अंधक
यन्त्रोपारोपितकोशांशः
[सम्पाद्यताम्]Purana Encyclopedia
[सम्पाद्यताम्]
 पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्। |
Andhaka, Andha : m. (pl.): Name of a people, mentioned in most cases along with Vṛṣṇis, and sometimes also with Bhojas and Kukuras.
A. Place: Residents of Dvārakā where they lived after they fled from Mathurā (see Epic events below Section
D. ) (dvārakāvāsibhiś…vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ) 10. 12. 33; (also cf. dvārakāvāsino janāḥ 1. 210. 17).
B. Heroes referred to as chiefs of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis:
(1) Kṛṣṇa: (mukhyam andhakavṛṣṇīnām…kṛṣṇam) 5. 56. 2; (andhakavṛṣṇinātha) 6. 55. 95; (vṛṣṇyandhakakurūttama) 7. 79. 1; (vṛṣṇyandhakapati) 14. 88. 13;
(2) Sātyaki; (vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghra) 7. 117. 47; (vṛṣṇyandhakamahāratha) 9. 20. 12; (sātyakiś…saṁmato 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 5. 63. 7;
(3) Kṛtavarman: (vṛṣṇyandhakamahāratha) 9. 20. 12;
(4) Ugrasena: (vṛṣṇyandhakapati) 14. 84. 15;
(5) Kaṁsa shone among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (tathograsenasya sutaṁ… vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ madhyagataṁ tapantam) 5. 47. 72.
C. Characteristics:
(1) Their close relationship with the Pāṇḍavas: The Pāṇḍavas had no friends other than the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis and vice versa (asmākaṁ…mitram anyan na vidyate/ param andhakavṛṣṇibhyaḥ…//tathaivāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ...asmatto mitram anyan na vidyate//) 7. 169. 48-49; it was on account of their friendship with the Pāṇḍavas that the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis did not pay them tribute at the time of the Rājasūya (dvau karaṁ na prayacchetāṁ…sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 2. 48. 42;
(2) Fortunate, strong, and difficult to be assailed, the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis had become prosperous by being ever industrious (…sumahābhāgā balavanto durāsadāḥ/nityotthānena saṁpannā nāradāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ//) 12. 82. 8;
(3) The Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were not subjugated by Jarāsandha due to either their policy or due to good luck (nayenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/te na tasya vaśaṁ jagmuḥ kevalaṁ daivam eva vā//) 5. 50. 39;
(4) All the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were attached to Kṛṣṇa (sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayḥ/tvayyāsaktā…) 12. 82. 29; they relied on the wisdom of Kṛṣṇa (vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ…yasya prajñām upāsate) 5. 84. 4; Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis, and Bhojas were led by Kṛṣṇa; relying on the counsel of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) they subjugated the enemies and gave delight to their friends (andhakāś ca vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ kaukurāḥ…/upāsīnā vāsudevasya buddhiṁ vigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo nandayanti//vṛṣṇyandhakā…kṛṣṇapraṇītāḥ) 5. 28. 11-12;
(5) According to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and all the Yādavas were like Indra, spirited, who proved their valour, very strong and who enjoyed pleasures (vṛṣṇyandhakā…sarva evendrakalpāḥ/manasvinaḥ satyaparākramāś ca mahābalā yādavā bhogavantaḥ) 5. 28. 12;
(6) Arjuna described them as brave, high-souled, proud like lion, very strong, capable of bearing the strokes of gadā, parigha and śakti, having arms like parigha, having strong arms (ye te śūrā mahātmānaḥ siṁhadarpā mahābalāḥ/ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā…//gadāparighaśaktīnāṁ sahāḥ parīghabāhavaḥ) 16. 9. 9-10;
(7) Vyāsa too called them high-souled (diṣtam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 26;
(8) (According to Bhūriśravas, however, the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could be treacherous); he, therefore, while blaming Arjuna for his misdeed asked him why he regarded them as authority (vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kathaṁ pārtha pramāṇaṁ bhavatā kṛtāḥ) 7. 118. 15.
D. Epic events:
(1) Viṣṇu was born among the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis for the advancement of dharma (dharmasaṁvardhanārthāya prajajñe 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 1. 57. 87; there in the lineage of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas he shone like the moon among the stars (kṣitāv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ vaṁśe…/parayā śuśubhe lakṣmyā nakṣatrāṇām ivoḍurāṭ) 2. 33. 17;
(2) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas mentioned among those who approached Droṇa to learn the astras (abhijagmus tato droṇam astrārthe…vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakāś caiva) 1. 122. 46;
(3) They came to witness the svayaṁvara of Draupadī (vṛṣṇyandhāś caiva…prekṣāṁ sma cakruḥ) 1. 178. 8;
(4) When Arjuna, during the period of his exile, visited Dvārakā, the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas gathered in a crowd on the main road to see him; he was honoured by their sons and was greeted by them (didṛkṣavaś ca kaunteyaṁ… narendramārgam ājagmus…bhojavṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ ca samavāyo mahān abhūt/sa tathā satkṛtaḥ sarvair bhojavṛṣṇyandhakātmajaiḥ/…sarvaiś ca pratinanditaḥ//) 1. 210. 17-19;
(5) A great festival of the Raivataka mountain was observed by the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; they, along with the Bhojas, gave gifts to thousands of Brāhmaṇas in that festival (tasmin raivatake girau/vṛṣṇyandhakānām abhavat sumahān utsavo nṛpa// tatra dānaṁ dadur vīrā…bhojavṛṣṇyandhakāś caiva) 1. 211. 1-2;
(6) When Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas heard the sound of the bherī sounded by the Sabhāpāla, they were agitated; they left their food and drink and rushed to the Hall; there the great heroes among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas took their royal seats (kṣubdhās tenātha śabdena bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/annapānam apāsyātha samāpetuḥ sabhāṁ tataḥ// …bhejire…vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/ siṁhāsanāni śataśaḥ) 1. 212. 12, 14;
(7) When Balarāma declared his intention to fight with Arjuna, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas followed him (anvapadyanta te sarve bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā) 1. 212. 32;
(8) Rāma and Keśava, along with the chiefs among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, and Bhojas went to Khāṇḍavaprastha to give nuptial gifts after the marriage of Subhadrā (ājagāma…saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/ vṛṣṇyandhakamahāmātraiḥ; ete cānye ca bahavo vṛṣṇibhojāndhakās tathā; saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakamahābhojaiḥ saṁvṛtaḥ) 1. 213. 23, 29, 34; they were received and honoured by Yudhiṣṭhira and their gifts were accepted by him (tāṁś ca vṛṣṇyandhakaśreṣṭhān; pūjayām āsa tāṁś caiva vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) 1. 213. 38, 52; they enjoyed their stay at Khāṇḍavaprastha and returned to Dvārakā after a few days (ºvṛṣṇyandhakottamāḥ/vijahrur …//…yayur vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ) 1. 213. 53, 56;
(9) Jarāsandha was neglected by Andhakas, Kukuras and Vṛṣṇis on considerations of policy (kukurāndhakaiḥ/ vṛṣṇibhiś ca…nītihetor upekṣitaḥ//) 2. 17. 27;
(10) Andhakas, Yādavas and Bhojas had deserted Kaṁsa; similarly Vidura wanted Dhṛtarāṣṭra to desert Duryodhana (andhakā yādavā bhojāḥ sametāḥ kaṁsam atyajan) 2. 55. 6; later Kṛṣṇa told the same thing (here Vṛṣṇis are mentioned along with Andhakas) to Bhīṣma and others (kaṁsam ekaṁ parityajya kulārthe…saṁbhūya sukham edhante…andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 126. 39;
(11) Having heard about the Pāṇḍavas' exile, the Bhojas went with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas to meet them in the Dvaitavana (bhojāḥ...vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakaiḥ saha…samājagmur mahāvane) 3. 13. 1;
(12) When Pradyumna was aflicated by the arrows of Śālva, the army of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas wailed loudly (hāhākṛtam abhūt sarvaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakabalaṁ tadā) 3. 19. 2;
(13) Pradyumna asked his charioteer how he should face Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis who always vied with him (andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/mayā spardhanti satatam) 3. 19. 28;
(14) Sātyaki wanted Vṛṣṇi, Bhoja and Andhaka heroes to kill the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and earn fame (savṛṣṇibhojāndhakayodhamukhyāḥ) 3. 120. 19;
(15) Kṛṣṇa assured Yudhiṣṭhira that Kukura and Andhaka heroes would carry out his orders and they would be wherever he wanted them to be (kukurāndhakāś ca/ ete nideśaṁ tava pālayantī tiṣṭhanti yatrecchasi tatra rājan//) 3. 180. 31;
(16) Satyabhāmā told Draupadī that Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were attached to her sons and they loved them as much as they did Pradyumna (bhajanty andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/tulyo hi praṇayas teṣām pradyumnasya ca bhāmini//) 3. 224. 14;
(17) Many Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and others followed Vāsudeva to Virāṭanagara to attend the marriage of Abhimanyu with Uttarā (vṛṣṇyandhakāś ca bahavo…anvayur…vāsudevam) 4. 67. 24;
(18) After advising Drupada to send a messenger to the Kauravas, Kṛṣṇa, along with all Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Bhojas returned to Dvāravatī (gate… kṛṣṇe…saha vṛṣṇyandhakaiḥ sarvair bhojaiś ca śataśas tathā) 5. 7. 1;
(19) Kṛtavarman went to Duryodhana to assist him with an army numbering one akṣauhiṇī of Bhojas and Andhakas (kṛtavarmā…bhojāndhakabalaiḥ saha/akṣauhiṇyaiva senāyā duryodhanam upāgamat) 5. 19. 17;
(20) Saṁjaya, while conveying the message from the Kauravas told Yudhiṣṭhira that he (Saṁjaya) would consider Yudhiṣṭhira's living by begging in the kingdom of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis better than waging a war for kingdom (bhaikṣacaryām andhakavṛṣṇirājye śreyo manye na tu yuddhena rājyam) 5. 27. 2;
(21) Kṛṣṇa told Duryodhana that he was not alone but the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were with him; in the terrible form that he showed in the assembly, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were in front of him (ihaiva…andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 129. 3; (andhakā vṛṣṇayaś caiva…agre babhūvuḥ kṛṣṇasya) 5. 129. 8;
(2) Kṛṣṇa assured Karṇa that if he came over to the Pāṇḍavas, all Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis would be at his feet; they would all follow him (pādau tava grahīṣyanti sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 13; (sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 23;
(23) On the first day of the war, Bṛhadbala, together with great warriors from the Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas, guarded the right side of the Kaurava army (mahārathair andhakavṛṣṇibhojaiḥ…bṛhadbalaḥ…balaṁ tvadīyaṁ dakṣiṇato 'bhipāti) 6. 20. 14;
(24) Sātyaki said to Dhṛṣṭadyumna that he deserved to be discharged by the Pāṇḍavas and all the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis (since he boasted after killing Droṇa) (yāpyas tvam asi…sarvaiś cāndhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ) 7. 169. 11;
(25) Yudhiṣṭhira, dejected at the destruction of the Pāṇḍava army by Nārāyaṇāstra, asked Sātyaki to leave the battlefield along with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and return home (sātyake tvaṁ ca gacchasva vṛṣṇyandhakavṛto gṛhān) 7. 170. 26;
(26) Kṛṣṇa told Aśvatthāman that the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes did not at any time ask him to part with his cakra (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ/ noktapūrvam idaṁ jātu) 10. 12. 33;
(27) When Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā after the war, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas came out to meet him; Kṛṣṇa honoured them and enquired about their well-being (upayātaṁ tu vārṣṇeyaṁ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/abhyāgacchan…//sa tān abhyarcya medhāvī pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṁ tadā) 14. 58. 17-18;
(28) Abhimanyu had told Uttarā that her son would go to the families of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and learn from them the Dhanurveda, the use of astras and the whole Nītiśāstra (gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṁ dhanurvedaṁ grahīṣyati/astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi nītiśāstraṁ ca kevalam//) 14. 65. 24;
(29) When Vyāsa arrived at Hāstinapura, the Kuru leaders (the Pāṇḍavas), along with the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes, worshipped him as was proper for them to do and waited on him (tasya (i. e. of Vyāsa) sarve yathānyāyaṁ pūjāṁ cakruḥ kurūdvahāḥ/saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghrair upāsāṁ cakrire tadā) 14. 70. 11;
(30) Janamejaya asked Vaiśampāyana how the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were destroyed, and by whom were they cursed (kathaṁ vinaṣṭā bhagavann andhakā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha//…kenānuśaptās te vīrāḥ kṣayaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakā yayuḥ) 16. 2. 1, 3; Vaiśampāyana then told about the curse of the sages, Viśvāmitra and others, to the effect that an iron pestle would be born to Sāmba for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; accordingly Sāmba gave birth to a large pestle of the size of a kiṁkara (shaft of a chariot ?) (vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya musalam ghoram āyasam/…sāmbo 'yaṁ janayiṣyati//… sāmbo musalaṁ tad asūta vai/vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya kiṁkarapratimaṁ mahat) 16. 2. 8, 15 (however, Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1. 26: kiṁkaro yamadūtas tattulyam);
(31) King Āhuka declared that the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, from the day of his declaration, should not distil liquor in their houses (adyaprabhṛti sarveṣu vṛṣṇyanahakagṛheṣviha/surāsavo na kartavyaḥ sarvair nagaravāsibhiḥ) 16. 2. 18;
(32) When the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were maintaining vigil over their conduct, Kāla always moved round their houses; many bad omens including blowing of fierce strong winds, occurred indicating the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; also whitish pigeons having red feet, goaded by Kāla, moved over their houses; when the conch Pāñcajanya was sounded in their houses, asses of harsh voice brayed in response (evaṁ prayatamānānāṁ vṛṣṇīnām andhakaiḥ saha/kālo gṛhāṇi sarveṣām paricakrāma nityaśaḥ//) 16. 3. 1; (utpedire mahāvātā dāruṇāś ca dine dine/vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya bahavo romaharṣaṇāḥ//) 16. 3. 3; (pāṇḍurā raktapādāś ca vihagāḥ kālacoditāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ geheṣu kapotā vyacaraṁs tadā//) 16. 3. 6; (nadantaṁ pāñcajanyaṁ ca vṛṣṇyandhakaniveśane samantāt pratyavāśyanta rāsabhā dāruṇasvarāḥ//) 16. 3. 15; for other bad omens see 16. 3. 3-5, 7, 10-14, 17; 16. 4. 1-5;
(33) The Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, wishing to go out with their wives, decided to go for a tīrthayātrā; so they got ready food and drink, which included meat and wine, which they took with them; fond of liquor they went out of the town in vehicles, or on horses and elephants; they stayed at Prabhāsa; hearing that they had settled near the sea, Uddhava took leave of them; the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes saw Uddhava leaving them; the food which was prepared for Brāhmaṇas, they gave to monkeys; then a great drinking bout began at Prabhāsa in which musical instruments were played upon and actors and dancers took part (tato jigamiṣantas te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/ sāntaḥpurās tadā tīrthayātrām aicchan...// tato bhojyaṁ ca bhakṣyaṁ ca peyaṁ cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/bahu nānāvidhaṁ cakrur madyaṁ māṁsam anekaśaḥ//tataḥ sīdhuṣu saktāś ca niryayur nagarād bahiḥ/yānair aśvaiḥ gajaiś caiva…//) 16. 4. 6-8; 9-10; (tataḥ kālaparītās te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/apaśyann uddhavaṁ yāntam) 16. 4. 12; (brāhmaṇārtheṣu yat siddham annaṁ teṣāṁ mahātmanām/tad vānarebhyaḥ pradaduḥ surāgandhasamanvitam//tatas tūryaśatākīrṇaṁ naṭanastakasaṁkulam/ prāvartata mahāpānaṁ prabhāse…//) 16. 4. 13-14;
(34) When Sātyaki severed the head of Kṛtavarman, Bhojas and Andhakas, goaded by the turn of Kāla, gathered round Sātyaki (ekībhūtās tataḥ sarve kālaparyāyacoditāḥ/bhojāndhakā…śaineyaṁ paryavārayan//) 16. 4. 29; angered, they, in a state of drunkenness struck Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) with pots from which food was eaten; Bhojas then fought with Pradyumna, who had intervened to save Sātyaki, and Andhakas attacked Sātyaki, and killed both of them; Kṛṣṇa then killed those Bhojas and Andhakas who were in front of him with the pestle which arose out of the erakā grass held by Kṛṣṇa in his hand; whoever of them held the erakā in his hand, it became (a pestle like) vajra; the Andhakas, Bhojas, Śaineyas and Vṛṣṇis killed each other with that vajra-like pestle; in the tumult, the son killed the father and the father his son; Kukuras and Andhakas fell down as do the flies in fire (te tu pānamadāviṣṭāś coditāś caiva manyunā/ yuyudhānam athābhyaghnann ucchiṣṭhair bhājanais tadā//…rukmiṇinandanaḥ/tadantaram upādhāvan…//sa bhojaiḥ saha saṁyuktaḥ sātyakiś cāndhakaiḥ saha/ bahutvān nihatau tatra…//…erakāṇāṁ tadā muṣṭim kopāj jagrāha keśavaḥ//tad abhūn musalaṁ ghoraṁ vajrakalpam ayomayam/jaghāna tena kṛṣṇas tān ye 'sya pramukhato 'bhavan//tato 'ndhakāś ca bhojāś ca śaineyā vṛṣṇayas tathā/jaghnur anyonyam ākrande musalaiḥ kālacoditāḥ// yas teṣām erakāṁ kaścij jagrāha…/ vajrabhūteva sā rājann adṛśyata…//avadhīt pitaraṁ putraḥ pitā putraṁ ca bhārata/ …pataṁgā iva cāgnau te nyapatan kukurāndhakāḥ//) 16. 4. 31-41;
(35) Kṛṣṇa, contemplating the destruction of Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Kurus, thought it was time for him to leave the world (sa cintayāno 'ndhakavṛṣṇināśaṁ kurukṣayaṁ caiva…mene tataḥ saṁkramaṇasya kālam) 16. 5. 18;
(36) The Pāṇḍavas were very much grieved when they heard from Dāruka the destruction of Vārṣṇeyas, Bhojas, Kukuras and Andhakas (śrutvā vinaṣṭān vārṣṇeyān sabhojakukurāndhakān/) 16. 6. 2;
(37) Arjuna seeing Dvārakā after the destruction of Yādavas compared it with a river of which Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas formed the water (tāṁ sa vṛṣṇyandhakajalāṁ…dvārakāsaritaṁ tadā/ …dadarśārjuno dhīmān) 16. 6. 8, 10;
(38) Arjuna told the people of Dvārakā gathered in the assembly hall that he himself would take with him Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas to Śakraprastha; there Vajra would be their king; when Arjuna left Dvārakā, servants, elephant- and chariot-drivers of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, as also their sons, followed him; many thousands of women of Bhojas, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇīs, who had lost their husbands left Dvārakā to follow Arjuna; on their way to Indraprastha when they were attacked by Mlecchas (also called Dasyus 16. 8. 44, 47, 58, 60 or Ābhīras 16. 8. 45) the latter captured the women of Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and took them away (śakraprastham ahaṁ neṣye vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ svayam/…vajro 'yaṁ bhavatāṁ rājā śakraprasthe bhaviṣyati//…bhṛtyās tv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ sādino rathinaś ca ye/…putrāś cāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ sarve pārtham anuvratāḥ/…bahūni ca sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca/bhojavṛṣṇyandhakastrīṇāṁ hatanāthāni niryayuḥ//…vṛṣṇyandhakavarastriyaḥ/jagmur ādāya te mlecchāḥ) 16. 8. 10-11, 28-30, 34, 38, 61;
(39) On his way to Hāstinapura, Arjuna told Vyāsa about the destruction of Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas due to mutual killing; they fought each other with erakā grass; a total of one thousand and five hundred of them was killed (bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā brahman anyonyaṁ tair hataṁ yudhi/ …ta erokābhir nihatāḥ…//hataṁ pañcaśataṁ teṣāṁ sahasraṁ bāhuśālinām/ nidhanaṁ samanuprāptaṁ samāsādyetaretaram) 16. 9. 9-11 (however, Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 8. 11: pañcaśataṁ sahasraṁ sahasraguṇitaṁ pañcalakṣāṇīty arthaḥ); Vyāsa consoled Arjuna by saying that the great heroes among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were destroyed due to the curse of a Brāhmaṇa and hence Arjuna should not grieve over the event; it was ordained for them (brahmaśāpavinirdagdhā vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/vinaṣṭā…na tāñ śocitum arhasi/bhavitavyaṁ tathā tad dhi diṣṭam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 25-26;
(40) On reaching Hāstinapura, Arjuna informed Yudhiṣṭhira what had happened to Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people (ācaṣṭa tad yathāvṛttaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ prati) 16. 9. 38;
(41) Having heard from Vaiśaṁpāyana about the battle fought with musala (i. e. with erakā blades fortified with the particles of musala) in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, Janamejaya asked him what the Pāṇḍavas did after that incident (evaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakakule śrutvā mausalam āhavam) 17. 1. 1 (Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1. 11: mausalaṁ musalakṛtaṁ kadanaṁ and on 16. 1. 13 (= Cr. Edn. 16. 2. 2): musalaiḥ erakālagnair musalakaṇaiḥ);
(42) Indra showed to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes seated among the group gods Sādhyas, Vasus and Maruts (sādhyānām atha devānāṁ vasūnāṁ marutām api/gaṇeṣu paśya rājendra vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) 18. 4. 14.
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Mahabharata Cultural Index
[सम्पाद्यताम्]|
पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्। |
Andhaka, Andha : m. (pl.): Name of a people, mentioned in most cases along with Vṛṣṇis, and sometimes also with Bhojas and Kukuras.
A. Place: Residents of Dvārakā where they lived after they fled from Mathurā (see Epic events below Section
D. ) (dvārakāvāsibhiś…vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ) 10. 12. 33; (also cf. dvārakāvāsino janāḥ 1. 210. 17).
B. Heroes referred to as chiefs of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis:
(1) Kṛṣṇa: (mukhyam andhakavṛṣṇīnām…kṛṣṇam) 5. 56. 2; (andhakavṛṣṇinātha) 6. 55. 95; (vṛṣṇyandhakakurūttama) 7. 79. 1; (vṛṣṇyandhakapati) 14. 88. 13;
(2) Sātyaki; (vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghra) 7. 117. 47; (vṛṣṇyandhakamahāratha) 9. 20. 12; (sātyakiś…saṁmato 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 5. 63. 7;
(3) Kṛtavarman: (vṛṣṇyandhakamahāratha) 9. 20. 12;
(4) Ugrasena: (vṛṣṇyandhakapati) 14. 84. 15;
(5) Kaṁsa shone among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (tathograsenasya sutaṁ… vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ madhyagataṁ tapantam) 5. 47. 72.
C. Characteristics:
(1) Their close relationship with the Pāṇḍavas: The Pāṇḍavas had no friends other than the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis and vice versa (asmākaṁ…mitram anyan na vidyate/ param andhakavṛṣṇibhyaḥ…//tathaivāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ...asmatto mitram anyan na vidyate//) 7. 169. 48-49; it was on account of their friendship with the Pāṇḍavas that the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis did not pay them tribute at the time of the Rājasūya (dvau karaṁ na prayacchetāṁ…sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 2. 48. 42;
(2) Fortunate, strong, and difficult to be assailed, the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis had become prosperous by being ever industrious (…sumahābhāgā balavanto durāsadāḥ/nityotthānena saṁpannā nāradāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ//) 12. 82. 8;
(3) The Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were not subjugated by Jarāsandha due to either their policy or due to good luck (nayenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/te na tasya vaśaṁ jagmuḥ kevalaṁ daivam eva vā//) 5. 50. 39;
(4) All the Andhakas and the Vṛṣṇis were attached to Kṛṣṇa (sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayḥ/tvayyāsaktā…) 12. 82. 29; they relied on the wisdom of Kṛṣṇa (vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ…yasya prajñām upāsate) 5. 84. 4; Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis, and Bhojas were led by Kṛṣṇa; relying on the counsel of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) they subjugated the enemies and gave delight to their friends (andhakāś ca vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ kaukurāḥ…/upāsīnā vāsudevasya buddhiṁ vigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo nandayanti//vṛṣṇyandhakā…kṛṣṇapraṇītāḥ) 5. 28. 11-12;
(5) According to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and all the Yādavas were like Indra, spirited, who proved their valour, very strong and who enjoyed pleasures (vṛṣṇyandhakā…sarva evendrakalpāḥ/manasvinaḥ satyaparākramāś ca mahābalā yādavā bhogavantaḥ) 5. 28. 12;
(6) Arjuna described them as brave, high-souled, proud like lion, very strong, capable of bearing the strokes of gadā, parigha and śakti, having arms like parigha, having strong arms (ye te śūrā mahātmānaḥ siṁhadarpā mahābalāḥ/ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā…//gadāparighaśaktīnāṁ sahāḥ parīghabāhavaḥ) 16. 9. 9-10;
(7) Vyāsa too called them high-souled (diṣtam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 26;
(8) (According to Bhūriśravas, however, the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could be treacherous); he, therefore, while blaming Arjuna for his misdeed asked him why he regarded them as authority (vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kathaṁ pārtha pramāṇaṁ bhavatā kṛtāḥ) 7. 118. 15.
D. Epic events:
(1) Viṣṇu was born among the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis for the advancement of dharma (dharmasaṁvardhanārthāya prajajñe 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 1. 57. 87; there in the lineage of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas he shone like the moon among the stars (kṣitāv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ vaṁśe…/parayā śuśubhe lakṣmyā nakṣatrāṇām ivoḍurāṭ) 2. 33. 17;
(2) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas mentioned among those who approached Droṇa to learn the astras (abhijagmus tato droṇam astrārthe…vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakāś caiva) 1. 122. 46;
(3) They came to witness the svayaṁvara of Draupadī (vṛṣṇyandhāś caiva…prekṣāṁ sma cakruḥ) 1. 178. 8;
(4) When Arjuna, during the period of his exile, visited Dvārakā, the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas gathered in a crowd on the main road to see him; he was honoured by their sons and was greeted by them (didṛkṣavaś ca kaunteyaṁ… narendramārgam ājagmus…bhojavṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ ca samavāyo mahān abhūt/sa tathā satkṛtaḥ sarvair bhojavṛṣṇyandhakātmajaiḥ/…sarvaiś ca pratinanditaḥ//) 1. 210. 17-19;
(5) A great festival of the Raivataka mountain was observed by the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; they, along with the Bhojas, gave gifts to thousands of Brāhmaṇas in that festival (tasmin raivatake girau/vṛṣṇyandhakānām abhavat sumahān utsavo nṛpa// tatra dānaṁ dadur vīrā…bhojavṛṣṇyandhakāś caiva) 1. 211. 1-2;
(6) When Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas heard the sound of the bherī sounded by the Sabhāpāla, they were agitated; they left their food and drink and rushed to the Hall; there the great heroes among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas took their royal seats (kṣubdhās tenātha śabdena bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/annapānam apāsyātha samāpetuḥ sabhāṁ tataḥ// …bhejire…vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/ siṁhāsanāni śataśaḥ) 1. 212. 12, 14;
(7) When Balarāma declared his intention to fight with Arjuna, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas followed him (anvapadyanta te sarve bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā) 1. 212. 32;
(8) Rāma and Keśava, along with the chiefs among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, and Bhojas went to Khāṇḍavaprastha to give nuptial gifts after the marriage of Subhadrā (ājagāma…saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/ vṛṣṇyandhakamahāmātraiḥ; ete cānye ca bahavo vṛṣṇibhojāndhakās tathā; saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakamahābhojaiḥ saṁvṛtaḥ) 1. 213. 23, 29, 34; they were received and honoured by Yudhiṣṭhira and their gifts were accepted by him (tāṁś ca vṛṣṇyandhakaśreṣṭhān; pūjayām āsa tāṁś caiva vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) 1. 213. 38, 52; they enjoyed their stay at Khāṇḍavaprastha and returned to Dvārakā after a few days (ºvṛṣṇyandhakottamāḥ/vijahrur …//…yayur vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ) 1. 213. 53, 56;
(9) Jarāsandha was neglected by Andhakas, Kukuras and Vṛṣṇis on considerations of policy (kukurāndhakaiḥ/ vṛṣṇibhiś ca…nītihetor upekṣitaḥ//) 2. 17. 27;
(10) Andhakas, Yādavas and Bhojas had deserted Kaṁsa; similarly Vidura wanted Dhṛtarāṣṭra to desert Duryodhana (andhakā yādavā bhojāḥ sametāḥ kaṁsam atyajan) 2. 55. 6; later Kṛṣṇa told the same thing (here Vṛṣṇis are mentioned along with Andhakas) to Bhīṣma and others (kaṁsam ekaṁ parityajya kulārthe…saṁbhūya sukham edhante…andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 126. 39;
(11) Having heard about the Pāṇḍavas' exile, the Bhojas went with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas to meet them in the Dvaitavana (bhojāḥ...vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakaiḥ saha…samājagmur mahāvane) 3. 13. 1;
(12) When Pradyumna was aflicated by the arrows of Śālva, the army of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas wailed loudly (hāhākṛtam abhūt sarvaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakabalaṁ tadā) 3. 19. 2;
(13) Pradyumna asked his charioteer how he should face Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis who always vied with him (andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/mayā spardhanti satatam) 3. 19. 28;
(14) Sātyaki wanted Vṛṣṇi, Bhoja and Andhaka heroes to kill the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and earn fame (savṛṣṇibhojāndhakayodhamukhyāḥ) 3. 120. 19;
(15) Kṛṣṇa assured Yudhiṣṭhira that Kukura and Andhaka heroes would carry out his orders and they would be wherever he wanted them to be (kukurāndhakāś ca/ ete nideśaṁ tava pālayantī tiṣṭhanti yatrecchasi tatra rājan//) 3. 180. 31;
(16) Satyabhāmā told Draupadī that Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were attached to her sons and they loved them as much as they did Pradyumna (bhajanty andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/tulyo hi praṇayas teṣām pradyumnasya ca bhāmini//) 3. 224. 14;
(17) Many Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and others followed Vāsudeva to Virāṭanagara to attend the marriage of Abhimanyu with Uttarā (vṛṣṇyandhakāś ca bahavo…anvayur…vāsudevam) 4. 67. 24;
(18) After advising Drupada to send a messenger to the Kauravas, Kṛṣṇa, along with all Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Bhojas returned to Dvāravatī (gate… kṛṣṇe…saha vṛṣṇyandhakaiḥ sarvair bhojaiś ca śataśas tathā) 5. 7. 1;
(19) Kṛtavarman went to Duryodhana to assist him with an army numbering one akṣauhiṇī of Bhojas and Andhakas (kṛtavarmā…bhojāndhakabalaiḥ saha/akṣauhiṇyaiva senāyā duryodhanam upāgamat) 5. 19. 17;
(20) Saṁjaya, while conveying the message from the Kauravas told Yudhiṣṭhira that he (Saṁjaya) would consider Yudhiṣṭhira's living by begging in the kingdom of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis better than waging a war for kingdom (bhaikṣacaryām andhakavṛṣṇirājye śreyo manye na tu yuddhena rājyam) 5. 27. 2;
(21) Kṛṣṇa told Duryodhana that he was not alone but the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were with him; in the terrible form that he showed in the assembly, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were in front of him (ihaiva…andhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 129. 3; (andhakā vṛṣṇayaś caiva…agre babhūvuḥ kṛṣṇasya) 5. 129. 8;
(2) Kṛṣṇa assured Karṇa that if he came over to the Pāṇḍavas, all Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis would be at his feet; they would all follow him (pādau tava grahīṣyanti sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 13; (sarve cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 5. 138. 23;
(23) On the first day of the war, Bṛhadbala, together with great warriors from the Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas, guarded the right side of the Kaurava army (mahārathair andhakavṛṣṇibhojaiḥ…bṛhadbalaḥ…balaṁ tvadīyaṁ dakṣiṇato 'bhipāti) 6. 20. 14;
(24) Sātyaki said to Dhṛṣṭadyumna that he deserved to be discharged by the Pāṇḍavas and all the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis (since he boasted after killing Droṇa) (yāpyas tvam asi…sarvaiś cāndhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ) 7. 169. 11;
(25) Yudhiṣṭhira, dejected at the destruction of the Pāṇḍava army by Nārāyaṇāstra, asked Sātyaki to leave the battlefield along with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and return home (sātyake tvaṁ ca gacchasva vṛṣṇyandhakavṛto gṛhān) 7. 170. 26;
(26) Kṛṣṇa told Aśvatthāman that the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes did not at any time ask him to part with his cakra (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathaiḥ/ noktapūrvam idaṁ jātu) 10. 12. 33;
(27) When Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā after the war, Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas came out to meet him; Kṛṣṇa honoured them and enquired about their well-being (upayātaṁ tu vārṣṇeyaṁ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā/abhyāgacchan…//sa tān abhyarcya medhāvī pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṁ tadā) 14. 58. 17-18;
(28) Abhimanyu had told Uttarā that her son would go to the families of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and learn from them the Dhanurveda, the use of astras and the whole Nītiśāstra (gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṁ dhanurvedaṁ grahīṣyati/astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi nītiśāstraṁ ca kevalam//) 14. 65. 24;
(29) When Vyāsa arrived at Hāstinapura, the Kuru leaders (the Pāṇḍavas), along with the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes, worshipped him as was proper for them to do and waited on him (tasya (i. e. of Vyāsa) sarve yathānyāyaṁ pūjāṁ cakruḥ kurūdvahāḥ/saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghrair upāsāṁ cakrire tadā) 14. 70. 11;
(30) Janamejaya asked Vaiśampāyana how the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were destroyed, and by whom were they cursed (kathaṁ vinaṣṭā bhagavann andhakā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha//…kenānuśaptās te vīrāḥ kṣayaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakā yayuḥ) 16. 2. 1, 3; Vaiśampāyana then told about the curse of the sages, Viśvāmitra and others, to the effect that an iron pestle would be born to Sāmba for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; accordingly Sāmba gave birth to a large pestle of the size of a kiṁkara (shaft of a chariot ?) (vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya musalam ghoram āyasam/…sāmbo 'yaṁ janayiṣyati//… sāmbo musalaṁ tad asūta vai/vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya kiṁkarapratimaṁ mahat) 16. 2. 8, 15 (however, Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1. 26: kiṁkaro yamadūtas tattulyam);
(31) King Āhuka declared that the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, from the day of his declaration, should not distil liquor in their houses (adyaprabhṛti sarveṣu vṛṣṇyanahakagṛheṣviha/surāsavo na kartavyaḥ sarvair nagaravāsibhiḥ) 16. 2. 18;
(32) When the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were maintaining vigil over their conduct, Kāla always moved round their houses; many bad omens including blowing of fierce strong winds, occurred indicating the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; also whitish pigeons having red feet, goaded by Kāla, moved over their houses; when the conch Pāñcajanya was sounded in their houses, asses of harsh voice brayed in response (evaṁ prayatamānānāṁ vṛṣṇīnām andhakaiḥ saha/kālo gṛhāṇi sarveṣām paricakrāma nityaśaḥ//) 16. 3. 1; (utpedire mahāvātā dāruṇāś ca dine dine/vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya bahavo romaharṣaṇāḥ//) 16. 3. 3; (pāṇḍurā raktapādāś ca vihagāḥ kālacoditāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ geheṣu kapotā vyacaraṁs tadā//) 16. 3. 6; (nadantaṁ pāñcajanyaṁ ca vṛṣṇyandhakaniveśane samantāt pratyavāśyanta rāsabhā dāruṇasvarāḥ//) 16. 3. 15; for other bad omens see 16. 3. 3-5, 7, 10-14, 17; 16. 4. 1-5;
(33) The Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, wishing to go out with their wives, decided to go for a tīrthayātrā; so they got ready food and drink, which included meat and wine, which they took with them; fond of liquor they went out of the town in vehicles, or on horses and elephants; they stayed at Prabhāsa; hearing that they had settled near the sea, Uddhava took leave of them; the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes saw Uddhava leaving them; the food which was prepared for Brāhmaṇas, they gave to monkeys; then a great drinking bout began at Prabhāsa in which musical instruments were played upon and actors and dancers took part (tato jigamiṣantas te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/ sāntaḥpurās tadā tīrthayātrām aicchan...// tato bhojyaṁ ca bhakṣyaṁ ca peyaṁ cāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/bahu nānāvidhaṁ cakrur madyaṁ māṁsam anekaśaḥ//tataḥ sīdhuṣu saktāś ca niryayur nagarād bahiḥ/yānair aśvaiḥ gajaiś caiva…//) 16. 4. 6-8; 9-10; (tataḥ kālaparītās te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/apaśyann uddhavaṁ yāntam) 16. 4. 12; (brāhmaṇārtheṣu yat siddham annaṁ teṣāṁ mahātmanām/tad vānarebhyaḥ pradaduḥ surāgandhasamanvitam//tatas tūryaśatākīrṇaṁ naṭanastakasaṁkulam/ prāvartata mahāpānaṁ prabhāse…//) 16. 4. 13-14;
(34) When Sātyaki severed the head of Kṛtavarman, Bhojas and Andhakas, goaded by the turn of Kāla, gathered round Sātyaki (ekībhūtās tataḥ sarve kālaparyāyacoditāḥ/bhojāndhakā…śaineyaṁ paryavārayan//) 16. 4. 29; angered, they, in a state of drunkenness struck Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) with pots from which food was eaten; Bhojas then fought with Pradyumna, who had intervened to save Sātyaki, and Andhakas attacked Sātyaki, and killed both of them; Kṛṣṇa then killed those Bhojas and Andhakas who were in front of him with the pestle which arose out of the erakā grass held by Kṛṣṇa in his hand; whoever of them held the erakā in his hand, it became (a pestle like) vajra; the Andhakas, Bhojas, Śaineyas and Vṛṣṇis killed each other with that vajra-like pestle; in the tumult, the son killed the father and the father his son; Kukuras and Andhakas fell down as do the flies in fire (te tu pānamadāviṣṭāś coditāś caiva manyunā/ yuyudhānam athābhyaghnann ucchiṣṭhair bhājanais tadā//…rukmiṇinandanaḥ/tadantaram upādhāvan…//sa bhojaiḥ saha saṁyuktaḥ sātyakiś cāndhakaiḥ saha/ bahutvān nihatau tatra…//…erakāṇāṁ tadā muṣṭim kopāj jagrāha keśavaḥ//tad abhūn musalaṁ ghoraṁ vajrakalpam ayomayam/jaghāna tena kṛṣṇas tān ye 'sya pramukhato 'bhavan//tato 'ndhakāś ca bhojāś ca śaineyā vṛṣṇayas tathā/jaghnur anyonyam ākrande musalaiḥ kālacoditāḥ// yas teṣām erakāṁ kaścij jagrāha…/ vajrabhūteva sā rājann adṛśyata…//avadhīt pitaraṁ putraḥ pitā putraṁ ca bhārata/ …pataṁgā iva cāgnau te nyapatan kukurāndhakāḥ//) 16. 4. 31-41;
(35) Kṛṣṇa, contemplating the destruction of Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Kurus, thought it was time for him to leave the world (sa cintayāno 'ndhakavṛṣṇināśaṁ kurukṣayaṁ caiva…mene tataḥ saṁkramaṇasya kālam) 16. 5. 18;
(36) The Pāṇḍavas were very much grieved when they heard from Dāruka the destruction of Vārṣṇeyas, Bhojas, Kukuras and Andhakas (śrutvā vinaṣṭān vārṣṇeyān sabhojakukurāndhakān/) 16. 6. 2;
(37) Arjuna seeing Dvārakā after the destruction of Yādavas compared it with a river of which Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas formed the water (tāṁ sa vṛṣṇyandhakajalāṁ…dvārakāsaritaṁ tadā/ …dadarśārjuno dhīmān) 16. 6. 8, 10;
(38) Arjuna told the people of Dvārakā gathered in the assembly hall that he himself would take with him Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas to Śakraprastha; there Vajra would be their king; when Arjuna left Dvārakā, servants, elephant- and chariot-drivers of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, as also their sons, followed him; many thousands of women of Bhojas, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇīs, who had lost their husbands left Dvārakā to follow Arjuna; on their way to Indraprastha when they were attacked by Mlecchas (also called Dasyus 16. 8. 44, 47, 58, 60 or Ābhīras 16. 8. 45) the latter captured the women of Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and took them away (śakraprastham ahaṁ neṣye vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ svayam/…vajro 'yaṁ bhavatāṁ rājā śakraprasthe bhaviṣyati//…bhṛtyās tv andhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ sādino rathinaś ca ye/…putrāś cāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṁ sarve pārtham anuvratāḥ/…bahūni ca sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca/bhojavṛṣṇyandhakastrīṇāṁ hatanāthāni niryayuḥ//…vṛṣṇyandhakavarastriyaḥ/jagmur ādāya te mlecchāḥ) 16. 8. 10-11, 28-30, 34, 38, 61;
(39) On his way to Hāstinapura, Arjuna told Vyāsa about the destruction of Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas due to mutual killing; they fought each other with erakā grass; a total of one thousand and five hundred of them was killed (bhojavṛṣṇyandhakā brahman anyonyaṁ tair hataṁ yudhi/ …ta erokābhir nihatāḥ…//hataṁ pañcaśataṁ teṣāṁ sahasraṁ bāhuśālinām/ nidhanaṁ samanuprāptaṁ samāsādyetaretaram) 16. 9. 9-11 (however, Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 8. 11: pañcaśataṁ sahasraṁ sahasraguṇitaṁ pañcalakṣāṇīty arthaḥ); Vyāsa consoled Arjuna by saying that the great heroes among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were destroyed due to the curse of a Brāhmaṇa and hence Arjuna should not grieve over the event; it was ordained for them (brahmaśāpavinirdagdhā vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ/vinaṣṭā…na tāñ śocitum arhasi/bhavitavyaṁ tathā tad dhi diṣṭam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 25-26;
(40) On reaching Hāstinapura, Arjuna informed Yudhiṣṭhira what had happened to Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people (ācaṣṭa tad yathāvṛttaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ prati) 16. 9. 38;
(41) Having heard from Vaiśaṁpāyana about the battle fought with musala (i. e. with erakā blades fortified with the particles of musala) in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, Janamejaya asked him what the Pāṇḍavas did after that incident (evaṁ vṛṣṇyandhakakule śrutvā mausalam āhavam) 17. 1. 1 (Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 1. 11: mausalaṁ musalakṛtaṁ kadanaṁ and on 16. 1. 13 (= Cr. Edn. 16. 2. 2): musalaiḥ erakālagnair musalakaṇaiḥ);
(42) Indra showed to Yudhiṣṭhira, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes seated among the group gods Sādhyas, Vasus and Maruts (sādhyānām atha devānāṁ vasūnāṁ marutām api/gaṇeṣu paśya rājendra vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) 18. 4. 14.
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