In ancient times, twelve devastating battles took place between Devata(s) (gods) and the Asura(s) demons. The eighth among these battles. In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), it is described that many Asura(s) and Piśāca(s) (Pisacha; a kind of evil spirit) got killed at the hand of Mahādeva. Probably the battle in which Andhakāsura was slain, was known as Andhaka Yuddha.