Ariṣṭanemi (Arishtanemi) is one of the names of God Kṛṣṇa (Krishna). Ariṣṭa (Arishta) means ‘not envied’. ‘Nemi’ here means the feet, suggesting that Kṛṣna is one whose feet, always to be worshiped, is not subject to anyone’s envy. ‘Nemi’ can also mean ‘respect’, suggesting one whose respect is not jeopardised by anybody, or whose cakranemi […]

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 is one of the sons of Citraka (Chitraka), belonging to Yadu dynasty.

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.

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). […]

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 […]

Ariṣṭanemi was the father of Haṃsa (Hamsa), king of the Gandharva(s) (A kind of demi-gods).(According to Mahābhārata, Haṃsa was the son of Ariṣṭā). As per the description of Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), this Haṃsa was reborn as Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra), son of Vyāsa (Vyasa), in the Kuru dynasty.

Once a prince of Haihaya dynasty, while hunting, saw a hermit clad in the skin of a kṛṣṇamṛga (krishnamriga; a black deer).Mistaking the sage for a deer, he struck him with an arrow and killed him. Going near, he found the sage dead and was terrified. He informed the major, leading personalities among the Haihaya […]

At the beginning of their ajñātavāsa (ajnatavasa; staying with disclosed identity), while introducing himself to king Virāta, the youngest Pāṇḍava (Pandava)– Sahadeva said, I am a Vaiśya (vaisya; the third jati in the varna-hierarchy) by jāti (jati; caste), my name is Ariṣṭanemi (Arishtanemi)– vaiśyo’smi nāmnāhamariṣṭanemiḥ.

Ariṣṭanemi (Arishtanemi) was a valiant Asura-warrior who lived in Tripura, founded by the demon Maya.  When the demon-king Vali launched an attack against Svargaloka (the abode of heaven), Ariṣṭanemi was one of the Asura-heroes who fought on the side of Vali.  In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), he has also been mentioned as Ariṣṭa (Arishta). [See Ariṣṭa -3]

Before the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna), Nārada (Narada)describes the sabhā (sabha; court)of Yama in front of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira). Ariṣṭanemi (Arishtanemi) is one of the kings mentioned as being present in the court of Yama.

After the death of the great hero Karṇa, Dutyodhana, deeply aggrieved, went to spend some time at the plains under Himālaya (Himalaya), along with some other kings. Ariṣṭasena(Arishtasena) was one among the kings, who spent the night there in company of Duryodhana, along with Śalya (Salya), Citrasena (Chitrasena) and Śakuni (Sakuni). So it can be […]

One of the sons of Suvala, King of Gāndhāra (Gandhara), and brother of Śakuni (Sakuni). During the Great War of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), Ārjava(Arjava) with his brothers — Gaja, Gavākṣa (Gavaksha), Vṛṣaka (Vrishaka), Carmavān (Charmavan), Śuṣka (Sushka)– attacked Irāvān (Iravan), son of Arjuna.

Ārjava (Arjava) is one of the disciples of Vāṣkali (Vashkali).

In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)Arjuna is the one in whom nothing is too much, and nothing is too less. It is probably for this reason that Vyāsa (Vyasa) kept him in the middle of the fifth brothers. Yudhiṣṭhira(Yudhishthira) and Bhīma (Bhima), and on the other such flexible ones like Nakula and Sahadeva — in the middle of […]

See Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna).

Arjuna is one of the sons of Raivata Manu, ruler of the fifth Manvantara.

Śamīka (Samika) was one of the younger brothers of Vasudeva, father of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), belonging to Vṛṣṇivaṃśa (Vrishnivamsa; the lineage of Vrishni). A son called Arjunapāla (Arjunapala) was born of the womb of Saudāminī (Saudamini), and sired by Śamīka.

Arjunatīrtha(Arjunatirtha) is the name of a sacred site of pilgrimage mentioned in Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture). By performing śrāddha (sraddha; rites dedicated to the dead) of the Pitṛpuruṣa in this site, one may acheve the fruits of virtue.  

The dhātu (dhatu; verb-root) ‘arc’ means ‘to pray, to praise and worship’. In one mantra of Ṛgveda (Rigveda), the term has been used in the sense of ‘one who is worthy of worship’. In the hymn dedicated to Indra, composed by Sage Madhucchandā (Madhucchanda), the first line is as follows — gāyanti tvā gāyatrino arcantyarkaṃ […]

The Agni that burns during the Pāka yajña (Paka yajna; a ritual sacrifice called Paka), is called Savana. In lineage of this, the Agni for Vivici-homa, From this Vivici, another Agni is born, and that is called Arka. He had many sons, namely — Anīkavān (Anikavan), Rakṣohā (Rakshoha), Pitṛkṛt (Pitrikrit) and so on. During a […]

Arka is one of the thousand names of God Viṣṇu, and this name also refers to his status as One to be worshiped. Viṣṇu, often identified with Sūrya (Surya; the Sun-god), is celebrated in Veda. In the dhyānamantra (dhyanamantra; the hymn to be meditated upon, to coceptualise the form of a Deity) of Viṣṇu, the […]

In front of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra), while naming the ancient kings, who once flourished with much wealth and power, but ultimately met their death, Sañjaya (Sanjaya) mentions king Arka.

In the Aṃśāvataraṇa (Amsavatarana) adhyāya (adhyaya; episode) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) , one Arka is mentioned. In his previous birth he had been a great Dānava (Danava; son of Danu). During the time of the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava), he was reborn as a Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; a king with the attributes of a sage) called Ṛṣika (Rishika).

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.

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Arka is one of Aṣṭavasu (Ashtavasu; the eight Vasus). His wife is Vāsanā (Vasana), and Tarṣa (Tarsha) is their son.

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), In the genealogical line of Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha), a son called Nīla (Nila)was born of of the womb of Nīlinī (Nilini), one of the wives of Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha). Suśānti(Susanti) was his son, and Puruja was Suśānti’s son. Arka was the son of Puruja. Arka’s son was Bharmyāśva (Bharmaswa).

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), while describing the genealogical orders of Devāvṛdha(Devavridha) and Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni), Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta promised that the description of Arkavaṁśa would be given, too.This Arkavaṃśa may be Sūryavaṃśa (Suryavamsa; the Solar dynasty), or one of the vaṃśa(s) of Yadu-Vṛṣṇi- Devāvṛdha of Mathurā a(Mathura) and Dvāraka (Dwaraka).

Arka means Sūrya (Surya). In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), while mentioning the nine planets, Śanigraha (Sanigraha; Saturn) s mentioned as Arkaja. Śanigraha or Śanaiścara(Sanaischara) is Arkaja, since he is born of the womb of Chāyā (Chaya), and sired by Sūrya (Surya).

Arkaja was one of those proud and evil-minded kings, who destroyed their own kins and relatives, as mentioned by Bhīma (Bhima), in the context of condemning similar kind of attitude on the part of Duryodhana — samuccicchidurjñātīn suhṛdaśca savāndhavn. While mention eighteen such kings, Bhīma referred to a tribe called ‘Valīhā’ (Valiha)– ‘Arkaja’ among the […]

Arkamarka is a gaṇa (gana; genus) of the Piśāca(s) (Pisacha; a kind of evil spirits). They are dwarfs, with monkey-like bodies, and they live on trees.

Arkasthalakuṇḍa (Arkasthalakunda) is a sacred water-reservoir in Mathurā (Mathura), located on the bank of the river Yamunā (Yamuna). Taking a bath in this kuṇḍa (kunda), one may be relieved of all sins.

Ārocaka(Arochaka) is a place of habitation mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). The inhabitants of this region are also called Ārocaka (Arochaka).

Arogā (Aroga) is one manifestation of Goddess Śakti (Sakti). She is worshiped as Arogā in Vaidyanāathdhāma (the sacred site blessed by Vaidyanatha Siva).

In Vaidyanāthadhāma (Vaidyanathadhama; the pilgrimage site sacred to Vaidyanatha), Goddess Bhagavatī (Bhagavati) is known as Ārogyā (Arogya).

Ārohaṇa (Arohana) is one of the names of Mahādeva (Mahadeva) mentioned in Śivasahasranāmastotra ( Sivasahasranamastotra; The Hymn of Thousand Names of Siva). [See Adhiroha]    

A ṛṣi(rishi; sage) belonging to the Āṇgirasa(Angirasa) vaṁśa (the genealogical or disciple-wise line of sages). Ārṣabha is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas, belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; great sage) Aṇgirā (Angira). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they are also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa).

One of the seven svara (swara, musical note) is Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) svara or dhvani . In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that the grave and tuned sound, like the sound of clouds that emanated from the Pāñcajanya Śaṇkha (Panchajanya Sankha; the Conch named Panchajanya) was similar to that of Ṛṣabhadhvani. pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣamārṣabheṇaiva pūritam śrutvā subhairabhaṁ […]

A tīrtha (tirtha, site of pilgrimage) situated in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi), as mentioned in Padmapurāṇa(Padmapurana).

Ārṣabhīvīthi (Arshabhivithi) is the constellation comprised of the three stars, namely, Uttaraphālgunī (Uttaraphalguni), Pūrvaphālgunī(Purvaphalguni) and Maghā (Magha).

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 […]

Ārṣṇisena (Arshnisena) is an instructor of Yoga. Prince Dama learned the Yoga practices from him.

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 […]

In the genealogical line of Kṣatravṛddha (Kshatravridha), son of King Āyu (Ayu), belonging to Candravaṁśa (Chandravamsa; the Moon-clan), there is a mention of the name of one King Śala (Sala). Āṛṣṭisena(Arshtisena) is the son of this Śala. Leaving his kingdom, he went to the forest, performed tapasyā(tapasya; penance) and attained svarga (swarga;the heaven) through his […]

Ārṣṭisena(Arshtisena)  is a distinguished Gandhava (a kind of demi-god), who lives in Kimpuruṣa (Kimpurusha) varṣa (varsha; a vast plot of land).

An ancient rājarṣi(rajarshi; a king who also possesses the qualities of a sage-seer) . He achieved a place of honour in the sabhā (sabha; assembley or court) of Yama, as mentioned in Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

A ṛṣi (rishi; seer-sage) of eminence. In Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana) it is mentioned that he came to Hastināpura (Hastinapura) to visit King Parīkṣit (Parikshit), who was then observing prāyopaveśana (prayopavesana, sitting at a place, without accepting any food or water, in a ritualistic vow to end one’s life).

The term Artha means asking for something, prayer, desire, resignation, wealth, money to be gained, objects of auditory perception, things, objects, subjects of cognition with the help of sense organs– sound or touch, objects to be known, concerns about own state or other states, fruits of desire, one of the four kinds of Puruṣārtha, result, […]

Arthapa is a locality in Madhyadeśa (Madhyadesa), as mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana). Though it has been mentioned along with Tilaṅga (Tilanga) and Magadha, it is difficult to find its proper geographical identity. Trying to locate this region called Arthapa, D.C. Sircar has taken as proof the the different versions of the name. In the śloka(sloka; […]

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.