who is apparently the same as the

Sattwat of the Hariv.] ⁶ The name of a Muni (in the Padma-

purāṇa).

3. m. plur. (-kāḥ) The descendants of Andhaka (2. 2),

(usually mentioned together with the Vṛṣṇis; see andhaka-

vṛṣṇi), apparently the ancient inhabitants of Berar.

4. f. (-ndhikā) ¹ Night. ² A kind of play or gambling.

³ A disease of the penis (? the same as sarṣapī q. v.). ⁴ A

diseased eye. ⁵ A woman. [The two latter meanings from

the Śabdaratnāvalī, where the word is thus explained: andhikā

rajanī nārī dyūtabhede'kṣṇi dūṣite.] E. andha, taddh. aff. kan.

andhaka andha + ka. I. adj., f. dhikā,

Blind. II. m. A proper name.

Andhaka, as, ā, am, blind; (as), m., N. of an

Asura, a son of Kaśyapa and Diti; N. of a descen-

dant of Yadu and ancestor of Kṛṣṇa and his descen-

dants; N. of a Muni. —Andhaka-ghātin, ī, m. or

andhaka-ripu, us, m. or andhakāri (°ka-ari), is,

m. or andhakāsuhrid (°ka-as°), m. epithet of Śiva,

the slayer or enemy of the Asura Andhaka. —Andha-

ka-varta, as, m., N. of a mountain. —Andhaka-

vṛṣṇi, ayas, pl. m. descendants of Andhaka and

Vṛṣṇi.

andhaka a. the same; m. pl. N. of a princely race.

andhaka andha-ka, a. blind; m. N. of an Asura:
-ghātin, m. N. of Śiva; -ripu, m. id..

andhaka mfn. blind

andhaka m. N. of an Asura (son of Kaśyapa and Diti)

of a descendant of Yadu and ancestor of Kṛṣṇa and his descendants

N. of a Muni.

andhaka

mfn. (-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) Blind.

m. (-kaḥ)

1. The name of a country,
apparently Behar.

2. The name of a king.

3. Of a Muni.

4. Of an
Asura.

E. andha to be blind, and kan aff.

andhaka a. [andh-kan] Blind; andhakaḥ kubjakaścaiva Pt. 5.91. -kaḥ 1 N. of an Asura, son of Kasyapa and Diti and killed by Śiva. [He is represented as a demon with 1000 arms and heads, 2000 eyes and feet, and called Andhaka, because he walked like a blind man, though he could see very well; sa vrajatyandhavadyasmā- danandho'pi hi bhārata | tamandhako'yaṃ nāmneti procustatra nivāsinaḥ || He was slain by Śiva when he attempted to carry off the Pārijāta tree from heaven; whence Śiva is called Andhakaripu, -ari, -dviṣ &c. According to the Matsya Purāṇa Andhaka was admitted to the class of Gaṇas by Śiva, at his importunities and humble supplication, when he was about to be killed by the god for having attempted to carry off his wife Pārvatī]. -2 N. of a descendant of Yadu and ancestor of Krisna and his descendants, a grandson of Krostu, son of Yudhājit who, together with his brother Vrisni is the ancestor of the celebrated family of Andhakavrisnis; P.IV.1.114, VI.2.34. -3 N. of a sage, son of Mamatā and of Utathya, elder brother of Bṛihaspati. -Comp. -ariḥ -ripuḥ, -śatruḥ, -ghāti, -asuhṛḍh &c. slayer of Andhaka, epithets of Śiva. -vartaḥ N. of a mountain. -vṛṣṇi m. pl. descendants of andhaka and vṛṣṇi.

andhaka- a. aveugle; m. n. d'un Asura et d'autres personnages; pl. d'un peuple.

°ghātin- °ripu- m. Śiva.

andhakāntaka- m. Śiva.

andhaka (von andha)

1) adj. blind PAÑCAT. V, 77. VET. 32, 13.

— 2) N. pr.

a) eines Asura, eines Sohnes des Kaśyapa von der Diti: sa vrajatyandhavadyasmādanandho 'pi hi bhārata . tamandhako 'yaṃ nāmneti procustatranivāsinaḥ .. HARIV. 8209. wird von Śiva erschlagen 8199 - 8300. R. 3, 35, 93. KATHĀS. 1, 19. andhakanibarhaṇa heisst der 16te Adhyāya im KŪRMA-P. Verz. d. B. H. 128. Vgl. andhakaghātin, andhakaripu, andhakāsuhṛd .

— b) eines Fürsten und eines von diesem abgeleiteten Geschlechts. In Verbindung mit vṛṣṇi P. 4, 1, 114. 6, 2, 34. DRAUP. 5, 16. MBH. 16, 140. Beide sind Söhne Kroṣṭu's von der Mādrī HARIV. 1908. Satvant's von der Kauśalyā 2000. Satvata's VP. 424. Ind. St. I, 212. Andhaka ein Sohn Bhīma's und Vater Revata's HARIV. 5248. sudaṃṣṭraṃ ca sacāruṃ (LANGLOIS: sucāru) ca kṛṣṇamityandhakāstrayaḥ 2039. LIA. I, 697, N. 2. Anh. XXVII, N. 1. XXVIII. WEBER, Lit. 176.

andhaka

2)

b) N. pr. eines Sohnes des Vibudha R. GORR. 1, 73, 9. 10. Vgl. mahāndhraka .

— 3) f. ā N. eines Nakṣatra, = invakā WEBER, Nakṣ. 2, 370.

andhaka m. andhapuṣpikā f. und andhāka m. eine best. Pflanze DHANV. 4, 88.

andhaka

— 1) Adj. blind.

— 2) m.

— a) Koriander BHĀVAPR. 1,169,9. * = andhapuṣpikā DHANV. 4,88.

— b) N.pr.

— α) eines von Śiva erschlagenen Asura.

— β) verschiedener Männer. Pl. ihr Geschlecht.

— 3) f.

— a) andhakā das Mondhaus Invakā.

— b) *andhikā

— α) Nacht.

— β) ein best. Spiel.

— γ) krankes Auge.

— δ) Frauenzimmer.

— ε) = sarṣapī und siddhā.

andhaka 2. b)g) N. pr. eines Schergen Yama's, Kāśīkh. 8, 71.

andhaka ° = andhayatīty andhakamca gūḍhakriyāpadādi, H.43, 221.

andhaka m. nomen regionis. DR. 5. 16.

andhaka pu0 andha—ṇvul . daityabhede sa ca daityaḥ ditau
kaśyapādutpannaḥ tasya vareṇa mahādevairabadhyatāmāpede yathoktaṃ
harivaṃśe 145 a0 “ditiruvāca hataputtrā'smi bhagavan!
devairdharmmabhṛtāmbara! . abadhyaṃ puttramicchāmi devairamita-
vikramam . kaśyapa uvāca . abadhyaste sutī devi!
dākṣāyaṇi! bhavediti . devānāṃ saṃśayo nātra kaścit
kamalalocane! . devadevamṛte rudraṃ tasya na prabhavāmyaham .
ātmā tataste puttreṇa rakṣitavyo hi sarvvathā . anvālabhata
tāṃ devīṃ kaśyapaḥ satyavāgatha . aṅgulyodaradeśe tu sā putraṃ
suṣuve tataḥ . sahasrabāhuṃ kauravya! sahasraśirasaṃ tathā .
dvisahasrekṣaṇañcaiva tāvaccaraṇameva ca . sa vrajatyandhavadyasmādana-
ndho'pi hi bhārata! . tamandhako'yaṃ nāmneti procustatra
nivāsinaḥ . abadhyo'smīti lokān sa sarvvān bādhati
bhārata! . haratyapi ca ratnāni sarvvāṇyātmabalāśrayāt .
vāsayatyātmavīryyeṇa nigṛhyāpsarasāṃ gaṇān . svaveśmanyū-
rjjito'tyarthaṃ sarvvalokabhayaṅkaraḥ . paradārāpaharaṇaṃ para-
ratnavilopanam . cakāra satataṃ mohādandhakaḥ pāpaniścayaḥ”
iti “niśitatriśūladīritāndhakamahāsura iti” kāda0 .
andha eva andhakaḥ svārthe kan . munibhede sa ca vṛha-
spatijyeṣṭhabhrātuḥ utathyāt mamatāyāmutpannaḥ vṛhaspati-
śāpādandhatvamāpede . tasya jātyandhatvāt dīrghatamā iti
nāmāntaraṃ tatkathā bhā0 ā0 pa0 104 a0 “uta-
thyasya yavīyāṃstu purodhāstridivaukasām . vṛhaspatirvṛ-
hattejā mamatāmanvapadyata .. uvāca mamatā tantu devaraṃ
vadatāmbaram .. antarvatnī tvahaṃ bhrātrā jyeṣṭhenāramyatā-
miti . ayañca me mahābhāga! kukṣāveva vṛhaspate! .
autathyo vedamatrāpi ṣaḍaṅgaṃ pratyadhīyata .. amodharetāstva-
ñcāpi dvayornnāstyatra sambhavaḥ . tasmādevaṃ gate'dya tvamupāra-
mitumarhasi .. evamuktastayā samyak vṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ .
kāmātmānaṃ tadātmānaṃ na śaśāka niyantritum .. sa babhūva
tataḥ kāmī tayā sārddhamakāmayā . utsṛjantaṃ tu taṃ retaḥ
sa garbhastho'bhyabhāṣata .. bhostāta! mā gamaḥ kāmaṃ dvayornā-
stīha sambhavaḥ . alpāvakāśo bhagavan! pūrvvañcāhamihā-
gataḥ . amogharetāśca bhavānna pīḍāṃ karttumarhasi .. aśrutvaiva
tu tadvākyaṃ garbhasthasya vṛhaspatiḥ . jagāma maithunāyaiva mamatāṃ
cārulocanām .. śukrotsargaṃ tato buddhvā tasyā garbhagato
muniḥ . padbhyāmarīdhayanmārgaṃ śukrasya ca vṛhaspateḥ .. sthāna-
maprāptamatha tadretaḥ pratihatantadā . papāta sahasā bhūmau
tataḥ kruddho vṛhaspatiḥ .. tadṛṣṭvā patitaṃ śukraṃ śaśāpa sa-
ruṣānvitaḥ . utathyaputraṃ garbhasthaṃ nirbhatsya bhagavānṛṣiḥ ..
yanmāṃ tvamīdṛśe kāle sarvvabhūtepsite sati . evamātya vaca-
stasmāttamo dīrghaṃ pravekṣyasi .. sa vai dīrghatamā nāma śāpā-
dṛṣirajāyata . vṛhaspatervṛhatkīrttervṛhaspatirivaujasā ..
jātyandhovedavit prājñaḥ patnīṃ lebhe sa vidyayā . taruṇīṃ
rūpasampannāṃ pradveṣīṃ nāma brāhmaṇīm .. sa putrān jana
yāmāsa gautamādīn mahāyaśāḥ” iti . yādavabhede ca
“sāttvatān sattvasampannāt kauśalyā suṣuve sutān .
bhajinaṃ bhajamānañca divyaṃ devāvṛdhaṃ nṛpam . andhakañca
mahābāhuṃ vṛṣṇiñca yadunandanam . teṣāṃ visargāścatvāro
vistareṇeha tān śṛṇu . andhakāt kāśyaduhitā caturo-
'labhmatātmajān . kukuraṃ bhajamānañca śabhaṃ kambalavarhiṣam” .
iti harivaṃśe 38 a0 . “dūtaṃ saṃpreṣayāmāsa vṛṣṇyandhaka-
niveśanam, tato vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kṛṣṇamiti” harivaṃśaḥ .

Andhaka¹, pl. (°āḥ), a people. § 82 (Kṛṣṇa): I, 63,

2432 (°Vṛṣṇiṣu).—§ 203 (Droṇa): I, 132, 5220 (became

the pupils of Droṇa).—§ 233 (Svayaṃvarap.): I, 187,

†7012 (Vṛṣṇy-Andhakāśca…yathāpradhānaṃ, came

to the svayaṃvara of Kṛṣṇā).—§ 251 (Arjunavanavāsap.):

I, 218, 7902, 7903 (Bhoja-Vṛṣṇy-Andhakātmajaiḥ; welcome

Arjuna).—§ 252 (Subhadrāharaṇap.): I, 219, 7906, 7907

(Bhoja-Vṛṣṇy-A°); 220, 7942, 7943 (Vṛṣṇy-A°), 7962.—

§ 253 (Haraṇāharaṇap.): I, 221, 7988, 7993 (Vṛṣṇi-

Bhojā°), 7998 (Vṛṣṇy-A°), 8002 (id.), 8018 (id.), 8019

(Kuru-Vṛṣṇy-Andhakottamāḥ), 8022 (Vṛṣṇy-A°).—§ 275

(Rājasūyārambhap.): II, 19, 767 (the Kukuras, Andhakas,

and Vṛṣṇis chose not to fight with Jarāsandha).—§ 289

(Arghāharaṇap.): II, 36, 1322 (A°-Vṛṣṇīṇaṃ vaṃśe).—

§ 295 (Dyūtap.): II, 52, 1907 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ).—§ 298

(id.): 62, 2101 (Andhakā Yādavā Bhojāḥ sametāḥ Kaṃsam

atyajan).—§ 317 (Arjunābhigam.): III, 12, 461 (visit the

Pāṇḍavas in the great forest).—§ 320 (Saubhavadhop.): III,

15, 654 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-pure, i.e. Dvārakā); 48, 744 (A°-

Vṛṣṇayaḥ).—§ 402 (Tīrthayātrāp.): III, 120, 10278

(sa-Vṛṣṇi-Bhojā°).—§ 452 (Mārkaṇḍeya-samāsyā-p.): III,

183, 12588 (Kukurā°).—§ 511 (Draupadī-Satyabhāmā-

saṃvādap.): III, 235, 14736 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ).—§ 522

(Draupadīharaṇap.): III, 268, 15654 (sāndhaka-Vṛṣṇi-

vīro Janārdanaḥ).—§ 552 (Vaivāhikap.): IV, 72, 2360

(Vṛṣṇy-A°).—§ 554 (Sainyodyogap.): V, 7, 131 (Vṛṣṇy-

A°).—§ 556 (Sañjayayānap.): V, 27, 768 (Vṛṣṇya°-

rājye); 28ι, †804, †805 (Vṛṣṇy-A°āḥ…Kṛṣṇa-

praṇītāḥ).—§ 561 (Yānasandhip.): V, 48, 1885 (Vṛṣṇy-

A°); 51, 2056 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ); 57, 2233 (Vṛṣṇīnāṃ

mukhyaṃ Kṛṣṇaṃ); 65, 2488 (A°-Vṛṣṇiṣu).—§ 562

(Bhagavadyānap.): V, 86, 3043 (Vṛṣṇy-A°); 128, 4298

(A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ); 131, 4420 (id.), 4426.—§ 569 (id.): V,

140, 4738 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ), 4749 (do.).—[§ 571 (Ulūkadūt.):

V, 160, 5510 (read with B. Draviḍāndhra Kāñcyaiḥ; so also

v. 5555).]—§ 580 (Bhīṣmavadhap.): VI, 59, 2606

(A°-Vṛṣṇi-nātha, i.e. Kṛṣṇa).—§ 599 (Jayadrathavadhap.):

VII, 104, 3891 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-Kurūttamau, i.e. Kṛṣṇa and

Arjuna); 142, 5931 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-vyāghraṃ, i.e. Sātyaki),

5942 (do.); 143, 5965 (Vṛṣṇy-A°).—§ 603 (Nārā-

yaṇāstram.): VII, 198, 9138 (A°-Vṛṣṇibhiḥ), 9179 (do.),

9180 (do.); 199, 9220 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-vṛtaḥ, i.e. Sātyaki).—

§ 611 (Śalyap.): IX, 17, 911; 21, 1104 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-

mahārathau, i.e. Sātyaki and Hārdikya).—§ 617 (Aiṣīkap.):

X, 11, 639 (Vṛṣṇy-A°).—§ 621 (Rājadh.): XII, 7, 159

(do., °pure).—§ 641 (Rājadh.): XII, 81, 3031 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ),

3052 (do.).—§ 785 (Anugītāp.): XIV, 59, 1768 (Bhoja-

Vṛṣṇya°); 66, 1959 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-kulaṃ); 71, 2066

(°A°vyāghrair); 83, 2480 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-patiḥ, i.e. Ugrasena?);

86, 2565 (id. = Kṛṣṇa).—§ 793 (Mausalap.): XVI, 1,

12, 14 (Vṛṣṇy-A°), 19 (Vṛṣṇy-A°-vināśāya), 26 (id.), 29

(Vṛṣṇy-A°kuleṣu); 2, 33, 36 (Vṛṣṇy-A°), 40 (id.), 49

(id.); 3, 58 (id.), 63 (id.), 64 (A°-Vṛṣṇayaḥ), 69

(Vṛṣṇy-A°), 86 (Bhojā°), 90, 93, 98 (Kukurā°); 4, 123

(A°-Vṛṣṇi-); 5, 134 (sa-Bhojā°-Kaukurān Vārṣṇeyān),

140 (Vṛṣṇy-A°); 7, 186 (id.), 203 (id.), 210 (A°-Vṛṣṇīnām),

213 (id.), 215 (Bhoja-Vṛṣṇy-A°), 239 (Vṛṣṇy-A°); 8, 263

(Bhoja-Vṛṣṇy-A°), 279 (Vṛṣṇy-A°), 292 (id.).—§ 794

(Mahāprasthānikap.): XVII, 1, 1 (id.).—§ 795 (Svargāro-

haṇap.): XVIII, 4, 142 (Sādhyānām atha devānāṃ Viśveṣāṃ

Marutām api|gaṇeṣu paśya rājendra Vṛṣṇy-A°-mahārathān).

Andhaka², an Asura killed by Rudra. § 593 (Abhimanyu-

vadhap.): VII, 49, 1937 (pureva Tryambakāndhakau).—

§ 595 (Rāma Dāśarathi): VII, 59, 2229 (pureva Tryambako

'ndhakaṃ).—§ 600 (Ghaṭotkacavadhap.), VII, 155, †6726

(yathā 'ndhake pratinihate Haraṃ surāḥ); 156, 6818 (Maheś-

vara ivāndhakaṃ).—§ 603 (Nārāyaṇāstram.): VII, 201,

9463 (Andhaka-nipātine, i.e. Rudra).—§ 604 (Karṇap.):

VIII, 5, 146 (yathā Rudreṇa cāndhakaḥ).—§ 605 (do.):

VIII, 20, 788 (Tryambakenāndhako yathā).

Andhaka (I) — a son of Sātvata [Sātvatī (Kausalya)]:

suspected Kṛṣṇa of having taken away Syamantaka.¹ A

mahābhoja who married the daughter of Kaṅka and was

father of four sons, Kukura and others.² [Footnote] 1) Bhā. IX. 24. 6; Br. III. 71. 1. 36, 53; Vā. 96. 2; Vi. IV.

13. 1. [Footnote] 2) M. 44. 48-61; Vi. IV. 14. 12.

Andhaka (II) — son of Anu and father of Dundubhi.

Bhā. IX. 24. 20.

Andhaka (III) — a son of Viloma, and a friend of Tum-

buru: also known as Danodakadundubhi.

Br. III. 71. 118.

Andhaka (IV) — a commander of Bhaṇḍa.

Br. IV. 21. 82.

Andhaka (V) — the 8th among twelve incarnations,

after the battle of that name. Here Trayambaka slew thou-

sands of Asuras:¹ in the Varāha Kalpa.² [Footnote] 1) M. 47. 44-50. [Footnote] 2) Vā. 97. 75.

Andhaka (VI) — the asura killed by Śiva: Āḍi and Baka

were his sons; attempted to abduct the Devī in the presence

of Śiva in the Mahākālavana of Avanti. Smitten by Pāśu-

pata, blood came out of his body, out of which were born

numberless Andhakas (s.v.) who overpowered Rudra. The

latter created a number of Mātṛs who were not enough to

meet them. Vāsudeva was thought of, and he created one

Śuṣkarevati who drank off the blood of Andhakas. On his

submission he was admitted to the group of Gaṇeśas.

M. 55. 16; 156. 11-12; 179. 2-40; 252. 5-19.

Andhaka (VII) — an elder Yādava advised in the

council to secure the return of Akrūra; it was adopted.

Vi. IV. 13. 114-137.

Andhakas (I) — a community of the Yādava tribe¹

defending Dvārakā; at Dvāravatī their overlord was Ugra-

sena.² Praise the heroic deeds of Hari.³ Relieved by

Kamsa's death.⁴ Ended their lives by fighting their kins-

men.⁵ Kṛṣṇa, an Andhaka.⁶ Kingdom of.⁷ Their line;⁸

fetch Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa to Dvāraka.⁹ [Footnote] 1) Bhā. I. 11. 11; 14. 25; II. 4. 20; Vā. 86. 28. [Footnote] 2) Bhā. X. 1. 69;

39. 25; 45, 15. [Footnote] 3) Bhā. IX. 24. 63. [Footnote] 4) Ib. X. 45. 15. [Footnote] 5) Ib. XI. 29. 39; 30.

18. [Footnote] 6) Br. III. 61. 23; 71. 85 & 143-144. [Footnote] 7) M. 114. 36. [Footnote] 8) M. 44.

61. 85; 47. 33. [Footnote] 9) Vā. 96. 84.

Andhakas (II) — the Asuras born of the blood of

Andhaka Asura, hit by the pāśupata of Rudra. To counter-

act their evil propensities Rudra created a number of Mātṛs

who could not bring about the desired effect. Hence Vāsu-

deva created a Śuṣkarevatī who brought about their des-

truction by drinking off their blood.

M. 179. 7-37.

ANDHAKA I . There was a very renowned king called

Andhaka in the Yadu dynasty. All kings belonging to

this dynasty used to be called Andhakas.

ANDHAKA II . Verse 12, Chapter 4 of M.B., Udyoga

Parva refers to another King called Andhaka. The

Pāṇḍavas had sent to him a messenger soliciting mili-

tary help.

ANDHAKA III . An Asura.

1) Birth. This Asura was the foster son of Hiraṇyākṣa.

Śiva was really his father. While once Śiva was

immersed in yoga his daughter closed his eyes play-

fully with her hands, and lo! a darkness rose and

enveloped the whole place. From that darkness, with

a sound as that of thunderbolt, appeared a Rākṣasa.

He got the name Andhaka as he was born from dark-

ness. At that time Hiraṇyākṣa was doing tapas for a

son. Śiva appeared before him and bestowing on him

Andhaka as a foster son said as follows: “If he

(Andhaka) earns the hatred of the world or desires

even the mother of the three worlds or kills brahmins

I will myself burn him to ashes”. After saying this

Śiva disappeared. (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 63).

2) Andhaka desires Pārvatī with lust. One day overcome

by erotic passion Andhaka said to his henchmen as

follows: “He is my true friend who brings Śiva's

consort, Pārvatī to me. Yes, he is my brother, nay,

father even.” Hearing these ravings of Andhaka,

Prahlāda went to him and convinced him that Pārvatī,

in fact was his mother. But Andhaka was not quieten-

ed. Then Prahlāda explained to him the gravity of

the sin of desiring other people's wives. Even this had

no effect on Andhaka. He sent Śambarāsura to Śiva

to ask for and bring Pārvatī to him. Śiva sent word to

Andhaka that if the latter would defeat him in the

game of dice Pārvatī would be sent to him. Andhaka

got enraged and rushed to mount Mandara and began

a fight with Śiva.

3) Death. Defeated in the encounter, Andhaka craved

for Śiva's pardon. He admitted that Pārvatī was his

mother. He also prayed for Śiva's blessings for removal

of his Asurahood. Śiva granted him the prayers. The

sins and Asurahood of Andhaka were thus ended. Śiva

made him the head of the Asuras, named Bhṛṅgi.

(Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 63 etc.).

ANDHAKA (M). A sacred pool. A dip in this pool will

bring all the benefits of a Puruṣamedha yajña. (M.B.,

Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 25, Verses 32, 33).

Andhaka, Andha m. (pl.): Name of

a people, mentioned in most cases along

with Vṛṣṇis, and sometimes also with

Bhojas and Kukuras.

A. Place: Residents of Dvārakā where

they lived after they fled from Mathurā

(see Epic events below Section D) (dvā-

rakāvāsibhiś … vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ)

10. 12. 33; (also cf. dvārakāvāsino janāḥ 1.

210. 17). B. Heroes referred to as chiefs

of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis: (1) Kṛṣṇa:

(mukhyam andhakavṛṣṇīnām … kṛṣṇam) 5.

56. 2; (andhakavṛṣṇinātha) 6. 55. 95; (vṛ-

ṣṇyandhakakurūttama) 7. 79. 1; (vṛṣṇyan-

dhakapati) 14. 88. 13; (2) Sātyaki; (vṛṣṇya-

ndhakavyāghra) 7. 117. 47; (vṛṣṇyandhaka-

mahāratha) 9. 20. 12; (sātyakiś … saṃmato

'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 5. 63. 7; (3) Kṛtavarman:

(vṛṣṇyandhakamahāratha) 9. 20. 12; (4)

Ugrasena: (vṛṣṇyandhakapati) 14. 84. 15;

(5) Kaṃsa shone among the Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas (tathograsenasya sutaṃ …

vṛṣṇyandhakānāṃ madhyagataṃ tapantam)

5. 47. 72. C. Characteristics: (1) Their

close relationship with the Pāṇḍavas: The

Pāṇḍavas had no friends other than the

Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis and vice versa

(asmākaṃ … mitram anyan na vidyate/

param andhakavṛṣṇibhyaḥ … //tathaivā-

ndhakavṛṣṇīnāṃ...asmatto mitram anyan na

vidyate//) 7. 169. 48-49; it was on account

of their friendship with the Pāṇḍavas that

the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis did not pay them

tribute at the time of the Rājasūya (dvau

karaṃ na prayacchetāṃ … sakhyenāndhaka-

vṛṣṇayaḥ) 2. 48. 42; (2) Fortunate, strong,

and difficult to be assailed, the Andhakas

and the Vṛṣṇis had become prosperous by

being ever industrious ( … sumahābhāgā

balavanto durāsadāḥ/nityotthānena saṃ-

pannā nāradāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ//) 12. 82. 8;

(3) The Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were

not subjugated by Jarāsandha due to either

their policy or due to good luck (nayenā-

ndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/te na tasya vaśaṃ jagmuḥ

kevalaṃ daivam eva vā//) 5. 50. 39; (4) All

the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were attached

to Kṛṣṇa (sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayḥ/tvayy-

āsaktā … ) 12. 82. 29; they relied on the

wisdom of Kṛṣṇa (vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ … yasya

prajñām upāsate) 5. 84. 4; Andhakas, Vṛ-

ṣṇis, and Bhojas were led by Kṛṣṇa; relying

on the counsel of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) they

subjugated the enemies and gave delight to

their friends (andhakāś ca vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ

kaukurāḥ … /upāsīnā vāsudevasya buddhiṃ

vigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo nandayanti//vṛṣṇya-

ndhakā … kṛṣṇapraṇītāḥ) 5. 28. 11-12;

(5) According to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇis, An-

dhakas and all the Yādavas were like Indra,

spirited, who proved their valour, very

strong and who enjoyed pleasures (vṛṣṇyan-

dhakā … sarva evendrakalpāḥ/manasvinaḥ

satyaparākramāś ca mahābalā yādavā bhoga-

vantaḥ) 5. 28. 12; (6) Arjuna described

them as brave, high-souled, proud like lion,

very strong, capable of bearing the strokes

of gadā, parigha and śakti, having arms

like parigha, having strong arms (ye te

śūrā mahātmānaḥ siṃhadarpā mahābalāḥ/

bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā … //gadāparighaśaktī-

nāṃ sahāḥ parīghabāhavaḥ) 16. 9. 9-10;

(7) Vyāsa too called them high-souled

(diṣtam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 26;

(8) (According to Bhūriśravas, however,

the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could be trea-

cherous); he, therefore, while blaming

Arjuna for his misdeed asked him why

he regarded them as authority (vṛṣṇyan-

dhakāḥ kathaṃ pārtha pramāṇaṃ bhavatā

kṛtāḥ) 7. 118. 15. D. Epic events: (1)

Viṣṇu was born among the Andhakas and

Vṛṣṇis for the advancement of dharma

(dharmasaṃvardhanārthāya prajajñe 'ndha-

kavṛṣṇiṣu) 1. 57. 87; there in the lineage of

Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas he shone like the moon

among the stars (kṣitāv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṃ

vaṃśe … /parayā śuśubhe lakṣmyā nakṣa-

trāṇām ivoḍurāṭ) 2. 33. 17; (2) Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas mentioned among those who ap-

proached Droṇa to learn the astras (abhi-

jagmus tato droṇam astrārthe … vṛṣṇayaś

cāndhakāś caiva) 1. 122. 46; (3) They came

to witness the svayaṃvara of Draupadī

(vṛṣṇyandhāś caiva … prekṣāṃ sma cakruḥ)

1. 178. 8; (4) When Arjuna, during the

period of his exile, visited Dvārakā, the

Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas gathered in a

crowd on the main road to see him; he

was honoured by their sons and was greet-

ed by them (didṛkṣavaś ca kaunteyaṃ …

narendramārgam ājagmus … bhojavṛṣṇyan-

dhakānāṃ ca samavāyo mahān abhūt/sa

tathā satkṛtaḥ sarvair bhojavṛṣṇyandhakāt-

majaiḥ/ … sarvaiś ca pratinanditaḥ//) 1. 210.

17-19; (5) A great festival of the Raivataka

mountain was observed by the Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas; they, along with the Bhojas, gave

gifts to thousands of Brāhmaṇas in that

festival (tasmin raivatake girau/vṛṣṇyan-

dhakānām abhavat sumahān utsavo nṛpa//

tatra dānaṃ dadur vīrā … bhojavṛṣṇyandha-

kāś caiva) 1. 211. 1-2; (6) When Bhojas,

Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas heard the sound of

the bherī sounded by the Sabhāpāla, they

were agitated; they left their food and

drink and rushed to the Hall; there the

great heroes among the Vṛṣṇis and Andha-

kas took their royal seats (kṣubdhās tenā-

tha śabdena bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/anna-

pānam apāsyātha samāpetuḥ sabhāṃ tataḥ//

… bhejire … vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/

siṃhāsanāni śataśaḥ) 1. 212. 12, 14; (7)

When Balarāma declared his intention to

fight with Arjuna, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas followed him (anvapadyanta te

sarve bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā) 1. 212. 32;

(8) Rāma and Keśava, along with the

chiefs among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, and

Bhojas went to Khāṇḍavaprastha to give

nuptial gifts after the marriage of Su-

bhadrā (ājagāma … saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/

vṛṣṇyandhakamahāmātraiḥ; ete cānye ca

bahavo vṛṣṇibhojāndhakās tathā; saha

rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakamahābho-

jaiḥ saṃvṛtaḥ) 1. 213. 23, 29, 34; they were

received and honoured by Yudhiṣṭhira and

their gifts were accepted by him (tāṃś ca

vṛṣṇyandhakaśreṣṭhān; pūjayām āsa tāṃś

caiva vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) 1. 213. 38,

52; they enjoyed their stay at Khāṇḍava-

prastha and returned to Dvārakā after a

few days (°vṛṣṇyandhakottamāḥ/vijahrur

… // … yayur vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ) 1.

213. 53, 56; (9) Jarāsandha was neglect-

ed by Andhakas, Kukuras and Vṛṣṇis on

considerations of policy (kukurāndhakaiḥ/

vṛṣṇibhiś ca … nītihetor upekṣitaḥ//) 2.

17. 27; (10) Andhakas, Yādavas and

Bhojas had deserted Kaṃsa; similarly

Vidura wanted Dhṛtarāṣṭra to desert Dur-

yodhana (andhakā yādavā bhojāḥ sametāḥ

kaṃsam atyajan) 2. 55. 6; later Kṛṣṇa

told the same thing (here Vṛṣṇis are men-

tioned along with Andhakas) to Bhīṣma

and others (kaṃsam ekaṃ parityajya kulā-

rthe … saṃbhūya sukham edhante … andha-

kavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 126. 39; (11) Having

heard about the Pāṇḍavas' exile, the Bhojas

went with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas to meet

them in the Dvaitavana (bhojāḥ...vṛṣṇayaś

cāndhakaiḥ saha … samājagmur mahāvane)

3. 13. 1; (12) When Pradyumna was afli-

cated by the arrows of Śālva, the army of

Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas wailed loudly (hāhā-

kṛtam abhūt sarvaṃ vṛṣṇyandhakabalaṃ

tadā) 3. 19. 2; (13) Pradyumna asked his

charioteer how he should face Andhakas

and Vṛṣṇis who always vied with him

(andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/mayā spardhanti sata-

tam) 3. 19. 28; (14) Sātyaki wanted

Vṛṣṇi, Bhoja and Andhaka heroes to kill

the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and earn fame

(savṛṣṇibhojāndhakayodhamukhyāḥ) 3. 120.

19; (15) Kṛṣṇa assured Yudhiṣṭhira that

Kukura and Andhaka heroes would carry

out his orders and they would be wherever

he wanted them to be (kukurāndhakāś ca/

ete nideśaṃ tava pālayantī tiṣṭhanti yatre-

cchasi tatra rājan//) 3. 180. 31; (16)

Satyabhāmā told Draupadī that Andhakas

and Vṛṣṇis were attached to her sons and

they loved them as much as they did Pra-

dyumna (bhajanty andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/tulyo

hi praṇayas teṣām pradyumnasya ca bhā-

mini//) 3. 224. 14; (17) Many Vṛṣṇis

and Andhakas and others followed Vāsu-

deva to Virāṭanagara to attend the marriage

of Abhimanyu with Uttarā (vṛṣṇyandhakāś

ca bahavo … anvayur … vāsudevam) 4. 67.

24; (18) After advising Drupada to

send a messenger to the Kauravas, Kṛṣṇa,

along with all Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and

Bhojas returned to Dvāravatī (gate …

kṛṣṇe … saha vṛṣṇyandhakaiḥ sarvair bho-

jaiś ca śataśas tathā) 5. 7. 1; (19) Kṛta-

varman went to Duryodhana to assist him

with an army numbering one akṣauhiṇī of

Bhojas and Andhakas (kṛtavarmā … bhojā-

ndhakabalaiḥ saha/akṣauhiṇyaiva senāyā

duryodhanam upāgamat) 5. 19. 17; (20)

Saṃjaya, while conveying the message

from the Kauravas told Yudhiṣṭhira that he

(Saṃjaya) would consider Yudhiṣṭhira's

living by begging in the kingdom of

the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis better than

waging a war for kingdom (bhaikṣacaryām

andhakavṛṣṇirājye śreyo manye na tu

yuddhena rājyam) 5. 27. 2; (21) Kṛṣṇa

told Duryodhana that he was not alone

but the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were with

him; in the terrible form that he showed

in the assembly, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were

in front of him (ihaiva … andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ)

5. 129. 3; (andhakā vṛṣṇayaś caiva … agre

babhūvuḥ kṛṣṇasya) 5. 129. 8; (2) Kṛṣṇa

assured Karṇa that if he came over to the

Pāṇḍavas, all Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis would

be at his feet; they would all follow him

(pādau tava grahīṣyanti sarve cāndhaka-

vṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 13; (sarve cāndhaka-

vṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 23; (23) On the first

day of the war, Bṛhadbala, together with

great warriors from the Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis

and Bhojas, guarded the right side of

the Kaurava army (mahārathair andhaka-

vṛṣṇibhojaiḥ … bṛhadbalaḥ … balaṃ tvadīyaṃ

dakṣiṇato 'bhipāti) 6. 20. 14; (24) Sātyaki

said to Dhṛṣṭadyumna that he deserved

to be discharged by the Pāṇḍavas and all

the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis (since he boasted

after killing Droṇa) (yāpyas tvam asi … sar-

vaiś cāndhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ) 7. 169. 11; (25)

Yudhiṣṭhira, dejected at the destruction of

the Pāṇḍava army by Nārāyaṇāstra, asked

Sātyaki to leave the battlefield along with

Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and return home

(sātyake tvaṃ ca gacchasva vṛṣṇyandhaka-

vṛto gṛhān) 7. 170. 26; (26) Kṛṣṇa told

Aśvatthāman that the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka

heroes did not at any time ask him to part

with his cakra (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ/

noktapūrvam idaṃ jātu) 10. 12. 33; (27)

When Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā after the

war, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas came out

to meet him; Kṛṣṇa honoured them and en-

quired about their well-being (upayātaṃ tu

vārṣṇeyaṃ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/abhy-

āgacchan … //sa tān abhyarcya medhāvī

pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṃ tadā) 14. 58. 17-18;

(28) Abhimanyu had told Uttarā that her

son would go to the families of Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas and learn from them the Dhanur-

veda, the use of astras and the whole

Nītiśāstra (gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṃ dha-

nurvedaṃ grahīṣyati/astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi

nītiśāstraṃ ca kevalam//) 14. 65. 24;

(29) When Vyāsa arrived at Hāstinapura,

the Kuru leaders (the Pāṇḍavas), along

with the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes, wor-

shipped him as was proper for them to do

and waited on him (tasya (i. e. of Vyāsa)

sarve yathānyāyaṃ pūjāṃ cakruḥ kurūd-

vahāḥ/saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghrair upāsāṃ

cakrire tadā) 14. 70. 11; (30) Janamejaya

asked Vaiśampāyana how the Andhakas

and Vṛṣṇis were destroyed, and by whom

were they cursed (kathaṃ vinaṣṭā bhaga-

vann andhakā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha// … kenānu-

śaptās te vīrāḥ kṣayaṃ vṛṣṇyandhakā

yayuḥ) 16. 2. 1, 3; Vaiśampāyana then

told about the curse of the sages, Viśvā-

mitra and others, to the effect that an iron

pestle would be born to Sāmba for the des-

truction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; accord-

ingly Sāmba gave birth to a large pestle of

the size of a kiṃkara (shaft of a chariot ?)

(vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya musalam ghoram

āyasam/ … sāmbo 'yaṃ janayiṣyati// …

sāmbo musalaṃ tad asūta vai/vṛṣṇyan-

dhakavināśāya kiṃkarapratimaṃ mahat)

16. 2. 8, 15 (however, Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1.

26: kiṃkaro yamadūtas tattulyam); (31)

King Āhuka declared that the Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas, from the day of his declaration,

should not distil liquor in their houses

(adyaprabhṛti sarveṣu vṛṣṇyanahakagṛheṣv-

iha/surāsavo na kartavyaḥ sarvair nagara-

vāsibhiḥ) 16. 2. 18; (32) When the Vṛṣṇis

and Andhakas were maintaining vigil over

their conduct, Kāla always moved round

their houses; many bad omens including

blowing of fierce strong winds, occurred

indicating the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas; also whitish pigeons having red

feet, goaded by Kāla, moved over their

houses; when the conch Pāñcajanya was

sounded in their houses, asses of harsh

voice brayed in response (evaṃ prayatamā-

nānāṃ vṛṣṇīnām andhakaiḥ saha/kālo

gṛhāṇi sarveṣām paricakrāma nityaśaḥ//)

16. 3. 1; (utpedire mahāvātā dāruṇāś ca

dine dine/vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya bahavo

romaharṣaṇāḥ//) 16. 3. 3; (pāṇḍurā rakta-

pādāś ca vihagāḥ kālacoditāḥ/vṛṣṇyan-

dhakānāṃ geheṣu kapotā vyacaraṃs tadā//)

16. 3. 6; (nadantaṃ pāñcajanyaṃ ca vṛṣṇyan-

dhakaniveśane samantāt pratyavāśyanta

rāsabhā dāruṇasvarāḥ//) 16. 3. 15; for

other bad omens see 16. 3. 3-5, 7, 10-14,

17; 16. 4. 1-5; (33) The Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas, wishing to go out with their

wives, decided to go for a tīrthayātrā;

so they got ready food and drink, which

included meat and wine, which they took

with them; fond of liquor they went out of

the town in vehicles, or on horses and ele-

phants; they stayed at Prabhāsa; hearing

that they had settled near the sea, Uddhava

took leave of them; the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka

heroes saw Uddhava leaving them; the

food which was prepared for Brāhmaṇas,

they gave to monkeys; then a great

drinking bout began at Prabhāsa in which

musical instruments were played upon and

actors and dancers took part (tato jiga-

miṣantas te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/

sāntaḥpurās tadā tīrthayātrām aicchan...//

tato bhojyaṃ ca bhakṣyaṃ ca peyaṃ cān-

dhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/bahu nānāvidhaṃ cakrur

madyaṃ māṃsam anekaśaḥ//tataḥ sīdhuṣu

saktāś ca niryayur nagarād bahiḥ/yānair

aśvaiḥ gajaiś caiva … //) 16. 4. 6-8; 9-10;

(tataḥ kālaparītās te vṛṣṇyandhakamahā-

rathāḥ/apaśyann uddhavaṃ yāntam) 16.

4. 12; (brāhmaṇārtheṣu yat siddham annaṃ

teṣāṃ mahātmanām/tad vānarebhyaḥ

pradaduḥ surāgandhasamanvitam//tatas

tūryaśatākīrṇaṃ naṭanastakasaṃkulam/

prāvartata mahāpānaṃ prabhāse … //) 16.

4. 13-14; (34) When Sātyaki severed the

head of Kṛtavarman, Bhojas and Andhakas,

goaded by the turn of Kāla, gathered round

Sātyaki (ekībhūtās tataḥ sarve kāla-

paryāyacoditāḥ/bhojāndhakā … śaineyaṃ

paryavārayan//) 16. 4. 29; angered, they,

in a state of drunkenness struck Yuyu-

dhāna (Sātyaki) with pots from which

food was eaten; Bhojas then fought with

Pradyumna, who had intervened to save

Sātyaki, and Andhakas attacked Sātyaki,

and killed both of them; Kṛṣṇa then killed

those Bhojas and Andhakas who were in

front of him with the pestle which arose

out of the erakā grass held by Kṛṣṇa in

his hand; whoever of them held the erakā

in his hand, it became (a pestle like) vajra;

the Andhakas, Bhojas, Śaineyas and Vṛṣṇis

killed each other with that vajra-like pestle;

in the tumult, the son killed the father and

the father his son; Kukuras and Andhakas

fell down as do the flies in fire (te tu

pānamadāviṣṭāś coditāś caiva manyunā/

yuyudhānam athābhyaghnann ucchiṣṭhair

bhājanais tadā// … rukmiṇinandanaḥ/ta-

dantaram upādhāvan … //sa bhojaiḥ saha

saṃyuktaḥ sātyakiś cāndhakaiḥ saha/

bahutvān nihatau tatra … // … erakāṇāṃ

tadā muṣṭim kopāj jagrāha keśavaḥ//tad

abhūn musalaṃ ghoraṃ vajrakalpam ayo-

mayam/jaghāna tena kṛṣṇas tān ye 'sya

pramukhato 'bhavan//tato 'ndhakāś ca

bhojāś ca śaineyā vṛṣṇayas tathā/jaghnur

anyonyam ākrande musalaiḥ kālacoditāḥ//

yas teṣām erakāṃ kaścij jagrāha … /

vajrabhūteva sā rājann adṛśyata … //ava-

dhīt pitaraṃ putraḥ pitā putraṃ ca bhārata/

… pataṃgā iva cāgnau te nyapatan kuku-

rāndhakāḥ//) 16. 4. 31-41; (35) Kṛṣṇa,

contemplating the destruction of Andhakas,

Vṛṣṇis and Kurus, thought it was time for

him to leave the world (sa cintayāno 'ndhaka-

vṛṣṇināśaṃ kurukṣayaṃ caiva … mene tataḥ

saṃkramaṇasya kālam) 16. 5. 18; (36)

The Pāṇḍavas were very much grieved when

they heard from Dāruka the destruction of

Vārṣṇeyas, Bhojas, Kukuras and Andhakas

(śrutvā vinaṣṭān vārṣṇeyān sabhojakukurā-

ndhakān/) 16. 6. 2; (37) Arjuna seeing

Dvārakā after the destruction of Yādavas

compared it with a river of which Vṛṣṇis

and Andhakas formed the water (tāṃ sa

vṛṣṇyandhakajalāṃ … dvārakāsaritaṃ tadā/

… dadarśārjuno dhīmān) 16. 6. 8, 10;

(38) Arjuna told the people of Dvārakā ga-

thered in the assembly hall that he himself

would take with him Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas

to Śakraprastha; there Vajra would be their

king; when Arjuna left Dvārakā, servants,

elephant- and chariot-drivers of Andhakas

and Vṛṣṇis, as also their sons, followed

him; many thousands of women of Bhojas,

Andhakas and Vṛṣṇīs, who had lost their

husbands left Dvārakā to follow Arjuna;

on their way to Indraprastha when they

were attacked by Mlecchas (also called

Dasyus 16. 8. 44, 47, 58, 60 or Ābhīras 16.

8. 45) the latter captured the women of

Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and took them away

(śakraprastham ahaṃ neṣye vṛṣṇyandhaka-

janaṃ svayam/ … vajro 'yaṃ bhavatāṃ

rājā śakraprasthe bhaviṣyati// … bhṛtyās

tv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṃ sādino rathinaś ca

ye/ … putrāś cāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṃ sarve

pārtham anuvratāḥ/ … bahūni ca sahasrāṇi

prayutāny arbudāni ca/bhojavṛṣṇyandhaka-

strīṇāṃ hatanāthāni niryayuḥ// … vṛṣṇyan-

dhakavarastriyaḥ/jagmur ādāya te mlec-

chāḥ) 16. 8. 10-11, 28-30, 34, 38, 61;

(39) On his way to Hāstinapura, Arjuna

told Vyāsa about the destruction of Bhojas,

Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas due to mutual killing;

they fought each other with erakā grass; a

total of one thousand and five hundred

of them was killed (bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā

brahman anyonyaṃ tair hataṃ yudhi/

… ta erokābhir nihatāḥ … //hataṃ pañca-

śataṃ teṣāṃ sahasraṃ bāhuśālinām/

nidhanaṃ samanuprāptaṃ samāsādyetare-

taram) 16. 9. 9-11 (however, Nī. on

Bom. Ed. 16. 8. 11: pañcaśataṃ sahasraṃ

sahasraguṇitaṃ pañcalakṣāṇīty arthaḥ);

Vyāsa consoled Arjuna by saying that the

great heroes among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas

were destroyed due to the curse of a

Brāhmaṇa and hence Arjuna should not

grieve over the event; it was ordained for

them (brahmaśāpavinirdagdhā vṛṣṇyandha-

kamahārathāḥ/vinaṣṭā … na tāñ śocitum

arhasi/bhavitavyaṃ tathā tad dhi diṣṭam

etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 25-26; (40)

On reaching Hāstinapura, Arjuna informed

Yudhiṣṭhira what had happened to Vṛṣṇi

and Andhaka people (ācaṣṭa tad yathā-

vṛttaṃ vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṃ prati) 16. 9. 38;

(41) Having heard from Vaiśaṃpāyana

about the battle fought with musala (i. e.

with erakā blades fortified with the parti-

cles of musala) in the family of Vṛṣṇis and

Andhakas, Janamejaya asked him what the

Pāṇḍavas did after that incident (evaṃ

vṛṣṇyandhakakule śrutvā mausalam āha-

vam) 17. 1. 1 (Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1. 11:

mausalaṃ musalakṛtaṃ kadanaṃ and on

16. 1. 13 (= Cr. Edn. 16. 2. 2): musalaiḥ

erakālagnair musalakaṇaiḥ); (42) Indra

showed to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka

heroes seated among the group gods Sā-

dhyas, Vasus and Maruts (sādhyānām atha

devānāṃ vasūnāṃ marutām api/gaṇeṣu

paśya rājendra vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān)

18. 4. 14.