In ancient times, woodlands full of Aśoka (Adoka) trees were generally known as Aśokavana. In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), it is said that Yayāti (Yayati) kept Śarmiṣṭhā (Sarmishtha) as a maid of his wife Devayāni (Devayani), in a residence inside the Aśoka forest. Again, in Matsyapurāṇa, in the context of building Tripuradurga for the Asura(s) (demons), by […]

Asūyā (Asuya) is one of the sons of Mṛtyu (Meitya; Death). He is born in the genealogical line of Adhamra (the non-righteous, Sin) and Hiṁsā (Himsa; envy or malice). The evil and negative aspects of the human nature are perhaps conceptualised here as personified beings. In Manusaṁhitā (Manusamhita), while explaining the eight kinds of human […]

One of the sons born of the womb of Aditi, mother of the gods, was Vivasvān. Vivasvān is another name for Sūrya, or the Sun-god. Sanjñā was one of the three wives of Vivasvān. She was the daughter of Tvaṣṭā. Unable to bear the energy and power of Vvasvān, Sanjñā created a clone of herself, […]

Citraka (Chitraka) was one of the sons of Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) or Pṛśni (Prisni) belonging to the Yadu dynasty. Aśva (Aswa)was one of the sons of this Citraka.

Citraka (Chitraka) was the youngest son of Pṛśni (Prishni) or Vṛṣni (Vrishni) belonging to Yaduvaṃśa(Yaduvamsa; the genealogical line of Yadu). Aśvagrīva (Aswagriva)was the son of Citraka.

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that in the sixteenth phase of Dvāpara (Dwapara) Yuga, when Parāśara (Parasara) will be known as Vyāsa (Vyasa), Mahādeva(Mahadeva) will assume the name, Sahiṣṇu (Sahishnu). Āśvalāyana (Aswalayana) will be one of the four sons of of Sahiṣṇu, born at that time.

Pārīkṣita Janamejaya, who performed the Snake-sacrifice ritual, was the grandson of Abhimanyu, belonging to Kuruvaṃśa (Kuruvamsa; the Kuru dynasty). Śatānīka (Satanika) was the son of this Janamejaya. Aśvamedhadatta (Aswamedhadatta)was born of the womb of Vaidehī (Vaidehi), and sired by Śatānīka (Satanika). According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), this Aśvamedhadatta had a son named Adhisomakṛṣṇa(Adhisomakrishna) or […]

The sons sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people), and born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), were called Dānava (Danava). Aśvaprabha (Aswaprabha) was one of these sons of Danu. According to Vāyupurāṇa, the names of two Dānava(s) called Ariṣṭa (Arishta)and Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) have been mentioned.

Aśvatara(Aswatara) was one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; snake) born of the womb of Kadrū (Kadru), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha). In Āstīkaparva (Astikaparva), while describing the names of snakes, his name is mentioned along with another Nāga called Kamvala– kamvalāśvatarau. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), and several Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture), we have several mentions of Kamvala and […]

Śvaphalka (Swaphalka) and Citraka (Chitraka) were the two sons of Pṛṣṇi (Prishni) or Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) belonging to Yaduvaṃśa (Yaduvamsa; the genealogical line of  Yadu). Aśvavāha (Aswavaha) was one of the sons of Citraka. Probably , this Aśvavāha of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) is the same person mentioned as Aśvavāhu (Aswavahu) in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana).

Of the seven tiers of pātāla (patala; the netherworld), the first tier is known as atala. The Puranic texts describe the soil of atala as black. But Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana) differs on this matter and describes the soil of atala as white, and the only tier of pātāla to have such soil. This tier of atala boasted exquisite […]

One of the disciples of Yājñavalka (Yajnavalka). Yājñavalka assumed the form of aśva (aswa, a horse) and taught Śuklayajurveda to his fifteen disciples. Those disciples were also known as ‘Aśva‘. Ātabī was one of them.

A male offspring conceived by Satī (Sati) and fathered by Aṅgirā (Angira). A prominent sage. The descendants and disciples of this lineage grew into a clan or an order of sages (varga). The entire Atharvaveda divided in two parts is known as Atharvāṅgirasa (Atharvangirasa) Veda and the supremacy of Atharvaveda over Ṛgveda (Rigveda), Sāmaveda (Samaveda) […]

Atibāhu (Atibahu) is the name of one of the ten sons of Svāyambhūva Manu (Swayambhuva Manu). 

Atināmā (Atinama) was a great sage belonging to the lineage of the sage Pulastya. He was one of the saptarṣi (saptarshi; the Seven Great Sages) during the sixth manvantara (manwantara; epoch) ruled by Cākṣuṣa (Chakshusha) Manu. He has been mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) as Atimān (Atiman). 

Atirātra (Atiratra) is the name of one of the ten sons sired by Cākṣuṣa Manu (Chakshusha Manu), ruler of the sixth manvantara (manwantara; epoch), to Naḍvalā (Nadwala). 

Since the Ṛgvedic (Rigvedic) period, Indian culture has conceived of the guest (atithi) as one who must be treated with respectful and humble hospitality and offered food and shelter. The host should do everything within his power to please the guest. Any yajña (yajna) would require fire (agni; imagined as the Fire-god), therefore fire has been […]

Atithi was a king of the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty, son of Kuśa (Kusha) and grandson of Rāmacandra (Ramachandra). Atithi had a son called Niṣadha (Nishadha). 

One of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; one who has a vision of the mantra) ṛṣis (rishis, sages) belonging to the clan of Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). Ātmavan, son of Cyavana(Chyavana), married Ruci (Ruchi), daughter of King Nahuṣa. Sage Aurva was born from the uru (thigh) of Ruci. In a different version of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa, the name Āpravān (Apravan) can […]

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 […]

According to the Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) in the twelfth dvāpara (dwapara) epoch when the great sage Śatateja (Shatateja) would become Vyāsa (Vyasa), the compiler of the Vedas, Śiva (Shiva) would take the avatāra (avatar) of Atri (Atri) to descend into the mortal world.

In the fourteenth dvāpara (dwapara) epoch when the great sage Surakṣa (Surakhsa) would become Vyāsa (Vyasa), the compiler of the Vedas, Śiva (Shiva) would take the avatāra (avatar) of the great sage Gautama to descend into the mortal world. Over this period Gautama would have four sons, one of whom would be Atri.

A place of pilgrimage located in Himālaya (Himalaya; the Himalayas).  This holy place is also famous as a shrine suitable for performing the funeral rites of the manes. Performing last rites of one’s ancestors and giving away things in charity at this holy site earns one great puṇya (punya).  There is also a shrine called Aṭṭahāsa in […]

A mountain peak in the Himalayan range. Mahādeva (Mahadeva) or Śiva (Shiva) appears on this peak in the twentieth dvāpara (dwapara) era. This peak is a holy place where the goddess Mahānandā (Mahananda) resides. 

According to Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), pralaya (the great dissolve) is of three kinds. Ātyantikapralaya (Ātyantikapralaya) is one of them. When the Yogis no longer experience any kind of emotional upsurge like joy and sorrow; when all their feelings get dissolved in the great realisation of Paramātman (Paramatman; the Absolute Self) and they attain Brahmajñāna (Brahmajnana; the […]

In the beginning of creation, the fourteen swaradhwanis or vowel sounds were created from the mouth of the God of Creation, the four-faced Brahmā (Brahma). The fourteen Manvantarādhipati (Manvantaradhipati) Manu was born out of these fourteen swaradhwanis or vowel sounds. Au varṇa (varna or letter) is the last one of these fourteen swaradhwanis or vowel […]

Ten Soma-consuming gods were born of the womb of Surūpā (Surupa), and sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Aṅgirā (Angira). Audārya (Audarya) was the eldest among these ten sons of Aṅgirā.

Audumvarī (Audumvari) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. Agni is placed here, assuming the name of Ṛtudhāma (Ritudhama).

The name of Augaja is mentioned as one of the sages belonging to he genealogical or disciple-wise line of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṅgirā (Angira). He was one of the mantadṛṣṭā (mantradrashta; seer of holy hymns) ṛṣi(s) (rishi) of Veda.

Auṅka(Aunka) was the son of Vala, in the genealogical line of Kuśa (Kusa), the eldest son of Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) of Ikṣvākuvaṁśa (Ikshvakuvamsa; the Ikshvaku dynasty). Auṅka had a son called Vajranābha (Vajranabha).

The sons or disciples of Sage Upamanyu are known as Aupamanyu, or Aupamanyava, in plural. In the Vedic age, they were basically known as an order well-versed in Vyākaraṇa (Vyakarana; Grammar). Yāṣka (Yaska), the author of Nirukta, has cited the opinion of these Aupamanyava in many places. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), it is said that , The […]

Aurva is a sage, belonging to the order of Bhṛgu(Bhrigu). In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)and Purāṇa(s) (Purana),there are many legends related to the birth and life of Aurva. However, the earliest mention of sage Aurva can be found in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) and the ancient Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) texts. In a sūkta of the eighth cycle of […]

In Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that the airy sphere above the ground-level, where moisture from water is created by the help of sun-rays, is called ‘Pravaha’. The next sphere, whereto the clouds filled with moisture are transported from ‘Pravaha’, is called Āvaha (Avaha). Its modern name is Troposphere. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), […]

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that Āvaha (Avaha) is one of the sons born of the womb of Gāndinī (Gandini), sired by Śvaphalka (Swaphalka).

Avandhya was on of the sons born of the womb of Svarāṭ (Swarat), daughter of Kardama Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the People) and sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṅgirā (Angira).

Avarīyāna (Avariyana) is one of the sons of Sāvarṇi (Savarni) Manu, ruler of Bhaviṣyat (Bhavishyat; Future) Manvantara.

The Haihaya race got divided into five communities. Āvartaya (Avartaya) is one of those five communities.

Āvasathya agni is mentioned in Mahābhārata , while describing different types of Agni. Āvasathya agni is the fire contained in a small oven that used be required in Vedic yajña. This triangular oven would be of 25 fingers in length, and fire was brought to this oven from Gārhapatya agni. Āvasathya agni was placed towards […]

It is said in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), that Āveśaka(Avesaka) is one of the gaṇas (gana, genus) of the Yakṣas (Yaksa; a kind of demi-gods).

Avidheya is one of the underworld Naraka(s) (Hell).

Āvikṣi (Avikshi) is the son of Karandhama, in the genealogical line of Nābhāgariṣṭa (Nabhagarista), son of Vaivasvata Manu.

One king Karandhama is mentioned in the genealogical line of Turvasu, son of Yayāti (Yayati). According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Avīkṣita (Avikshita)was the son of this Karandhama. Marutta is the son of Avīkṣita.

Avimukteśvara is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi). After marrying Haimavatī (Haimavati) Umā (Uma), Nīlalohita Śiva, along with the other Śivagaṇa (Sivagana; associates of Siva), came from Himālaya (Himalaya) to Vārāṇasī and manifested himself as Avimukteśvara Liṅga (Avimukteswara Linga), and started residing here — devaḥ purā kṛtodvāhaḥ śankaro nīlalohitaḥ himavacchikharād […]

Aya was one of the six sons sired by Vasudeva, and born of the womb of Devakī (Devaki), — who were killed by Kaṁsa (Kamsa).

Āyāpya (Ayapya)was one of the ṛṣivaṁśas(rishivamsa; hereditary of disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to Maharṣi (Maharshi, Great Sage) Aṇgirā (Angira). Through a genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, these sages were also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa). Āyāpya was one of the thirty three sages who were mantradraṣṭā (mantradrashta, seer of holy hymns) in the vaṁśa […]

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Ayāsya (Ayasya) has been mentioned as Ayasya. Ayāsya was one of the sons born of the womb of Pathyā (Pathya), and sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṅgirā (Angira). In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), his name has been mentioned as one of the mantradraṣṭā (seer of holy hymns) sages of Veda. He […]

Brother of King Yatāti (Yayati), son of Nahuṣa(Nahusha).

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Dhātā or Dhātri  (Dhata or Dhatri) and Vidhātā or Vidhātri (Vidhata or Vidhatri)– two sons were born of the womb of Khyāti(Khyati), sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). Dhātā and Vidhātā got married to Āyati (Ayati) and Niyati, daughters of Meru. Āyati gave birth to a son named Mṛkaṇḍa (Mrikanda) […]

One of the six sons of King Nahuṣa (Nahusha). Yati , Yayāti (Yayati), Saṁyāti(Samyati), Āyati(Ayati), Viyati and Kṛti (Kriti)– these are the six sons of Nahuṣa. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Āyāti is named instead of Āyati, and in Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), the name is mentioned as ‘Ayāti’.

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 […]