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, […]

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 Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Ilinā (Ilina) was the wife of King Rantināra (Rantinara), belonging to the genealogical line of Puru. She was the daughter of Yama.

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 […]

Indradvīpa(Indradwipa; the island called Indra) is one of the nine divisions of Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India). The Paurāṇika (Pauranika; mentioned in Puranas) river Nalinī(Nalini) falls into the sea near this Indradvīpa. Scholars opine that Indradvīpa mentioned in the Purāṇas refer to the modern Indonesia or Vietnam. Many think the the modern Andaman island is the ancient […]

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 […]

Indrajittīrtha (Indrajittirtha) is a tīrtha (tirtha; a pilgrimage site) located on the northern bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). The site is named so probably because of the presence of clouds that are subject to God Indra, who is Meghavāhana (Meghavahana; one who rides on clouds).

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). […]

Paulamī, wife of Indra, is generally known as Indrāṇi. In the age of Ṛgveda (Rigveda), Indra was the major god to worshipped. From this conception, Indraṇī Śachī was also worshipped as an epitome of good fortune. In several mantra(s) of Ṛgveda, Indrāṇī had been invited to yajña (yajna), along with Varuṇāṇī (Varunani), wife of Varuṇa, […]

According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures), when Bhagīratha (Bhagiratha)brought Gaṅgā (Ganga) down to Martyaloka (the earthly abode), she divided herself in seven flows and flowed on earth. Sindhu was one of the three branches that flowed westward, and Indrapada was one pf the regions of the west across which the Sindhu had flowed. In Vāyupurāṇa […]

A mantradraṣṭā (seer of hymns) ṛṣi(rishi; sage) belonging to Vaśiṣṭhavaṁśa (Vasisthavamsa; the hereditary or disciple-wise clan of Sage Vasistha). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), however, it is said that Indrapratima or Kuśītiya(Kusitiya) was sired by Vaśisṭha, and born of the womb of Kapiñjali Ghṛtācī (Kapinjali Ghritachi).

Brahmiṣṭha (Brahmistha) was the son of Mudgala, king of Pañcāla(Panchala). Indrasena was the son of Vramhiṣṭha. King Indrasena had a son called Vindhyāśva (Vindhyaswa).

Indratāpana (Indratapana) is a follower of Hiraṇyakaśipu (Hiranyakasipu), king of the Daitya (a type of demons).

A ṛṣi(rishi; sage) belonging to Agastyavaṁśa (Agastyavamsa; the hereditary or disciple-wise clan of Sage Agastya).

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) […]

Irāgarbhaśirā (Iragarbhasira) is one of the sons born of Danu — the daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati(Prajapati; Ruler of the people).

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 […]

In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Īśa(Isa) is one of the Sādhya (Sadhya)-gods (gods belonging to the genus called Sadhya). He was sired by Dharma, and born of the womb of Sādhyā (Sadhya).

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Īśānā (Isana) is the name of the tenth kalpa.

Iṣa(Isha) was one of the sons of Auttami (Son of Uttama)Manu according to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana).

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), the descendants of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Parāśara (Parasara) were divided into several communities. Śveta (Sweta; white) Parāśara was one of such communities. Īṣīkahasta (Ishikahasta) is one of the sages  belonging to this community.  

Oghavatī (Oghavati) is an ancient, sacred river of India. Oghavatī is one of the seven manifestations of Sarasvatī (Saraswati)– rājan saptasarasvatyo yābhirvyāptamidaṃ jagat āhūtā valavadbhirhi tatra tatra sarasvatī. suprabhā kāñcanākṣī ca viśālā ca manoramā sarasvatī coghavatī sureṇurvimalodā. People of both Ārya (Arya; Aryan)and Mleccha (Mleccha; foreigners) communities live on the water of Oghavatī. At the […]

Omkārabhavana (Omkarabhavana) is a sacred pitṛtīrtha (pitritirtha; a pilgrimage site sacred to the forefather’s spirits) located on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). It is alternatively known as Oṁkāreśvara (Omkareswara). However, in Vāyupurāṇa(Vayupurana) and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), the name is mentioned as Oṁkārapavana (Omkarapavana). It is a place ideal for performing śrāddha (sraddha; post-funeral rite […]

Ṛkṣa (Riksha) was one of the sons born of the womb of Dhūminī (Dhumini), wife of King Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha) belonging to Puruvaṁśa (Puruvamsa; the genealogical line of Puru). This son of Puru was probably the presverver of the main line of the kings of Puruvaṁśa. We get the name of Saṁvaraṇa (Samvarana), the son of […]

The genealogical or disciple-wise line of Maharṣi(Maharshi; Great Sage) Ṛkṣa (Riksha) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśa (rishivamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi Aṇgirā (Angira). Maharṣi Ṛkṣa is mentioned in Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scripture) as one of the founder of the Āṇgirasa(Angirasa) gotra.

Ṛṇamocanatīrtha (Rinamochanatirtha) is a pitṛtīrtha (pitritirtha; a pilgrimage site sacred to the forefathers’ spirits) located towards the south of Prayāga (Prayaga) and towards the north of Yamunā (Yamuna). It is a very worthy place for performing śrāddha (sraddha; ritual dedicated to the deceased. Visiting this site, one may be relieved of all ṛṇa (rina).

Ṛṇatīrtha (Rinatirtha) is a famous tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). Visiting this site, one gets relieved of all sorts of ṛṇa (rina; owing to someone or something; debts).

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) The vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical of disciple -wise line) of Maharṣi Ṛṇavān is mentioned as one of the ṛṣivaṁśa, belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Viśvāmitra (Visvamitra). Maharṣi Ṛṇavān(Rinavan) is known as one of the gotra-pravartaka (founder of the clan) of the vaṁśa of Viśvāmitra.

The name of the fifteenth kalpa amongst the twenty eight kalpa(s) conceptualised in the Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scriptures). Acording to Purāṇa (Purana), the Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) svara (one of the seven musical notes) was created in this kalpa (see kalpa).

The dhātu (dhatu; verbal-root) ‘ṛṣ‘ (rish) means ‘to go’; and it is also applied to denote śruti (hearing), satya (the truth) and tapasyā (tapasya; to practice asceticism). Those who possess such qualities and engage themselves in the thought of Brahman, are called ṛṣi (rishi)– ṛṣityeṣu gatau dhātuḥ śrutau satye tapasyatha etat sannirataṁ tasmin brahmaṇā sa […]

Ṛṣija (Rishija) was the youngest  among the sons sired by Maharṣi Aṇgirā , and born of the womb of Surūpā. In Purāṇa, he is defined as a mantradraṣṭā (mantradrashta; seer of the sacred hymns) ṛṣi (rishi; sage). Maharṣi (Great Sage) Ṛṣija was one of the gotra-pravartaka (founder of clan) sages of the vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical […]

Ṛṣikanyātīrtha (Rishikanyatirtha) is a site of pilgrimage by the river Narmadā(Narmada). After Mahādeva(Mahadeva) took as his wives a number of unmarried ṛṣikanyā(s) (rishikanya; daughters of sages) in this place, it came to  be known as Ṛṣikanyātīrtha. Before that, it was known as Tridaśajyoti-tīrtha (Tridasajyoti-tirtha).

Ṛṣikulyā (Rishikulya) is a sacred river issued out of Mahendraparvata. However, according to Viṣṇu Purāṇa (Vishnu Purana), it emerges from Śuktimān (Suktiman) parvata. Visting this tīrtha (tirtha, place of pilgrimage) yields the fruit of Upasad yajña (yajna). People of both Aryan and Mleccha (alien, non-Aryan) community drank the holy water of the river. It shows […]

Ṛṣitīrtha (Rishitirtha) is a  tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) situated on the southern bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). In this tīrtha (tirtha), Sage Tṛṇavindu (Trinavindu) got redeemed from the curse upon him.  

The clan of Maharṣi Ṛṣivān  [ Maharshi Rishivan] was one of the clan of Ṛṣis (Rishis or sages) included in the group of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Maharshi Angira) and described in the Matsya Purāṇa (Purana). It was described in the Purāṇa (Purana) that Ṛṣivān  [Rishivan] was one of the founders of the Āṅgirasa (Angirasa) gotra.

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Ṛṣivāsa (Rishivasa) is one of the sons sired by Vasudeva, and born of the womb of Devakī (Devaki) . Ṛṣivāsa was one of those six sons whom Kaṁsa (Kamsa) killed . This son of Devakī is referred to as Ṛjudāsa (Rijudasa) in Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), and he is mentioned as Ṛjudāya (Rijudaya) in […]

Ṛṣyanta (Rishyanta) was one of the sons born of womb of Upadānavī (Upadanavi), and sired by king Ilina belonging to Puruvaṁśa (Puruvamsa; the genealogical line of Puru). In  Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), the name is read as Ṛṣyanta, but in the reading of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), he is referred to as Suṣmanta (Sushmanta). He was the brother of […]

Ṛṣyaśṛṅga (Rishyasringa) is a ṛṣi (rishi; sage) of great fame. The son of sage Vibhāṇḍaka (Vibhandaka), he was a forest-dwelling sage with great ascetic energy. With his father, he lived inside a dense forest without any other human company. He performed both kinds of Brahmacarya (Brahmacharya; Celibacy) — Mukhya (Primary) and Gauṇa (Gauna; Secondary). He […]

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), in the twelfth Manvantara of the future, Ṛta (Rita)will be the ruler of the Manvantara.

Ṛtuparṇa (Rituparna)  was the king of Ayodhyā(Ayodhya). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), he was mentioned as the son of Bhaṅgāsura (Bhangasura) or ‘Bhāṅgāsuri (‘Bhangasuri)’. However, in the reading maintained by Haridas Siddhantabagish, Ṛtuparṇa (Rituparna) is called Bhāgasvari (Bhagasvari), that is, the son of Bhagasvara (Bhagasvara). From the reading of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it may be difficult to determine the […]

Ubhayajāta (Ubhayajata) is a sage. His genealogical and disciple-wise order is mentioned as one clan-founder of Bhārgava(Bhargava).

Uccaiḥśravā (Ucchaihsrava) is the greatest among horses. As Airāvata (Airavata) is the greatest among elephants, so is Uccaiḥśravā. The term ‘śravas’ (sravas) means the hearing organ. So, Uccaiḥśravā can mean ‘one who has long ears’. The ears of this horse were well-shaped. Another meaning Uccaiḥśravā can be ‘one whose high fame is heard from a […]

In the Purāṇa (Purana), the clan of Maharṣi (Maharsi) Udagraja (Udagraja) was one of the clans of ṛṣis (sages) included in the gotra or clan of Maharṣi (Maharsi) Kāśyapa (Kasyapa). As a part of the clan of Maharṣi (Maharsi)  Kāśyapa (Kasyapa), Udagraja is a significant founder of the gotras or clans.

Udaksena is the son of Viśvaksena (Viswaksena), belonging to Nīpavaṁśa (Nipavamsa’ the lineage of Nipa). In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), the name is read as Udakśvana (Udakswana). Udaksena had a son named Bhallāta (Bhallata).

The vaṁśa (vamsa; lineage) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Udareṇu(Udarenu) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsa) belonging to the clan of Maharṣi(Maharshi) Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra). Udareṇu (Udarenu) was one of the clan-founder sages of Viśvāmitravaṁśa (Viswamitravamsa; the lineage of Viswamitra).

As per Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Udāsī (Udasi) was one of those six sons of Devakī (Devaki) — who were killed by Kaṁśa (Kamsa). In other Purāṇa(s) (Purana, Mythological texts), he is mentioned as Udāyu (Udayu), Udāpi (Udapi) or Udarṣi (Udarshi). In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), he is referred to as Udgītha (Udgitha).

Udāvaha (Udavaha), according to Purāṇa, is one of the seven  winds that denote utpāta (utpata; hazard) or some ill omen.