Asipā (Asipa) is a dānava (danava, demon), born out of the  womb of Danu, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati(Prajapati; Ruler of the people).

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 […]

Aśirā (Asira) is a Dānava (Danava; demon)born of the womb of Danu, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa)Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people).

According to Brahmāṇapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Asisarpiṇī (Asisarpini) is one of the Mauneya Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesans).

According to the description of Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Asitā(Asita) was one of the Mauneya Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesan). It is known that Asitā performed as a dancer during the birth ceremony of Arjuna.

King Bharata was the son of king Dhruvasandhi, belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṁśa (Ikswakuvamsa, the royal line of Ikswaku). He has clashes with the kings and heroes belonging to Tālajangha (Talajamgha), Haihaya and Śaśavindu (Sasavindu) vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical line or dynasty). He were defeated by them in a battle, and losing his kingdom, went to live in […]

Asita is an ancient rājarṣi (rajarshi; a king with the attributes of a seer-sage). We have the mention of Asita as one of those rājarṣ(s)i who were defeated by Rājarṣi Māndhātā, belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṁśa (Ikswakuvamsa; the royal lime of Ikswaku).

Asita is an ancient sage. he is more famously known as Asita-Devala. [See Asita-Devala]

Asita is a parvata (mountain) mentioned in Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). It is located in the land of Ānarta (Anarta), in western India, by the river Narmadā (Narmada). The mountain is full of many fruit-bearing trees — vahumūlaphalopetastusito nāma parvataḥ. The hermitages of Sage Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra) and Sage Kakṣasena (Kakshasena) were located near this mountain. […]

Somaka is one of the seven varṣaparvata (varshaparvata; a major mountain in a varsha; a vast plot of land) of Śākadvīpa (Sakadwipa; the Island of Saka) . It is located in the Kusumotkara varṣa of Śākadvīpa. This Kusumotkara varṣa’s alternative name is Asita varṣa.

In Mahabhārata, Pratyūṣa was one of the Aṣṭavasu. Sage Devala was the son of Pratyūṣa, And Devala had two sons, great and merciful– pratyūṣasya viduḥ putramṛṣiṃ nāmnātha devalam dvau putrau  devalasyāpi kṣamāvantau manasvinau. In Mahābhārata and Purāṇa(s), in most places, Asita and Devala have been mentioned together, though their separate identities can be recognised. In […]

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

Mahādeva (Mahadeva) created some mātṛkā(s)  (matrika; an order of lesser female deities),in order to get their assistance while slaying Andhakāsura (Andhakasura); and they were about to consume the entire universe after killing the asura (a type of demon). Unable to control them, Mahādeva sought the help of  Nṛsiṁhadeva (Nrisimhadeva).  In order to destroy those mātṛkā (s), Nṛsiṁhadeva created another […]

Aśmaka (Ashmaka) was the kṣetraja (a married woman’s son, sired by any other man than her husband) son of Madayantī (Madayanti), wife of king Kalmāṣapāda (Kalmashapada) belonging to Ikṣvākuvaṃśa (Ikshvakuvamsa; the royal lineage of Ikshvaku). He was sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Vaśiṣṭha (Vasistha). Even after bearing the child for twelve years (seven years […]

Aśmaka (Asmaka) was a sage. He was among the sages who came to visit Bhiṣma (Bhishma) lying on his bed of arrows.

Aśmakī was the wife of  of king Prācīnvān (Prachinvan) belonging to the Puru dynasty. She is known as belonging to the Yadu dynasty. She gave birth to Saṁyāti (Samyati), sired by Prācīnvān.  

Aśmakī (Asmaki) was one of the wives of Śūra (Sura), belonging to the Vṛṣṇivaṃśa (the lineage of Vrishni). Devamīḍhuṣa (Devamidhusha), sired by Śūra, was born out of her womb.

Vasudeva had a brother called Anādhṛṣṭi (Anadhrishti). His son was Aśmakī (Asmaki).

See Tapasvī (Tapaswi).

Aśmapṛṣṭhatīrtha (Asmaprishthatirtha) is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha, site of pilgrimage) in Gayākṣetra (Gayakshetra). The term ‘aśma‘ means ‘rock’. The site is located on the Gayaśira parvata (the mountain called Gayasira); and that is perhaps the reason of such a name of the site. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that by performing śrāddha(sraddha; a post-funeral […]

In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures) The vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aśmarathya (Asmarathya) ismentioned as one of the ṛṣivaṁśa(s) (rishivamsa)belonging to the pravara (clan) of Maharṣi Kauśika (Kausika; son of Kusika) Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra). He is referred to as one of the gotrapravartaka(s) (clan-founders) of Viśvāmitravaṁśa (the genealogical or disciple-wise […]

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 […]

Asnehana is one of the names of God Śiva (Siva). He is the creator of the universe, the Supreme entity, who showers his fatherly affections and blessings over all gods, demons, human beings, animals –all living creatures. So he is conceptualised as an affectionate, universal, divine father-figure. Hence he comes to be known as Snehana […]

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 […]

Aśoka (Asoka) is the charioteer of Bhīmasena (Bhimasena). In almost all places of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), we have the mention of ‘Viśoka’ (Visoka) as the charioteer of Bhīma .Only once in Bhīṣmaparva (Bhishmasena), when during a fight between Bhīma and Śrutāyu (Srutayu) , king of Kaliṅga (Kalinga), Bhīma’s chariot got destroyed, the charioteer Aśoka brought a […]

Aśoka (Asoka) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). Śankarācārya, the commentator, while explaining the meaning of ‘Aśoka’, says, śokādiṣaḍūrmivarjita aśokaḥ. Scholars have conceptualised the six common characteristics or distortions in body, mind or being, as six waves. These are śoka (soka; grief), moha (illusion), jarā (ageing), mṛtyu (mrityu; death), […]

Aśoka (Asoka) is a tīrtha (tirtha; pilgrimage site) of middle-southern India, as mentioned in Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Abound in several hermitages, it is located near Śūrpāraka (Surparaka) tīrtha. According to scholars, this Sūrpāraka tīrtha is the modern Sopar, which is in Mahārāṣṭra (Maharashtra). In this line of investigation, the modern location of Aśoka tīrtha […]

Aśoka (Asoka) was a minister of Ayodhyā (Ayodhya). After Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) went off to vanavāsa (vanavasa, exile into the forest), Bharata was nominated the king. At that time, Aśoka, along with four other ministers, went to Kekayadeśa (Kekayadesa; the land of Kekaya)to bring back Bharata and Śatrughna (Satrughna), as instructed by the priest Vaśiṣṭha (Vasishtha). […]

Aśoka (Asoka) is one of the seven major varṣaparvata(s) (varshaparvata; a major mountain marking a vast plot of land) belonging to Ketumālavarṣa (Ketumalavarsha).

Aśokāṣṭamī (Asokashtami) is the Śuklāṣṭamī (Suklashtami; the eight day of the full moon’s fortnight) of the month of Caitra. If one partakes of a bud of Aśoka flower with water, and takes a bath in Gaṅgā (Ganga), one may be relieved of śoka (soka; grief).

Aśokasundarī (Asokasundari) is the daughter of Śiva and Parvatī (Parvati), emanated out of their mental conception. She is a lady of all virtuous attributes, and extremely beautiful. While playing with his female associates in Nandanakānana (Nandanakanana),a Daitya called Huṇḍa (Hunda), son of the Dānava-king Vipracitti (Viprachitti) was bewitched by the beauty of Aśokasundarī, and proposed […]

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 […]

Asoma is one of the sons born of the womb of Puṇyajanī (Punyajani), and sired by the Yakṣa (Yaksha) Maṇibhadra (Manibhadra).

In general, the meaning of Āśrama is the habitation of hermits and sages. This āśrama was generally founded in forest areas, and it is conceptualised with such a calm and quite atmosphere, where, if the others enter, they can be freed of their pains and cares. On his way to Kiṣkindhyā, Rāmacandra found the Āśrama […]

Kūrmapurāṇa (Kurmapurana) has further divided Caturāśrama (Chaturasrama, the four phases of life) in three types, according to the variance amongst Vaiṣṇava (Vaishnava), Brāhma(Brahma) and Śaiva (Saiva). The four āśrama(asrama) emerged from the mind, eyes, ears, and skin of God Nārāyaṇa (Narayana). For the Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana), the four āśrama — Brahmacarya (Brahmacharya), Gārhasthya (Garhasthya), Vānaprastha(Vanaprastha) and […]

Āśramastha (Asramastha) is one of the Aṣtottara Sahasranāma (Astottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). In ancient Aryan society the tenure of life was divided into four phases namely — Brahmacarya (Brahmacharya), Gārhasthya (Garhasthya), Vāṇaprastha(Vanaprastha) and Sannyāsa (Sannyasa). These four are known as Caturāśrama (Caturasrama). In fact, the term ‘Āśrama’ (Asrama) means […]

Āśrāyaṇi (Asrayani) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśamsa (rishivamsa; hereditary or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). Through the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Kaśyapa, they are also known as Kāśyapa (Kasyapa).

After the union of Madana, the god of amour, and goddess Rati, out of ecstasy, several aśruvindu (asruvindu; tear-drops) from her eyes fell upon water. A lotus emerged from those tear drops, and a daughter was born out of that lotus. Her name was Aśruvindumatī (Asruvindumati). After falling under Śukrācārya’s (Sukracharya) curse of ageing, Yayāti […]

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 […]

Asthipura is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage). It is located towards the west of Thāneśvara (Thaneswara) and towards the North of Aujasaghāṭa (Aujasaghaṭa). It is thought that the corpses of the warriors, dead in the war of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), were put to fire in this Asthipura. It is further said that the Chinese […]

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 […]

In India, at least six philosophical discourses have been categorised as Āstika philosophy, and six other have been recognised as Nāstika (atheist). The Āstīka philosophy includes: Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Nyāya, Vaiṣeśika, Purvamīmāṃsā and Uttaramīmāṃsā. On the other hand, there are four discourses of Buddhist philosophy– Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, Vijñānavāda and Mādhyamika; to these, adding Jaina and Cārvāka […]

Āstīka (Astika) is the son born of the womb of Jaratkāru(Jaratkaru) — sister of the Nāga(Naga; Snake) Vāsuki (Vasuki), sired by Sage Jaratkāru (so Āstīka’s parents bear the same name). Sage Āstīka was born in order to save the Nāga community from the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya –and he was able to save the snakes indeed. […]

Asukhada is one of the thousand names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), as mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; Hymn of the Thousand Names of Vishnu)

In general it is thought that ‘Asura’ means the ultimate enemy-community of the ancient Aryans, and probably they were the aboriginal inhabitants of Bhāratavarṣa, and the Sura(s) or gods, conquering them, established their political and cultural dominance over the land. However, several Purāna-scholars have said that initially the Asura(s) were relatives and friends of gods– […]

A kind of dāna (dana;donation), for which one has to repent afterwards, is called āsuradāna (asuradana). Such a donation is futile.

Āsuraha(Asuraha) is one of the Sādhya (Sadhya) gods. He is one of the sons of Sādhyā (Sadhya), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), sired by Dharma.

See Āsuraha (Asuraha).

In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), the names of the major Vānara (Vanara)-warriors belonging to Pulasytavaṁśa (Pulastyavamsa, the genealogical line of Pulastya) have been mentioned. Asurāntaka (Asurantaka) is one of these valiant Vānara-warriors.

At the time of destruction of Yaduvaṁśa (Yaduvamsa; the genealogical line of Yadu), when the Yādava(s) attacked each other, Asuratha is found to be engaged in a battle with Sumitra. So it appears that he was also a descendant of the Yādava clan.