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.

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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– […]

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.

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 […]

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, […]

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 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.

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.

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.

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 […]

Śvaphalka (Swaphalka) and Citraka (Chitraka) were the two sons of Pṛṣṇi (Prishni) or Vṛṣṇi (Vrishni) belonging to Yaduvaṃśa (Yaduvamsa; the genealogical line of  Yadu). Aśvavāha (Aswavaha) was one of the sons of Citraka. Probably , this Aśvavāha of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) is the same person mentioned as Aśvavāhu (Aswavahu) in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana).

A male offspring conceived by Satī (Sati) and fathered by Aṅgirā (Angira). A prominent sage. The descendants and disciples of this lineage grew into a clan or an order of sages (varga). The entire Atharvaveda divided in two parts is known as Atharvāṅgirasa (Atharvangirasa) Veda and the supremacy of Atharvaveda over Ṛgveda (Rigveda), Sāmaveda (Samaveda) […]

Atināmā (Atinama) was a great sage belonging to the lineage of the sage Pulastya. He was one of the saptarṣi (saptarshi; the Seven Great Sages) during the sixth manvantara (manwantara; epoch) ruled by Cākṣuṣa (Chakshusha) Manu. He has been mentioned in Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) as Atimān (Atiman). 

Atirātra (Atiratra) is the name of one of the ten sons sired by Cākṣuṣa Manu (Chakshusha Manu), ruler of the sixth manvantara (manwantara; epoch), to Naḍvalā (Nadwala). 

Atitejā (Atiteja) is one of the Great Seven Sages (saptarṣi; saptarshi) of the future manvantara (manwantara; epoch) ruled by Sāvarṇi (Savarni). The Puranic texts identify him as one belonging to the lineage of Pulaha. 

Since the Ṛgvedic (Rigvedic) period, Indian culture has conceived of the guest (atithi) as one who must be treated with respectful and humble hospitality and offered food and shelter. The host should do everything within his power to please the guest. Any yajña (yajna) would require fire (agni; imagined as the Fire-god), therefore fire has been […]

Atithi was a king of the Ikṣvāku (Ikshvaku) dynasty, son of Kuśa (Kusha) and grandson of Rāmacandra (Ramachandra). Atithi had a son called Niṣadha (Nishadha). 

Ādya (adya) was the name of one of the principal groups or gaṇa (gana) of deities in the sixth manvatara (epoch), which was ruled by Cākṣuṣa (Chakshusha) Manu. Atithi was one of the deities forming this gaṇa. 

One of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; one who has a vision of the mantra) ṛṣis (rishis, sages) belonging to the clan of Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). Ātmavan, son of Cyavana(Chyavana), married Ruci (Ruchi), daughter of King Nahuṣa. Sage Aurva was born from the uru (thigh) of Ruci. In a different version of Brahmāṇdapurāṇa, the name Āpravān (Apravan) can […]

Atri was one of the six supreme patriarch ṛṣi (rishi; sage) — like Marīci (Marichi) and Aṅgirā (Angira) — who were born at the onset of the Creation. Many legends are associated with the birth of these six prime sages, and the great sage Atri is no exception. The foremost of these legends is that all […]

Atunāntakya (Atunantakya) is mentioned in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana) as a sage belonging to the Caraka (Charaka) branch of Kṛṣṇa-Yajurveda (Krishna-Yajurveda; Black-Yajurveda). 

A hill beside the Kṛtamala river. It was known as Audbhida as the place consisted of various trees. Different types of animals like tiger, lion and deer were also visible in this hill.

Audumvarī (Audumvari) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. Agni is placed here, assuming the name of Ṛtudhāma (Ritudhama).

The sons or disciples of Sage Upamanyu are known as Aupamanyu, or Aupamanyava, in plural. In the Vedic age, they were basically known as an order well-versed in Vyākaraṇa (Vyakarana; Grammar). Yāṣka (Yaska), the author of Nirukta, has cited the opinion of these Aupamanyava in many places. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), it is said that , The […]

Aurva is a sage, belonging to the order of Bhṛgu(Bhrigu). In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), Mahābhārata (Mahabharata)and Purāṇa(s) (Purana),there are many legends related to the birth and life of Aurva. However, the earliest mention of sage Aurva can be found in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) and the ancient Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) texts. In a sūkta of the eighth cycle of […]

Auṣṭrakarṇa (Aushtrakarna) is a locality situated on the bank of the river Hlādinī (Hladini). The branch of Lohitya or Brahmaputra, flowing eastward is known as Hlādinī. Scholars think that the high flow of modern Brahmaputra is that very branch, and the site called Auṣṭrakarṇa was located by the river Brahmaputra in Eastern Himālaya (Himalaya). [See […]

In Uttama Manvantara, gods were divided in several gaṇa(s) (gana; genus). Pratardana is one of these gaṇa. Avadhya was one of the gods belonging to this gaṇa.

In Śāntiparva (Santiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that the airy sphere above the ground-level, where moisture from water is created by the help of sun-rays, is called ‘Pravaha’. The next sphere, whereto the clouds filled with moisture are transported from ‘Pravaha’, is called Āvaha (Avaha). Its modern name is Troposphere. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), […]

Avaragātra  (Avaragatra) is a Vānara(Vanara) warrior.

In the third Manvantara, when Uttama Manu was the ruler of the Manvantara, gods were divided in several gaṇa(s) (gana; genus). Pratardana is one of these gaṇa. Avarati was one of the gods belonging to this gaṇa.

Āvasathya agni is mentioned in Mahābhārata , while describing different types of Agni. Āvasathya agni is the fire contained in a small oven that used be required in Vedic yajña. This triangular oven would be of 25 fingers in length, and fire was brought to this oven from Gārhapatya agni. Āvasathya agni was placed towards […]

In Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), there is a list of the names of Śrutarśi (Srutarshi, those seers who are well-versed in Sruti or the Vedas) and the mantradrṣṭā (mantradrashta; seer of sacred hymns) sages. Sage Avaśāvadha (Avasavadha) is one of them.

Avasphūrya (Avasphurya) is one kind of Agni (Fire). This is also known as Vivasvāna (Vivaswana) or Āsthāna(Asthana) agni.

According to Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āvatī(Avati) is a disciple of Yājñavalka (Yajnavalka) . He is one of the exponents of Śukla-Yajurveda (Sukla-Yajurveda).

Avidheya is one of the underworld Naraka(s) (Hell).

Avimukteśvara is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi). After marrying Haimavatī (Haimavati) Umā (Uma), Nīlalohita Śiva, along with the other Śivagaṇa (Sivagana; associates of Siva), came from Himālaya (Himalaya) to Vārāṇasī and manifested himself as Avimukteśvara Liṅga (Avimukteswara Linga), and started residing here — devaḥ purā kṛtodvāhaḥ śankaro nīlalohitaḥ himavacchikharād […]

According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Tuṣita (Tushita) is one of the gaṇas (gana, genus) of the gods in Svārociṣa (Swarochisha) Manvantara. Āya(Aya) is a god belonging to this gaṇa.

Aya is a ṛṣi (rishi; sage) belonging to Agastyavaṁśa (the genealogical or disciple-wise order of Sage Agastya).

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Ayāsya (Ayasya) has been mentioned as Ayasya. Ayāsya was one of the sons born of the womb of Pathyā (Pathya), and sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṅgirā (Angira). In Purāṇa (Purana; Mythological Scripture), his name has been mentioned as one of the mantradraṣṭā (seer of holy hymns) sages of Veda. He […]

According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Dhātā or Dhātri  (Dhata or Dhatri) and Vidhātā or Vidhātri (Vidhata or Vidhatri)– two sons were born of the womb of Khyāti(Khyati), sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). Dhātā and Vidhātā got married to Āyati (Ayati) and Niyati, daughters of Meru. Āyati gave birth to a son named Mṛkaṇḍa (Mrikanda) […]

One of the six sons of King Nahuṣa (Nahusha). Yati , Yayāti (Yayati), Saṁyāti(Samyati), Āyati(Ayati), Viyati and Kṛti (Kriti)– these are the six sons of Nahuṣa. In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), Āyāti is named instead of Āyati, and in Viṣṇupurāṇa (Vishnupurana), the name is mentioned as ‘Ayāti’.

Ayomukhī (Ayomukhi) was the wife of Vighna, son of Kali.

A mantradraṣtā (mantradrasta; seer of mantra) ṛṣi (seer-sage). Āyu(Ayu) was one of the seer-sages belonging to the Caraka branch of Kṛṣṇa-Yajurveda (Krishna-Yajurveda).  

One kind of  Agni(fire). The dictionary meaning of Āyu (Ayu) is ‘life-force’. The Agni that abides in the body of living animals as a life-force, is referred to as ‘Āyu-Agni’ (Ayu-Agni) In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana) it is said that Āyu-Agni is the son of Śuci-Agni (Suchi-Agni) and father of Mahimān (Mahiman). According to Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), Āyu-Agni […]

Āyu is one of the sons born of Urvaśī , sired by Purūravā. In Brahmaṇḍapurāṇa, Vāyupurāṇa, Viṣṇupurāṇa and Bhāgavatapurāṇa it is said that Āyu is the eldest of the six sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. However, Matsyapurāṇa says that Āyu is the eldest of the eight sons of Urvaśī and Purūravā. In Vāyupurāṇa and Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa […]