Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 75

Andhaka’s Defeat, the Bhairava Manifestation, and His Redemption as Bhṛṅgī Gaṇapati

Devanagari script

गणान् सनन्दीनाहूय सन्निवेश्य तदाग्रतः भृङ्गिनं दर्शयामास ध्रुवं नैषो ऽन्धकति हि

Transliteration

gaṇān sanandīnāhūya sanniveśya tadāgrataḥ bhṛṅginaṃ darśayāmāsa dhruvaṃ naiṣo 'ndhakati hi

Translation

गणान् सनन्दीन् आहूय तदग्रतः सन्निवेश्य, भृङ्गिणं दर्शयामास—“ध्रुवं नैषोऽन्धकः” इति।

Speakers

• Primary narrator reporting Śiva’s action/speech to the listening sage(s) (exact interlocutors not specified in the excerpt).

Primary Deities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Bhṛṅgin
• Shiva’s Gaṇas

Key Themes

• Mobilization of Śiva’s gaṇas
• Recognition/identification of the asura Andhaka
• Command structure in Śiva’s retinue
• Mythic foreshadowing of Andhaka-vadha

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Who are the ‘gaṇas’ and why is Nandī singled out?

The gaṇas are Śiva’s attendant hosts—martial, liminal beings who execute his will. Nandī is singled out as a principal leader and gatekeeper figure, often functioning as commander and exemplar of devotion in Śaiva narratives.

Why is Bhṛṅgin mentioned in connection with identifying Andhaka?

Bhṛṅgin is a prominent Śaiva attendant associated with intense devotion and distinctive iconography. In this passage, he is used as a point of recognition or demonstration—Śiva ‘shows’ Bhṛṅgin to the assembled gaṇas to confirm the identity of the adversary (Andhaka), tightening narrative focus before confrontation.

Does the line ‘dhruvaṃ naiṣo ’ndhaka’ indicate certainty or negation?

The construction conveys emphatic certainty in identification within the narrative. Depending on manuscript sandhi and context, it can read as ‘surely this is Andhaka’ (identity asserted) rather than a simple negation; the surrounding verses (enemy-description and ensuing praise) support the identification/recognition function.