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 […]

Āsurāyaṇa(Asurayana) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśa(rishivamsa; hereditary or disciple-wise line of the 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). In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa(Brahmandapurana) it is said that Āsurāyaṇa(Asurayana) is the exponent of of the Kauthhuma branch of […]

In Anuśāsanaparva(Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the names of the sons of Viśvāmitra(Viswamitra) have been mentioned. Āsurāyaṇa(Asurayana) is one of them.

Asurendrāṇāṁ vandhanaḥ  (Asurendranam vandhanah; one who confines the Asura-kings) is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama; One Thousand and eight names) of God Śiva (Siva). While explaining the meaning of this name, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator, has said — vandhanastvasurendrānāṁ — vāmanarūpeṇa valervandhakartā, vahuvacanaṁ kalpabhedāhiprāyam. In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures), it is mentioned that […]

In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), there are the names of nineteen preachers of Sāṁkhya-darśana (Samkhyadarsana, the Samkhya Philosophy). Āsuri is one of them. His name is mentioned along with Nārada, Pulastya, Sanatkumāra and Śukrācārya. Paramarṣi Kapila is the chief exponent of Sāṁkhyadarśana. Sage Āsuri is his disciple, and the Sāṁkhya guru Pañcaśikha is the disciple of Kapila. […]

Āsuri(Asuri) is the wife of Devatājit (Devatajit), son of Sumati, In the genealogical line of Bharata. Āsuri gave birth to a son named Devadyumna, sired by Āsuri.

Asūyā (Asuya) is one of the sons of Mṛtyu (Meitya; Death). He is born in the genealogical line of Adhamra (the non-righteous, Sin) and Hiṁsā (Himsa; envy or malice). The evil and negative aspects of the human nature are perhaps conceptualised here as personified beings. In Manusaṁhitā (Manusamhita), while explaining the eight kinds of human […]

Aśvaśirā (Aswasira) is one of the followers of Vali, the king of Demons.

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, […]

The sons born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), are known as Dānava (Danava; Demon). Aśva (Aswa) was one of these sons of Danu. From the Aṃśāvataraṇa parva (Amsavatarana parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is known that the demon king Aśva was reincarnated as king Aśoka (Asoka) in […]

Aśva (Aswa) is one of the hundred and eight names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva Mahadeva). Aśva or horse is a symbol of power and motion. In the development of Indian civilisation, the domestication of horses is an important factor. In Veda and the Brāhmaṇa-texts, there are repeated mention of the importance of horses as useful resources of […]

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 […]

Aśva (Aswa) was one of the Rākṣasa(s)(Rakshasa; monster) born of the womb of Khaśā (Khasa), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people).

Citraka (Chitraka) was one of the sons of Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) or Pṛśni (Prisni) belonging to the Yadu dynasty. Aśva (Aswa)was one of the sons of this Citraka.

In Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the demon-king Vali mentioned the names of kings belonging to both the Asura and human race, Aśvagrīva was one of those kings who, during their reign, enjoyed all wealth of the world, and held the worldly kingdoms under their control.

Aśvagrīva (Aswagriva) was a rājarṣi (rajarshi) He was also referred to as Hayagrīva (Hayagriva) or Vājigrīva (Vajigriva). He died in the battlefield, in a defeated and helpless condition. Being slain in battle, he achieved a distinguished place in svarga(the heavenly abode).

[See Hayagrīva -2]

Citraka (Chitraka) was the youngest son of Pṛśni (Prishni) or Vṛṣni (Vrishni) belonging to Yaduvaṃśa(Yaduvamsa; the genealogical line of Yadu). Aśvagrīva (Aswagriva)was the son of Citraka.

Asvahārya (Aswaharya) is a mantradraṣṭā ṛṣi (mantradrashta rishi, a seer of sacred hymns) belonging to the vaṁśa  (vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages)of Sage Aṅgirā (Angira).

Aśvajit (Aswajit) was the father of Senajit and the son of Jayadratha , in the gebealogical line of Vṛhadanu (Vrihadanu), born of the womb of Bhūminī (Bhumini) or Dhūminī (Dhumini), wife of king Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha).

Aśvakarṇa (Aswakarna) is a tīrtha (tirtha, site of pilgrimage) suitable for śrāddha (sraddha; a rite dedicated to the deceased)-rituals.

Aśvakūṭa (Aswakuta) is a locality in the middle part of India.

Āśvalāyana(Aswalayana) is one of the Brahmavādī (Those who speak of Brahman, the Absolute Divine Self) sons of Sage Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra), as mentioned in Anuśāsanaparva(Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that in the sixteenth phase of Dvāpara (Dwapara) Yuga, when Parāśara (Parasara) will be known as Vyāsa (Vyasa), Mahādeva(Mahadeva) will assume the name, Sahiṣṇu (Sahishnu). Āśvalāyana (Aswalayana) will be one of the four sons of of Sahiṣṇu, born at that time.

Āśvalāyana  is one of the exponent-sages of the five branches of Ṛgveda. Through the Guru- Śiṣya tradition, according to the manner of recitation, way of reading and difference in pronunciation, several branhces of the Veda have emerged. The branches are named after the pioneer-sage. In case of Ṛgveda, Sage Śākala was the first to study Ṛksaṁhitā. […]

One of the ṛṣivaṁśa (rishivamsa; hereditary or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṇgirā (Angira), as mentioned in the Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures). Through the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they  are also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa).

One of the ṛṣivaṁśa (rishivamsa; hereditary or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), as mentioned in the Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scriptures). Through the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Kaśyapa , they  are also known as Kāśyapa(Kasyapa).

After the funeral rites of the Kuru grandsire Bhīṣma, Yudhiṣthira was highly upset. At this situation, Kṛṣṇa consoled him and asked him to perform several yajña(s) with many dakṣiṇā(s). Since Yudhiṣṭhira was suffering at heart for the people killed in the battle of Kurukṣetra. To get rid of that guilty feeling, Maharṣi Vyāsa said,– even […]

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 […]

See Aśvamedhadatta (Aswamedhadatta).

The Marut-gods, sired by Dharma, were born of the womb of Marutvatī (Marutvati), daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha). Aśvamitra (Aswamitra) was one of them.

Prācetasa (Prachetasa; son of Pracheta) Dakṣa (Daksha) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people) gave birth to eighty crores of children. A portion of those children were marked with the face of a horse, as described in Purāṇa (Purana, Mythological Scripture).

Aśvanadī (Aswanadi) is a river flowing across Bhojadeśa(Bhojadesa; the land of Bhoja) in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Karṇa (Karna), sired by Sūrya (Surya; the Sun-god), was born of the womb of Pṛthā (Pritha), a princess belonging to the Vṛṣṇi(Vrishni)-Bhoja dynasty. Being a virgin mother, out of fear and shame, Pṛtha put Karṇa in a casket and let […]

Aśvapādatīrtha (Aswapadatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage located in Vārāṇasīkṣetra (Varanasikshetra). A visit to this site yields the fruits of eternal virtue.

Aśvapati(Aswapati) was the king of Madra. He did not have any child. To have a child, the king worshiped goddess Sāvitrī (Savitri). The goddess was pleased, and she blessed the king so that he could have a child. By the grace of goddess Sāvitrī, the king had a girl-child, who was named after the goddess. […]

Aśvapati (Aswapati) was the king of Kekaya. In ancient texts like Chāndogya Upaniṣad (Chandogya Upanishad) and Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (Satapatha Brahmana), the name of Rājarṣi (Rajarshi; A king with the attributes of a seer) Aśvapati has been mentioned. In Chāndogya Upaniṣad, Maharṣi Uddālaka (Uddalaka) has cited the name of the Kekaya-king Aśvapati with much respect. He […]

The sons sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people), and born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), were called Dānava (Danava). Aśvaprabha (Aswaprabha) was one of these sons of Danu. According to Vāyupurāṇa, the names of two Dānava(s) called Ariṣṭa (Arishta)and Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) have been mentioned.

Aśvarathā (Aswaratha) is a river flowing across the foothill regions of the mountain Gandhamādana (Gandhamadana). The hermitage of ṛṣi (rishi; sage) Ārṣṭisena (Arshtisena)was located on the bank of this river. The Pāṇḍava (Pandava) once visited the place by this river. A kind of five-coloured flower, being carried away by the wind, used to fall into […]

Aśvārūḍhā (Aswarudha) is an incarnation of Goddess Bhuvaneśvarī (Bhuvaneswari).

Aśvārūḍhā (Aswarudha) is one of the wives of Vasanta Rāga(Raga).

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

Aśvasena (Aswasena) is one of the sons sired by Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), and born of the womb of Satyā (Satya), daughter of Nagnajit.

Aśvaśirā (Aswasira) was one of the forty Asura(s) born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Father Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). In the age of the Pāṇḍava (Pandava) and Kaurava(s), he was reborn as a king of Kekaya. In the Aṁśāvataraṇa (Amsavatarana) upaparva (sub-section) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is mentioned that Aśvaśirā […]

One who does not have any food in store for his sustenance for the next day, is called Aśvastanika (Aswastanika). In fact ‘śvaḥ‘ (swah) means ‘the next day’. The ‘tan‘ pratyaya, added to it, becomes śvantan (like adyatana, purātana). From this, derives śvastanika’ and in a negative sense, ‘aśvastanika’ Among the four vṛtti(s) (vritti, vocation)of […]

The vaṁśa(vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Asvasthala is one of the ṛṣivaṁśa(s) (rishivamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) belonging to the pravara (clan) of Maharṣi Vaśiṣṭha (Vasistha), as mentioned in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana). The name of Asvasthala is mentioned as a gotrapravartaka (clan-founder) belonging to Vaśiṣṭhavaṁsa.

Citraka (Chitraka) was the younger one of the two sons of Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) or Pṛṣni (Prisni) belonging to the Yadu dynasty. According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Aśvāsya (Aswasya) was one of the sons of this Citraka.

Aśvātaka (Aswataka) is an ancient tribe. They fought on the side of the Kaurava, during the battle of Kurukṣetra(Kurukshetra). This Aśvātaka tribe possibly lived in the north-western region of India, since it is known that Alexander, during his expedition in East Asia, conquered these people. Alexander found their habitation near ancient Puṣkalāvatī (Pushkalavati) or modern […]

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, […]

Aśvataratīrtha (Aswataratirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage situated in Prayāga (Prayaga). See Aśvatara – 1 (Aswatara – 1)