Sometimes used as a plural. A type of gaṇa (gana) or group of sages or ascetics, just like Bālakhilya (Balakhilya). This is explained by Nīlakaṇtha (Nilakantha), the annotator of Mahābharata (Mahabharata)— ajādayaḥ vālakhilyavad ṛṣīṇāṃ gaṇaviśeṣāḥ.

In the previous birth Ajagara was King Nahuṣa (Nahusha). Cursed by Agastya, he took the form of a snake, and metamorphosed into a giant ajagara (python). Ajagara-Nahuṣa overwhelmed Bhīma (Bhima) with his power and strength, and imprisoned him with the hope of having a conversation with Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira). He was finally able to meet with […]

Pināka (Pinaka), the bow of Śiva (Siva),  is also known as ‘Ājagava’ (Ajagava). This is called ‘Ajakava’, ‘Ajakāva'(Ajakava)  or ‘Ajagāva’. The way the word ‘Ajakava’ has been analysed in Śabdakalpadruma, seems to indicate that the ‘ka’ has been transformed into ‘ga’ through linuisic evolution. The Puraṅa-scholars  state that ‘aja’ refers to Viṣṇu (Visnu) who is […]

One of the sons born of Prajāpati Kaśyapa (Prajapati Kashyapa) to Dakṣa’s (Daksha’s ) daughter Danu. From Aṃśāvataraṇaparva (Angshavataranaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is known that king Śālva (Shalva) was born as an incarnation of Ajaka dānava (danava; a type of demon) in the Dvāparayuga (Dwaparayuga). Vṛṣaparvā (Vrishaparva), the king of demons, was a famous ruler whose younger […]

Ajaka was one of the sages (who once were kings) who assembled in the court of Yama, the son of the Sun-god, Sūrya (Surya).

Ajanābha (Ajanabha) is another name for Ṛṣabha-varṣa (Rishabha-varsha). Later it also came to be known as Bhārata (Bharata). The land is mentioned Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

One of the excellent species of the ancient horse-race. In Amarakoṣa (Amarakosha) it is said that Ājāneya (Ajaneya) is one kind of high-quality horses, with remarkably distinctive features. No other horses , than of this type, can become so loyal to the rider. This horse can take the rider comfortably across a long distance– ājāneyaḥ […]

Ajitaśatru (Ajitashatru) is one of the sages known to preside in the court of Brahmā (Brahma). 

Ajodara was one of the warriors who aided Skanda Kārtikeya (Kartikeya) during the battle against Tārakāsura (Tarakasura), in which Tārakāsura was killed.

A crestfallen Yudhiṣthira (Yudhishthira) had asked the great sage Vyāsa (Vyasa) to explain to him the enigma that is death after Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu was killed in the chakravyūha (chakravyuha). Vyāsa, while talking about death, alluded to the tale of Akampana, a king from ancient times. Akampana was a king during the Satya era (Satyayuga). Once […]

Akara is one among the one thousand and eight names of Śiva (Shiva). The word akara can convey two meanings. First, it may denote someone who does no work. According to Sāṃkhyadarśana (Sankhyadarshana) or the Sāṃkhya (Sankhya) school of philosophy, the Divine Soul or parambrahma may be described as sākṣīceta kevalaḥ nirguṇaśca. Similarly, according to Vedanta […]

A serpent born to Kadrū (Kadru) and Kaśyapa (Kashyapa). Akarkara has been mentioned in Āstīkaparva (Astikaparba) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) while chronicling names of serpents.

Ākarṣa (Akarsha) was one of the kings present in Yudhiṣṭhira’s (Yudhishthira) Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna). 

Tāmasa  ahaṃkāra ( tamasa ahamkara; the dark ego) gets distorted and transformed into śabdatanmātra (sabdatanmatra; the essence of sound).  The vacuous ākāśa(akasa; ether)  — the cause of śabda (sabda; sound) is created from the essential form of śabda. Ākaśa is one of Pañcamahābhūta (Panchamahabhuta; five great elements ). In the ‘Śukānupraśna’ (Sukanuprasna) adhyāya (adhyaya; chapter) of Mahābhārata […]

Holes or spaces (avakāśa; avakasa) created upon the surface of a wall of a fortress or castle is called ākaśajananī (akasajanani). In fact, while building the castle, such holes were created upon the external wall so that the insiders of the castle could keep an eye on the enemies and throw rocks or fiery arms […]

One of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Shiva-Mahadeva). Ākāśa ( Akasa; the ether) or byoma is one of the Pañcamahābhūta (Panchamahabhuta, five great elements) : kṣiti (kshiti), ap (ap), teja, marut and byoma or ākāśa– the whole universe has been made by these pañcabhūtas. It is stated in the Taittirīya-upaniṣad (Taittiriya Upanisad) that in the very beginning […]

One of the thousand names of Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

A sage. His original name is unknown. He was one of Paraśurāma’s (Parashurama) most favourite disciple-companions. At the time of his first meeting with Paraśurāma in his childhood, Akṛtabraṇa (Akritabrana) introduced himself as the son of a hermit named Sānta (Shanta). He declared himself as a miserable friendless, desolate and orphaned, seeking shelter from Paraśurāma. […]

A sage. Akṛtaśrama (Akritashrama) was one of the many saints who, during the Dvāpara (Dwapara) age, rose to the heavens (svarga; swarga) by obtaining Vānaprastha (Banaprastha).

This person has been represented with both the names Akṛti (Akriti) and Ākṛti (Aakriti) in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Akṛti was the brother of Kṛṣṅa’s (Krishna) father-in-law Bhīṣmaka (Bhishmaka), the king of Vidarbha. In the accounts of Mahābhārata his valour has been compared to that of Paraśurāma’s (Parashurama). Kṛṣṅa has mentioned Akṛti as one of the kings loyal […]

The ruler of Surāṣtra (Surastra), also called Kauśikācārya (Kausikacharya). Perhaps he was the astraguru (teacher of warfare) of some military group called Kauśika (Kausika). During the Rājasuya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhisthira), Sahadeva brought him to submission under the Pāṇdavas (Pandavas).

In the Sabhāparva( Savaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), when Yudhiṣthira(Yudhishira) entered the assembly hall built by the dānava (danava; a species of demons) Maya, at Indraprastha, we get to know the name of Ākṛiti (Akriti), as one of the kings. It is notable that Akṛti (Akriti), the brother of Bhiṣmaka (Bhishmaka), king of  Vidarva, is  also sometimes […]

Son of Āyu (Aayu) (also known as Taritāyu) (Taritayu)—taritāyusto’bhavat.   akrodhanastvāyusutaḥ. Akrodhana is an ancestor of Pratīpa (Pratipa), Śāntanu (Shantanu) and other Kaurava kings. The narrator or the scribe of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), have chronicled him to be Ayutāyu (Ayutayu) or Ayutāyudha’s (Ayutayudha’s) son. According to Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Akrodhana was born of King Ayutanāyī (Ayutanayi) of […]

The ruler of the land of Mahottha. During Yudhiṣṭhira’s (Yudhisthira) Rājasuya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) Sahadeva made an expedition westward to secure revenues  by winning kindoms. He had a clash with Ākrośa (Akrosa), the king of Mahottha. Finally Nakula brought him under his power, and collected a huge amount of revenue from him. In the version […]

A sage king and the lord of the countries Śairīṣaka (Shairishaka) and Mahottha (Mahottha). Akrośa was defeated by Nakula during the westward journey of conquest that preceded the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) organised by Yudhiṣthira (Yudhisthira). The Haridasa Siddhantabagisha edition of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) reads Akrośa (Akrosha) as Akrodha.

Born in the Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) clan, Akrūra (Akrura) was one of Kṛṣṇa ‘s (Krishna’s) kinsmen. He has been referred to as a Vṛṣṇi hero in Mahābhārāta (Mahabharata) time and again. In Mahābhārata, several heroes from the Vṛṣṇi clan attended Draupadī’s svayaṃvara (swayamvara) as her suitors. The Pāñcāla (Panchala) prince Dhṛṣtyadyumna (Dhrishtadyumna), while listing the names […]

One among the one thousand names of Viṣṇu (Vishnu). Cruelty or ruthlessness is one of the many traits (dharma) of the human mind. Cruelty arises when deep seated anger takes root. Anger is one of the six cardinal sins of human nature. About the origin of anger, Bhagavadgīta (Bhagavadgita) explicates that continuous preoccupation over material wealth conduces people […]

One of the many names of Śiva (Shiva). Advised by the great sage Saṃbartta (Sangbartta), the sage king Marutta went to the Muñjavāna (Munjavana) Mountain, a part of the Himalayan range, and engaged himself in paying tributes to Lord Mahādeva (Mahadeva). Here, King Marutta has addressed Śiva-Mahādeva as ‘Akrūrakarmā’ (Akrurakarma). Mahādeva is represented as having […]

Akṣa (Aksha) was one of the subordinate warriors who had assisted Skanda while killing the demon, Tārakā (Taraka).

One of the one thousand and eight names of Śiva (Shiva). The Sanskrit verbal root akṣ (aksh) means to disseminate. When the particle ac is added to the verbal root akṣ, its evolved form is akṣa meaning something that aids dissemination. The Almighty is diffused throughout the entire universe— thus the appellation of Mahādeva (Mahadeva) as […]

The charm to disarm [the heart] of the deity who presides over the game of dice. According to the dictionary, akṣahṛdaya (akshahridaya) is the secret key to, or skill of playing dice. The word akṣahṛdaya was first mentioned in course of Parvasaṃgraha Sūtra (Parvasangraha Sutra) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Later on, in Vanaparva, Sage Vṛhadaśva (Vrihadashwa) narrated the […]

One of the wives of Vaśiṣṭha (Vashishtha)— vaśiṣṭhaścakṣamālayā. Many have identified Akṣamālā (Akshamala) with Vaśiṣṭha’s famous wife Arundhatī (Arundhati). But Arundhatī was born of Prajāpati (Prajapati) Kardama to Devahūti (Devahuti), and was hence, of a much nobler birth. On the other hand, Manu records that though Akṣamālā was born to a woman of inferior descent, […]

Something that does not erode, or something from which nothing exude— na kṣarati. Imperishable. Especially in Sāṃkhya (Sankhya) philosophy, akṣara (akshara) is known as the ‘sākṣī cetā nirguṇa‘ theory of Man [that considers man as conscious and neutral observer]. Bhagavadgītā (Bhagavadgita), while determining the difference between a corporeal being and god, has said that there are […]

A holy site in Gayā (Gaya in modern day Indian state of Bihar) where a vaṭa vṛkṣa (vata vriksha), or banyan tree, stands. Performing obsequies to honour one’s departed forefathers at this place by making offerings of rice would ascertain their attaining heaven for eternity. The spot is so sacred that if a person offers […]

One of the six sons of the great sage Viśvāmitra (Vishwamitra).

One of the thousand names of Viṣṇu  (Vishnu) in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasreanamastotra). Here,  Śrīhari (Shrihari) or Viṣṇu has been addressed twice by the name Akṣobhya (Akshobhya) .

Dictionaries define akūpāra (akupara) as turtle or tortoise. The king of tortoises (kūrma) who had served as the base of Mandara mountain acting as the churning pole during the Grand Ocean-churning (samudra-manthana), has been referred to as Akūpāra. In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Mārkaṇḍeya (Markandeya) narrated a tale in which a turtle named Akūpāra dwelling in Lake […]

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 […]

Alakānandā (Alakananda) is the name of a pilgrimage site, named after the river. It is said that the river is situated in heaven. Mandākinī (Mandakini) emerges from the feet of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). After falling upon Merupṛṣṭha (Meruprishtha), the same Mandākinī comes to be known by four names, as it flows in four different directions. […]

Alaṃkāra (Alamkara; ornament) is celebrated as a giftable equipment, as described in Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture). Alaṃkāra is to be dedicated to gods at the time of worshiping. Giving ornaments as gift can yield the fruits of caturvarga (the four-fold goals of life), happiness, and it determines development and satisfaction. Alaṃkāra is of forty kinds. […]

Ālamva (Alamva) was one of the sages who were present, when Yudhiṣṭhira was entering the sabhāgṛha (sabhagriha; the court-room).

Alamvatīrtha (Alamvatirtha) is a celestial site of pilgrimage. It has not been possible to determine the present location of this heavenly site of pilgrimage. It is said that, Garuḍa (Garuda), in search of a suitable place to sit and consume the huge elephant and tortoise, came to this site of pilgrimage. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), this […]

In Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that Sage Cāruśīrṣa (Charusirsha) is the friend of Indra, king of the gods. He is called Ālamvāyana (Alamvayana), because he belongs to the Ālamva(Alamva)  gotra (clan).

Alamvuṣa is a rākṣasa (rakshasa; monster), brother of Vaka rākṣasa. Since Bhīma (Bhima) killed Vaka, his brother had been at odds with the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava).So in the war of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), we see Alamvuṣa (Alamvusha)fighting on the side of the Kaurava(s). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Alamvuṣa is referred to as Ārṣaśṛṅgi (Arshasringi). So it appears that […]

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 […]

Alarka is a parasitic worm, with shape is like a micro pig, eight legs, with sharp teeth, and covered with numerous needle-like fur. This worm bit Karṇa (Karna), the famous warrior in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). It was an incident that occurred, when Karṇa, assuming the identity of a brāhmaṇa belonging to the Bhārgava (Bhargava) clan, came […]

Alātākṣī (Alatakshi) is a mātṛkā (matrika; an order of lesser female deities), who had been present as an associate during the corronation of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Alola is one of the names of  God Śiva (Siva). Lola means unsteady or unstable. Śiva is conceptualised as a calm and quiet ascetic, and so he is known as Alola. For this calm and quiet appearance, and his unwavering state of being in a divine, Yogic trance, he is also known as Acañcala or Sthāṇu.

Amāhaṭha (Amahatha) is one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; Snake) belonging to Dhṛtarāṣṭravaṁśa (Dhritarashtravamsa; the genealogical line of Dhritarashtra), who got killed in the Sarpayajña (Sarpayajna; a ritual for sacrificing snakes) performed by Janamejaya.

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