The pure, frothless and clean water dedicated to the Deity for the purpose of washing His/Her mouth, is called ācamanīya (achamaniya). This water must be unmixed and clear, and if possible, incense can be added to the ācamanīya water. The worshipper may achieve long life, strength, fame and growth by offering this ācamanīya to the […]

At the outset of yajña (yajna) ceremonies, the priest of Ṛgveda (Rigveda), or ṛtvika (ritwika) used to execute the functions of both the priest and the hotā (hota) or the performer of the yajña. [See Ṛtvika, Hotā] Later, when the rituals of a yajña became more intricate, four priests or ṛtvika of Caturveda (Chaturveda) were appointed separate vedic tasks. […]

Bhagavān (Bhagavan, the Supreme Divinity) is known as Ādipuruṣa, since he, in the form of catuṣpāda (chatushpada; four-feeted) Dharma, is continuously protecting and nurturing the universe.

One of Mahādeva’s (Mahadeva) five faces. Positioned on the right, this face sports a frightening set of teeth. It dons a compassionate expression like Rudra’s right face.

The sons born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa)Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people), were known as Dānava (Danava; one kind of demon). Ahara was one of them.  

According to Kālikāpurāṇa (Kalikapurana), Aindrī (Aindri) is one of the eight Yoginī(s) (yogini; female associatesof a major Goddess)of Goddess Kauśikī (Kausiki).

According to Kālikāpurāṇa (Kalikapurana), eight Yogī(s), namely, Valabhadra, Pradyumna, Pradyumna’s son Aniruddha, Nārāyaṇa (Narayana), Viṣṇu (Vishnu), Brahmā (Brahma), Narasiṃha (Narasimha), Varāha (Varaha), are present together in the worship of Vāsudeva (Vasudeva). Aiśānī (Aisani) is one of the Yoginī(s) of these Yogī(s).

One of the sons born of Prajāpati Kaśyapa (Prajapati Kashyapa) to Dakṣa’s (Daksha’s ) daughter Danu. From Aṃśāvataraṇaparva (Angshavataranaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) it is known that king Śālva (Shalva) was born as an incarnation of Ajaka dānava (danava; a type of demon) in the Dvāparayuga (Dwaparayuga). Vṛṣaparvā (Vrishaparva), the king of demons, was a famous ruler whose younger […]

The upper portion of the mid-point of the eyebrows is known as the end of the the three major arteries. This end-part is three-pathed, with six angles , measuring four fingers in diameter. Yogis well-experienced in the Rakta-Candana yoga refers to this point as Ājñācakra (Ajnachakra).

A garland made of any of the following — crystal, indrākṣa (indraksha), rudrākṣa (rudraksha), seeds of putrañjīva (putranjiva) flower, gold, gemstones, corals or lotus seeds — can be called akṣamālā (akshamala; prayer beads). The most suitable custom for worshiping the Supreme Goddess is with a ring of kuśa (kusha) reed in the finger and akṣamālā.

A person from any of the four castes, namely brāhmaṇa (brahmana), kṣatriya (kshatriya), vaiśya (vaishya) or śudra (shudra), who does not stray from his obligatory duties, is known as akṣara (akshara).

Alaṃkāra (Alamkara; ornament) is celebrated as a giftable equipment, as described in Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scripture). Alaṃkāra is to be dedicated to gods at the time of worshiping. Giving ornaments as gift can yield the fruits of caturvarga (the four-fold goals of life), happiness, and it determines development and satisfaction. Alaṃkāra is of forty kinds. […]

Amṛtakuṇḍa (Amritakunda), filled with divine nectre, was located near Siddhakuṇḍa (Siddhakunda). Indra along with all other gods, established this kuṇḍa (kunda; reservoir), to please Mahādeva. [See Siddhakuṇḍa]

The renowned Ananta was born of Kaśyapa (Kashyapa) to Prajāpati Dakṣa’s (Prajapati Daksha’s) ninth daughter, Kadrū (Kadru). Tuṣṭi (Tushti) was Anantadeva’s wife. In the lower part of the hells lies kālāgni (kalagni), the fire of universal annihilation. Beyond that lies haṭṭaka (hattaka), and below that resides Anantadeva. He bears on his head like a grain […]

Ananta was the renowned son born to Kaśyapa (Kashyapa) and Prajāpati Dakṣa’s (Prajapati Daksha’s) ninth daughter Kadrū (Kadru). Anantadeva’s wife was called Tuṣti (Tushti). In the lower parts of the multitudes of hells lies the universal flame of annihilation or kālāgni (kalagni). Below that resides Anantadeva. Balanced on his head like a grain of mustard […]

A daughter born of Prajāpati Kaśyapa (Prajapati Kashyapa) to Dakśa’s (Daksha’s) daughter Diti.

One of Śiva’s (Shiva’s) one thousand names in the Aṣtottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama) incantation. Nīlkaṇtha, an annotator, in this one-thousand name incantation of Śiva, has connected the component lubdha to both nīla (nil) and aṅga (anga) derived from the composite nominal compound (dvandva samāsa; dwanda samas)—nīlastathāṅgalubdhaśca; and this is how he has explained the two aforementioned […]

Aṅgirā (Angira) or Aṇgirasa (Angirasa) is one of the six sons born to Brahmā (Brahma) at the beginning of Creation— marīcyatryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ; ṣaḍete brahmaṇaḥ putrā bīryavanto maharṣayaḥ. Numerous tales can be found in Purāṇas (Puranas) about the birth of the great sage Aṅgirā. Apart from describing him as a spiritually conceived son of […]

The primary and smallest physically perceivable unit of measurement of length was aṅgula (angula) or aṅguli (anguli) — tāsām āyāma-viṣkaṃbhān sanniveśāntarāṇi ca/cakrustadā mahāprajñaṃ mitvā mitvāntano’ṅgulaiḥ. When the sunrays enter a dark room through a narrow chink in the window one can see thousands of dust particles floating around in the luminescent stream of sun light, […]

A kind of kohl. There can be six types of añjana (anjana): sauvīra (sauvira), yāmuna (yaamuna), tuttha, mayūragrīvaka (mayuragrivaka), darvikā (darvika) and meghanīla (meghanila) — sauvīraṃ yāmunaṃ tutthaṃ mayūra-yāmunaṃ tathā/ darvikā meghanīlaśca añjanani bhavanti ṣaṭ. Ayurveda has use of all these six types of kohl. Sauvīra is the sap of a plant; yāmuna, a certain stone; meghanīla, a metallic element; and mayūragrīvaka, a gemstone. Kohl […]

According to scholars, the symbolic concept of Ardhanārīśvara lies in germinal form, in the Yama-Yamī Saṃāda of Veda. In Vṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad Parama Puruṣa was not capable of any kind of pleasure, being all alone, so he divided his soul into male and female, here also lies the seed of the Ardhanārīśvara concept. Again, in Śverāśvetara […]

Aruṇa is born of the womb of Vinatā, the eighth daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the great sage Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). He is the elder brother of Garūḍa (Garuda). He pleased Mahādeva (Mahadeva) with great tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practices), and was appointed the charioteer of the Sun-god, by grace of Mahādeva. Aruṇa’s wife’s name was […]

Āsana (Asana; a seat) is called Yogapītha (Yogapitha; the seat for Yogic practices). A seat like Yogapītha is called Āsana. Donating the āsana brings about good fortune and deliverence. An ascetic can use four types of āsana — made of kāṣṭha (kastha, wood), carma (charma; leather), vastra (cloth), and taijasa (metal). During worship, the devotee […]

In Veda(s), we have the mention of the Rudra(s), the Marud(s) and the Viśvedeva.In the Paurāṇika age, the Rudra(s) and the Śivagaṇa (Sivagana; associates of Siva) were known as Gaṇaśakti (Ganasakti). In this light, the female associates of Goddess Durgā (Durga) are sometimes called the Mātṛkā (Matrika; an order of lesser female deities), sometimes Devīśakti […]

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 […]

Atibāhu (Atibahu) was one of the most prominent gandharva (demigods proficient in musical, magical and martial abilities). He was the son of Sage Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) and Prādhā (Pradha), the tenth daughter of Prajāpati Dakṣa (Prajapati Daksha), the famous patriarch. 

Sacrifice or bali is a means to satisfy Caṇḍikā (Chandika), a form of the Supreme Female Energy. Atibali is another term for human sacrifice for the goddess. 

Atirātra (Atiratra) is a special kind of a yajña (yajna) or yāga (yaga), a type of Somayāga (Somayaga). Its ancientness can be guessed from its mention in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) – brāhmaṇāso atirātre na some/ saro na pūrṇamabhito vadantaḥ.  During night, in three segments of paryāya (paryaya) Atirātra is observed. In each segment a cup full of […]

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 […]

When God Brahmā(Brahma) got into a state of sensuous arousal, seeing Satī (Sati), daughter of Dakṣa(Daksa), Brahma’s bright and burning genital fluid fell upon the ground. From that Brahmavīrya (Brahmavirya; semen of Brahmā), emerged the great-sounding clouds called Āvarta (Avarta). When this cloud, roaring, pervaded the sky, Mahādeva (Mahadeva) got attracted to Satī(Sati) and felt […]

Ayaḥśiras (Ayahsiras) or Ayaḥśirā (Ayashsira)  is one of the Asura(s) born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by the Prime Father Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). In the age of the Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava) and Kaurava(s), one king of the Kekaya kingdom was born as a partial incarnation of him. In the Upaparva called […]

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).

The figure and characteristics of Indra  as depicted in Mahābhārata-Rāmāyaṇa-Purāṇa is completely different from that of his acts and manners as described in  old Veda and Brāhmaṇa treaties. Indra in/of Veda  the greatest warrior, he is slaughter of Vṛtra, Namuci, Śuṣṇa, Cumuri, Dhuni, Śambara, Pripru, Vala, Arbuda, Kuyava — killing these dangerous demons/Asuras he is […]

Īśvara (Iswara) is the grandson of Ruru and one of the sons of Vāhu (Vahu).

Īśvarī (Iswari)  is one of the eight Yoginīs ( Yogini; a kind of female deity, associate of a major Goddess like Durga or Kali) of the goddess Ugracaṇḍā (Ugrachanda).

Oṣadhiprastha(Oshadhiprastha) is a valley-based city located in bosom of the Mountain Himālaya (Himalaya). Mahādeva (Mahadeva), whose flag is borne by his Vṛṣabha (Vrishabha; Ox), once settled upon a mountain range near Oṣadhiprastha. It seems that in this place, several oṣadhi (oshadhi; herbal medicine) beneficial to humankind, are available.

Ṛtudhṛk(Ritudhrik) is one of the seven sons born of the womb of Keśinī (Kesini), who was the daughter of Māndhatā (Mandhata), and sired by Devasena, son of Kumuda, in the genealogical line of Bhairava, a follower of God Śiva (Siva).

The thighs of Goddess Satī (Sati, wife of Siva, and an incarnation of Goddess Durga) fell down in he place called Uddīyāna (Uddiyana). In this place, the Goddess is known as Kātyāyanī(Katyayani).

Uḍra (Udra) was the name of an ancient region in India. It was the part of the Utkala state. In the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) and the Purāṇas (Puranas), Uḍra (Udra) was described as a famous place at the southern part of India- Tatrāste Bhārate Varṣe dakṣhiṇodadhisaṇsthitah. Oḍradeśa iti khyatah Swargamokṣapradāyakah. Here Oḍreswara Jagganāthadeva (Odreswara Jagganathdeva) was […]

In the Kālikā Purāṇa (Kalika Purana), it was said that Mahādevī Durgā (Mahadevi Durga) killed Mahiṣāsura (Mahishasura) thrice in three different manifestations. In the Ādi Sriṣti (Adi Srishti) or in the beginning of creation, she killed Mahiṣāsura (Mahishasura) as Ugracaṇḍā (Ugracanda). In the second creation, Mahiṣāsura (Mahishasura) was killed by her in the manifestation of […]

Umā is the daughter of Himālaya, king of the mountains, and wife of God Śiva-Mahādeva. In Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Maharṣi Viśvāmitra was taking Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa for slaying Tāḍakā. On the way, seeing Suradhunī Gaṅgā wanted to know about the history of the origin of Gaṅgā. In that context, Viśvāmitra said, Himavāha parvata, resource of all […]

Ūrdhvavāhu(Urdhvavahu) is a dānava (danava; demon). He is one of the sons sired by Prajāpati (Prajapati; Ruler of the people) Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), and born of the womb of Danu, the third daughter of Prajāpati Dakṣa(Daksha).