In the beginning of creation , fourteen svaradhvani(s) (swaradhvani; vowel-sound) were created from the mouth of the four-faced Brahmā (Brahma). From these fourteen vowel-sounds, emanated Manu, rulers of the fourteen Manvantara. E-kāra (E-kara) is the eleventh of these fourteen vowel-sounds created by Brahmā (Brahma). Piśaṅgī (Pisangi) Manu emerged from this E-kāra. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), the […]

Eḍī (Edi) is a Mātṛkā (Matrika; one kind of lesser female deity), and an associate of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

The eminent lexicon-editor Amarasiṁha (Amarasimha), in the Puravarga (Puravarga) of his Amarakoṣa (Amarakosha), has mentioned eḍūka (eduka), among several types of houses or abodes in a locality– bhittiḥ strī kuḍyameḍūkaṁ sadantaryastakīkasam. The term ‘kīkasa‘ means ‘last remains of the corpse’ or ‘asthi‘ (bone-dust). It is to be understood that the house in which the remains […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Raya was the son born of the womb of Urvaśī (Urvasi), and sired by Purūravā (Pururava). Eka was the son of this Raya.

Eka is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu(Vishnu)

The meaning of the term Ekacchatra is one king’s royal right which spreads like a chatra or umbrella. During the reign of Mahāpadma (Mahapadma), he had no rival; that is, his power was unchallenged. So he was called ‘Ekacchatra‘.

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).

Ekackrā (Ekachakra) was a city mentioned in the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). After saving their lives from the Jatugṛha (Jatugriha or the house of fire) at Vārāṇāvata (Varanavata), the Pāṇḍavas (Pandavas), having followed the advice of Vedavyāsa (Vedavyasa) to save their lives from Duryodhana, took the disguise of brahmacārīs (brahmacharis or ascetics) and secretly wandered in various […]

Ekacandrā(Ekachandra) is one of the mātṛkā (marika; one kind of  lesser female deities ) who were present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (abhisheka; corronation ceremony) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ekacūḍā (Ekachuda) is one of the mātṛkā (matrika; lesser female deity) who were present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (abhisheka; corronation ceremony) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ekadanta is another name for Gaṇeśa (Ganesa), son of Pārvatī (Parvati). Gaṇeśa is elephant-headed, and the left tusk of the elephant-face was broken’ Hence he came to be known as Gajānana. In several Purāṇa, there are different versions of legends, describing how this tusk got broken. The most circulated legend is as follows — After […]

Ekādaśaratha (Ekadasaratha) is the son of one king Daśaratha (Dasaratha) and the father of one Śakuni (Sakuni), in the genealogical line of Kroṣṭu (Kroshtu), son of Yadu.

In Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana), the glory of Ekādaśīvrata (Ekadasivrata) is hailed as far greater than all other vrata(s), and major yajña (yajna) performances.The greatness of visiting pilgrimages, donation, and other vratas – are highly praised – until there comes the issue of greatness of fasting on the Ekādaśī tithi — tāvadgarjanti tīrthāni dānāni niyamāni ca yāvannopoṣayejunturvāsaraṃ […]

Ekahaṁsatīrtha (Ekahamsatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Pulastya asked Bhīṣma (Bhishma) to visit this site of pilgrimage. Scholars have determined that the modern location of Ekahaṁsatīrtha is in the village called Ikkas, five kilometres away from the town of Jind in Hariyana. Some […]

Ekajaṭa (Ekajata) is one of the warrior-followers of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya). He assisted Kārtikeya while slaying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura).

Ekakarṇa (Ekakarna) is an ancient locality. According to Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), Gaṅgā (Ganga) got divided into seven branches and flowed on Martyaloka (the earthly sphere). Ekakarṇa (Ekakarna) was one of the localities situated on the bank of the branch of Gaṅgā (Ganga) that flowed eastward.

Ekākṣa (Ekalsha) is a follower-warrior of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya). He helped Skanda-Kārtikeya while slaying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura).

Ekākṣā (Ekaksha) is a river of Ketumāla (Ketumala) varṣa (varsha; a vast plot of land).

Ekākṣa (Ekaksha) is a Dānava (Danava; demon) born of the womb of Danu, and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa)Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people). Ekākṣa was one of the demons who possessed human virtues, as mentioned in Purāṇa (Purama; Mythological Scripture).

While slaying Andhakāsura (Andhakasura), Mahādeva (Mahadeva) created innumerable Mātṛkā (Matrika; lesser female deities), so that they could assist him in slaying the Asura. Ekākṣi (Ekakshi) was one of those Mātṛkā.

Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanu, king of the Niṣāda (Nishada; a hunting community). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that he was born of the womb of Aśmakī, and sired by Vasudeva. Later he was brought up among the Niṣāda people, as it is said in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) and Vāyupurāṇa. Droṇācārya ( Dronacharya), while […]

When Jarāsandha (Jarasandha), in order to take revenge upon Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), launched an attack against Mathurā (Mathura), one Ekalavya, a valiant warrior and the son of Aṁśumān, protecting the eastern gate of Mathurāpurī (Mathurapuri; the city of Mathura). As his father’s name is different, we can take him as a different person , other than […]

In the Aṁśāvataraṇa-parva (Amsavatarana-parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is said that Ekalavya was born as a partial incarnation of the Krodhavaśa (Krodhavasa) Asuras, sons of Krodhavaśā (Krodhavasa). In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) it is mentioned that during the Rājasūya Yajña (Rajasuya Yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira), Ekalavya gifted him a pair of leather footwear, as a token of […]

In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Ekaliṅga (Ekalinga) is mentioned as a locality.

Ekāmraka (Ekamraka) is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage). Goddess Satī (Sati) is known as Kīrtimatī (Kirtimati) in this tīrtha. This is also known as Āmrataka (Amrataka). It is a highly worthy place for performing the rituals of śrāddha (sarddha).

Haribaṁśa (Haribamsa) explains the word Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) in the following way- Though Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa) was born from a part of Lord Viṣñu (Vishnu), the saviour of his subjects, conceptually and by nature, she was one and all. She was the Māyāśakti (Mayasakti or feminine power) of the Lord- Yogamāyā (Yogamaya)- Viddhi caināmathotpannāthaṁśāddevīṃ prajāpateḥ. Ekānaṁśāṃ yogakanyāṃ […]

Ekanandā (Ekananda) is one of the female deities who were partial incarnations of Prakṛti (Prakriti; the goddess Nature), as mentioned in Devībhāgavatapurāṇa (Devibhagavatapurana).

The name of the daughter of Yaśodā (Yasoda) is Ekānaṅgā (Ekananga). Probably this Ekānaṅgā is another name of the Goddess Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa). [See Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa)]

Ekapāda (Ekapada) was an ancient non-Aryan tribe. During his digvijaya, expedition, Sahadeva conquered the Ekapāda tribe, living in the southern countries. They paid allegiance to the Pāṇḍava (Pandava), by paying revenue to them. The presence of the Ekapāda tribe was found in Indraprasrha suting the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yushishthita). In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva), […]

The followers of God Śiva (Siva) were divided in several gaṇa(s). Ekapāda (Ekapada) was the leader of one of these gaṇa(s) (gana; sect).

Ekapāda (Ekapada) is one of the names of Vighnavināśana (Vighnavinasana; one who destroys all crises) Gaṇeśa (Ganesa).

Ekaparṇā (Ekaparna)is one of the daughters born of the womb of Menā (Mena), and sired by Himālaya (Himalaya), king of the mountains. It is known that she practised tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance) for two thousand years, sitting under a banyan tree. During this long period, she lived by partaking of one banyan leaf daily.For this […]

Ekaparvata is an ancient mountain. Kṛṣṇa (Krishna), Bhīma (Bhima) and Arjuna crossed this mountain while going to Girivrajapura, the capital of Jarāsandha. From the description of their route, it may be understood that the route from Kurujāṅgala (Kurujangala; the forest area of the Kuru teritory) to Magadha was extended across the rivers Gaṇḍakī (Gandaki) ,Mahāśona […]

Ekapāt(Ekapat) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

Ekapāṭalā (Ekapatala) is one of the daughters born of the womb of Menā (Mena), and sired by Himālaya (Himalaya), king of the mountains. It is known that she practised tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance) for two thousand years, sitting under a pāṭala (patala; parul ) tree. During this long period, she lived by partaking of one […]

Ekapṛṣṭha (Ekaprishtha) is the name of a race or tribe, and the the place inhabited by that tribe, as mentioned in Bhiṣmaparva (Bhishmaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). But alternative readings of the term ‘Ekapṛṣṭha’ can also be found. In some places, it is also referred to as ‘Naikapṛṣṭha’ (Naikaprishtha). In the catalogue of the names of […]

In Ṛgveda (Rigveda), many times the terms ‘Rāja’ (Raja) and ‘Rājan’ (Rajan) have been used; and likewise some titles denoting the sovereignty of the state and the ruler — such as Adhirāja (Adhiraja), Samrāṭ (Samrat), Sārvabhauma (Sarvabhauma). Samrāt, Svarāṭ and Ekarāṭ — these terms have mostly been used to refer to independent and able kings. […]

The words, ‘Rājā’ (Raja or king) or ‘Rājan’ (Rajan or king) were used many times in the Ṛigveda (Rigveda). Likewise, the terms such as ‘Adhirāja'(Adhiraja or king) , ‘Samrāt’ (Samrat or monarch) and even ‘Sāvabhouma’ (Sarvabhouma or sovereign) which indicate the the sovereign power of the kingdom, were also used as the titles of the […]

A situation like “water, water, everywhere” is called Ekārṇava (Ekarnava). In Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scriptutes), it is said that after a no-rain phase , if rain comes down and this continues for hundred years, incessantly, the entire world becomes overflowing with water; and all creatures get deluged. In such a condition the whole world appears […]

Ekāsana (Ekasana) is an ancient non-Aryan tribe. According to the description of Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), the Ekāsana (Ekasana) tribe dwelt in the bamboo grove located between the two mountains – Sumeru and Mandara– merumandarayormadhye śailodāmabhito nadīm ye te kīcakaveṇūṇāṁ chāyāṁ ramyāmupāsate. khasā ekāsanā hyarhāḥ pradarā dīrghaveṇavaḥ. On the occasion of the Rājasūya(Rajasuya) yajña(yajna) […]

The dictionary-meaning of the term ‘śapfa’ (sapha) is ‘hoof’. So, ‘Ekaśapha’ (Ekasapha) means some animal with one hoof. In Garuḍapurāṇa (Garudapurana) it is said that six kinds of animals such as Gardabha (Ass), Aśva (Aswa; horse), Gaura, Śarabha (Sarabha) and Camarī (Chamari; Yak) are known as Ekaśapha.

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Yogotpatti was the Mānasakanyā (Manasakanya; a daughter born out of imagination or mental conception) of the Sādhya (Sadhya) Pitṛgaṇa (Pitrigana; a sect of forefathers). This Yogotpatti later came to be known as Ekaśṛṅgā(Ekasringa). Sanatkumāra (Sanatkumara), son of Brahmā(Brahma) got Ekaśṛṅgā (Ekasringa) married to Śukrācārya (Sukracharya). Ekaśṛṅgā gave birth to a number […]

In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), seven orders of Piātṛloka (Pitriloka; the heavenly abode of the forefathers) have been mentioned. Four of these orders are of corporeal entities, and the other three consist of bodiless entities. Ekaśṛṅga(Ekasringa) was one of those bodiless beings, among these orders. It is known that they were present in the sabhā […]

Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha), elder brother of the demon-king Hiraṇyakaśipu (Hiranyakasipu), plunged the earth into Pralayasamudra (the ocean of great deluge). God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) assumed the form of Ekaśṛṅga Varāha(Ekasringa Varaha; a swine with one horn) and slaying Hiraṇyākṣa (Hiranyaksha), he rescued the earth , holding it at the top of his single horn. So he came […]

Ekaśṛṅga (Ekasringa) is a parvata (mountain) situated at the south of Mānasa (Manasa)Sarovara (Lake). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), this mountain is said to be the abode of gods.

Ekata was one of the sons of Sage Gautama. Dvita (Dwita) and Trita were his brothers. Trita was the greatest among the brothers. One day, Ekata and Dvita planned that along with Trita, they will collect the cattles from all their yajamānas (yajamana; those who get yajñas performed by the priest). When at night, Ekata […]

Ekātmā (Ekatma) is one of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).    “]  

Ekatvacā  (Ekatwacha) was one of the mātṛkā (marika; one kind of  lesser female deities ) who were present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (abhisheka; corronation ceremony) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

(Ekavira) is a river issued out of Sahyādri (Sahyadri; the mountain called Sahyadri in South India).

In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), it is mentioned that Goddess Śakti (Sakti; the divine manifestation of elemental female power or the feminine principle behind creation) is known as Ekavīrā (Ekavira) in Sahyādri (Sahyadri; a mountain in South India). In Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana) it is said that , Goddess Ekavīrā resides in a place that is a million yojana (a […]