A region mentioned in Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Karṇa (Karna) won this land belonging to the eastern part of the country.

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 […]

Ap means water. Ṛṣi(s) (Rishi; Sages) belonging to a certain order, who perform strict austerity of ascetic life, and live by drinking water only, are known as ‘Avbhakṣa’ (one who lives on water). Used in plural number, this term denotes a particular order of sages.

Avdurga means a fortress abound in ap (water). That fortress will be beyond the reach of the enemies. This can be done by taking advantage of a natural river, or by creating an artificial canyon around the fortress, so that such water-animals as crocodiles can stay there. In his commentary, Rāghavācārya (Raghavacharya) has written — […]

Āvedanīya(Avedaniya) is one of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva), uttered in Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; The Hymn of Thousand Names of Siva). ‘Āvedana’ (Avedana) means ‘to pray’ or ‘to make supplication’ or ‘to complain’. Āvedanīya is the One to whom one can pray, or appeal, or express a complaint. This name of Āvedanīya confirms His role as […]

Avijñātā (Avijnata) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

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 […]

A son called Aśvavāṇa (Aswavana) was born of the womb of Vāhinī (Vahini), queen of King Kuru of Bharatavaṃśa (Bharatavamsa; the royal lineage of Bharata). This Aśvavāṇa (Aswavana) is also known as Avīkṣita (Avikshita). He had eight sons.

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

In order to stop the ensuing battle of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), and to establish peace with their relative-brother Duryodhana, the Pāṇḍava (Pandava) brothers claimed only five villages from them. Avisthala was one of them. According to scholars, the place called Āsandi (Asandi), near Kurukṣetra, was identical with Avisthala.

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

Ayaḥśanku(Ayahsanku) is one of the Asura(s) born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the Prime Father Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). In the age of the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava) and Kaurava(s), one king of the Kekaya kingdom was born as a partial incarnation of him. In the Upaparva called Aṃśāvataraṇa (Amsavatarana), in Mahābhārata […]

Ayaḥśiras (Ayahsiras) or Ayaḥśirā (Ayashsira)  is one of the Asura(s) born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the Prime Father Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). In the age of the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava) and Kaurava(s), one king of the Kekaya kingdom was born as a partial incarnation of him. In the Upaparva called […]

Ayajña (Ayajna) is one of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva). According to the narrative drawn from Mahākāvya and Purāṇa(s), there was a time when Śiva was not entitled to receive the share of Yajña(s). Afterwards, since the destruction of Dakṣayajña (Dakshayajna; the legendary sacrifice performed by Daksha, which Siva destroyed), it became customary to offer […]

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

Ayati is a brother of king Yayāti (Yayati) belonging to Candravaṁśa (Chandravamsa; the Lunar dynasty), and the son of King Nahuṣa (Nahusha).  

Brother of King Yatāti (Yayati), son of Nahuṣa(Nahusha).

Ayavāha or Āyavāha (Ayavaha) is the name of a locality, or the community or race living in this locality. The name is mentioned along with the communities called Vāravāsya (Varavasya) and Cakra (Chakra).

In Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata, in course of describing the varṇasaṁkara (varnasamkara; hybrid castes),  children born of a Vaiśya (Vaisya) woman, sired by a Śūdra (Sudra)-man are referred to as Āyogava (Ayogava). By profession they are carpenters, capable of earning by their own labour. Brāhmaṇas do not accept offerings from them. śūdrāyogavaścāpi vaiśyāṁ grāmyadharmiṇaḥ brāhmaṇairapratigrāhyastakṣā […]

Ayovāhu (Ayovahu) was one of the hundred sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra(Dhritarashtra). During the war of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), on the day of the slaying of Ghaṭotkaca (Ghatotkacha), ten Kaurava brothers including Ayovāhu attacked Bhīma (Bhima). The son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who was present in the battlefield, is called Ayobhuja instead of Ayovāhu. They seem to be the same […]

One of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Astottara Sahasranama; Thousand and eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator, argues that the meaning of Āyu(Ayu)  is ‘Āyurjīvanakālaḥ’ (Ayurjivanakala; the period of lifetime). Again, the term Āyu is also connotative of life or life-force. God is manifested as both Prāṇa (life-force) and Jīvanakāla (Life-period) because He […]

Āyu (Ayu) is the king of the Bheka race. His daughter Suśobhanā (Susobhana) was married to King Parīkṣhit (Parikshit)of the Ikṣvāku clan. Suśobhanā deceived and seduced several other kings before Parīkṣhit. Learning of this ill nature of his own daughter, Āyu offered his daughter to Parīkṣhit , and cursed that Suśobhanā’s sons will be harmful […]

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 […]

One of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Astottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva. The dictionary-meaning of ‘Āyudha’ is ‘weapon’. One who holds weapons is called Āyudhī (Ayudhi). To clarify the meaning of Āyudhī (Ayudhi), Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator, has said — “āyudhaṁ svasyādhāraṇaṁ śūlaṁ tadvān śūlītyartha.” In several Purāṇas (Scriptures), Mahādeva’s ten-armed manifestation is […]

Ayutanāyin(Ayutanayin) was a distant forefather of the Pāṇḍava (Pandava)and Kaurava(s). He was the son born of the womb of Suyajñā (Suyajna), daughter of Prasenajit, and sided by the king Mahābhauma (Mahabhauma) of Puruvaṃśa (Puruvamsa; the Puru dynasty). He performed ten thousand, or ayuta number of Puruṣamedha Yajña (Purushamedha Yajna), so his name was Ayutanāyī — […]

Eḍī (Edi) is a Mātṛkā (Matrika; one kind of lesser female deity), and an associate of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

The eminent lexicon-editor Amarasiṁha (Amarasimha), in the Puravarga (Puravarga) of his Amarakoṣa (Amarakosha), has mentioned eḍūka (eduka), among several types of houses or abodes in a locality– bhittiḥ strī kuḍyameḍūkaṁ sadantaryastakīkasam. The term ‘kīkasa‘ means ‘last remains of the corpse’ or ‘asthi‘ (bone-dust). It is to be understood that the house in which the remains […]

Eka is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu(Vishnu)

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).

Ekackrā (Ekachakra) was a city mentioned in the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). After saving their lives from the Jatugṛha (Jatugriha or the house of fire) at Vārāṇāvata (Varanavata), the Pāṇḍavas (Pandavas), having followed the advice of Vedavyāsa (Vedavyasa) to save their lives from Duryodhana, took the disguise of brahmacārīs (brahmacharis or ascetics) and secretly wandered in various […]

Ekacandrā(Ekachandra) is one of the mātṛkā (marika; one kind of  lesser female deities ) who were present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (abhisheka; corronation ceremony) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ekacūḍā (Ekachuda) is one of the mātṛkā (matrika; lesser female deity) who were present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (abhisheka; corronation ceremony) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ekahaṁsatīrtha (Ekahamsatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Pulastya asked Bhīṣma (Bhishma) to visit this site of pilgrimage. Scholars have determined that the modern location of Ekahaṁsatīrtha is in the village called Ikkas, five kilometres away from the town of Jind in Hariyana. Some […]

Ekajaṭa (Ekajata) is one of the warrior-followers of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya). He assisted Kārtikeya while slaying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura).

Ekākṣa (Ekalsha) is a follower-warrior of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya). He helped Skanda-Kārtikeya while slaying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura).

Ekākṣa (Ekaksha) is a Dānava (Danava; demon) born of the womb of Danu, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa)Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). Ekākṣa was one of the demons who possessed human virtues, as mentioned in Purāṇa (Purama; Mythological Scripture).

Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanu, king of the Niṣāda (Nishada; a hunting community). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that he was born of the womb of Aśmakī, and sired by Vasudeva. Later he was brought up among the Niṣāda people, as it is said in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa. Droṇācārya ( Dronacharya), while […]

When Jarāsandha (Jarasandha), in order to take revenge upon Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), launched an attack against Mathurā (Mathura), one Ekalavya, a valiant warrior and the son of Aṁśumān, protecting the eastern gate of Mathurāpurī (Mathurapuri; the city of Mathura). As his father’s name is different, we can take him as a different person , other than […]

In the Aṁśāvataraṇa-parva (Amsavatarana-parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that Ekalavya was born as a partial incarnation of the Krodhavaśa (Krodhavasa) Asuras, sons of Krodhavaśā (Krodhavasa). In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) it is mentioned that during the Rājasūya Yajña (Rajasuya Yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira), Ekalavya gifted him a pair of leather footwear, as a token of […]

Haribaṁśa (Haribamsa) explains the word Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) in the following way- Though Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) was born from a part of Lord Viṣñu (Vishnu), the saviour of his subjects, conceptually and by nature, she was one and all. She was the Māyāśakti (Mayasakti or feminine power) of the Lord- Yogamāyā (Yogamaya)- Viddhi caināmathotpannāthaṁśāddevīṃ prajāpateḥ. Ekānaṁśāṃ yogakanyāṃ […]

The name of the daughter of Yaśodā (Yasoda) is Ekānaṅgā (Ekananga). Probably this Ekānaṅgā is another name of the Goddess Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa). [See Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa)]

Ekapāda (Ekapada) was an ancient non-Aryan tribe. During his digvijaya, expedition, Sahadeva conquered the Ekapāda tribe, living in the southern countries. They paid allegiance to the Pāṇḍava (Pandava), by paying revenue to them. The presence of the Ekapāda tribe was found in Indraprasrha suting the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yushishthita). In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva), […]

Ekaparvata is an ancient mountain. Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), Bhīma (Bhima) and Arjuna crossed this mountain while going to Girivrajapura, the capital of Jarāsandha. From the description of their route, it may be understood that the route from Kurujāṅgala (Kurujangala; the forest area of the Kuru teritory) to Magadha was extended across the rivers Gaṇḍakī (Gandaki) ,Mahāśona […]

Ekapāt(Ekapat) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

Ekapṛṣṭha (Ekaprishtha) is the name of a race or tribe, and the the place inhabited by that tribe, as mentioned in Bhiṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). But alternative readings of the term ‘Ekapṛṣṭha’ can also be found. In some places, it is also referred to as ‘Naikapṛṣṭha’ (Naikaprishtha). In the catalogue of the names of […]

Ekāsana (Ekasana) is an ancient non-Aryan tribe. According to the description of Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the Ekāsana (Ekasana) tribe dwelt in the bamboo grove located between the two mountains – Sumeru and Mandara– merumandarayormadhye śailodāmabhito nadīm ye te kīcakaveṇūṇāṁ chāyāṁ ramyāmupāsate. khasā ekāsanā hyarhāḥ pradarā dīrghaveṇavaḥ. On the occasion of the Rājasūya(Rajasuya) yajña(yajna) […]

In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), seven orders of Piātṛloka (Pitriloka; the heavenly abode of the forefathers) have been mentioned. Four of these orders are of corporeal entities, and the other three consist of bodiless entities. Ekaśṛṅga(Ekasringa) was one of those bodiless beings, among these orders. It is known that they were present in the sabhā […]

Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha), elder brother of the demon-king Hiraṇyakaśipu (Hiranyakasipu), plunged the earth into Pralayasamudra (the ocean of great deluge). God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) assumed the form of Ekaśṛṅga Varāha(Ekasringa Varaha; a swine with one horn) and slaying Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha), he rescued the earth , holding it at the top of his single horn. So he came […]

Ekata was one of the sons of Sage Gautama. Dvita (Dwita) and Trita were his brothers. Trita was the greatest among the brothers. One day, Ekata and Dvita planned that along with Trita, they will collect the cattles from all their yajamānas (yajamana; those who get yajñas performed by the priest). When at night, Ekata […]

Ekātmā (Ekatma) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).    “]