Today, in the sense we use the term ‘Rāṣtravijñāna’ (Rashtravijnana), was not used in the ancient times. The terms used to mean ‘Rāṣṭravijñāna’, can be listed as follows- Rājaśāstra, Rājadharma, Daṇḍanīti, Arthaśāstra, even Rājanīti. Arthaśāstra is one of the synnonymous words of Rājaśāstra. It should be kept in mind at the outset that Kauṭilya is […]

Arthasiddhi was one of the Sādhya (Sadhya) gods born of the womb of Sādhyā (Sadhya), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha) and sired by Dharma. Arthasiddhi was the son of these gods.

Ārtimān (Artiman), a sage, was famous as an expert healer of snakebite. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that, invoking the name of Sage Ārtimān eradicates the fear of snake-venom. This was probably due to his reputation as a healer of snakebite.

Aruja was one of the warriors belonging to the army of Rāvaṇa (Ravana), king of Laṅkā (Lanka). He, along with other warriors, launched an attack on Rāmacandra (Ramachandra).

Aruṇa is born of the womb of Vinatā, the eighth daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the great sage Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). He is the elder brother of Garūḍa (Garuda). He pleased Mahādeva (Mahadeva) with great tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practices), and was appointed the charioteer of the Sun-god, by grace of Mahādeva. Aruṇa’s wife’s name was […]

Aruṇa (Aruna) is the son of Narakāsura (Narakasura). After the death of Narakāsura, Aruṇa (Aruna) and his six brothers fought against Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) and got killed.

Aruṇa (Aruna) was one of the ten sons of Raivata Manu, ruler of the fifth Manvantara.

Saramā (Sarama), the mother of all Sārameya(s) Sarameya) or dogs, had two sons –Dullolaka and Laloha. From this Dullolaka, eight different types of dogs emerged. They are classified into eight types, according to their colour. Aruṇa (Aruna) was one of the gaṇa(s) (genus) among the sons of Dullolaka. Dogs of a slightly reddish colour belonged […]

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.  

Aruṇa (Aruna) is a mountain situated towards the west of the Kailāsa mountain. It is full of biodiversity, valuable minerals and herbal medicines. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) , Aruṇaparvata is mentioned as the greatest mountain — aruṇaṃ parvataśreṣṭhaḥ. At the foothill area of the ice-covered mountain Aruṇa, there is a sarovara called Śailodā (Sailoda) , where […]

A great Daitya (Demon) called Aruṇa, very antagonistic to the gods, lived in Pātala (Patala; the underworld). In order to conquer the gods, he started practicing asceticism in order to please Brahmā (Brahma). Feared by his tapasyā (ascetic practice), the gods went to Brahmā. Hearing all this, Brahmā asked Aruṇa why he had been practicing […]

Aruṇa (Aruna) is the son of king Haryaśva (Haryaswa), belonging to Sūryavaṁśa (Suryavamsa; the Solar dynasty). He is the father of Triśanku (Trisanku; whose earlier name was Satyavrata). However Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana) states that Aruṇa was the father of Trivandhana, and Trivandhana was the father of Satyavrata Triśanku.

Aruṇa (Aruna)was a distinguished order of sages in ancient India. Sages who attained the bliss of heaven only bu meditating upon the Vedic mantras, are classified into some orders such as — Aja, Pṛṣni (Prishni), Sikata, Ketu and Aruṇa.  

The sons born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people) Aruṇa (Aruna) was one of them. According to Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) and Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), it is known that Aruṇa stay in the chariot of the Sun-god in the months of Śrāvaṇa (Sravana) and Bhādra […]

Aruṇa (Aruna) is one of the varga(s) or gaṇa(s) (gana; genus or sect)of the ṛṣi(s)(rishi; sage) , as mentioned in Taittirīya Āraṇyaka (Taittiriya Aranyaka). Here it is said that Prajāpati (Prajapati; Lord of the people) Brahmā (Brahma)sat in meditation, for conceptualising the Creation. Contemplating on how the Creation would be, he shook the mass of […]

Aruṇa (Aruna) is a distinguished Nāga(Naga; Snake). When in Prabhāsakṣtra (Prabhasakshetra), Valarāma (Valarama)– the incarnation of Śeṣanāga (Sesanaga) ended his mortal life by Yogic power, a thousand-hooded snake came out of his body and got merged into the sea. At that time, to welcome him, Aruṇa was present along with Varuṇa (Varuna), the god of water […]

Aruṇāsarasvatīsaṅgama (Aruna-saraswatisangamatirtha) is a nadī-tīrtha (nadi-tirtha; river-pilgrimage)). Aruṇā(Aruna) is actually another name for the river Sarasvatī (Sarasvati). Great sages once relieved the river Sarasvatī of the curse of carrying the blood of Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra), and made its flow clear again. For the redemption of the Rākṣasa(s), these great sages again invoked Sarasvatī in the name […]

Aruṇā (Aruna)and Varuṇā(Varuna), two sacred rivers have merged into Gautamī Gaṅgā (Gautami Ganga). The place of this assimilation of the flows is known as Aruṇā-Varuṇāsaṅgama (Aruna-Varunasangama; the place of union of the two rivers), but Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana)says that initially Godāvarī flowed in between Aruṇā and Varuṇā — aruṇā-varuṇayormadhye yatra godāvarī nadī. Basically, this Gautamī Gaṅgā […]

Aruṇāspadanagara (Arunaspadatirtha) is a nagara (city) located on the bank of the river Varuṇā (Varuna). A Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana), who lived in this town, by help of some oṣadhi (oshadhi; herbal drug) achieved the miraculous power to cross a distance of thousand yojana within a short period.

Āruṇāyani (Arunayani) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsa; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Aṇgirā (Angira). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā (Angira), they are also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa).

Arundhatī is the wife of the great sage Vaśiṣṭha. She is so famous for her loyalty to her husband, that while blessing a newlywed wife, the reference to Arundhatī comes in– “As Arundhatī is dear to Vaśiṣṭha, so may you be to your husband– yatha vaiśravaṇe bhadrā vaśiṣṭhe cāpyarundhatī yathā nārāyaṇe lakṣmīstathā tvaṃ bhava bhartṛṣu. […]

See Āruṇi (Aruni).

The legend of Āruṇi (Aruni), disciple of Āpoddhaumya(Apoddhaumya) is one of the famous legends of gurubhakti (loyalty and respect towards the guru) mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). This is a popular legend since the ancient times. This has been narrated in Ādiparva(Adiparva) of Mahābhārata. In ancient times, there was a seer-sage called Āpoddhaumya. Āruṇi of Pāñcāla(Panchala) […]

Āruṇi (Aruni) was one of the sons of Vinatā (Vinata), sired by Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the People) Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). Āruṅi was also among those who were present during the celebration of the birth of Arjuna, the third Pāṇḍava (Pandava).

Āruṇi(Aruni) is one of the Nāgas (Naga; Snake) belonging to the vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical line) of the nāga called Dhṛtarāṣṭra. In the version maintained by Haridāsa Siddhāntavāgiśa (Haridasa Siddhantabagisa), the name is mentioned as Aruṇi (Aruni) instead of Āruṇi .

Āruṇi (Aruni)was one of the valiant warriors who took the side of the Kaurava during the War of Kurukṣetra (kurukshetra). Along with Śakuni (Sakuni), Duḥśāsana (Duhsasana), and Kṛtavarmā (Kritavarma), Āruṇi (Aruni) also launched an attack on Arjuna in the battlefield.  

In the fifteenth Dvāpara (Dvapara) in future, when Mahādeva (Mahadeva) will be known as Vedaśirā (Vedasira), the magnanimous Āruṇi(Aruni) will be Vyāsa(Vyasa) in that Dvāpara era.

Āruṇi (Aruni) is one of the Sādhya (Sadhya) devata (gods). He is one of the sons born of Sādhyā(Sadhya), sired by Dharma. The sons of Sādhyā(Sadhya) are known as the Sādhya gods.

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āruṇi (Aruni) was one of those who would become Saptarṣi (Saptarshi; Seven Seer-sages) during the time of the third Sāvarṇi(Savarni) Manu , in future. According to Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), this was to be in the future eleventh Manvantara during the time of Dharmasāvarṇi (Dharmasavarni) Manu. This Āruṇi belongs to Atrivaṁśa (Atrivamsa; the […]

Āruṇi(Aruni) is a branch of Yajurveda(Yajurveda) in circulation in Madhyadeśa(Madhyadesa; the middle region of India).

Aruṇīśatīrtha(Arunisatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi). Aruṇi (Aruni) achieved siddhi in this place.

Arūpa(Arupa) is a mantradrṣṭā (mantradrasta; seers who visualise the holy hymns) ṛṣi (rishi; sage). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) he is mentioned as a sage belonging to Bhṛguvaṃśa (Bhriguvamsa; the genealogical or disciple-wise order name after sage Bhrigu).

Arūpā(Arupa) is one of the eight distinguished Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesan) born of the womb of Ariṣṭā (Arishta). In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Apsarā Arūpā is referred to as a daughter of Prādhā (Pradha), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa).  

Arūpi (Arupi) is a sage. The vaṃśa(vamsa) of Sage Arūpi is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) (rishivamsa; a genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) mentioned in Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture) as Bhārgava (Bhargava; descendants of Bhrigu) gotra-pravartaka (clan-founder).

Arūru (Aruru) is one of the sons born of the womb of Danāyuṣā (Danayusha), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati(Prajapati; Ruler of the people) . He was the father of a valiant Asura called Dhundhu.

Āruṣī (Arushi) is the daughter of Manu and wife of Sage Cyavana. Cyavana and Āruṣī gave birth to a son called Aurva. This son was named Aurva, because he emerged out of the urudesa (the thigh-region) of Āruṣī (Arushi).

Arvāka (Arvaka) is a sage. In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), it is said that he will be Vyāsa (Vyasa) in the twenty fifth Dvāpara (Dwapara).

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Arvāka is the fifth level of Pātāla (Patala; the Underworld), among its seven levels. The soil of this level is filled with śarkarā (sarkara; starch), so sometimes this place is called Śarkarabhūmi (Sarkarabhumi). It is the abode of Virocana (Virochana), the king of Demons, and many others Demons and Nāga(s).

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Ārvata (Arvata) is one of the children of Brāhmā (Brahma), emerged out of His mind.

Arvāvasu (Arvavasu) is the name of a special Saurakiraṇa (Saurakirana; solar ray); it is one of the seven major rays of the sun. This adds glow to Vṛhaspati (Vrihaspati). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Arvāvasu (Arvavasu) is mentioned as Arvāgvasu (Arvavasu).

Arvuda is the community dwelling in the land of Arvuda. At the time of the destruction of the Yadu clan, the people of this community launched an attack on other communities who were, in fact, their relations. In another śloka (sloka; verse) of Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), the Arvuda community has been mentioned.    

Arvuda is one of the units of counting numbers. Ten crores make an arvuda.

Arvuda is a Nāga (Naga; a Snake). From Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) it is known that Arvuda Nāga lived in Girivrajapura (the city of Girivraja). However, later he perhaps settled in in land of Arvuda adjacent to the mountain Aravalli. In this connection, this land came to be known as the dwelling place of the Arvuda community, […]

Arvuda-sarasvatī (Arvuda-saraswati) is a nadī-tīrha (nadi-tirtha; river-pilgrimage). If one conducts śrāddha (post-funeral rites dedicated to the deceased) -rituals here, one may enjoy puṇyaphala (punyaphala; fruits of virtue).

One of the seven holy rivers in Krauṇcadvīpa (Kraunchadwipa; the island of Krauncha).

Āryaka(Aryaka) is one of the Nāgas (Naga; Snake) born of the womb of Kadrū (Kadru), sired by Kaśyapa Prajāpati (Kasyapa Prajapati; Kasyapa, Ruler of the People). In Udyogaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) , Nārada  (Narada), while describing to Mātali (Matali) the distinguished Nagas who reside in  the Bhogavatī Purī (Bhogavatī Puri, the City of Bhogavati) of […]

According to Bhāgavtapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), when in the eleventh Manvantara of the future, during the time of Dharmasāvarṇi Manu, Dhramsetu – a partial incarnation of Bhagavān Srī Hari (God Sri Hari or Vishnu) will be born of the womb of Vaidhṛitā (Vaidhrita), sired by Āryaka.

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).

Aryamā (Aryama) is one of the names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva) described in Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; Thousand Names of Siva). In the age of Ṛgveda (Rigveda), at the initial stage, six Āditya(s) (Aditya) have been counted, in the time of Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana)-text, the count went up to eight, and in the age of Mahākāvya (Mahakavya) and Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological […]

Aryaṭī (Aryati) is an ancient locality of Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India).