Alakā (Alaka) is the city inhabited by the Yakṣa(s) (Yaksha; a kind of demigod), located on the mountain range called Gandhamādana (Gandhamadana), in mountain Kailāsa (Kailasa). It is the capital of Kuvera. Driven away from Laṅkā by Rāvaṇa, Kuvera came to live near Kailāsa, and he established the city of Alakā. There is also a […]

According to Brāhmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), one of the daughters of Khaśā (Khasa) was Ālamvā (Alamva), a rākṣasī (rakshasi, she-monster). From this Ālamvā, emerged the Ālamveya gaṇa (genus) of the rākṣasa (rakshasa, a type of monsters).

Ālamveya(Alamveya) is one of the gaṇa (gana, genus) of rākṣasas (rakshasa, a type of monsters). They were born of Ālamvā (Alamva), daughter of Khaśā(Khasa).

Ālamvi is a Śrutarṣi (Srutarshi, Seer of the Sruti) one of the mantradṛṣṭa (seer of sacred hymns) -sages of the Caraka branch of Kṛṣṇa-Yajurveda (Krishna-Yajurveda).

Alarka is the youngest among the four sons born of the womb of Kuvalāśva (Kuvalaswa) and Madālasā (Madalasa). The other sons of Madālasā were disinterested in Rājadharma (Rajadharma; duty of a king)and Saṃsāradharma (Samsaradharma; duty of a householder). So, as per the request of Kuvalāśva, Madālasā adviced Alarka regarding the responsibilities of an ideal householder […]

Alipiṇḍaka(Alipindaka) is a Nāga (Naga; a snake) sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), born of the womb of Kadrū (Kadru), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha).

Amartta is one of the gaṇa(s) (gana; genus) of the gods. It is known that Yama ruled these Amartta gods.

Amāvasu(Amavasu) is the son born of the womb of Urvaśī (Urvasi), and sired by Pururavā (Pururava)belonging to Candravaṃśa. However, in another śloka (sloka;verse) of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), he is referred to as the eldest son of Āyu (Ayu), son of Pururavā. According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), Acchodā (Acchoda), the daughter of Agniṣvāttva (Agnishwattwa) Pitṛgaṇa(Pitrigana) got […]

Amita is a mantradraṣṭa (mantradrashta; a sage who sees the hymns) sage. In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures), he is referred to as Āṅgirasa (Angirasa; belonging to the order of sage Angira) ṛṣi (rishi; sage).

When in the Ninth Manvantara, Merusāvarṇi (Merusavarni), son of Dakṣa (Daksha) will be ruler of the Manvantara, gods will be divided into several gaṇa(s) (gana; genus). Sudharmā (Sudharma) or Suśarmā (Susarma) is one of those gaṇa(s). Amita is one of these gods.

When in future Sābarṇi (Sabarni) Manwantara, the deities will be divided into different gaṇa or clans. Amitābha(Amitabha) was one of the chief clans or gaṇa (Gana). Twenty deities will be included in these clans.

When in fifth Manwantara,Raibata Manu was the king of Manwantara, the deities was divided into different gaṇa or clans. Amitābha (Amitabha) was one of the chief clans or gaṇa (Gana). Fourteen deities were included in this gaṇa (Gana) or clan.

He is one of the sons of Rudrasābarṇi (Rudrasabarni) or Ṛita Sābarṇi (Rita Sabarni) Manu, the king of twelfth Manwantara.

Amṛtā (Amrita) is one of the flows belonging to Saptagaṅgā (Saptaganga; a collective flow of seven rivers) in the mythological Plakṣadvīpa(Plakshadwipa).

Amṛtā (Amrita) is one of the  fourteen gaṇa (gana; genus) of the Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesan). These Apsarā(s) emerged from water.  

Kuśa (Kusa)was the eldest son of King Rāmacandra (Ramachandra), belonging to the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty. Amūrtarayā (Amurtaraya) was one of the four sons of Kuśa.

Amvarīṣa (Amvarisha) is one of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; seer of holy hymns) ṛṣi(s) (rishi; sage) of Ṛgveda (Rigveda). Amvarīṣa and his five brothers were sons of Vṛṣāgīra (Vrishagira). In Ṛgveda, they found to be chanting hymns to Indra — etatttya indra vṛṣṇa ukthaṃ vārṣāgirā abhi gṛṇanti rādhaḥ ṛjrāśvaḥ praṣṭibhiramvarīṣaḥ sahadevo bhayamānaḥ surādhāḥ. In Purāṇa(s) (Purana; […]

According to Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)and Manu, Amvaṣṭha (Amvashtha) is the hybrid child born of the womb of a Vaiśya(vaisya) woman, and sired by a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) man – brāhmaṇād vaiśyakanyāyāmvaṣṭho nāma jāyate. They are quite ancient as a jāti (jati), since they are mentioned in Aitareya Brāhmaṇa (Aitareya Brahmana). Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Parvata and Devarṣi (Devarshi; […]

Amvikeya is a rough and ice-covered mountain. Another name for this mountain is Sumanā (Sumana). God Varāha(Varaha) killed the demon-king Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha) on this mountain. Two other readings, Āmvikeya (Amvikeya)and Añcikeya (Anchikeya) can be found respectively in Vāyupurāṇa(Vayupurana) and Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana).

Amvuka is a rākṣasa (rakshasa; monster) born of the womb of Piśacī (Pisachi; a kind of she-demon or evil spirit)Brahmadhanā (Brahmadhana).

Anādhṛṣṭi (Anadhrishti) was one of the most prominent sons sired by Śūra (Sura) of the Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) clan to Bhojā (Bhoja). Although Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) reads his name as Anādhṛṣṭikara (Anadhrishtikara), authenticity of this reading is not established.  In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) refers to seven principal Vṛṣṇi warriors while describing Jarāsandha’s prowess. Anādhṛṣṭi is one […]

One kind of musical instrument covered with leather. This instrument is also known as mṛdaṇga. When Vasudeva was born, the gods were playing ānaka(anaka) or mṛdaṇga (mridanga). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and the Purāṇas (Purana), it is found that this instrument was played before some festivities, celebrations, before the beginning of a battle or to celebrate […]

Vasudeva was born of the womb of Māriṣā (Marisha), or Vāsī (Vasi), daughter of King Bhoja — according to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana). He is also called Ānakadundubhi (Anakadundubhi). As soon as Vasudeva was born, the gods, with their divine vision, could realise that the incarnation of the Supreme Divinity will be born in the house of […]

Prajāpati (Prajapati) was Manu’s son, and Manu was Brahmā’s (Brahma’s) son. Anala was born of Prajāpati to Śāṇḍilī (Shandili). He was a luminous god. He was one of the eight Vasu. In some Purāṇas (Puranas) it is said that the eight Vasu were born of Kaśyapa (Kashyapa). In others, it is said that they were […]

A monkey warrior.

Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) was the son of Sātvata (Satwata) of the Yadu lineage. Yudhājit (Yudhajit) was the youngest son of Vṛṣṇi. Śini (Shini) was elder and Anamitra was the younger of Yudhājit’s two sons. Anamitra had three sons— Nighna (alternatively, Nimna), Śini (Viṣṇupurāṇa or Vishnupurana, however, does not mention a Śini being Anamitra’s son), and Vṛṣṇi […]

According to Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Ānanda (Ananda) was one of the twelve gods included in the godly gaṇa (gana; genus) called ‘Satya’, during the era of Uttama Manu.  

The varṣanāma (varshanama; name according to the location in a plot of land) of the Mountain Dundubhi in Plakṣdvīpa (Plakshadwipa; the island of Plaksha) is Ānanda (Ananda).

Anaṅga (Ananga) was a sage belonging to the Mādhyandina (Madhyandina) branch of Śukla (Shukla) Yajurveda.

Ananta was the son of Vītihotra (Vitihotra) or Vīrahotra (Virahotra), a king belonging to the lineage of Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna). Ananta had a son named Durjaya.

A holy mountain. It is extremely suitable for performing obsequies. Subodh Kapoor relates that according to Bārhaspatyasūtra  (Barhaspatyasutra), the Ananta mountain is a Vaiṣṇava (Vaishnava) site. It is also known as Anantapadmanābha (Anantapadmanabha). It is the Anantapura area of the present Trivandrum. There is a temple dedicated to God Padmanābha (Padmanabha) in Anantapura. It is […]

In Yayāti’s (Yayati’s) son Anu’s lineage, Aṅga (Anga) was the eldest of the sons born to King Bali of a male surrogate. Bali crowned Aṅga king of Aṅgadeśa (Angadesha; the land of Aṅga). Dadhivāhana (Dadhivahana) was Aṅga’s son. Under a curse placed on him by the great sage Dīrghatamā (Dirghatama), he was born without apāna […]

One of the Mauneya apsarā (apsara).

Śaryāti (Saryati) is one of the sons of Vaivasvata Manu. Ānarta (Anarta) is the son of Śaryāti. The region ruled by Ānarta is known as the land of Ānarta. Reva (According to Viṣṇupurāṇa and Bhāgavatapurāṇa, the name is Revata) was the son of Ānarta. According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) , Ānarta established Kuśasthalī (Kusasthali), capital of […]

Anāyu (Anayu) was daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha) Prajāpati (Prajapati) and wife of Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati. From Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), the text which identifies her as mother of all the maladies of the world, it appears that Anāyu was also known as Anāyuṣā (Anayusha). According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Anāyuṣā is the mother of five powerful asura (a type of demons), […]

Commonly the term aṇḍa (anda) means ‘egg’ or ‘a bird’s egg’ to be specific. In a famous verse in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) we find a figure of speech based on comparison: “As a bird brings out its progeny breaking the egg…” — āṇḍeva bhitvā śakunasya garbham. This comparison considers the egg  or aṇḍa as another womb of the bird. In a […]

Andhaka was one of the sons born of the womb of Kauśalyā (Kausalya), and sired by Sātvata (Satwata), belonging to Yaduvaṃśa (Yaduvamsa; lineage of Yadu). According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), daughter of Kaṅka (Kanka)was the wife of this Andhaka. She gave birth to four sons –Kukura, Bhajamāna (Bhajamana), Śaśī (Sasi) or Śuci (Suchi) and Kamvalavarhiṣa (Kamvalavarhisha). […]

In Vārāha (Varaha) Kalpa, there broke out twelve terrible battles between gods and demons. The eighth of these battles is known as Andhakāra (Andhakara) Yuddha. In this battle, the Asura army participated under the leadership of Andhakāsura (Andhakasura).

Andhakāraka (Andhakaraka)was one of the seven sons of King Dyutimāna (Dyutiman) of Krauñcadvīpa (Kraunchadwipa). Some Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scriptures) have mentioned him as Anhakāra (Andhakara). Dyutimāna divided Krauñcadvīpa in seven varṣa(s) (varsha; a vast plot of land), and established his seven sons as rulers of these divisions. The varṣa where Andhakāraka ruled, came to be […]

Andhravāka (Andhravaka) is an ancient tribe of eastern India. Nothing yet is known about the modern location of their habitation.

In the genealogical line of Turvasu, the second son of Yayāti (Yayati), Marutta was without a son. So he adopts Duṣmanta (Dushmanta) of Puruvaṁśa (the hereditary line of Puru), as his son. According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), this adopted son is Duṣkṛta (Dushkrita). According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Sarupya is the son of Duṣmanta. Āndīra (Andira) is […]

Aneka is one of the sons of Raucya(Rauchya) Manu, ruler of the thirteenth Manvantara. From the reading of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), it appears that this son of Raucya Manu is named Anekakṣatravaddha (Anekakshatravaddha). But this this reading does not seem to be valid.  

An ancient sage-king. Most Purāṇas (puranas) have identified him as a descendant of Svāẏambhuva Manu (Swayambhubha Manu). Aṅga (Anga) was the child of Ulmuka of Svāẏambhuva Manu’s lineage, conceived by Puṣkariṇī (Pushkarini). Another version, however, recognises Aṅga as the child borne of Agneẏī (Agneyi) and Uru. Some Purāṇas, on the other hand, identify him as […]

Vali was the son of Titikṣu (Titikshu) who belonged to the bloodline of Anu, Yayāti’s (Jajati) son. Aṅga (Anga) was the eldest of the kṣetraja (kshetraja; literally, child borne of a surrogate) sons conceived by King Vali’s wife Sudeṣṇā (Sudeshna) from Sage Dīrghatamā (Dirghatama). King Bali appointed Aṅga as the ruler of a newly formed kingdom […]

The son born to Tārā (Tara) and Bāli (Bali), the king of apes in Kiṣkindhyā (Kishkindhya). Aṅgada (Angada) was married to the eldest daughter of Mainda, another chief of clan of apes. Aṅgada’s son was named Dhruba. Aṅgada was first introduced in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) as a judicious royal personage, not as Bāli’s or Tārā’s son. […]

Son of the Rāma’s (Rama’s) brother Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana), a renowned character in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana). Before his death, Rāma instructed Lakṣmaṇa to look for suitable regions so that Rāma could enthrone each of Lakṣmaṇa’s sons as kings of separate states. Eventually, on Bharata’s advice, Rāmachandra crowned Aṅgada (Angada) the king of the Aṅgadīya (Angadiya), a city […]

One of the sons born of Sunaya to Vṛhatī (Brihati), daughter of Vṛhaduktha (Brihaduktha) of the Śini (Shini) lineage. In the text of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Aṅgada (Angada) has been identified as Ānanda.

In Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) the kingdom of Lakṣmaṇa’s (Lakshmana’s) son Aṅgada (Angada) situated in Kārupatha (Karupatha) has been referred to as ‘Aṅgada’; ‘Aṅgadā’ (Angadaa) has been used as an adjective for the city—aṅgadasya aṅgadākhyātā deśe kārapathe purī. (the verse in the version of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa majorly followed by us is incorrect here — it reads kārayate in this version. […]

Chronicled by Lalitopākhyāna (Lalitopakhyan), as per the distribution of cakras (chakra) in the body according to the Tantra philosophy, aṅgadevyantaram (angadevyantaram) is a particular place in the body, which is occupied by the abiding deity of the heart (hṛddevī or hriddevi) along with other deities.