Ayomukhī (Ayomukhi) was the wife of Vighna, son of Kali.

In Vāyupurāṇa(Vayupurana) it is said that Āyu(Ayu) is one of the sons born of the womb of Surūpā (Surupa) , sired by sage Aṇgirā (Angira). Surūpā was the daughter of Sage Mārīci (Marichi).

One kind of  Agni(fire). The dictionary meaning of Āyu (Ayu) is ‘life-force’. The Agni that abides in the body of living animals as a life-force, is referred to as ‘Āyu-Agni’ (Ayu-Agni) In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that Āyu-Agni is the son of Śuci-Agni (Suchi-Agni) and father of Mahimān (Mahiman). According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āyu-Agni […]

Āyu is one of the sons born of Urvaśī , sired by Purūravā. In Brahmaṇḍapurāṇa, Vāyupurāṇa, Viṣṇupurāṇa and Bhāgavatapurāṇa it is said that Āyu is the eldest of the six sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. However, Matsyapurāṇa says that Āyu is the eldest of the eight sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. In Vāyupurāṇa and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa […]

Āyuṣmatī (Ayushmati)is one of the sacred fourteen gaṇa of the Apsarās (Apsara; celestial courtesans). According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), this gaṇa is said to have emerged from Surya (the Sun).  

Ayuta is one unit of counting numbers. Ten thousand makes an Ayuta.

Ayutāyu (Ayutayu) is the son of king Sindhudvīpa (Sindhudwipa), belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṃśa (Ikshvakuvamsa; the Ikshvaku dynasty). In the Bengal recension of Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), he is referred to as Ayutāśva (Ayutaswa). He is the father of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; a king with the attributes of a seer) Ṛtuparṇa (Rituparna).

In the beginning of creation , fourteen svaradhvani(s) (swaradhvani; vowel-sound) were created from the mouth of the four-faced Brahmā (Brahma). From these fourteen vowel-sounds, emanated Manu, rulers of the fourteen Manvantara. E-kāra (E-kara) is the eleventh of these fourteen vowel-sounds created by Brahmā (Brahma). Piśaṅgī (Pisangi) Manu emerged from this E-kāra. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), the […]

Ekacakra (Ekachakra) is one of the sons born of the womb of Danu, and sired by  Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). From the Aṁśāvataraṇa-parva (Amsavatarana-parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is known that Ekacakra was incarnated as King Prativindhya to be born in Martyaloka (the earthly abode) in Dvāparauga (Dwaparayuga; the epoch called Dwapara).

Ekādaśaratha (Ekadasaratha) is the son of one king Daśaratha (Dasaratha) and the father of one Śakuni (Sakuni), in the genealogical line of Kroṣṭu (Kroshtu), son of Yadu.

Ekākṣā (Ekaksha) is a river of Ketumāla (Ketumala) varṣa (varsha; a vast plot of land).

Ekākṣa (Ekaksha) is a Dānava (Danava; demon) born of the womb of Danu, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa)Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). Ekākṣa was one of the demons who possessed human virtues, as mentioned in Purāṇa (Purama; Mythological Scripture).

Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanu, king of the Niṣāda (Nishada; a hunting community). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that he was born of the womb of Aśmakī, and sired by Vasudeva. Later he was brought up among the Niṣāda people, as it is said in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa. Droṇācārya ( Dronacharya), while […]

Ekaparṇā (Ekaparna)is one of the daughters born of the womb of Menā (Mena), and sired by Himālaya (Himalaya), king of the mountains. It is known that she practised tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance) for two thousand years, sitting under a banyan tree. During this long period, she lived by partaking of one banyan leaf daily.For this […]

Ekapāṭalā (Ekapatala) is one of the daughters born of the womb of Menā (Mena), and sired by Himālaya (Himalaya), king of the mountains. It is known that she practised tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance) for two thousand years, sitting under a pāṭala (patala; parul ) tree. During this long period, she lived by partaking of one […]

In Ṛgveda (Rigveda), many times the terms ‘Rāja’ (Raja) and ‘Rājan’ (Rajan) have been used; and likewise some titles denoting the sovereignty of the state and the ruler — such as Adhirāja (Adhiraja), Samrāṭ (Samrat), Sārvabhauma (Sarvabhauma). Samrāt, Svarāṭ and Ekarāṭ — these terms have mostly been used to refer to independent and able kings. […]

The words, ‘Rājā’ (Raja or king) or ‘Rājan’ (Rajan or king) were used many times in the Ṛigveda (Rigveda). Likewise, the terms such as ‘Adhirāja'(Adhiraja or king) , ‘Samrāt’ (Samrat or monarch) and even ‘Sāvabhouma’ (Sarvabhouma or sovereign) which indicate the the sovereign power of the kingdom, were also used as the titles of the […]

A situation like “water, water, everywhere” is called Ekārṇava (Ekarnava). In Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scriptutes), it is said that after a no-rain phase , if rain comes down and this continues for hundred years, incessantly, the entire world becomes overflowing with water; and all creatures get deluged. In such a condition the whole world appears […]

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Yogotpatti was the Mānasakanyā (Manasakanya; a daughter born out of imagination or mental conception) of the Sādhya (Sadhya) Pitṛgaṇa (Pitrigana; a sect of forefathers). This Yogotpatti later came to be known as Ekaśṛṅgā(Ekasringa). Sanatkumāra (Sanatkumara), son of Brahmā(Brahma) got Ekaśṛṅgā (Ekasringa) married to Śukrācārya (Sukracharya). Ekaśṛṅgā gave birth to a number […]

Ekaśṛṅga (Ekasringa) is a parvata (mountain) situated at the south of Mānasa (Manasa)Sarovara (Lake). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), this mountain is said to be the abode of gods.

Elāpatra (Elapatra) is one of the Nāga(s) (Naga; Snake) born of the womb of Kadru, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati). Elāpatra was one of the distinuished Nāga  living in Bhogavatīpurī (Bhogavatipuri, the city of Bhogavati), as mentioned by Nārada (Narada)to Mātali (Matali). When the gods wanted to know the way to stop Janamejaya’s […]

At the beginning of creation, fourteen vowels emanated from the four mouths of Brahmā (Brahma). I or i-kāra (i-kara) is the third of them. It is to be noticed that here the short i (I) and the long i (Ī) have been imagined as one. The colour of i-kāra manifest is blood-red. It has been considered the creator […]

In the beginning of creation, fourteen svaradhvani (swaradvani; vowel-sounds emanated from the four mouths of Brahmā (Brahma). From these fourteen svaradhvani, emerged Manu(s),  rulers of fourteen Manvantaras. I or Ī-kāra (I-kara) is the fourth of them. Manu emanated from this Ī-kāra.  In Vāyupurāṇa, the fourteen vowels have been imagined as gods embodied. The embodiment of Ī-kāra  is conceptualised as a […]

The gods called ‘Marut’ — sons of Diti, were divided in seven gaṇa 9gana, genus). Īdṛk (Idrik) was the fifth of these seven gaṇas of the gods.

Name of a river that has been mentioned along with Vedasmṛtā (Vedasmrita), Vedavatī (Vedavati) and Tridivā (Tridiva) in Jambukhaṇḍavinirmāṇaparva [Jambukhandabinirmanparva; a sub-chapter of Bhīṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva)] of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). But the source of this river is not given in Mahābhārata. In Vāyupurāna (Vayupurana), river Ikṣulā (Ikshula), along with Trisāmā (Trisama), Ṛtukulyā (Ritukulya), Lāṅgulinī (Langulini), Vaṃśdharā (Vamsadhara), […]

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, […]

In the beginning of Creation, Bhagavān (Bhagavan; the Divine One) Rudra-Śiva (Rudra-Siva) in the form of Nīlalohita (Nilalohita), emerged from the wrath of Brahmā (Brahma). Ilā(Ila) was one of the eleven wives of God Rudra. Actually, Ilā here is the embodiment of the Earth-goddess. The dictionary meaning of Ilā is Pṛthivī (Prithivi; Prithivi; the earth). […]

Ilavilā (Ilavila) , or Iḍaviḍā (Idavida) in some Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures) was the daughter of king Tṛṇavindu (Trinavindu), in the genealogical line of Nābhāga (nabhaga), son of Vaivasvata Manu. She got married to Maharṣi(Maharshi; Great Sage) Pulastya, son of Maharṣi Viśravā (Visrava). She was the mother of Kuvera, the presiding deity of the riches. […]

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 the description of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Īlina(Ilina) was the son of king Taṁsu (Tamsu), belonging to Puruvaṁśa (Puruvamsa; the genealogical line of Puru). Īlina was born of the womb of Kālindī (Kalindi), Taṁsu’s wife. Īlina’s wife was Rathantarī (Rathantari). Īlina and Rathantarī had five sons: Duṣyanta(Dushyanta) was the eldest among them. The other four […]

Indirā (Indira) is a holy river. According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great sage) Lomaśa (Lomasa) brought this river down from heaven to the earth, using the influence of his tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practices).

Indradatta is one of the Kinnaras (a kind of half-human and half-divine mythical creatres) with human faces, sired by Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people) Vikrānta (Vikranta).

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 […]

In the genealogic al line of Agnīdhra (Agnidhra), son of Priyavrata, Bharata was the son of Ṛṣabha (Rishabha). This Bharata’s descendant was Tejaj (according to Vāyupurāṇa, Taijasa), who sired a son called Indradyumna. King Parameṣṭhī (Paramesthi) was the son of Indrayumna.

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 […]

Indranadī Paurāṇika (Indranadi Pauranika) is a river flowing across the eastern side of Bhadrāśvavarṣa (Bhadraswavarsha, the land called Bhadraswa). It has another name — Indrāvatī (Indravati).

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 place of pilgrimage situated in Gaya. Indrapada was the other name of Viṣṇupada (Vishnupada) or Ādigadādhara (Adigadadhara).

Indrapālita(Indrapalita) is one of the kings belonging to the Mauryavaṁśa (Mauryavamsa, the Maurya dynasty), who would reign in India during Kaliyiga. He was the son of Bandhupālita (Bandhupalita). He had a son called Devavarmā (Devavarma).  

Indrapramati is a ṛṣi(rishi; sage). Somewhere in Purāṇas (Purana; Mythical Scriptures), he is also mentioned as Indrapramada. He is referred to as belonging to the clan of Sage Vaśiṣṭha (Vasistha), and a seer of mantras in Veda. In that case, whether Indrapramati — whom we know as the son of Vaśiṣṭha, is identical with Indrapratima. […]

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).

Indratāpana (Indratapana) is a Dānava (Danava; a type of demons) sired by Prajāpati (Prajapati, Ruler of the people) Kaśyapa(Kasyapa), and born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa(Daksha). According to Purāṇa (Purana; Muthological Scripture), Indratāpana was one of those sons of Danu — who adopted the manuṣyadharma ( manushyadharma; ways and codes of conduct […]

Īrā  (Ira) is the name of an ancient river. Sage Lomaśa (Lomasa) brought down this river from heaven to earth, by the power of his tapasyā(tapasya; ascetic practice).

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) […]

Īrā(Ira) is the name of a holy river mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana). Probably the river Irāvatī (Iravati) is mentioned here in a short form, Īrā. [See Irāvatī – 1 (Iravati – 1)]  

Irāvatī (Iravati) was one of the nine daughters sired by Kaśyapa(Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people), and born of the womb of Krodhavaśā (Krodhavasa), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha). Irāvatī was the wife of Prajāpati Pulaha. In the beginning of creation, Brahmā (Brahma) planned to create a divine being with immense energy and vigour. Aditi, […]

The lexicon-meaning of Iṣa(Isha) is the month of Āśvina (Aswina) . In Purāṇas (Purana; Mythological Scriptures) The use of the word Iṣa is found more than once to denote the month of Āśvina .

In Mahābhārata, several times iṣṭāpūrta or iṣṭāpūrta phala has been mentioned. So is in Rāmāyaṇa. But wherever this term has been used, it is with a sense of disappointment. It is said in the following sense– ‘If you commit this offense, you will not have the virtuous fruit of your iṣṭāpūrta. In Rāmāyaṇa, when Viśvāmitra […]

The general meaning of Iśvara is ‘lord’, ‘controller’, ‘a powerful king’ or’ highly able. It is used in the sense of the ‘highest’ — as in ‘Kapīśvara’, ‘Sureśvara’, ‘Kośaleśvara’, ‘Munīśvara’, ‘Kamaleśvara’ and the like. This sense is however different from the general uses of the term ‘Iśvara’ . In Indian theology and philosophy , gods […]

In Sanskrit, Itihāsa(Itihasa) does not mean ‘History’ as we generally understand it now. The term ‘itiha‘ is an avyaya in Sanskrit, and means the course of tradition coming down through legacy. The location or position or ‘seat’ of such tradition is called itihāsa (itiha + āsa). In Brahmavarga of Amarakoṣa (Amarakosha), the term aitihya derives […]