When Shukracharya’s eye burst during the Vaman incarnation of Lord Vishnu, know what was the entire mythological incident.

Guru of demons and expert in knowledge:- In mythology, Shukracharya is known as the guru of demons, but his image is not only negative. He was a great expert in astrology, constellation knowledge and Sanjeevani Vidya (the knowledge of bringing the dead back to life). Being the son of Maharishi Bhrigu, he is called Bhargava. His childhood name was Ushna and due to his interest in poetry, he was also called a poet. Due to one of his eyes bursting, he was also known by the name Ekaksha.

Beginning of the story of Vaman Avatar:- According to a story, King Bali was performing a grand yagya. At the same time Lord Vishnu reached there in Vaman incarnation and asked for donation of three steps of land from King Bali. But Shukracharya understood that this was not an ordinary Brahmin, but Lord Vishnu himself, who had come to test Bali. Therefore he tried to stop King Bali from donating.

Incident of bursting of an eye:- When King Bali started the process of donation by taking water, Shukracharya went in subtle form and sat in the tube of Kamandal, so that the water did not come out and the donation could not be completed. Lord Vaman understood this trick and put a straw in the tube of Kamandal. That straw went and pricked Shukracharya’s eye. He came out of pain, the water flowed away and the donation was completed. After this incident, Lord Vishnu conquered Trilok and made Bali the king of Hades. For this reason, one of Shukracharya’s eyes burst, and he was called Ekaksha.

Story of being swallowed by Lord Shiva:- There is also a different story of how Shukracharya got his name. Once there was a war between the demons and Lord Shiva’s gang. Shukracharya used Sanjivani Vidya to help the demons in the war, due to which Lord Shiva became angry. Then he swallowed Shukracharya and sealed him in his stomach.

Lord Shiva’s penance and forgiveness:- Despite being in Lord Shiva’s stomach, Shukracharya did not give up. He started penance there and worshiped Lord Shiva for thousands of years. Seeing his deep devotion, Lord Shiva was pleased and granted him pardon. After this he expelled Shukracharya in the form of his semen (Venus), hence he got the name “Shukracharya”.

Name and modern depiction:- It is said that because he was born from the body parts of Lord Shiva, he was also called his Aurasputra. In this way, Bhrigu’s son Ushna received the name Shukracharya by the grace of Lord Shiva. Even today in mythology and films he is depicted as having one eye. Recently, actor Akshay Khanna is going to play the role of demon guru Shukracharya in a film, in which a detailed glimpse of one of his torn eyes has been shown, so that this mythological story comes alive.