From a humble acolyte, Acala evolved into a powerful demon-subduing deity. In later texts such as the "Caṇḍamahāroṣaṇa Tantra", Acala - under the name Caṇḍaroṣaṇa ("Violent Wrathful One") or Caṇḍamahāroṣaṇa ("Violent One of Great Wrath") - is portrayed as the "frightener of gods, titans, and men, the destroyer of the strength of demons" who slays ghosts and evil spirits with his fierce anger. In the "Sādhanamālā", the "wicked" Hindu gods Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and Kandarpa who subject humanity to endless rebirth are said to be terrified of Acala because he carries a rope to bind them.