Virūpāksha

Virūpāksha · virūpa-aksha, “he of unusual eyes”

Virūpāksha is a name used for more than one being in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Each is listed below with where it is told; choose the one you are looking for.

People

• Virūpāksha the Charioteer: the charioteer of the rākshasa Ghaṭotkaca, son of Bhīmasena, in the Kurukshetra war. Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 175
• Virūpāksha the Rākshasa King: a generous rākshasa king and a close friend of the crane king Nāḍījaṅgha. Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Āpaddharma Parva, Chapters 170–173

Named in passing

• Virūpāksha the daitya: one of the daitya heroes who cut down the deva ranks in Bali’s war, told on Bali Rules the Three Worlds. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 48
• Śiva as Virūpāksha: one of the three pieces of Bhagavān Śiva’s body cut by the Sudarśana, and the form of Śiva that Upamanyu worshipped, told on Śrīdāma and the Sudarśana Cakra. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 56