A locality situated in the middle part of the country (ancient India). Elsewhere it has also been referred to as ‘Kaliṅga’ (Kalinga). [See Kaliṅga] 

Akampana was a demon born of the great sage Kaśyapa (Kashyapa) and conceived by Khaśā (Khasha).

Akapi is one of the seven sages existing at the time of the fourth epoch, known as Tāmasa manvantara (Tamasa manwantara). The name Akapi can be found only in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) and in connection with another sage named Kapi of the same sect. The names of the seven sages present during the Tāmasa manvantara recorded in […]

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 […]

A game of dice. It involves gambling. Ṛtuparṇa (Rituparna) and Śakuni (Shakuni) were experts at this game. Ṛtuparṇa taught this game to King Nala. Playing akṣa (aksha) has been considered a wanton vice to be abandoned for kings.

Son born of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) to  Satyabhāmā (Satyabhama).

Akṣaka (Akshaka) was a giant born of Prajāpati Kaśyapa (Prajapati Kashyapa) to Danu.

An ornament worn around the neck by Śeṣanāga (Sheshanaga). This garland shines like the rays of the sun at daybreak— taruṇādityamāleva…akṣamālā virājate.

Son of Somaśarmā (Somasharma). Mahādeva (Mahadeva) had said, during the twenty-seventh Dvāpara (Dwapara) age, the great sage Jātukarṇya (Jatukarnya) would be reborn as Vyāsa (Vyasa). He would be widely known as the great brāhmaṇa (brahmana) Somaśarmā and reside at the holy place of Prabhāsa (Prabhasa). Akṣapāda (Akshapada) was one of the four sons of Somaśarmā.

There are fifty-one alphabets starting from a-kāra (a-kara) to kṣa (ksha)— a-kārādi-kṣa-kārāntaikapañcāśad varṅāḥ.  The Bṛhaspati (Brihaspati) smṛti (smriti) text says that the Creator churned the series of alphabets out of a machine— dhātrākṣarāṇi sṛṣṭāṇi yantrārūḍhānyataḥ purā. These alphabets are of five types, namely lithograph, artistic scripts, scripts written by pen, scripts produced by colour dust, and […]

A term used to define an ascetic belonging to a high order. At the last stage of a period of performing various yogic rituals, when a saint is able to restrain his breathing system and refine his body by immerses himself entirely with the oṃkāra (omkara) chant, he attains the oṃkāra assimilated imperishable state. This […]

The piśācī (pishachi; a type of female demon) Brahmadhanā (Brahmadhana) had given birth to many brahmarākṣasa (brahmarakshasa) and brahmarākṣasī (brahmarakshasi). Akṣayā (Akshaya) was one of these brahmarākṣasī. [See Brahmadhanā; Piśāca; Rākṣasa]

Akṣayāśva (Akshayashwa) was the son of King Saṃhatāśva (Samhatashwa) of the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty. Even though Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) identify him as Akṛtāśva (Akritashwa), Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) has hailed him as Akṣayāśva.

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 […]

In the beginning of the Creation, the twelve gods emanated from the mouth of Brahmā (Brahma) were known as ‘Jaya’. Ākūti (Akuti)was one of them. When these gods, due to Brahmā’s curse, appeared as several gaṇa (gana; genus) of gods through six manvantaras, Ākūti was among them, too.

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. […]

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana)and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), there is discussion about the alaṃkāra(s) (alamkara; ornament). There are about 300 musical alaṃkāra(s). This musical alaṃkāra is defined as the connection between the varṇa and pada(s), with their anuguṇa (anuguna; following attributes). Sangītālaṃkāra (Sangitalamkara; musical ornaments) is expressed by the association of pada (meaningful word) and vākya (utterance) — […]

According to Brāhmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), one of the daughters of Khaśā (Khasa) was Ālamvā (Alamva), a rākṣasī (rakshasi, she-monster). From this Ālamvā, emerged the Ālamveya gaṇa (genus) of the rākṣasa (rakshasa, a type of monsters).

Ālamveya(Alamveya) is one of the gaṇa (gana, genus) of rākṣasas (rakshasa, a type of monsters). They were born of Ālamvā (Alamva), daughter of Khaśā(Khasa).

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 […]

Alimadra is a tribe or locality towards the north of Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India). Scholars have located this place as the district of Mardan or Hoti Mardan towards the north-east of Peshwar in Pakistan. This place is still historically important as a site exemplary of Graeco-Bactrian civilisation.

In the context of offering piṇḍa (pinda; the sanctified food-ball offered to the spirits of the dead) to please all, it is mentioned that the piṇḍa should be offered, and tarpaṇa (water-offering) should be performed, dedicated to the gotra-pravara (chief of the clan) as well as to āmagarbha (amagarbha). Āma means unripe or immature. So […]

Generally, uncooked, green vegetables are called āmānna (amanna). ‘Āma'(Ama) means ‘unripe’. In śrāddhamantra ( sraddhamantra; hymns uttered during the funeral ritual), green vegetables are referred to as āmānnabhojyam (amannabhojya, food consisting of green and uncooked elements). It is a custom to make an offering of green vegetables to the Śudra (Sudra, the fourth varna) people, […]

Amarakaṇṭaka (Amarakantaka) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. The lake Jvalā (Jwala)and the river Viśalyakaraṇī (Visalyakarani) are located here. Situated near the land of Kaliṅga, Amarakaṇṭaka is a siddhakṣetra, famed across the three worlds. Practicing tapasyā (tapasya; penance) in this place, one may attain great puṇya (punya; virtue). It is also a place well-recommended for performing […]

Amāvasu(Amavasu) is the son born of the womb of Urvaśī (Urvasi), and sired by Pururavā (Pururava)belonging to Candravaṃśa. However, in another śloka (sloka;verse) of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), he is referred to as the eldest son of Āyu (Ayu), son of Pururavā. According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), Acchodā (Acchoda), the daughter of Agniṣvāttva (Agnishwattwa) Pitṛgaṇa(Pitrigana) got […]

Amita is a mantradraṣṭa (mantradrashta; a sage who sees the hymns) sage. In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures), he is referred to as Āṅgirasa (Angirasa; belonging to the order of sage Angira) ṛṣi (rishi; sage).

When in the Ninth Manvantara, Merusāvarṇi (Merusavarni), son of Dakṣa (Daksha) will be ruler of the Manvantara, gods will be divided into several gaṇa(s) (gana; genus). Sudharmā (Sudharma) or Suśarmā (Susarma) is one of those gaṇa(s). Amita is one of these gods.

When in future Sābarṇi (Sabarni) Manwantara, the deities will be divided into different gaṇa or clans. Amitābha(Amitabha) was one of the chief clans or gaṇa (Gana). Twenty deities will be included in these clans.

When in fifth Manwantara,Raibata Manu was the king of Manwantara, the deities was divided into different gaṇa or clans. Amitābha (Amitabha) was one of the chief clans or gaṇa (Gana). Fourteen deities were included in this gaṇa (Gana) or clan.

He is one of the sons of Rudrasābarṇi (Rudrasabarni) or Ṛita Sābarṇi (Rita Sabarni) Manu, the king of twelfth Manwantara.

Amitrajit was one of the kings belonging to the Ikṣvāku (Ikshwaku) dynasty, who ruled in Kaliyuga. He was the son of King Sutapā(Sutapa) (or Suparṇa) of the Ikṣvāku dynasty. Vṛhadrāja (Vrihadraja)was the son of Amitrajit. In the reading of Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Bharadvāja (Bharadwaja) is the son of Amitrajit.

Amṛtā (Amrita) is one of the flows belonging to Saptagaṅgā (Saptaganga; a collective flow of seven rivers) in the mythological Plakṣadvīpa(Plakshadwipa).

Amṛtā (Amrita) is one of the  fourteen gaṇa (gana; genus) of the Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesan). These Apsarā(s) emerged from water.  

Kuśa (Kusa)was the eldest son of King Rāmacandra (Ramachandra), belonging to the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty. Amūrtarayā (Amurtaraya) was one of the four sons of Kuśa.

Amvarīṣa (Amvarisha) is one of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; seer of holy hymns) ṛṣi(s) (rishi; sage) of Ṛgveda (Rigveda). Amvarīṣa and his five brothers were sons of Vṛṣāgīra (Vrishagira). In Ṛgveda, they found to be chanting hymns to Indra — etatttya indra vṛṣṇa ukthaṃ vārṣāgirā abhi gṛṇanti rādhaḥ ṛjrāśvaḥ praṣṭibhiramvarīṣaḥ sahadevo bhayamānaḥ surādhāḥ. In Purāṇa(s) (Purana; […]

Amvarīṣa (Amvarisha) is one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; Snake) belonging to the order of Nāga(s), mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), though his name is not found in the chapter of describing snake-names, in Mahābhārata. However, in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), while mentioning the sons of Kadrū (Kadru), the name of Amvarīṣa has been referred to. When the great […]

Three sons were born of the womb of Kṣamā, and sired by Maharṣi Pulaha. Amvarīṣa is the middle of these three sons.

According to Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)and Manu, Amvaṣṭha (Amvashtha) is the hybrid child born of the womb of a Vaiśya(vaisya) woman, and sired by a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) man – brāhmaṇād vaiśyakanyāyāmvaṣṭho nāma jāyate. They are quite ancient as a jāti (jati), since they are mentioned in Aitareya Brāhmaṇa (Aitareya Brahmana). Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Parvata and Devarṣi (Devarshi; […]

Amvikeya is a rough and ice-covered mountain. Another name for this mountain is Sumanā (Sumana). God Varāha(Varaha) killed the demon-king Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha) on this mountain. Two other readings, Āmvikeya (Amvikeya)and Añcikeya (Anchikeya) can be found respectively in Vāyupurāṇa(Vayupurana) and Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana).

A mountain in Śākadvīpa (Sakadwipa; the island of Saka), mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) and Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana). In another version of Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), the name is given as ‘Āñcikeya’ (Anchikeya).

Anādhṛṣṭi (Anadhrishti) was one of the most prominent sons sired by Śūra (Sura) of the Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) clan to Bhojā (Bhoja). Although Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) reads his name as Anādhṛṣṭikara (Anadhrishtikara), authenticity of this reading is not established.  In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) refers to seven principal Vṛṣṇi warriors while describing Jarāsandha’s prowess. Anādhṛṣṭi is one […]

Anādṛṣṭa (Anadrishta) was a sagely king in the Puru lineage. Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) mentions his son as Riveyu. 

Anādṛṣṭi (Anadrishti) was a son of Aśmakī (Asmaki) sired by Vasudeva of the Yadu-Vṛṣṇi (Yadu-Vrishni) clan. 

Of all the gods and demigods who gathered to bless Arjuna at the time of his birth, Anagha is named as one of the gandharva deities present. The gandharva named Anagha is also mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana). It is chronicled here that apsarā (apsara; celestial nymphs) and gandharva were born of Kaśyapa Prajāpati (Kashyapa Prajapati) to Dakṣa’s […]

Four sons, including Duṣmanta (Dushmanta) were born to Upadānavī (Upadanavi) of Ilina, a king of the Candra (Chandra) dynasty. Anagha was the youngest of these four sons.

The Sanskrit word āhitāgni (ahitagni) refers to a brāhmaṇa (brahmana) who ceaselessly performs the ritual of agnihotra everyday; therefore, the ones not to perform agnihotra in this manner are known as anāhitāgni (anahitagni). Ayodhyā (Ayodhya), the capital of King Daśaratha (Dasaratha), has been described as abode of no anāhitāgni brāhmaṇa – nānāhitāgni-nāyajvā. The Śiromaṇi (Siromani) commentary of Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) explains that […]

One kind of musical instrument covered with leather. This instrument is also known as mṛdaṇga. When Vasudeva was born, the gods were playing ānaka(anaka) or mṛdaṇga (mridanga). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and the Purāṇas (Purana), it is found that this instrument was played before some festivities, celebrations, before the beginning of a battle or to celebrate […]

Vasudeva was born of the womb of Māriṣā (Marisha), or Vāsī (Vasi), daughter of King Bhoja — according to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana). He is also called Ānakadundubhi (Anakadundubhi). As soon as Vasudeva was born, the gods, with their divine vision, could realise that the incarnation of the Supreme Divinity will be born in the house of […]

A mountain. It is inhabited by rākṣasas (rakshasas or demons).