In the beginning of creation, fourteen svaradhvani(s) (swaradhvani; vowel-sound) were created from the four-mouthed Brahmā (Brahma). Manu, ruler of the fourteen Manvantaras, was born of these fourteen vowels. Ṛ-kāra (Ri-kara) is the seventh among the voweḷ-sounds emanated from the mouth of Brahmā. From Ū-kāra, Vaivasvata(Vaivaswata) Manu was born. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), these fourteen vowel-sounds are […]

Puru was the son of Yayāti (Yayati). Raudrāśva(Raudrasva) was the third son of this Puru. Ten powerful sons were born of the womb of the Apsarā (Apsara; Celestial courtesan)Miśrakeśī (Misrakesi), and sired by Puru. Ṛceyu (Richeyu)was the eldest and the worthiest of these ten sons. Since Ṛceyu was so powerful , it was impossible to […]

Ṛchī(Richi) is the wife of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Apravāṇa (Apravana).  

Aṇuha(Anuha) was the son of king Vibhrāja (Vibhraja) belonging to Nīpavaṃśa (Nipavamsa; the genealogical line of Nipa). Ṛchī (Richi) was the wife of this Aṇuha.

Ten sons were born of the womb of Dyou, sired by Brahmā (Brahma). Ṛchīka (Richika) was one of them. In one sense, Brahmā is also called Vivasvān (Vivaswan). Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator has said that the sons of Dyou, as depicted in masculine gender, denotes Vivasvān Sūrya (Vivaswan Surya; the Sun-god), that is, they are […]

Bhumanyu, the adopted son of Bharata, king of Hastināpura (Hastinapura), fathered six sons who were born of the womb of his wife Puṣkariṇī (Pushkarini). The youngest of these sons was Ṛchīka (Richika).

Ṛchīka(Richika) is the son of Svāyambhuva (Swaymbhuva) Manu. [See Tviṣimantagaṇa (Tvishimantagana)]

In the second Dvāpara (Dvapara) of the future, God Śiva (Siva) will appear on earth in the name of Sutāra (Sutara). Ṛchīka (Richika) will be one of his four sons at that time.

In the eighteenth Dvāpara (Dvapara) of the future, God Śiva (Siva) will appear on earth in the name of Śikhaṇḍī (Sikhandi). Ṛchīka (Richika) will be one of his four sons at that time.

Ṛcīka (Richika) was a sage who belonged to the clan of Maharṣi Bhṛgu (Maharshi Bhrigu). In the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), in one instance it was said that Ṛcīka (Richika) was a son of Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). But according to some Purāṇas (Puranas), he was the son of Maharṣi Ūrva (Maharshi Urva) or Āpluvāna (Apluvana) who belonged to […]

Ṛddha(Riddha)  is one of the Sahasranāma(Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) . In Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand names of God Vishnu), Viṣṇu is mentioned twice by this name.

Ṛddha (Riddha) is one of the thousand names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). In Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of Thousand Names of Vishnu), Viṣṇu is addressed twice as Ṛddha (Riddha)

Ṛddhi (Riddhi) is the wife of Dhanapati (Lord of wealth) Kuvera, son of Viśravā (Visrava). She gave birth to a son called Nalakūvara (Nalakuvara), sired by Kuvera. In fact, the term ‘Ṛddhi’ denotes riches or an abundance of wealth. It is possibly for this reason, that Ṛddhi is conceptualised as the wife of Kuvera, the […]

Ṛddhimān(Riddhiman) is a Nāga(Naga; Snake) slain by Garuḍa (Garuda).

Ṛgveda (Rigveda) was the oldest instance of Indian as well as Indo-European population, its language, civilization, culture and literature. It was also the oldest text among the four Vedas. This text was created almost one thousand years before the birth of Christ. Some of the scholars believe that it was written around 1500-1400 BC. Indian […]

See Ṛṣivāsa (Rishivasa).

See Ṛṣivāsa (Rishivasa).

The forty nine Marut devatās (devata; god), sired by Maharṣi(Maharshi) Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), were born of the womb of Diti, the daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha). These Marut gods were divided into seven gaṇas (gana; genus). Ṛk(Rik) was a god belonging to the fourth amongst these gaṇas.

Ṛksahasrāmitekṣaṇa (Riksaharamitekshana) is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). The term Īkṣaṇa(Ikshana) derives from the Sanskrit dhātu (dhatu; verb-root) Īkṣ (Iksh), which means ‘to see’ or ‘to behold’. In this sense, amitekṣaṇa (amita + īkṣaṇa) denotes innumerable visualising organs. The Thousands and hundreds of mantras (hymns) in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) are […]

In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), we have the mention of the Ṛkṣa(Riksha) tribe, beside the other tribes such as the Vānara (Vanara). Sometimes the Ṛkṣa tribe is mentioned as identical with the Vānara tribe. In Purāṇa and Mahābhārata, it is said that Mṛgamandā (Mrigamanda), one of the daughters of Krodhā(Krodha) […]

Ṛkṣā (Riksha) is one of the wives of King Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha), belonging to Kuruvaṁśa (Kuruvamsa).

Ṛkṣa (Riksha) was one of the sons born of the womb of Dhūminī (Dhumini), wife of King Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha) belonging to Puruvaṁśa (Puruvamsa; the genealogical line of Puru). This son of Puru was probably the presverver of the main line of the kings of Puruvaṁśa. We get the name of Saṁvaraṇa (Samvarana), the son of […]

Ṛkṣā (Riksha) is a Mātṛkā (Matrika; a lesser female deity) who was present as an associate during the abhiṣeka(abhisheka; corronation) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ṛkṣa (Riksha) was the son sired by Ariha, and born of the womb of Sudevā (Sudeva), the princess of the kingdom of Aṇga (Anga). He married Jvālā (Jwala), the daughter of Takṣaka (Takshaka). Matināra (Matinara) was born of the womb of Jvālā, sired by Ṛkṣa. According to Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Ṛkṣa’s father, Ariha was the son […]

Ṛkṣa (Riksha) was the son of Puraṇjaya (Puranjaya), in the genealogical line of Nīla (Nila), son of King Ajamīḍha (Ajamidha), belonging to the royal line of Puru. Haryaśva (Haryaswa) was the son of Ṛkṣa. He is the founder of the royal line of Pañcāla (Panchala).

According to the Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), in the twenty fourth (in another opinion, twenty fifth) Dvāpara(Dwapara) Yuga, Maharṣi (Maharshi) Ṛkṣa(Riksha) will be Vyāsa (Vyasa).

The genealogical or disciple-wise line of Maharṣi(Maharshi; Great Sage) Ṛkṣa (Riksha) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśa (rishivamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise line of sages) belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi Aṇgirā (Angira). Maharṣi Ṛkṣa is mentioned in Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scripture) as one of the founder of the Āṇgirasa(Angirasa) gotra.

The dictionary meaning of Ṛkṣa (Riksha) is ‘star’ or a constellation. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), we have the term mentioned several times, in this sense. At one place in Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva), when Kṛṣṇa (Krishna)was about to go to Himālaya (Himalaya) for tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practice), Jāmvavatī (Jamvavati), his wife,  prayed so that he might have a […]

Rikṣa (Riksha) was one of the mountains in ancient India. In the Mahābhārata Purāṇa (Mahabharata Purana), it was mentioned as one of the Kulaparvatas of Bhāratvarṣa (Bharatvarsha). Sometimes Rikṣa (Riksha) parvata or mountain was renamed as Rikṣvāna (Rikshavana) parvata. In the ancient books, the position of Rikṣa (Riksha) or Rikṣvāna (Rikshavana) parvata was very clearly […]

Ṛkṣadeva(Rikshadeva) is the son of Śikhaṇḍī (Sikhandi). Elsewhere he is also mentioned as Kṣatradeva. In Droṇaparva(Dronaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata),  we find the description of the chariot and the horses of the son of Śikhaṇḍi. It is mentioned that the lotus-coloured horses from the land of Vāhlīka (Vahlika), carried his chariot.

A powerful Vānara (Vanara) born of the tears of God Brahmā (Brahma). One day, while practicing Yoga, tears rolled down his eyes. He took those tear-drops in both his hands and smeared it over his body. But one drop of tear fell on the ground and immediately, Ṛkṣarajā (Riksharaja) emerged from it. He was the […]

Ṛṇamocanatīrtha (Rinamochanatirtha) is one upa-tīrtha (upa-tirtha; a pilgrimage site of lesser importance) located in Āmalakagrāma (Amalakagrama; the village called Amalaka).

Ṛṇamocanatīrtha (Rinamochanatirtha) is a sacred site of pilgrimage in Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra). This is located nearby the river Sarasvatī (Saraswati).

Ṛṇamocanatīrtha (Rinamochanatirtha) is a pitṛtīrtha (pitritirtha; a pilgrimage site sacred to the forefathers’ spirits) located towards the south of Prayāga (Prayaga) and towards the north of Yamunā (Yamuna). It is a very worthy place for performing śrāddha (sraddha; ritual dedicated to the deceased. Visiting this site, one may be relieved of all ṛṇa (rina).

Ṛṇamocanatīrtha (Rinamochanatirtha)is a sacred site of pilgrimage on the bank of Gautamī Gaṅgā (Gautami Ganga)or Godāvarī (Godavari). The two sons of king Kākṣīvān(Kakshivan) did not get married, and therefore, they were unable to procreate and maintain the genealogical line. For this, their forefathers got angry with them, and God Brahmā (Brahma) advised them to visit […]

Ṛṇamokṣatīrtha (Rinamokshatirtha) is a tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Gayā (Gaya). God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) Janārdana (Janardana) abides in this tīrtha.

Ṛṇatīrtha (Rinatirtha) is a famous tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) on the bank of the river Narmadā (Narmada). Visiting this site, one gets relieved of all sorts of ṛṇa (rina; owing to someone or something; debts).

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) The vaṁśa (vamsa; genealogical of disciple -wise line) of Maharṣi Ṛṇavān is mentioned as one of the ṛṣivaṁśa, belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Viśvāmitra (Visvamitra). Maharṣi Ṛṇavān(Rinavan) is known as one of the gotra-pravartaka (founder of the clan) of the vaṁśa of Viśvāmitra.

See Ṛnavān (Rinavan).

Ṛṣā (Risha) is one of the daughters born of the womb of Krodhavaśā (Krodhavasa), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people) . She was the wife of Pulaha Prajāpati. She gave birth to five daughters, fathered by Pulaha. These daughters gave birth to several types of nautical animals.

King Nābhi (Nabhi), belonging to the genealogical line of Priyavrata, the eldest son of Svāyambhuva(Swaymbhuva) Manu, performed a yajña (yajna;fire-sacrifice), in order to get a son like God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). Appeased with his worship, God Viṣṇu blessed him –“Since there is nobody else like me in this world, I will partly incarnate myself in order […]

Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) was one of the three sons born of the womb of Paulomī Paulomi) Śacī (Sachi), and sired by Indra.

In the genealogical line of Vṛhadratha (Vrihadratha), king of Magadha, Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) was the son of Vṛhadratha (Vrihadratha). Kuśāgra (Kusagra), son of Vṛhadratha, was the father of Ṛṣabha. This Ṛṣabha had a son called Satyahita.

Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) was one of those Gopa boys who were playmates of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) in his childhood.

In the ninth Manvantara in future, when Dakṣasāvarṇi (Dakshasavarni) will be Manu, God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) will be incarnated as a son born of the womb of Amvudhārā (Amvudhara), and sired by Ayuṣmān (Ayushman). In this incarnation, his name will be Ṛṣabha (Rishabha).

One of the saptarṣi (saptarshi; legendary seven sages) in Svārociṣa (Swarochisha)  Manvantara. He is also mentioned as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa; descending from Sage Angira) in the Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture).

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Ṛṣabha (Rishabha)  is one of the four Dighastī (Dighasti; Mythical elephants, protecting the four sides of the world) .

It is described in Purāṇa(Purana; Mythological Scripture) that the inhabitants of Śākadvīpa (Sakadwipa; the island of Saka)were divided into four varṇas (varna; caste according to vocation) like the ancient Aryan society in India. Ṛṣabha (Rishabha) was one of the four varṇas prevalent among the inhabitants of Śākadvīpa. Probably the term Ṛṣabha was used to denote […]

A rākṣasa (rakshasa; a monster) who assumed the shape of a bull. Vṛhadratha (Vrihadratha), king of Magadha, killed this rākṣasa and made three large gongs with the skin and arteries of this rākṣasa, and placed them on Caityaka (Chaityaka) parvata (mountain).

Ṛṣabha is an ancient sage. In Rājadharmaparvādhyaya  (Rajadharmaparvadhyaya) included in Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) , Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira) asked Bhīṣma (Bhishma)– What is āśā (asa;hope) and what are its consequences?  In course of answering Yudhiṣṭhira,  Pitāmaha (Pitamaha; grandsire) Bhīṣma describes the discourse of Maharṣi Ṛṣabha and king Sumitra. Once hunting a deer, king Sumitra chased […]