Some of the oldest and most spectacular images of Shiva are found in Elephanta and Ellora, cave temples built by Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas roughly 1,500 years ago, when a new form of Hinduism, based on Puranas and Hindu trinity began overshadowing the old Vedic and Buddhist ways. Amongst these Shiva images, are one of him impaling an asura with his trident. It is one of the rare occasions where Shiva uses his trident in a battle against an asura. This asura is called Andhaka or the asura of darkness. He is also considered a 'son' of Shiva.

It is said that once, in a spirit of play, Parvati covered Shiva's eyes with her palms. This plunged the whole world into darkness, forcing Shiva to open his third eye, so that the Sun's light could be restored. With Shiva's third eye blazing, Parvati's palms began to sweat. From that sweat, emerged a child. Since the child was born in darkness, he came to be known as Andhaka. He was adopted and raised by the Asuras.