Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 46
Andhaka’s Defeat, the Bhairava Manifestation, and His Redemption as Bhṛṅgī Gaṇapati
त्वां स्तोष्यन्ति सदा देवि बलिपुष्पोत्करैः करैः चर्च्चिकेति सुभं नाम यस्मादा रुधिरचर्चिता
tvāṃ stoṣyanti sadā devi balipuṣpotkaraiḥ karaiḥ carcciketi subhaṃ nāma yasmādā rudhiracarcitā
They will always praise you, O Goddess, with hands bearing abundant offerings and heaps of flowers. Because you are ‘smeared/marked with blood’ (rudhira-carcitā), your auspicious name is Carccikā.
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FAQs
The wording explains the name via ‘rudhira-carcitā’ (blood-smeared/marked), a common marker of fierce goddess iconography and mythic battle-contexts. It does not, by itself, mandate a ritual of blood-offering; it foregrounds the deity’s protective, martial aspect. The mention of bali can denote general offerings as well.
Such etymologies sacralize a name by tying it to a defining mythic attribute or event. Here, the goddess’s identity is anchored in a vivid epithet, making the cult-title ‘Carccikā’ meaningful for recitation, worship, and local tradition.
The pairing signals completeness of pūjā: fragrant, auspicious offerings (flowers) alongside substantial oblations (bali). In tīrtha-mahātmyas, this often implies that worship at the associated site yields merit and protection.