Ekatvacā  (Ekatwacha) was 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).

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 […]

Eraka is one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; Snake) born in the Kauravya clan, who got burned in the fire of the Sarpasatra (a fire-ritual for destroying sankes)of Janamejaya.

Eraka was one of the snakes who were born in the Kauravya clan and were burnt in Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra fire (a yajna which was performed to destroy the snakes born of Kauravya clan). .

One of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahaeva). In Chāndogya Upaniṣad (Chandogya Upanishad), Agni has been mentioned as Ī- kāra (I-kara). In Śaṁkarācārya’s (Sankaracharya) commentary on Chāndogya Upaniṣad , this self-manifestation of Ī-kāra had been discussed, but in later times, Paṇdita Ānandagiri (Pandit Anandagiri), while commenting on Śaṁkara’s annotations, has discussed it in greater details. The Sāmaveda […]

Īḍya (Idya) is one of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva) described in Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; The Hymn of Thousand names of Siva). The term īḍya derives from the Sanskrit dhātu (dhatu, root-verb) Īḍ (Id), which means ‘to perform stūti’ (stuti), that is, to chant hymns, to praise . One who is worthy of such praise, or […]

Ijya is one of the names of God Viṣṇu(Vishnu)  mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra).  

Name of a river that has been mentioned along with Vedasmṛtā (Vedasmrita), Vedavatī (Vedavati) and Tridivā (Tridiva) in Jambukhaṇḍavinirmāṇaparva [Jambukhandabinirmanparva; a sub-chapter of Bhīṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva)] of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). But the source of this river is not given in Mahābhārata. In Vāyupurāna (Vayupurana), river Ikṣulā (Ikshula), along with Trisāmā (Trisama), Ṛtukulyā (Ritukulya), Lāṅgulinī (Langulini), Vaṃśdharā (Vamsadhara), […]

A river that flowed through Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra). It is said in the Ādiparva (Adiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) that Takṣaka (Takshaka) and Aśvasena (Ashwasen) lived together at the banks of Ikṣumatī (Ikshumati). After Rāmacandra’s (Ramachandra) banishment to the forest,when Daśaratha(Dasharatha) died Vaśiṣṭha (Vasishtha) sent a number of messengers to the kingdom of Kekaya in order to […]

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, […]

Ilā (Ila) is a sacred river-based pilgrimage-site mentioned in Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). It is located on the bank of the river Godāvarī (Godavari). The Pāṇḍavas (Pandavas) once took birth at this river-site.

Ilāvṛtavarṣa is a varṣa of Jamvudvīpa. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and Purāṇa (Purana), Ilāvṛtavarṣa has been referred to as the middle part of Jamvudvīpa. Arjuna, at the time of his conquest, crossed Harivarṣa and Hiraṇyavarṣa to come to Ilāvṛtavarṣa. At the farthest north of Ilāvṛtavarṣa, there is Airāvatavarṣa and at the south of it, there is […]

According to the description of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Īlina(Ilina) was the son of king Taṁsu (Tamsu), belonging to Puruvaṁśa (Puruvamsa; the genealogical line of Puru). Īlina was born of the womb of Kālindī (Kalindi), Taṁsu’s wife. Īlina’s wife was Rathantarī (Rathantari). Īlina and Rathantarī had five sons: Duṣyanta(Dushyanta) was the eldest among them. The other four […]

Ilvala was a Daitya (demon) of deceitful nature. In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), there is a detailed description of his genealogy. Hlāda (Hlada) was the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu (Hiranyakasipu). Ilvala and his brother Vātāpi, sired by Hlāda were born of the womb of Dhamanī (Dhamani). So according to the description of Bhāgavatapurṇa, Ilvala was the grandson of […]

The figure and characteristics of Indra  as depicted in Mahābhārata-Rāmāyaṇa-Purāṇa is completely different from that of his acts and manners as described in  old Veda and Brāhmaṇa treaties. Indra in/of Veda  the greatest warrior, he is slaughter of Vṛtra, Namuci, Śuṣṇa, Cumuri, Dhuni, Śambara, Pripru, Vala, Arbuda, Kuyava — killing these dangerous demons/Asuras he is […]

Indradamana was an ancient rājarṣi(rajarshi; a noble king with the attributes of a sage-seer) belonging to the vaṁśa (heditary or disciple-wise line) of sage Atri. In Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is mentioned that by virtue of donating riches to Brāhmaṇas , he attained the grace of residing in svarga (swarga; heaven) without any […]

An ancient rājarṣi (rajarshi; seer-king , a king with the attributes of a seer or sage) mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Indradyumna was one of those ancient kings, who, after death, achieved places of distinction in the sabhā (sabha; court or assembley-hall) of Yama.

A king, contemporary of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna). It is mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) that once in a battle, Kṛṣṇa killed this king Indradyumna.  

A tapasvī(tapaswi, ascetic) Brāhmaṇa(Brahmana) liviing in Dvaitavana (Dwaitavana, the Dawaita forest). When, during their exile, the Pāṇḍavas(Pandava) were staying in Dvaitavana, Indradyumna, along with other sages, came to visit Yudhuiṣṭhira (Yudhisthira).

During their exile in the forests, the Pāṇḍavas (Pandavas) heard the legend of an ancient Rājarṣi (Rajarshi or a king with the attributes of a seer or sage) called Indradyumna, from Sage Mārkaṇḍeya (Markandeya). However, in the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is not mentioned in which age he was born, or to what vaṁsa (vamsa) he […]

A sarovara (lake). The river Nalinī (Nalini), flowing towards the west, falls into this sarovara. According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), however, a river called Pāvanī(not Nalinī) falls into this sarovara. It is said that during his vanavāsa ( vanavasa; to stay in forest, practising asceticism), king Pāṇḍu (Pandu), along with his wives, Kuntī (Kunti)and […]

Indrakarmā (Indrakarma) is another name of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). In Sanskrit, the dhātu(dhatu; the verb-root) ‘Ind’ means, to rule or to preside over something. The one who rules is ‘Indra’. In this case, Indra denotes not only the king of gods but also the Ruler and Creator of the universe, the Almighty. The Supreme Divinity […]

Indrakīla (Indrakila) was a parvatatīrtha (parvatatirtha, a mountain-based site of pilgrimage) in Bhāratavaṛṣa (Bharatavarsha or India). Kubera was the ruler of this mountain, located near the mountain Gandhamādana (Gandhamadana). Arjuna came here during his exile in forest, and here he had a vision of Indra, king of the gods, disguised as a tapasvī (tapaswi, asectic). […]

A sacred site of pilgrimage. One may attain svarga (swarga; the heavenly abode)by taking a bath here. It is a blessed site for offering tarpaṇa(tarpana) to the forefathers’ spirit.

Indrasena was the fifth son of king Parīkṣhit (Parikshit), grandson of king Kuru.

Nala, the king of Niṣadha(Nishadha) and his wife Damayantī(Damayanti) gave birth to a son and a daughter. The son was called Indrasena, and the daughter, Indrasenā (Indrasena).

Indrasena is one of the charioteers of Arjuna. Prior to the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhisthira) sent Indrasena to Dvārakā (Dwaraka) to invite Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Learning the news of Rājasūya yajña, immediately started for Indraprastha with this Indrasena. Indrasena is found to be present in several occasions in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). He was one of […]

Indrasena is one of the warriors who took the side of the Kaurava during the war of Kurukṣetra(Kurukshetra).

Indratāpana (Indratapana) is a Dānava (Danava; a type of demons) sired by Prajāpati (Prajapati, Ruler of the people) Kaśyapa(Kasyapa), and born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa(Daksha). According to Purāṇa (Purana; Muthological Scripture), Indratāpana was one of those sons of Danu — who adopted the manuṣyadharma ( manushyadharma; ways and codes of conduct […]

Indratoyā(Indratoya) is a river that originates from the mountain Gandhamādana– Indratoyāṁ samāsādya gandhamādanasannidhau. Taking a bath in this holy river, one may achieve the fruit of Aśvamedha yajña (Aswamedha yajna, a Vedic ritual of sacrifice, bearing great virtue).

Indravarmā (Indravarma) was the king of Mālava (Malava), contemporary of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhisthira). During the war of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), he took the side of the Pāṇḍavas (Pandavas). Indravarmā was not much reputed for his heroism. When, in order to make Droṇa (Drona) renounce his weapon, Bhīma (Bhima) circulated the death-news of Aśvatthāmā  (Aswatthama), he knew that Droṇa […]

Regarding the number of human Indriya(s) and their functions all philosophical scriptures are of the same opinion. In Mahābhārata, it is at least hundred times mentioned that there are ten indriya(s), and the eleventh is mind. So it has become a common consensus that scholars know that five indriya(s) are the cause of cognition regading […]

Indrota was an ancient ṛṣi (rishi; sage). He was a sage belonging to the vaṁśa (vamsa; clan or genealogical line) of Śunaka (Sunaka), so he was famous as Indrota Śaunaka (Saunaka). In the legend described in Śāntiparva of Mahābhārata, it is said that Indrota became the priest of the yajña (yajna) performed by the ancient […]

Irā (Ira) or Ilā (Ila) refers to the embodied form of the earth-goddess. She is imagined to be one of the daughters of Dakṣa (Daksha) and one of the wives of Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the People). Since creepers, herbs and plants emerge from the earth, Irā is referred to in Purāṇas (Purana) […]

Irā (Ira) is an Apsarā (Apsara; Celestial cortesan). There is a mention that she used to reside in the sabhā (sabha; assembley) of Kuvera. In the version maintained by Haridāsa Siddhāntavāgīśa (Haridasa Siddhantavagisa), the reading is Ilā (Ila) instead of Irā .

Irāmā(Irama) is a sacred river. At the time of Pralaya (the Great Deluge) when sage Mārkaṇḍeya (Markandeya) took shelter inside the belly of Srī Hari in the form of a baby-boy, he found several rivers inside. Irāmā is one of them.

In Sabhāparva (sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), in course of the description of Yama’s sabhā (sabha; assembley or court), it is said that one hundred Īri (Iri, used in plural number) have their places in that sabhā. Perhaps they are rājarṣis (kings with the attributes of a sage-seer), each of them bearing the name Īri, born […]

The term ‘Īśa’ (Isa) generally denotes one who authorises, controls or rules, one who is entitled to own, and so on. In this sense, terms like Nareśa (Naresha; lord of men), Sureśa (Suresa, lord of the gods), Kṣitīśa (kshitisa; ruler of the earth), Gaṇeśa (Ganesa; ruler of the people), Śrīśa (Srisa, lord of Sri or […]

Īśa (Isa) is one of the Viśvedeva ( Viswedeva; one genus of the Vedic gods).’Viśvedevāḥ’  is the presiding deity of one of the sūktas (sukta; Vedic hymns) of Ṛgveda. The term ‘Viśvedevāḥ’ refers to all deities.The first famous renowned commentator of the Vedic terms, Yāska (Yaska), wrote in his  Nirukta –-‘Viśvedevāḥ’ refers to all deities- […]

Īśnādhyuṣita (Isanadhyushita) is a tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) near the river Sarasvatī (Sarasvati). In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that there was an ancient Aśvattha (Aswattha)tree on the bank of Sarasvatī. There was an anthill adjacent to its trunk. standing near that anthill, if a śamyā (samya a piece of wood, shaped […]

Iṣṭa(Ishta) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu(Vishnu) as mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; the Hymn of Thousand Names of Vishnu).

In Mahābhārata, several times iṣṭāpūrta or iṣṭāpūrta phala has been mentioned. So is in Rāmāyaṇa. But wherever this term has been used, it is with a sense of disappointment. It is said in the following sense– ‘If you commit this offense, you will not have the virtuous fruit of your iṣṭāpūrta. In Rāmāyaṇa, when Viśvāmitra […]

The sons born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Prajāpati(Prajapati;  Ruler of the people) Kaśyapa (kasyapa), are known as Dānava (Danava; a type of demons). Iṣupāda(Ishupada was one of them. From the Aṁśāvataraṇa-parva (Amsavatarana-parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is known that he was born as king Nagnajit in Dvāpara-yuga […]

Īśvara (Iswara) is one of the grandsons of Brahmā (Brahma) and one of the eleven Rudras who were the partial incarnations of Sthāṇu (Sthanu) or Mahādeva (Mahadeva). Īśvara is one of the Rudras who were present during the birth-ceremony of Arjuna, the third Pāṇḍava (Pandava).

Īśvara (Iswara) is one of the Viśvedeva ( Viswedeva; one genus of the Vedic gods).’Viśvedevāḥ’  is the presiding deity of one of the sūktas (sukta; Vedic hymns) of Ṛgveda. The term ‘Viśvedevāḥ’ means all deities.The first famous encyclopedic commentator of the Vedic words, Yāska (Yaska), wrote in his text, Nirukta –-‘Viśvedevāḥ’ refers to all deities- […]

Īśvara (Iswara) is one of the sons born of the womb of Pauṣṭī (Paushti), fathered by Puru, who was the son of Yayāti (Yayati).

The sons of Krodhā (Krodha), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha) — are known as the Krodhavaśa (Krodhavasa) Asura (one kind of demons). In the Aṁśāvataraṇaparva (Amsavataranaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that one of the Krodhavaśa Asuras was later incarnated as a powerful king named Īśvara (Iswara).

In Sanskrit, Itihāsa(Itihasa) does not mean ‘History’ as we generally understand it now. The term ‘itiha‘ is an avyaya in Sanskrit, and means the course of tradition coming down through legacy. The location or position or ‘seat’ of such tradition is called itihāsa (itiha + āsa). In Brahmavarga of Amarakoṣa (Amarakosha), the term aitihya derives […]