A river in ancient India as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 23.

The son of Priyavrata, who was the brother of Uttanapada. Priyavrata was the elder son of Swayambhuvamanu and married Surupa and Barhishmati, daughters of Vishwakarma. With Surupa, he had 10 sons – Agnidhra, Idmajihva, Yajnabahu, Mahavira, Rugmashukra,  Ghritaprishta, Savana, Medhathithi, Vitihotra, Kavi. They also had a daughter named Urjaswati as per Devibhagavata Ashtamaskanda.

A sage who used to survive only on ghee. He was a disciple of Brahma and a proponent of Sanatanadharma as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 166 verse 24.

An Anga king. He was the son of Gharma and the father of Vidusha as per Agnipurana Chapter 277.

The foster mother of Shukra’s daughter Devayani as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 78 verse 25.

An asura king.

A technique in veda studies.

An asura who excelled in Varuna’s court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 9 verse 34.

One of the 4 attendants given to Skanda by Brahma. The others were Nandisena, Lohitaksha, Kumudamali as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 45 verses 23-24.

Ghandakarnas were two rakshasas who gained salvation by praying to Vishnu.Ghanda was the elder as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda though he is also referred to as Ghandakarna in many works.

A demon named Darukasura used a boon given by Brahma to torment the worlds. When it became insufferable, Shiva created Bhadrakali from his third eye and she killed the asura. His wife Manodari was Maya’s daughter. She was distraught at her husband’s death and started praying to Shiva. Shiva appeared and gave her sweat drops from his body. He said that whoever she threw it at would get a disease and be forced to give her whatever she needed. She became a virtual goddess and traveled to earth with the drops. On the way she saw Bhadrakali and knowing that she was her husband’s killer, threw a few drops at her. Bhadrakali was struck by the disease. Shiva knew of this and created a fierce rakshasa from his ear. This was Ghandakarna. As per several puranas, there were two rakshasas who always stayed together and so were regarded as one entity. As per Shiva’s instructions Ghandakarna licked away the disease from Bhadrakali’s body. As he was about to lick it off her face, she stopped him. She said that he was her brother and it was not right for him to do so. It is for this reason that Bhadrakali still has the spots on her face.

Ghandakarna was a Vishnu hater in his early days. He hated hearing Vishnu’s name and hung bells from his ear to prevent this. Thus the name as per Mahabharata Bhavishyalparva Chapter 80. He was an attendant of Kuber. He once prayed to Shiva for salvation. Shiva appeared but said that Vishnu was more powerful and from then on, Ghandakarna removed the bells and started praying to Vishnu as per Mahabharata Bhavishyalparva Chapter 80.

Once Krishna set out to Kailash on Garuda to visit Shiva after handing over the responsibilities to Satyaki. He stopped at Badaryashrama to meditate and after a while heard the loud laughter of pisachas nearby. He also heard the barking of dogs and realised that they were hunting. They finally reached where Krishna was meditating. They were led by Ghandakarna who was reciting Vishnu’s names. Krishna called him over and asked him why he was doing so. Ghandakarna said that Shiva had told him that he would meet Vishnu at Badaryashrama and attain salvation. Krishna showed Ghandakarna his true form. A delighted Ghandakarna tore a dead brahmin’s body in half and presented it to Krishna, and said this was the best gift that could be given by rakshasa standards. Krishna didn’t accept it but patted Ghandakarna who then attained Vaikuntha as per Mahabharata Bhavishyalparva Chapters 80-82.

Though an asura, Ghandakarna is worshiped in temples because he attained salvation by praying to Vishnu. As per Agnipurana, his idol would have 18 hands, each of which holds a specific object.