[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Elements of Hindu Iconography](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914) › v3.c19.153 # Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.153 Elements of Hindu Iconography v3.c19.153 - **Language:** English ### [v3.c19.153](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19.153) By Diti were born to Kaśyapa two sons known as Hiraṇyāksha and Hiraṇyakaśipu. They were respectively killed by Vishṇu in his Varāha-avatāra and Nṛisimha-avatāra. Prahlāda, the son of Hiraṇyāksha, became a devotee of Vishṇu and renounced all concerns of worldly life. After him Andhakāsura began to rule over the asuras. By piously practising a long series of austerities, he obtained several boons from Brahmā and became very powerful. He then began to cause annoyance to the devas; and they ran to Kailāsa to complain to Śiva about the troubles caused by the asura chief. Even as Śiva was listening to their complaint, Andhakāsura appeared at Kailāsa with a view to carry away Pārvatī. Śiva thereupon got ready to fight the asura; he made the three well known snakes Vāsuki, Takshaka and Dhananjaya serve as his belt and bracelets. An asura named Nila, who had secretly planned to kill Śiva came out in the meanwhile in the form of an elephant. Nandi came to know of this and informed Vīrabhadra; and he took the shape of the lion (the natural enemy of the elephant) and attacked and killed Nila. The skin of this elephant was presented by Vīrabhadra to Śiva. It was worn by Śiva as his upper garment. Clad with this curious garment and ornamented with the serpents, and wielding his powerful triśūla, Śiva started out on his expedition against Andhakāsura taking with him his army consisting of the gaṇas. Viṣṇu and the other gods also went with him to offer help. But in the struggle that ensued Viṣṇu and other devas had to run away. At last Śiva aimed his arrow and shot at the asura and wounded him; blood began to flow in profusion from the wound, and each drop of it as it touched the earth assumed the shape of another Andhakāsura. Thus, there arose thousands of Andhakāsuras to fight against Śiva. Immediately Śiva thrust his triśūla through the body of the original and real Andhakāsura and began to dance. Viṣṇu destroyed with his chakrāyudha the secondary asuras produced from the blood-drops. To stop the blood from falling on the earth, Śiva created out of the flame that was issuing from his mouth a śakti called Yōgēśvari. Indra and other devas also sent their śaktis to serve the same purpose. They are Brahmāṇi, Māhēśvari, Kaumāri, Vaiṣṇavi, Vārāhi, Indrāṇi and Chāmuṇḍa. These are the female counterparts of the gods, Brahmā, Mahēśvara, Kumāra, Viṣṇu, Varāha, Indra and Yama, and are armed with the same weapons, wear the same ornaments and ride the same vāhanas and carry the same banners as the corresponding male gods do. Such is the account of the origin of the Sapta-mātṛkās or the seven Mother-Goddesses. - [Previous: v3.c19.151](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19.151) - [Next: v3.c19.154](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19.154) - [Up: v3.c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19.153](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.rao-1914.v3.c19.153) · Pramāṇa