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The Slaying of Andhaka and the Manifestation of the Eight Mother-Goddesses from Divine Afflictions
महातपा उवाच । पूर्वमासीन्महादैत्यो बलवानन्धको भुवि । स देवान् वशमानिन्ये ब्रह्मणो वरदर्पितः ॥ २७.१ ॥
mahātapā uvāca | pūrvam āsīn mahādaityo balavān andhako bhuvi | sa devān vaśam āninye brahmaṇo varadarpitaḥ || 27.1 ||
Mahātapā sprach: „Einstmals gab es auf Erden einen großen Dānava, den mächtigen Andhaka. Vom Hochmut über die von Brahmā gewährte Gabe erfüllt, brachte er die Götter unter seine Herrschaft.“
Mahātapā
It exemplifies a common Purāṇic narrative motif: a powerful figure gains exceptional capability through a boon and subsequently disrupts cosmic and social order, setting the stage for restoration through dharma-oriented intervention.
The verse uses the general term bhuvi (“on earth”) and does not specify a particular sacred site or identifiable geographic location.
The verse foregrounds the ethical risk of darpa (pride) arising from power or privilege (here, a boon), implying that unchecked arrogance can lead to domination and disorder.
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