Aśvavatī (Aswavati))is a sacred river mentioned in Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

Aśvinikumāratīrtha (Aswinikumaratirtha) is a tīrtha(tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), blessed with the grace of the twin Aśvinikumāra. In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), there is a mention of going to this tīrtha from Koṭitīrtha(Kotitirtha).Visiting this tīrtha, one may become more beautiful. It is thought that this tīrtha is located in the place called […]

A Nāga ( Naga, snake) born of the genealogical line of Kauravyanāga. Ātaka of one of those Nāgas who fell into the ritual fire of Janamejaya’s Sarpa-yajña ( Sarpa-yajna, a ritual in which snakes are offered as sacrifice).

Atandrita is another name for Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva), one of the holy trinity of Hinduism. The Sanskrit word tandrā (tandra) means ‘sleep’ or ‘slumber’. Therefore the word atandrita literally means ‘one who does not sleep’ or ‘one not addicted to sleep’. Śiva, as manifesting as the Lord of the Universe, is always busy in the process of Creation […]

A state in the Southern part of India. Sahadeva brought this state under submission, while conquering this portion of the land. He conquered this state without a battle, only by sending messengers and accepting revenues.

It is believed that Aṭavīśikhara (Atavishikhara) is another name by which Aṭavīśabara (Atavishabar) have got fame. The Sanskrit word aṭavī (atavi) means ‘forest’. It is assumed that this ethnic group of people consisted of the forest dwelling (āṭavik; atavik) tribes.  Scholars tend to identify this ethnic group with the Bheels of Middle Vindhya region. Evidently the āṭavik […]

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) […]

A foremost appellation of Śiva Mahādeva (Shiva Mahadeva). In the Śiva Sahasranāma Stotra, the hymn praising the thousand names of Śiva, Mahādeva has been addressed by this name.

In Jambukhaṇḍavinirmāṇaparva [Jambukhandabinirmanparva; a sub-chapter of Bhīṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva)] of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), a catalogue of towns and townships is presented. Aṭhida (Athida) is one of them and mentioned to be located in South India. 

Atibala was one of the two warrior aides donated by Vāyu (Vayu; the Wind-god) to Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya), when the latter was installed as the general of the divine army by the gods with the goal of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Each of them also gave him a few of their own followers to help him […]

Anaṅga (Ananga), a descendant of Kardama Prajāpati (Prajapati), was a king well-versed in political science. Atibala was his son and bearer of his legacy. Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) identifies him as nītimān (nitiman). There is scope to discuss whether this usage of the term serves as an adjective or as a proper noun. The word nītimān literally […]

Atibṛddha (Atibriddha) is one of the one hundred and eight epithets of Śiva Mahādeva (Siva Mahadeva). The prefix ati serves to suggest ‘much’ or ‘more’. The Sanskrit root bṛdh (bridh) means ‘to grow’. The lexical meaning of the word bṛddha (briddha) is ‘old’ or ‘ancient’. However, when the epithet is applied to Śiva, it does not necessarily […]

Atidhūmra (Atidhumra) is one of the one thousand and eight epithets of Śiva Mahādeva (Siva Mahadeva). The famous commentator Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha) explains this epithet as – atidhūmraḥ kālāgnirūpeṇa sarvadāhakāle’tyantadhūmramayaḥ. Śiva, the destroyer of the cosmos, manifests as kālāgni (kalagni) or the cataclysmic fire causing the end of the universe at the time of pralaya (equivalent of the […]

Atidīpta (Atidipta) is one of the one thousand and eight names of Śiva (Siva). Attempting to explain this epithet of Śiva, the famous annotator Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha) observes – atidīptaḥ koṭisūryapratīkāśaḥ śatrutejo’bhibhāvaḥ. The vast form of the Supreme Being that comes to our imagination is essentially full of divine brightness and splendour incomparable to anything worldly. No earthly […]

Atilomā (Atiloma) was an asura (demon of a type) known to be killed in the hand of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna). 

Atīndra (Atindra) is one of the one thousand names of the supreme god Viṣṇu (Vishnu). 

Atīndriya (Atindriya) is one of the one thousand names of the supreme god Viṣṇu (Vishnu). 

Atiratha was the third of four sons of the sagely king Matināra (Matinara) of the Puru dynasty. 

In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and other Purāṇas (Purana) we find exceptionally skilled chariot-riding warriors (rathī; rathi) described as atiratha (the Sanskrit prefix ati- signifies ‘great’). But the word served as a terminology in ancient military science. In fact the greatest of the mahāratha (maharatha) or great chariot-riding warriors usually became famous as atiratha. In order to […]

When Balarāma (Balarama) left his mortal shell on sea-beach, a huge, white serpent [symbol of Anantanāga (Anantanaga), the divine king of serpents, whose incarnation Balarāma is believed to be] emerged out of Balarāma’s mouth and went away into the sea. This form of the deeply revered Anantanāga was warmly welcomed by Varuṇa (Varuna), the Water-God, the […]

Atiśṛṅga (Atisringa) was one of the two warrior aides donated by Vindhya Parvata (the Vindhya mountains, hailed a divine mountain in Hinduism) to Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya), when the latter was installed as the general of the divine army by the gods with the goal of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Each of them also gave him a […]

Atisthira was one of the four warrior aides donated by Sumeru Parvata (the Sumeru mountains, hailed a divine mountain in Hinduism) to Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya), when the latter was installed as the general of the divine army by the gods with the goal of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Each of them also gave him a few […]

Since the Ṛgvedic (Rigvedic) period, Indian culture has conceived of the guest (atithi) as one who must be treated with respectful and humble hospitality and offered food and shelter. The host should do everything within his power to please the guest. Any yajña (yajna) would require fire (agni; imagined as the Fire-god), therefore fire has been […]

Ativarcā (Ativarcha) was one of the two warrior aides donated by Himālaya (Himalaya; personification of the Himalayas in Hindu mythology) to Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya), when the latter was installed as the general of the divine army by the gods with the goal of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Each of them also gave him a few of […]

Atiyama was one of the two warrior aides donated by Varuṇna (Varuna; the Water-God) to Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya), when the latter was installed as the general of the divine army by the gods with the goal of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Each of them also gave him a few of their own followers to help him […]

One of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva), described in Śivasahasranāma (Sivasahasranama; thousand names of Siva). Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator, has analysed the meaning of the name in the following way: ātmani jīve niścitya dehādupādhevā nirgatya ālocayatīti atmanirālokaḥ. In Sanskrit, the śabda (sabda; word) āloka (aloka; light) derives from ‘loc’ dhātu (dhatu; the root of a verb), […]

The meaning of the term Ātmasambhava (Atmasamhava) is ‘the One who can be born out of One’s own self’. Parameśvara (Parameswara; the Absolute Divinity) can emanate Himself through his own Māya (Maya; the illusion of empirical reality) from His fundamental and eternal state of Being; hence we call Him Svyambhūta (Swyambhuta; Self-emerged). Matsyapurāṇa(Matsyapurana) has mentioned […]

One of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama, thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

One of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama, thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Visnu).

In Sabhāparva(Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), in course of describing the sabhā(sabha; court or assembley) of Varuṇa (Varuna, the god of water) Nārada(Narada) describes the major rivers present there. The name of one such river is Ātreyī(Atreyi), who has a special position in the court of Varuṇa. This river is mentioned along with Lauhitya or Brahmaputra. […]

The dictionary-meaning of the word Ātreyī(Atreyi) is a ‘woman who has taken her menstrual bath’.. However, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), takes this word as synonymous with ‘a pregnant woman’ . In Śāntiparva of Mahābhārata, it is mentioned that one who kills a woman who is Ātreyī, will commit a sin that is […]

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 […]

The four sons of Śukrācārya (Shukracharya), the preceptor of Asuras, performed all their rituals, ceremonies and yajña (yajna). One of these four sons of Śukrācārya was Atri. :

One of the major names of Śiva (Shiva) featuring in the Aṣtottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama) verse [an incantation recounting one thousand and eight names of Śiva] is Atri. Elucidating this appellation Śiva, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha) the commentator of Mahabharata observes — atriḥ atrigotrāpatyatvād budhaḥ/ tena sarvagrahasvarūpītyarthaḥ. While, according to Nīlakaṇṭha, atri may be taken to illustrate the quintessence of […]

One significant appellation of Śiva Mahādeva (Shiva Mahadeva). The name Atrī (Atree) refers to the wife of the great sage Atri. The one who pays homage to Atri’s wife Atrī is therefore designated as Atryānamaskartā (Atryanamaskarta) in Sanskrit. In this context, the one(s) paying homage to Atri’s wife would be taken to indicate the children […]

Atula is one of the one thousand names of the supreme god Viṣṇu (Vishnu). 

Atulya (meaning ‘incomparable’ in Sanskrit) is one of the one thousand and eight epithets of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva). As He is the Supreme Being, the Absolute, nothing in the universe is comparable to him – this is the thought behind imparting this particular epithet to Him. After seeing the cosmic form (viśvarūpa; viswarupa) of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) in Śrīmadbhagavadgītā (Srimadbhagavadgita), […]

Audakā (Audaka) was a name of a castle surrounded by water, situated at Prāgjyotiṣpura (Pragjyotishpura). It was ruled by Narakāsura (Narakasura). He had a palace within it. As the entire Audakā (Audaka) was surrounded by water, it was quite safe. For this very reason, Narakāsura (Narakasura) captured sixty thousand beautiful women and kept them in […]

The first of the six varṣaparvata(s) (major mountain) of the Kuśa island. It was a playground of the gods, the Gandharvas (a kind of demi-gods) and the humans.

Audumvara is an ancient community. The kṣatriya(kshatriya) members of this tribe came to Indraprastha, at the time of the Rājasūya yajña of Yudhiṣṭhira. They gifted many jewels to Yudhiṣṭhira. In Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (Markandeyapurana), Audumvara is referred to as a tribe of the middle part of India. Scholars differ regarding the location of the tribe called Audumvara. As […]

When Bhīṣma (Bhishma) gave advice to Yudhiṣthira (Yudhishthira) in the Mokṣadharmaparva (Mokshadharmaparva) included in the Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), he said that Aupaniṣada (Aupanishada) dharma was the dharma which should be performed in the Sannyāsa Āśrama (Sannyasa Asrama) which was the last Āśrama (Asrama) or stage of the Caturāśrama (Chaturasrama) or four stages […]

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 […]

Auṣnīka (Aushnika) is a mendicant tribe that paid allegiance Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira) and came to participate in his Rājasūya Yajña (Rajasuya Yajna), with many gifts. However, nothing yet is known about the origin or habitation of this tribe.

A group of nomads who accepted the authority of Judhiṣthira and participated in his Rājsuya yajna with gifts. But neither the living place nor the source of this nomad clan was known until now.

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 Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that the airy sphere above the ground-level, where moisture from water is created by the help of sun-rays, is called ‘Pravaha’. The next sphere, whereto the clouds filled with moisture are transported from ‘Pravaha’, is called Āvaha (Avaha). Its modern name is Troposphere. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), […]

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 […]

Āvartamānebhyovapuḥ (Avartamanebhyavapuh) is one of the Thousand and Eight Names of Śiva. In Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), while the other editions maintain the reading ‘vapurāvartamānebhyaḥ‘ , the edition by Haridāsa Siddhāntavāgiśa (Haridasa Siddhantabagisa) maintains the reading ‘vasudhā vartamānejyo‘. So, Siddhāntavāgiśa has considered the two names, Vasudhā and Vartamānejya, instead of ‘Āvrtamānebhyo vapuḥ’. Here we are […]

One of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra;The Hymn of Thousand Names of Vishnu)

Āvasathya agni is mentioned in Mahābhārata , while describing different types of Agni. Āvasathya agni is the fire contained in a small oven that used be required in Vedic yajña. This triangular oven would be of 25 fingers in length, and fire was brought to this oven from Gārhapatya agni. Āvasathya agni was placed towards […]