Arimardana was one of the sons born of the womb of Gāndinī (Gandini), and sired by Śvaphalka (Swaphalka), belonging to Yadu-Vṛṣṇivaṃśa (Yadu-Vrishni vamsa; the Yadu-Vrishni clan). He was the younger brother of Akrūra(Akrura).

Arimejaya was one of the sons born of the womb of Gāndinī (Gandini), and sired by Śvaphalka (Swaphalka), belonging to Yadu-Vṛṣṇivaṃśa (Yadu-Vrishni vamsa; the Yadu-Vrishni clan). He was the younger brother of Akrūra(Akrura). Dhṛtarāṣṭra(Dhritarashtra) feared that he would be joining the Pāṇḍava (Pandava) in the Kurukṣetra(Kurukshetra) war, after the slaying of Abhimanyu.

Ariṣṭā (Arishta) is the daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha) Prajāpati (Prajapati; ruler of the people) and the wife of Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati. She was skilled in the art of music. The Kinnara(s) and Gandharva(s) (both are distinguished orders of demi-god-like beings), sired by Kaśyapa, were born out of her womb. Eight distinguished Apsarā(s) were also born of […]

In the additional reading of the Southern recension of Mahābhārata, there are some ślokas regarding the vālyalīlā (valyalila; childhood play) of Kṛṣṇa. In one of these verses, we get the name of Ariṣṭa. Assuming the form of a bull, he came to kill Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa slew him in order to to good to all the […]

Ariṣṭa (Arishta) was one of the nine sons of Vaivasvata Manu.

Ariṣṭanemi is (Arishtanemi) the son of Ṛtujit  (Ritujit), a king belonging to Nimivaṃśa (Nimivamsa; the genealogical line of Nimi). According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), he is the son of Purujit. He had a son called Śrutāyu (Srutayu).

Ariṣṭanemi (Arishtanemi) is a Yakṣa (Yaksha; a kind of demi-god). It is said that in the months of Agrahāyaṇa (Agrahayana) and Pauṣa (Pausha), he used to stay in the chariot of the Sun-god.

In Agnipurāṇa (Agnipurana), Ariṣṭanemi(Arishtanemi) is a progenitor-father. Sixteen sons were born out of the wombs of his wives — ariṣṭanemi-patnīnām apatyanīha ṣoḍaśa. It may be so that Ariṣṭanemi here refers to Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). According to Devibhāgavata (Devibhagavata), Ariṣṭanemi himself had been the founder of a genealogical line. Dakṣa (Daksha) sired six daughters, who were born […]

Ārṣavivāha(Arshavivaha) is one of the eight types of marriages.  In this type of marriage, the bride’s party accepts as dowry  two cows from the groom and give the daughter away. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), however, the exact definition of Ārṣavivāha has not been mentioned. Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), citing the opinion of Āśvalāyana (Aswalayana), says — if two cows […]

A ṛṣi (rishi; sage). In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata, it is said that the Pāṇḍava, while travelling across several sites of pilgrimage, reached Gandhamādana Parvata. There they found the hermitage of Maharṣi Ārṣṭisena. When they reached there, Āṛṣṭiṣena welcomed all of them. Pāṇḍava(s) lived for some time in the hermitage of Āṛṣṭiṣena. The Sage Ārṣṭiṣena lived […]

The ancient Indian Aryan society was classified into four varṇa(s) (varna)– Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana), Kṣatriya(Kshatriya), Vaiśya(Vaisya), Śūdra(Sudra). In Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana) it is said, the inhabitants of the mythical Śālmalīdvīpa (Salmalidwipa; the Salmali island)were classified into four varṇa(s) like this. The varṇa similar to the Kṣatriya varṇa was known as Aruṇavarṇa.  

The inhabitants of Plakṣadvīpa (Plakshadwipa; the island named Plaksha) are divided into four varṇas (varna; caste) — namely, Kuru, Viviṁśa(Vivimsa) and so on, including Āryaka (Aryaka). It is said in Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana) that Āryaka is equal in status to the ‘Brāhmaṇa’ in our traditional varṇā-system, comprising of Brāhmaṇa(Brahmana), Kṣatriya (Kshatriya), Vaiśya (Vaisya), Śūdra(Sudra).

Asamañja (Asamanja)was the eldest son of Sagara, a king belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṃśa (Ikshwakuvamsa; the Ikshwaku dynasty). In  Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), king Sagara, along with his two wives, worshiped Mahādeva (Mahadeva), in order to get the boon of having a son. Please with their tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance), Mahādeva said, “The moment in which you have asked for […]

In the Kāñcīpuram (Kanchipuram) edition of Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), it is said that Aṣṭaka (Ashtaka) was one of the brothers of Vasudeva, belonging to Yadu-Vṛṣṇivaṃśa (Yadu-Vrishnivamsa; the lineage of Yadu and Vrishni).

Asiknī (Asikni) was the wife of Prācetasa (Prachetasa; son of Pracheta) Dakṣa(Daksha) Prajāpati(Prajapati; Ruler of the people) . He was the daughter of Vīraṇa (Virana) Prajāpati; so she is often referred to as Vairiṇī (Vairini). However, according to Bhāgavatapurāṇa, Askiknī’s father was Prajāpati Pañcajana (Panchajana). Several sons and daughters were born of the womb of Asiknī, […]

Asipatravana is one of the eighteen kinds of Naraka (hell). While going to Yamaloka (the abode of Yama,that is, the world of the dead), crossing the river Vaitaraṇī (Vaitarani), one has to enter into this Asipatravana. It is imagined that the leaves of the trees of this vana(forest) are as sharp as swords. The moment […]

Asitoda is a sarovara (lake ) situated near Meru. In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), however, it is referred to as Sitoda sarovara.

Aśmasārī (Asmasari) is the mantrī (mantri; minister, consultant) of King Śāntanu (Santanu), belonging to Puruvaṁśa(Puruvamsa; the royal dynasty of Puru).In the southern recension of Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), however, the name is given as Aśmarāvin (Asmaravin). Śāntanu was the youngest among the three sons of Pratīpa (Pratipa). Since his elder brother Devāpi (Devapi)went away to live in […]

In Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture), while giving description of the royal families of future, the name of Aśoka (Asoka), son of Vindusāra (Vindusara) and grandson of Candragupta (Chandragupta) Maurya – has been mentioned. In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), he is mentioned as Aśokavardhana (Asokavardhana), son of Vārisāra (Varisara), According to Purāṇa, he ruled for 26 years (in […]

In several Purāṇa(s) it can be found that eight kinds of siddhi can be achieved by the practice of sādhanā. rasollāsādayaścānyāḥ siddhayo̍ṣṭau bhavanti yāḥ But in all Purāṇa(s) the names of Aṣṭasiddhi are given differently. In Viṣṇupurāṇa, eight types of siddhi– such as ̍rasollāsa̍ and others, have been mentioned. Later, they have been referred to […]

Asti is the daughter of Jarāsandha (Jarasandha), the king of Magadha. Jarāsandha got his two daughters — Asti and Prāpti (Prapti), to Kaṁsa (Kamsa). After the death of Kaṁsa, his widows came back to their father’s kingdom and reported the whole matter. In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), and in Harivaṁśa (Harivamsa), it is clearly […]

Āsuravivāha(Asuravivaha) is one of the eight types of marriages mentioned in Mahābhārata(Mahabharata) and the Purāṇas (Purana; Mythical Scriptures). In Manusaṁhitā (Manusamhita) it is said that in this marriage, the groom, out of his own will, offers dowry to the bride or her father. After this, the bride’s father gives her away. In Mahābhārata, however, alongside […]

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, […]

Aśva (Aswa) means horse. In Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scripture) it is said that domestic animals like horses emanated from the body of Brahmā (Brahma) in the beginning of Tretāyuga (Tretayuga). Elsewhere it is said that Sugrīvī (Sugrivi) was one of the daughters born of the womb of Tāmrā (Tamra), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by […]

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 […]

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 […]

Aśvatara (Aswatara) is an animal belonging to the horse family. Haricharan Bandyopadhyay has given it lexical meaning as ‘a horse with lesser horse-like qualities’. The hybrid creature born of the union of a she-horse and an ass, in called ‘aśvatara’ (khacchar, or mule). From Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana) it is known that in the beginning of Tretāyuga, […]

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 […]

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). 

Ativibhūti (Ativibhuti) was son of Khanīnetra (Khaninetra) down the lineage of Nābhāga (Nabhaga), son of Vaivasvata Manu (Vaivaswata Manu). Ativibhūti fathered the sagely king Karandhama. 

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 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 […]

Audaka carries a connotation of water-dwelling birds. Śuci was one of the daughters born of the womb of Tāmrā (Tamra), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). This Śuci (Suchi)was the mother of water-dwelling birds, as mentioned in Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture).

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 […]

Avīkṣita (Avikshita)was the son of the pious king Karandhama, born in the lineage of Nābhāga (Nabhaga), son of Vaivasvata Manu. He was equal to Indra in valour, respectful of yajña(s) (yajna), and religious. He became a samraṭ (samrat; emperor), by virtue of his own qualities. He performed one hundred Aśvamedha yajña(s), and Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great […]

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’.

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 […]

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Āyuṣmān (Ayushman) is the son of Prahlāda (Prahlada), the king of Daitya (a type of Demons). According to Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), Āyuṣmān(Ayshman) is the son of Saṁhlāda (Samhlada).

Ayutāyu (Ayutayu) is one of the sons born of the womb of Urvaśī (Urvasi), and sired by Pururavā (Pururava).

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).

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).

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]