The daughter of Ariṣtanemi (Arishtanemi) was the second wife of the famous king Sagara, belonging to Sūryavaṃśa(Suryavamsa; the Solar dynasty). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), he has given a number of advices on the virtues of Mokṣadharma (the moral and spiritual codes of attaining ultimate liberation); and here Ariṣṭanemi has been once referred to as Tārkṣya (Tarkshya). […]

Arka was a Vānara (Vanara) chieftain. During the battle of Laṅkā (Lanka). when Rāmacandra (Ramachandra), with his army, set our towards the south, he was protecting one side of the army along with three associates — Panasa, Keśarī (Kesari) and Gaja.

Arthasādhaka (Arthasadhaka) was a mantrī (mantri; minister) of Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). When Rāmacandra (Ramachandra)returned from exile, Arthasādhaka, along with seven other ministers, as instructed by Bharata, went to welcome him.

Aruṇa is born of the womb of Vinatā, the eighth daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the great sage Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). He is the elder brother of Garūḍa (Garuda). He pleased Mahādeva (Mahadeva) with great tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practices), and was appointed the charioteer of the Sun-god, by grace of Mahādeva. Aruṇa’s wife’s name was […]

Aśaniprabha (Asaniprabha) is a Rākṣasa (Rakshasa)-warrior. During the battle of Laṅkā (Lanka), while having an one-to-one bout between the Vānara (Vanara)and the Rākṣasa(s), Aśaniprabha fought with the Vānara-warrior called Dvivida.

King Bharata was the son of king Dhruvasandhi, belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṁśa (Ikswakuvamsa, the royal line of Ikswaku). He has clashes with the kings and heroes belonging to Tālajangha (Talajamgha), Haihaya and Śaśavindu (Sasavindu) vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical line or dynasty). He were defeated by them in a battle, and losing his kingdom, went to live in […]

Aśoka (Asoka) was a minister of Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). After Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) went off to vanavāsa (vanavasa, exile into the forest), Bharata was nominated the king. At that time, Aśoka, along with four other ministers, went to Kekayadeśa (Kekayadesa; the land of Kekaya)to bring back Bharata and Śatrughna (Satrughna), as instructed by the priest Vaśiṣṭha (Vasishtha). […]

In general, the meaning of Āśrama is the habitation of hermits and sages. This āśrama was generally founded in forest areas, and it is conceptualised with such a calm and quite atmosphere, where, if the others enter, they can be freed of their pains and cares. On his way to Kiṣkindhyā, Rāmacandra found the Āśrama […]

After the funeral rites of the Kuru grandsire Bhīṣma, Yudhiṣthira was highly upset. At this situation, Kṛṣṇa consoled him and asked him to perform several yajña(s) with many dakṣiṇā(s). Since Yudhiṣṭhira was suffering at heart for the people killed in the battle of Kurukṣetra. To get rid of that guilty feeling, Maharṣi Vyāsa said,– even […]

Aśvapati (Aswapati) was the king of Kekaya. In ancient texts like Chāndogya Upaniṣad (Chandogya Upanishad) and Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (Satapatha Brahmana), the name of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; A king with the attributes of a seer) Aśvapati has been mentioned. In Chāndogya Upaniṣad, Maharṣi Uddālaka (Uddalaka) has cited the name of the Kekaya-king Aśvapati with much respect. He […]

Atibalā (Atibala)  is one of the eight herbs used in consecration or bathing ceremony of a deity (or his/her idol). Apart from Balā (Bala) and Atibalā, some of the other herbs mentioned in this context are Byāghrī (Byaghri), Śaṅkhapuṣpī (Sankhapushpi) and so on. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) we find Sage Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra) imparting to Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) and […]

Atikāya (Atikaya) was a son of Rāvaṇa (Ravana), born to Dhānyamālinī (Dhanyamalini). Etymololgically this name suggests hugeness. Maybe he derived this name from the sheer facts that he had an enormous body and possessed superhuman strength yaścaiṣa vindhyāstamahendrakalpo dhanvī rathastho’tiratho’tivīraḥ. visphārayaścāpamatulyamānaṃ nāmnātikāyo’tivibṛddhakāyaḥ.  Atikāya could fly in the skies, was skilled in magic and invincible in […]

Atimukha was one of the vānara [vanara; monkey-people in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana)] warrior created by gods to aid Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) in his quest after Sītā (Sita). 

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 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 […]

Avindhya is a brilliant, learned and worthy Rākṣasa (Raksasa). He had been very close to Rāvaṇa (Ravana). Thinking that that the Rākṣasa(s) would by destroyed at the hand of Rāma (Rama), he requested Rāvaṇa to return Sītā (Sita) to Rāma. But Rāvaṇa did not pay heed to him.    

Āvravantī(Avravanti) is the name of a locality mentioned in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana). Sugrīva(Sugriva) instructed the Vānara (Vanara), who were sent towards the south in search of Sītā, to visit this place as well, for the said purpose. Scholars consider that Āvravantī (Avravanti) as mentioned in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), and the placed named Ākara (Akara), found in Vṛhatsaṁhitā […]

The birthplace of the famous Rāmacandra (Ramacandra), also the place of his many deeds, and the land of Ādikavi (Adikavi) Vālmīki’s conception. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Kośala (Kosala) is described as a rich land, situated on the southern bank of Sarayū (Sarayu). The capital of this Kośala was Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) ruled Ayodhyā. Manu, lord of […]

Ayomukhī (Ayomukhi) was a rākṣasī ( rakshasi; a female monster). She looked ugly and ferocious. When, in search of Sītā (Sita), Rāma(Rama) and Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana) were crossing Krauñcāraṇya (Kraucharanya; a portion of the forest called Krauncha)and about to enter the hermitage of Sage Mataṅga (Matanga), they met this she-monster in front of a deep cave. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Indrajānu (Indrajanu) was a Vānara (Vanara) yūthapati (yuthapati; community-leader). He was the leader of eleven crore Vānara. Instructed by Sugrīva (Sugriva), Hanumān (Hanuman) sent ambassadors in order to assemble a large Vānara army. Indrajānu was one of the Vānara leaders who were present, in response to hat call. He was heroic and knowledgeable– Indrajānuḥ kavirvīro […]

Son of Rāvaṇa(Ravana). Indraśatru(Indrasatru; Enemy of Indra) was one of those powerful Rākṣasas (Rakshasa; a type of monsters) who, in front of Rāvaṇa, expressed their eagerness to fight against Rāmacandra (Ramachandra), before the battle of Laṇkā(Lanka). He expressed his urge to defeat Rāma (Rama), Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana), Sugrīva(Sugriva) and Hanumān (Hanuman), and asked for Rāvaṇa’s permission to […]

Ṛcīka (Richika) was a sage who belonged to the clan of Maharṣi Bhṛgu (Maharshi Bhrigu). In the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), in one instance it was said that Ṛcīka (Richika) was a son of Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). But according to some Purāṇas (Puranas), he was the son of Maharṣi Ūrva (Maharshi Urva) or Āpluvāna (Apluvana) who belonged to […]

In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), we have the mention of the Ṛkṣa(Riksha) tribe, beside the other tribes such as the Vānara (Vanara). Sometimes the Ṛkṣa tribe is mentioned as identical with the Vānara tribe. In Purāṇa and Mahābhārata, it is said that Mṛgamandā (Mrigamanda), one of the daughters of Krodhā(Krodha) […]

Rikṣa (Riksha) was one of the mountains in ancient India. In the Mahābhārata Purāṇa (Mahabharata Purana), it was mentioned as one of the Kulaparvatas of Bhāratvarṣa (Bharatvarsha). Sometimes Rikṣa (Riksha) parvata or mountain was renamed as Rikṣvāna (Rikshavana) parvata. In the ancient books, the position of Rikṣa (Riksha) or Rikṣvāna (Rikshavana) parvata was very clearly […]

A powerful Vānara (Vanara) born of the tears of God Brahmā (Brahma). One day, while practicing Yoga, tears rolled down his eyes. He took those tear-drops in both his hands and smeared it over his body. But one drop of tear fell on the ground and immediately, Ṛkṣarajā (Riksharaja) emerged from it. He was the […]

Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) is a mountain situated in the southern part of India, on the seashore. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), we have the mention of a hill area called Ṛṣabha (Rishabha). In search of Sītā (Sita), when Sugrīva (Sugriva) sent a team of Vānara(s) (Vanara) towards the south,  he asked them to cross Bhogavatī (Bhogavati) Purī (Puri; […]

Sugrīva (Sugriva) instructed Vinata, the Vānara (Vanara)warrior, and leader of the group that was directed to go to the east , and to visit one parvata (mountain) named Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) located amidst Kṣīroda sāgara (Kshiroda  sagara; the ocean called Kshiroda) in search of Sītā (Sita) .

Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) is a Vānara (Vanara) warrior, loyal to Sugrīva (Sugriva). At one place in Laṅkākāṇḍa (Lankakanda) it was mentioned that he was the son of Varuṇa (Varuna). Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) was a member of the team that was sent towards the south, in search of Sītā (Sita). When Aṅgada (Angada) asked the Vānaras (Vanaras) who […]

Ṛṣabhaskandha (Rishabhaskandha) is the name of a Vānara (Vanara) chieftain. When Indrajit was fighting, remaining invisible, Rāma(Rama) instructed ten Vānara generals to search him out. Ṛṣabhaskandha was one of them. Along with others,He also entered the skyscape to find Indrajit. But like others, he also got injured by the arrows of the invisible Indrajit, and […]

Ṛṣiputra (Rishiputra) is the name of a community  of the Vānara (Vanara) chieftains. When Sugrīva (Sugriva) sent the Vānaras towards all directions in search of Sītā (Sita), he instructed the ‘Ṛṣiputra’s to go towards the west.

Ṛṣyamūka (Rishyamuka) is a sacred parvata (mountain). It is located on the south bank of the Pampā (Pampa) lake. the hermitage of Maharṣi Matanga  was situated on the mountain Ṛṣyamūka (Rishyamuka). Pursued by Vālī (Vali), Sugrīva (Sugriva) along with his four followers, took shelter in a cave of this mountain. After killing the Asura Dundubhi, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Udāvasu (Udavasu) was the son of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi) Janaka, in the lineage of Nimi, son of Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku). Udāvasu had a son named Nandivardhana.

It is a kind of yajña (yajna). In the beginning of creation, this yajña (yajna) emerged from the southward face or Brahmā, or in another view, from his eastward face. Ukthya is one of the seven types of ancient Jyotiṣṭoma yajña (Jyotishtoma yajna). In fact, it is a vikṛti (vikriti) of Jyotiṣṭoma yāga. In Ukthya […]

One kind of Yajña (Yajna; a holy fire-ritual). This Yajña (Yajna) is created at the beginning of creation from the right -hand face, in other opinion, from the eastern face of Brahmā (Brahma). Ukthya (The Vedic reading is with ‘ya’ ) is one of the seven kinds of the ancient Jyotiṣtoma (Jyotistama) yāga (yaga) . […]

Ulkāmukha (Ulkamukha) was a Vānara (Vanara)-warrior, son of Agni. When Sugrīva was sending the Vānaras in different directions in search of Sītā (Sita), he sent Ulkāmukha along with Hanumān (Hanuman)and Aṅgada(Angada) towards the south.

Uṇmatta (Unmatta) was a demon whose mother was the beautiful woman, Sundarī (Sundari) and his father was Mālyavāna (Malyavana). Sumālī (Sumali), the maternal grandfather of the demon king, Rāvaṇa ( Ravana) was the elder brother of Mālyavāna (Malyavana).

Ūrmilā (Urmila) is the second daughter of Sīradhvaja (Siradhvaja) Janaka. She is the wife of Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana). When Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra), for the purpose of slaying Tāḍakā (Tadaka), took Rāma away from Ayodhyā (Ayodhya),  Lakṣmaṇa also followed Rāmacandra (Ramachandra). Along with Rāma, he also went to Mithilā(Mithila). When Rāma’s marriage with Sītā(Sita) was finalised, there arose […]

Utpalāvatatīrtha (Utpalavatatirtha) is a sacred woodland and site of pilgrimage, as described in Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Since it is a forest, in describing the glory of Tīrtha(s) (Tirthas or sights of pilgrimage) in Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva), it is referred to as Utpalāvana (Utpalavana). In Vanaparva it is described that once the great sage Viśvāmitra (Visvamitra) arranged […]