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  • A (Ā)

    In the beginning of Creation, fourteen vowel-sounds (svaradhvani) were created from the mouth of the four-faced Brahmā (Brahma). Manu, the ruler of fourteen manvantara (manvantara; epoch) was born out of these fourteen vowel-sounds. Ā (A) or Ā-kāra (a-kara) was the second of these vowel sounds emanated from Brahmā’s second mouth. From this Ā-kāra (A-kara), emanated Svāyambhuba Manu. In the […]

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  • A (A-kāra)

    A or a-kāra is the first orthographical representation of the first sound in the universe – the sound with which begins what is identified as logos – akārastvakṣaro jñeyaḥ.  A is the first syllable of the holy chant of Om (formally called Omkara, pronounced Aum, comprising the syllables a-u-ma). A is considered to be a […]

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  • Abhibhu (Abhibhū)

    Abhibhū(Abhibhu) was the king of Kāśī (Kasi). He joined the Pāṇḍava(s). A prince of Kāśī also participated in the war, and probably he was the son of Abhibhū (Abhibhu). He is mentioned in Droṇaparva (Dronaparva). Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra)asked Sañjaya about the chariots of the warriors.Among many others, Sañjaya mentioned the prince of Kāśī, and said, his […]

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  • Abhidheyatma (Avidheyātmā)

    Avidheyātmā (Abhidheyatma)  is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand Names of God Vishnu).

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  • Abhigamya (Abhigamya)

    Abhigamya is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma ( Ashtottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). The prefix ‘abhi’ means at the front, and gamya means that which can be accessed. So the entire meaning of Abhigamya denotes one whose blessings can be attained with ease.. If devotees stand in front of him and […]

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  • Abhijit – 1 (Abhijit - 1)

    The vaṃśa (vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Abhijit is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) (genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages)belonging to the order of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira). Maharṣi Abhijit was one of the Āṅgirasa (Angirasa; belonging to Angira) gotra-pravartaka (clan-founder).

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  • Abhijit- 2 (Abhijit - 2)

    Abhijit is a nakṣatra (nakshatra; star), the twenty second among the twenty eight major stars; Brahmā (Brahma)is its presiding deity. Abhijit was like the younger sister of the star Rohiṇī (Rohini), and she got jealous of Rohiṇī. In order to attain the respect due to seniority, she went off to forest to perform tapasyā (tapasya, hard […]

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  • Abhimanyu – 1 (Abhimanyu - 1)

    Abhimanyu was the son born of the womb of Subhadrā, sister of Sāraṇa and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Varcā or Varcas, son of Candra (the Moon-God) was born as the son of Arjuna. In the Aṃśāvataraṇa adhyāya it is said that– yastu varcā iti khyātaḥ somaputraḥ pratāpavān so’bhimanyurvṛhat kīrtirarjunasya suto’bhavat. His arms were long, breast wide, and eyes […]

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  • Abhimanyu – 2 (Abhimanyu - 2)

    Ten sons were born of the womb of Naḍvalā (Nadvala), and sired by Cākṣuṣa (Chakshusha)Manu. The youngest among these sons was Abhimanyu.

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  • Abhimanyu – 3 (Abhimanyu - 3)

    Abhimanyu was one of those who became Saptarṣi (Saptarshi; the seven iconic Sages) in Sāvarṇi (Savarni) Manvantara.

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  • Abhimanyu – 4 (Abhimanyu - 4)

    Abhimanyu was one of the gods who belonged to Tviṣimanta (Twishimanta) gaṇa (gana; genus) in Svāyambhuva (Svayambhuva) Manvantara.

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  • Abhimitra (Abhimitra)

    Abhimitra was one of the forty nine Marut gods, born of the womb of Diti — daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati). These gods were divided into seven gaṇa(s).Abhimitra was one of the seven gods belonging to the second gaṇa. In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), he is referred to as Amitra.

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  • Abhipraya (Abhiprāya )

    Abhiprāya (Abhipraya) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand Names of God Vishnu).

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  • Abhira – 1 (Ābhīra - 1)

    The Ābhīra(Abhira) community is born of the womb of a Vaiśya(Vaisya) woman , sired by a man of the Gopa community.

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  • Abhira – 2 (Ābhīra - 2)

    Ābhīra (Abhira) is an ancient tribe dwelling in the basin of the river Saraśvatī (Saraswati). In Mahābhārata(Mahabharata) and Purāṇa (Purana), we find that ‘Abhīra’ is mentioned along with the Śūdra (Sudra) people — śūdrābhīragaṇāścaiva ye cāśritya sarasvatīm. In the army of Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna), the Ābhīra people were included along with other non-Aryan tribes.During the battle […]

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  • Abhiru (Abhīru)

    Abhīru (Abhiru) is a king born in Martyaloka (earthly abode) in Dvāparayuga (Dwaparayuga; the Dwapara era). In Aṃśāvataraṇaparva (Amsavataranaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is described that eight Kālakeya (Kalakeya)Asura(s) were born as distinguished kings in this world , in Dvāparayuga. Abhīru was born as an incarnation of the Kālakeya Dānava(s) (Danava; Demon).

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  • Abhisara (Abhisāra)

    In the upaparva title ‘Jayadratha-vadha’, in Mahābhārata, two communities called ‘Dārva’ and Abhisāra are found to be fighting with Arjuna – dārvābhisārā daradāḥ puṇḍrāścaiva sahasrasaḥ Elsewhere in Mahābhārata, the Abhisāra community is mentioned along with other Kashmiri tribes. They were probably living on the frontiers of Kāśmīra (Kashmir). Elsewhere, they are mentioned along with the […]

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  • Abhishaha (Abhīṣāha)

    See Abhisāra (Abhisara).

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  • Abhisheka (Abhiṣeka)

    Abhiṣeka (Abhisheka; Coronation) was a matter of high importance in the Vedic period. In Brāhmaṇa-texts, the description of this ceremony became more important than in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) or Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Moreover, the names of some famous kings of Sūryavaṃśa (Suryavamsa; The Solar Dynasty) or Candravaṃśa (Chandravamsa; The Lunar Dynasty) can be found in these Brāhmaṇa-texts, […]

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  • Abhiti (Abhīti)

    Abhīti (Abhiti) is one of the Mātṛkā (Matrika; an order of lesser female deities), present during the coronation of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

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  • Abhiyu (Abhiyu)

    Abhiyu was one of the forty nine Marut gods, born of the womb of Diti — daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). These gods were divided into seven gaṇa(s) (gana; genus) . Abhiyu was one of the seven gods belonging to the second gaṇa. In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa […]

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  • Abhiyukta (Abhiyukta)

    In Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scripture). it is said that the inhabitants of Kuśadvīpa (Kusadwipa) were divided into four varṇa(s), like that of Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha). Abhiyukta is the third among these varṇa(s). It is probably similar to Vaiśya(Vaisya) varṇa.

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  • Abhiyuktakshik (Abhiyuktākṣik)
  • Abhrama (Abhrama)

    Abhrama is an elephant. Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) mentions his name as the king of the elephant race.

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  • Abhramu (Abhramū)

    Abhramū (Abhramu) is the wife of the elephant Airāvata (Airavata). Añjana (Anjana), Supratīka (Supratika), Vāmana (Vamana), and Padma — these four ‘Diggaja'(s) (Four mythical elephants, protecting the four sides) were born of the womb of Abhramū, and sired by Airāvata. See Dighastinī (Dighastini).

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  • Abhuh (Abhūḥ)

    Abhūḥ(Abhuh) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra).

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  • Abhumi – 1 (Abhūmi - 1)

    According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Abhūmi (Abhumi) was one of the sons born of the womb of Aśvinī (Aswini), and sired by Akrūra (Akrura).

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  • Abhumi – 2 (Abhūmi - 2)

    According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Abhūmi (Abhumi) was the son of Citraka (Chitraka), belonging to Yadu-Vṛṣṇi (Yadu-Vrishni) vaṃśa (vamsa).

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  • Abhutaraja (Ābhūtaraja)

    Ābhūtaraja(Abhutaraja) is one of the gaṇa (gana; genus) of the gods in Raivata Manvantara.

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  • Abhyantara saucha (Ābhyantara śauca)

    [see Śauca (Saucha)]

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  • Abhykshana (Abhyukṣaṇa )

    In general, the act of purifying something by sprinkling water is called Abhyukṣaṇa (Abhyukshana) .According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), after washing the containers used in rituals like śrāddha (sraddha; rites dedicated , and after performing ācamana, water is to be sprinkled over them — this is abhyukṣaṇa. In fact, abhyukṣaṇa is sprinkling water over things brought by […]

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  • Abhyudayika (Ābhyudayika)

    Rituals, whose performance yields beneficial effects on humankind. Rituals like vivāha (vivaha; marriage) jātakarma (jatakarma; birth-related rites), cuḍākaraṇa (chudakarana; the haircutting-ritual), maunjībandhana (maunjibandhana; the ritual of binding hair in a certain pattern), prāsada-pratisṭhā (prasada-pratistha; establishment of a palace), dvājaropaṇa (dvajaropana; setting up flags), devapratisṭhā (devapratistha; consecration of the image of deities), utsarga (dedication) of kūpa […]

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  • Abvarana (Āvaraṇa)

    Bharata was the son of Ṛṣabha (Rishabha), in the genealogical line of Āgnīdhra (Agnidhra), the eldest son of Priyavrata. Five sons of Bharata were born out of the womb of Pañcajanī (Panchajani), daughter of Viśvarupa (Viswarupa). Āvaraṇa(Avarana) was one of them.  

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  • Achala – 1 (Acala - 1)

    Son of Subala, who was the king of Gāndhāra (Gandhara), and brother of Śakuni (Shakuni). This brother-in-law of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra) was seen for the first time in the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira).  It has been seen that the name of Acala’s other brother Vṛṣaka (Vrishaka) was always uttered along with that of […]

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  • Achala – 2 (Acala)

    Acala (Achala) was one of the attending warriors who aided Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya) at the time of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). 

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  • Achala – 3 (Acala)

    Static or immobile. It has been said that, at the time of pralaya (doomsday), the mountains of the previous epoch melted in the fire, caused by pralaya, called saṃvartaka (samvartaka). Wherever these molten mountains fell, having been blown by strong gusts of wind, they became static after solidifying upon crystallisation after coming in contact with the […]

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  • Achala – 4 (Acala)

    A Bhairava [a destructive mode or appearance of Śiva (Shiva)]. 

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  • Achala – 5 (Acala)

    Acala (Achala) was one of the kings of Vṛhadratha’s (Vrihadratha) lineage who ruled over the kingdom of Magadha, in Kaliyuga. He was the son of Mahīnetra (Mahinetra), the king of Magadha, and the father of Ripuñjaya (Ripunjaya). It is known that King Acala ruled over Magadha for thirty-two years.

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  • Achala – 6 (Acala)

    Acala (Achala) was the son of the great sage Pratyūṣa (Pratyusha). It is known that he was a devarṣi (devarshi; divine saint).

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  • Achala – 7 (Acala)

    One of the names of Viṣṇu (Vishnu). Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotra (Visnu Sahasranama Stotra; hymns praising the thousand names of Viṣṇu) we find acala (achala) uttered as one of the names of Viṣṇu. Similarly, in Mokṣadharmaparva (Mokshadharmaparva) in Śantiparva (Shantiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) Acala is one of the two hundred names of God which are uttered by Nārada (Narada). The one who […]

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  • Achalaa – 1 (Acalā )

    Acalā (Achalaa) was a mātṛkā (matrika; lesser female deity) present during the coronation of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya) as an attendant.

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  • Achalaa – 2 (Acalā )

    Since the Earth or Pṛthivī (Prithivi) appears to be immovable, it is referred to as acalā (achalaa) or immovable.

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  • Achaleshvara (Acaleśvara)

    A hilly pilgrimage site. It is said that Himālaya (Himalaya), the king of the mountains, installed Acaleśvara liṅga (Achaleshwara linga) in Śivarudrapura (Shivarudrapura)— tatra pitrā suśailena sthāpitaṁ svacaleśvaram. Acaleśvara is a holy place. Along with Mahādeva Śiva (Mahadeva Shiva),the place is also famous because of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya). The temple of Kārtikeya, the general of the army of […]

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  • Achalopama (Acalopama)

    One of the thousand and eight names of Śiva (Shiva). He is addressed as Sthira (Static), Sthāṇu (Sthanu, motionless), etc. because he is thought of as possessing the static, immovable form of Brahma. He is also famous as Acalopama based on the same idea of Brahma. Nīlakaṇṭha (Neelakantha), the annotator, while elucidating the meaning of […]

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  • Achamana (Ācamana)

    After eating, drinking, sleeping, travelling, touching hairless lips, changing clothes, discharging semen, urine and faeces, uttering slang words, spitting, before beginning studies,after entering into courtyard or crematory a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) should perform punarācamana (act of washing of face, hands and legs once more). That is, if Ācamana is performed in both morning and evening, punarāya (punaraya; […]

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  • Achamaniya (Ācamanīya)

    The pure, frothless and clean water dedicated to the Deity for the purpose of washing His/Her mouth, is called ācamanīya (achamaniya). This water must be unmixed and clear, and if possible, incense can be added to the ācamanīya water. The worshipper may achieve long life, strength, fame and growth by offering this ācamanīya to the […]

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  • Achara – 1 (Ācāra - 1)

    In course of life there are some observable duties, that are called are Ācāra (Achara). We do not make these codes by ourselves, which are considered as duties and advised to perform by honest, good and great men, those are called Ācāra. Those are positive and having good significance and therefore they are called sadācāra […]

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  • Achara – 2 (Ācāra)

    In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Ācāra(Achara) is mentioned as a Gandharva (a kind of demi-god).

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  • Acharya (Ācārya)

    The greatest epithet of a teacher is Ācārya. In course of writing on several sūtra (sutra; formulae) of Pāṇini (Panini), Patañjali (Patanjali), the author of Mahābhāṣya(Mahabhashya) has mentioned four types of teachers — Ācārya (Acharya), Upādhyāya (Upadhyaya), Śikṣaka (Sikshaka) and Guru. Amongst these, Guru is the most common epithet, and Ācārya is the highest. Patañjali himself […]

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  • Achchhavaka (Acchāvāka)

    In the Vedic procedure of Somayāga (Somayaga) three priests or ṛttvika (rittwika) help the high priest hotā (hota) during the collective chanting of hymns from scriptures. One of these three assisting priests is acchaāvāka (achchhavaka); the other two are called maitrāvaruṇa (maitravaruna) and brāhmaṇācchaṃsī (brahmanachchhamsi). Together, these three assistants are called hotraka. A shed or maṇḍapa […]

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