Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 40
Andhaka’s Defeat, the Bhairava Manifestation, and His Redemption as Bhṛṅgī Gaṇapati
तस्यासृगुल्बणं ब्रह्मञ्छूलभेदादवापतत् येनाकष्ठं महादेवो निमग्नः सप्तमूर्तिमान्
tasyāsṛgulbaṇaṃ brahmañchūlabhedādavāpatat yenākaṣṭhaṃ mahādevo nimagnaḥ saptamūrtimān
शूलभेदकृतव्रणात् तस्यासृक् घोरवेगेन निपपात, हे ब्रह्मन्; तेनासृगौघेन सप्तमूर्तिमान् महादेवः शूलकाष्ठपर्यन्तं निमग्नोऽभवत्।
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FAQs
Ākāṣṭham literally means “up to the wood.” In context it indicates that the outpouring was so great that Śiva is described as immersed up to the wooden shaft/handle portion—an intentional exaggeration to convey the enormity of the blood-flow.
It is an epithet of Śiva indicating a set of seven manifestations/aspects recognized in various Śaiva traditions. Here it functions to elevate the scene: even the many-formed Mahādeva is depicted amid the overwhelming torrent, highlighting the cosmic scale of the combat.
Yes. Purāṇas often use blood-flood imagery to express the near-limitless vitality granted by demonic boons and the consequent need for a divine, extraordinary countermeasure—setting up subsequent transformative events (e.g., emergence of beings from divine perspiration or energy).