Agni is the Sanskrit word for ‘fire’. Agni is one of the foremost among the Vedic deities. In regard of the number of Vedic hymns (sūkta; sukta) attributed to the deities, Agni comes only second to Indra (almost two hundred hymns have been dedicated to Agni). Since Agni’s deeds and actions are mainly observable on […]

In the clan of Maharṣi Hārīta (Maharshi Harita), there was a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) called Māṇḍūki (Manduki) who was well conversant in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas (Vedangas). The name of his wife was Itarā (Itara). She was devoted to her husband and she was pious in nature. Her son was called Aitareya. Actually he was named […]

In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that the discourse on God Nārāyaṇa (Narayana) is the essence of all scriptures. By way of comparison, the has said, it is as if, Āraṇyaka is among the Vedas. To develop the analogy, it is said, as we get navanīta (navanita;buttermilk) from the churning of curd, as we collect […]

In Ṛgveda (Rigveda), many times the terms ‘Rāja’ (Raja) and ‘Rājan’ (Rajan) have been used; and likewise some titles denoting the sovereignty of the state and the ruler — such as Adhirāja (Adhiraja), Samrāṭ (Samrat), Sārvabhauma (Sarvabhauma). Samrāt, Svarāṭ and Ekarāṭ — these terms have mostly been used to refer to independent and able kings. […]