Āsuri(Asuri) is the wife of Devatājit (Devatajit), son of Sumati, In the genealogical line of Bharata. Āsuri gave birth to a son named Devadyumna, sired by Āsuri.

One of the sons born of the womb of Aditi, mother of the gods, was Vivasvān. Vivasvān is another name for Sūrya, or the Sun-god. Sanjñā was one of the three wives of Vivasvān. She was the daughter of Tvaṣṭā. Unable to bear the energy and power of Vvasvān, Sanjñā created a clone of herself, […]

Pārīkṣita Janamejaya, who performed the Snake-sacrifice ritual, was the grandson of Abhimanyu, belonging to Kuruvaṃśa (Kuruvamsa; the Kuru dynasty). Śatānīka (Satanika) was the son of this Janamejaya. Aśvamedhadatta (Aswamedhadatta)was born of the womb of Vaidehī (Vaidehi), and sired by Śatānīka (Satanika). According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), this Aśvamedhadatta had a son named Adhisomakṛṣṇa(Adhisomakrishna) or […]

Aśvasena (Aswasena) is one of the sons sired by Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), and born of the womb of Satyā (Satya), daughter of Nagnajit.

Aśvatara(Aswatara) was one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; snake) born of the womb of Kadrū (Kadru), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha). In Āstīkaparva (Astikaparva), while describing the names of snakes, his name is mentioned along with another Nāga called Kamvala– kamvalāśvatarau. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), and several Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture), we have several mentions of Kamvala and […]

Aśvattha (Aswattha) is one of the trees that have been considered as ‘divine trees’. In Vibhūtiyoga (Vibhutiyoga) of Bhagavadgītā (Bhagavadgita), while describing his manifestation as the Supreme God, Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Sri Krishna) has identified all things greatest in this world, as manifestation of His own Self. In this context he says, I am Aśvattha among […]

Aśvatthāmā (Aswatthama) was born of the womb of Kṛpī (Kripi), daughter of Śaradvāna (Saradwana), and sired by Droṇa (Drona). In future he would be involved in the activities of the royal Kuru family of Hastināpura (Hastinapura), but at the moment of his birth, Aśvatthāmā’s only identity was that — he was the only son of […]

While describing the reigns of the notable rulers of the Kali era (kaliyuga), Bhāgavatpurāṇa (Bhagavatpurana) mentions that in kaliyuga the kngdom of Magadha would be ruled by a lowly-born (śūdra; sudra) king called Bali after the fall of the Śuṅga (Sunga) and Kaṇva (Kanwa) dynasties in Magadha. Aṭamān (Ataman) was a scion of this lineage, the son of […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṅa, Ātapa is one of the sons born out of the womb of Ūṣā (Usha), sired by Vibhāvasu (Vibhavasu). He is the father of the god called Pañcayāna (Panchayana).

A male offspring conceived by Satī (Sati) and fathered by Aṅgirā (Angira). A prominent sage. The descendants and disciples of this lineage grew into a clan or an order of sages (varga). The entire Atharvaveda divided in two parts is known as Atharvāṅgirasa (Atharvangirasa) Veda and the supremacy of Atharvaveda over Ṛgveda (Rigveda), Sāmaveda (Samaveda) […]

Atibhānu (Atibhanu) was one of the sons sired by Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) to Satyabhāmā (Satyabhama). 

Atirātra (Atiratra) is the name of one of the ten sons sired by Cākṣuṣa Manu (Chakshusha Manu), ruler of the sixth manvantara (manwantara; epoch), to Naḍvalā (Nadwala). 

Atithi was a king of the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty, son of Kuśa (Kusha) and grandson of Rāmacandra (Ramachandra). Atithi had a son called Niṣadha (Nishadha). 

The term Ātmabhū (Atmabhu) denotes the One who has created One’s own Self ; who has not been born through śukra- śonita (sukra- sonita; the union of )semen and blood. Trideva — that is, Brahmā (Brahma), Viṣṇu (Visnu) and Mahesvara — are called Ātmabhū.

Atri was one of the six supreme patriarch ṛṣi (rishi; sage) — like Marīci (Marichi) and Aṅgirā (Angira) — who were born at the onset of the Creation. Many legends are associated with the birth of these six prime sages, and the great sage Atri is no exception. The foremost of these legends is that all […]

Audumvara is one of the four types of ascetic sages who resort to vānaprastha (vanaprastha; the phase of dwelling in forest and performing penance), as mentioned in Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana). Sometimes, the reading is ‘Auḍumvara’ in stead of Audumvara. Śrīdhrasvāmī (Sridharaswami), the commentator, has described the characteristics of this order of ascetics –after waking up every morning, […]

Aurva is a sage, belonging to the order of Bhṛgu(Bhrigu). In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)and Purāṇa(s) (Purana),there are many legends related to the birth and life of Aurva. However, the earliest mention of sage Aurva can be found in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) and the ancient Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) texts. In a sūkta of the eighth cycle of […]

Avabhṛtā (Avabhrita) is a city belonging to the Ābhīra (Abhira)kings. Seven kings belonging to Abhīravaṁśa (Abhiravamsa; the Abhira dynasty), residing in this city will rule the world in Kaliyuga, as described in Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture).

A sage of a high level, – one who does not abide by the rules of varṇāśrama (varnasrama, the system of four varnas), who has not attachment to saṃsāra (samsara;the material world), who has a certain ‘what you will’ kind of orientation even towards the nature of vairāgya (vairagya; non attachment or reclusive renunciation), but […]

In the legend of king Puranjaya in Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), the term Avadhūta(Avadhuta) has been chiefly used as a metaphor for olfactory sense.

Avadhūta (Avadhuta) is a sage. Yadu, the eldest son of Yayāti (Yayati), received from him valuable advices on spiritual matters.

Avantī was the capital of Indradyumna, king of Mālava (Malava). This is called the best city on earth. The sacred river Śiprā (Sipra) flows across the place. Śrī Hari (Sri Hari) resides here as Govindasvāmī (Govindaswami). In Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scriptures), we get a long description of Avantī (Avanti). The inhabitants of this beautiful, rich and […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Sukarmā (Sukarma), disciple of Jaiminī (Jaimini), divided Sāmaveda(Samaveda) into several branches. Āvantya (Avantya) is one of those disciples who learned these branches of Sāmaveda from Sukarmā (Sukarma). This Āvantya had five hundred disciples, too.

Avarodhana is the youngest of the three sons born of the womb of Gayantī (Gayanti), and sired by King Gaya, in the genealogical line of king Priyavrata.

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āvartana (Avartana) is one of the upadvīpas (updwipas; peninsular islands) of Jamvidvīpa (Jamvudvipa) — namely, Svarṇaprastha (Swarnaprastha), Ramaṇaka (Ramanaka), Pāñcajanya (Panchajanya) and so on. These peninsular islands were created while the sons of King Sagara digged up four corners of the earth, in order to search for the lost yajñīya aśva […]

Avaṭanirodhana(Avatanirodhana) is one of the twenty eight naraka(s) (twenty eight kinds of hell).

The primary meaning of the term Avatāra is derived from avataraṇa, that is, to come down. God comes down to earth, assuming a different form, from his celestial abode — this is the avatāra or avataraṇa (incarnation) of God. The huge gap between the worldly abode of mankind and the distant antarīkṣaloka seems to be […]

Avaṭodā (Avatoda) is a river-pilgrimage. By uttering the name of this river, one becomes purified.

Avīkṣita (Avikshita)was the son of the pious king Karandhama, born in the lineage of Nābhāga (Nabhaga), son of Vaivasvata Manu. He was equal to Indra in valour, respectful of yajña(s) (yajna), and religious. He became a samraṭ (samrat; emperor), by virtue of his own qualities. He performed one hundred Aśvamedha yajña(s), and Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great […]

Āvirhotra is one of the sons of Ṛṣbhadeva (Rishabhadeva). He was an advisor of Bhāgavata (Bhagavata) dharma, as mentioned in Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana). Āvirhotra advised King Nimi on how one may attain mokṣa (moksa), and being free of sins, may be one with the Paramātman (Paramatman; the Supreme Self).

Ayaḥpāna (Ayahpana) is the name of one kind of naraka (hell). Perhaps in this naraka, sinners used to be tortured by pouring hot, melted iron over them, or thrusting iron into their throat.

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Ayāsya (Ayasya) has been mentioned as Ayasya. Ayāsya was one of the sons born of the womb of Pathyā (Pathya), and sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṅgirā (Angira). In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), his name has been mentioned as one of the mantradraṣṭā (seer of holy hymns) sages of Veda. He […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Dhātā or Dhātri  (Dhata or Dhatri) and Vidhātā or Vidhātri (Vidhata or Vidhatri)– two sons were born of the womb of Khyāti(Khyati), sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). Dhātā and Vidhātā got married to Āyati (Ayati) and Niyati, daughters of Meru. Āyati gave birth to a son named Mṛkaṇḍa (Mrikanda) […]

One of the six sons of King Nahuṣa (Nahusha). Yati , Yayāti (Yayati), Saṁyāti(Samyati), Āyati(Ayati), Viyati and Kṛti (Kriti)– these are the six sons of Nahuṣa. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Āyāti is named instead of Āyati, and in Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), the name is mentioned as ‘Ayāti’.

The birthplace of the famous Rāmacandra (Ramacandra), also the place of his many deeds, and the land of Ādikavi (Adikavi) Vālmīki’s conception. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Kośala (Kosala) is described as a rich land, situated on the southern bank of Sarayū (Sarayu). The capital of this Kośala was Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) ruled Ayodhyā. Manu, lord of […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Prāṇa(Prana) was one of Aṣṭavasu (Astavasu; Eight Vasus). Āyu was the son of Prāṇa and Ūrjasvatī (Urjaswati).

In the genealogical line of Yadu, Puruhotra is the son of Anu. Āyu (Ayu) is the son of this Puruhotra and the father of Sātvata (Satwata).

Āyu(Ayu) is one the sons born of the womb of Bhadrā (Bhadra), sired by Srī Kṛṣṇa(Sri Krishna).

A ṛṣi(rishi, sage) who stays in the chariot of Surya (the Sun-god).

Āyu is one of the sons born of Urvaśī , sired by Purūravā. In Brahmaṇḍapurāṇa, Vāyupurāṇa, Viṣṇupurāṇa and Bhāgavatapurāṇa it is said that Āyu is the eldest of the six sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. However, Matsyapurāṇa says that Āyu is the eldest of the eight sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. In Vāyupurāṇa and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa […]

Medhātithi (Medhatithi) divided Śākadvīpa (Sakadwipa) into seven varṣas (varsha; a vast plot of land). In every varṣa, there is a mahānadī (mahanadi, great river). The great river Āyurdā flows across the varṣa called Monojava.

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), in the ninth manvantara in future, during the time of Dakṣasāvarṇi (Dakshasavarni) Manu, the father of Ṛṣabhadeva (Rishabhadeva) is Āyuṣmān (Ayushman). God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) is born as Ṛṣabhadeva (Rishabhadeva), of the womb of Amvudhāra (Amvudhara), sired by Āyuṣmān (Ayushman).

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Ayuta was the son of Rādhika (Radhika), in the genealogical line of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; a king with the attributes of a seer) Jahnu.

Ayutāyu (Ayutayu) is the son of king Sindhudvīpa (Sindhudwipa), belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṃśa (Ikshvakuvamsa; the Ikshvaku dynasty). In the Bengal recension of Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), he is referred to as Ayutāśva (Ayutaswa). He is the father of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; a king with the attributes of a seer) Ṛtuparṇa (Rituparna).

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Raya was the son born of the womb of Urvaśī (Urvasi), and sired by Purūravā (Pururava). Eka was the son of this Raya.

Ekacakra (Ekachakra) is one of the sons born of the womb of Danu, and sired by  Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). From the Aṁśāvataraṇa-parva (Amsavatarana-parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is known that Ekacakra was incarnated as King Prativindhya to be born in Martyaloka (the earthly abode) in Dvāparauga (Dwaparayuga; the epoch called Dwapara).

Elāpatra (Elapatra) is one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; Snake) born of the womb of Kadru, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati). Elāpatra was one of the distinuished Nāga  living in Bhogavatīpurī (Bhogavatipuri, the city of Bhogavati), as mentioned by Nārada (Narada)to Mātali (Matali). When the gods wanted to know the way to stop Janamejaya’s […]

The dictionary-meaning of the term ‘eraka’ is a kind of watery weed or grass, known in local Bengali as ‘Nalkhagra’ or ‘Hogla’.In the annotations of Carakasaṁhitā (Charakasamhita), the meaning of the term ‘eraka’ is mentioned as ‘Hoggala’ or ‘Hogla’. Cursed  by the sages, Śāmva (Samva), the son of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), gave birth to a muṣala […]

Ikṣumatī (Ikshumati)  A river flowing across Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra). In Ādiparva (Adiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that Takṣaka and Aśvasena lived on the bank of this river. After the exile of Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) followed by the death of Daśaratha (Dasaratha), Vaśiṣṭha(Vasistha) sent several ambassadors to the kingdom of Kekaya, in order to call Bharata […]

The children of Vaivasvata Manu were the founders of the distinguished royal families of ancient India.Just as the major line of Sūryavaṃśa (Suryavamsa; the Solar dynasty) emerged from Ikṣvāku, from Ila-Sudyumna or Ilā, the other son of Vaivasvata Manu. In Mahābhārata- Rāmāyaṇa or Purāṇa, the account of Ila or Ilā has been described in details, […]