One of the thousands names of Lord Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

Abhibhū(Abhibhu) was the king of Kāśī (Kasi). He joined the Pāṇḍava(s). A prince of Kāśī also participated in the war, and probably he was the son of Abhibhū (Abhibhu). He is mentioned in Droṇaparva (Dronaparva). Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra)asked Sañjaya about the chariots of the warriors.Among many others, Sañjaya mentioned the prince of Kāśī, and said, his […]

Avidheyātmā (Abhidheyatma)  is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand Names of God Vishnu).

Abhigamya is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma ( Ashtottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). The prefix ‘abhi’ means at the front, and gamya means that which can be accessed. So the entire meaning of Abhigamya denotes one whose blessings can be attained with ease.. If devotees stand in front of him and […]

Abhijit is a nakṣatra (nakshatra; star), the twenty second among the twenty eight major stars; Brahmā (Brahma)is its presiding deity. Abhijit was like the younger sister of the star Rohiṇī (Rohini), and she got jealous of Rohiṇī. In order to attain the respect due to seniority, she went off to forest to perform tapasyā (tapasya, hard […]

Abhimanyu was the son born of the womb of Subhadrā, sister of Sāraṇa and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Varcā or Varcas, son of Candra (the Moon-God) was born as the son of Arjuna. In the Aṃśāvataraṇa adhyāya it is said that– yastu varcā iti khyātaḥ somaputraḥ pratāpavān so’bhimanyurvṛhat kīrtirarjunasya suto’bhavat. His arms were long, breast wide, and eyes […]

Abhiprāya (Abhipraya) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand Names of God Vishnu).

Ābhīra (Abhira) is an ancient tribe dwelling in the basin of the river Saraśvatī (Saraswati). In Mahābhārata(Mahabharata) and Purāṇa (Purana), we find that ‘Abhīra’ is mentioned along with the Śūdra (Sudra) people — śūdrābhīragaṇāścaiva ye cāśritya sarasvatīm. In the army of Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna), the Ābhīra people were included along with other non-Aryan tribes.During the battle […]

Abhīru (Abhiru) is a king born in Martyaloka (earthly abode) in Dvāparayuga (Dwaparayuga; the Dwapara era). In Aṃśāvataraṇaparva (Amsavataranaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is described that eight Kālakeya (Kalakeya)Asura(s) were born as distinguished kings in this world , in Dvāparayuga. Abhīru was born as an incarnation of the Kālakeya Dānava(s) (Danava; Demon).

In the upaparva title ‘Jayadratha-vadha’, in Mahābhārata, two communities called ‘Dārva’ and Abhisāra are found to be fighting with Arjuna – dārvābhisārā daradāḥ puṇḍrāścaiva sahasrasaḥ Elsewhere in Mahābhārata, the Abhisāra community is mentioned along with other Kashmiri tribes. They were probably living on the frontiers of Kāśmīra (Kashmir). Elsewhere, they are mentioned along with the […]

Abhiṣeka (Abhisheka; Coronation) was a matter of high importance in the Vedic period. In Brāhmaṇa-texts, the description of this ceremony became more important than in Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) or Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Moreover, the names of some famous kings of Sūryavaṃśa (Suryavamsa; The Solar Dynasty) or Candravaṃśa (Chandravamsa; The Lunar Dynasty) can be found in these Brāhmaṇa-texts, […]

Abhīti (Abhiti) is one of the Mātṛkā (Matrika; an order of lesser female deities), present during the coronation of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Abhūḥ(Abhuh) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) as described in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra).

Son of Subala, who was the king of Gāndhāra (Gandhara), and brother of Śakuni (Shakuni). This brother-in-law of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra) was seen for the first time in the Rājasūya yajña (Rajasuya yajna) of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira).  It has been seen that the name of Acala’s other brother Vṛṣaka (Vrishaka) was always uttered along with that of […]

Acala (Achala) was one of the attending warriors who aided Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya) at the time of killing Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). 

One of the names of Viṣṇu (Vishnu). Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotra (Visnu Sahasranama Stotra; hymns praising the thousand names of Viṣṇu) we find acala (achala) uttered as one of the names of Viṣṇu. Similarly, in Mokṣadharmaparva (Mokshadharmaparva) in Śantiparva (Shantiparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) Acala is one of the two hundred names of God which are uttered by Nārada (Narada). The one who […]

Acalā (Achalaa) was a mātṛkā (matrika; lesser female deity) present during the coronation of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya) as an attendant.

One of the thousand and eight names of Śiva (Shiva). He is addressed as Sthira (Static), Sthāṇu (Sthanu, motionless), etc. because he is thought of as possessing the static, immovable form of Brahma. He is also famous as Acalopama based on the same idea of Brahma. Nīlakaṇṭha (Neelakantha), the annotator, while elucidating the meaning of […]

In course of life there are some observable duties, that are called are Ācāra (Achara). We do not make these codes by ourselves, which are considered as duties and advised to perform by honest, good and great men, those are called Ācāra. Those are positive and having good significance and therefore they are called sadācāra […]

The greatest epithet of a teacher is Ācārya. In course of writing on several sūtra (sutra; formulae) of Pāṇini (Panini), Patañjali (Patanjali), the author of Mahābhāṣya(Mahabhashya) has mentioned four types of teachers — Ācārya (Acharya), Upādhyāya (Upadhyaya), Śikṣaka (Sikshaka) and Guru. Amongst these, Guru is the most common epithet, and Ācārya is the highest. Patañjali himself […]

One of the names of Mahādeva Śiva (Mahadeva Shiva). In the Śiva Sahasranāma Stotra (Shiva Sahasranama Stotra; the hymn praising the thousand names of Shiva), the word acintya (achintya) is mentioned twice as one of the names of Mahādeva. The word acintya refers to the one who cannot be validated, proved or established through logic, reason or idea. […]

One of the thousand names of god Viṣṇu (Vishnu) mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasreanamastotra; hymns praising the thousand names of Viṣṇu). In the Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra, Viṣṇu is addressed as Śrīhari Acyuta (Shrihari Achyuta) thrice. Other than that, even in the epics and Purāṇas (Puranas) the name Acyuta is mentioned many times.

In the ancient times, the areas inhabited by the people belonging to the lower castes were referred to as acyutasthala (achyutasthala). It is a common adjective. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) the areas specified as acyutasthala were deemed uninhabitable. yugandhare dadhi prāśya ūṣitvā cācyutasthale tadvadbhūta laye snātvā saputrā vastumarhasi. Inhabiting acyutasthala requires one to perform special ārādhanā […]

One of the warriors who fought alongside the Kauravas in the battle of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra). His name actually was Acyutāyus, which took the form of Acyutāyu (or Acyutāyuḥ) without declension. He was often mentioned along with the name of Śrutāyuḥ (Shrutayuh) or Śrutāyus (Shrutayus). Even though they were said to be very strong and powerful, and […]

Aḍambara (Adambara) was one of the two lackeys of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya) presented to him by the Supreme Being for enhancing Skanda’s strength. 

One of the major names of Śiva (Shiva) featuring in the Aṣtottarasahasranāmastotra (Ashtottarasahasranamastotra; an incantation recounting one thousand and eight names of Śiva). Elucidating this appellation of Śiva, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) observes – adambhaḥ nāsti dambho damako yasya. The term adambha literally refers to the one having no dambha or vanity […]

One of the follower-warriors of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya). When the gods corronated Skanda-Kārtikeya as their Senāpati (Senapati; General), some distinguished gods including Indra  gave Kartikeya some of their own followers, to help him. Āḍamvara (Adamvara) is one of the five followers given to Kārtikeya by Dhāta (Dhata).

For the purpose of obliterating the Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon), Mahadevā (Mahadeva) created innumerable mātṛkā (matrika; female deities of a lesser category) from his own body to be of service in the execution. Adarśanā (Adarshana) is one prominent mātṛkā.    

A kind of Agni (fire or the Fire-god). A son named Vibhūrasi (Vibhurasi) was born to Adbhuta Agni.

An important appelation of Viṣṇu (Vishnu) mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; hymns praising the thousand names of Viṣṇu)

Before the great war Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) ventured to Hastināpura (Hastinapura) to meet Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra) with his final proposal for peace. On his way, Kṛṣṇa encounters several sages who wanted to accompany him to the Kaurava court for listening to his erudite and sagacious discourse. One prominent sage among them is the great sage Adhaḥśirā (Adhahshira).

One of the major names of Śiva (Shiva) featuring in the Aṣtottarasahasranāmastotra (Ashtottarasahasranamastotra; an incantation recounting one thousand and eight names of Śiva). He is instated beyond and above the limits of material wealth and prosperity, ornamentations and embellishments, and therefore, Purāṇas (Puranas), as well as localized folk tales, depict Śiva as an impoverished pauper. From […]

One of the Sahasranāma(Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu

One of the important names of Śiva (Shiva) featuring in the Aṣtottarasahasranāmastotra (Ashtottarasahasranamastotra; an incantation recounting one thousand and eight names of Śiva). The word dharṣaṇa (dharshana) comes from the root dhṛṣ (dhrish) which means being angry or envious and so on. God is contemplated in his tranquil and benevolent manifestation in the name Śiva. He is […]

An important appelation of Viṣṇu (Vishnu) mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; hymns praising the thousand names of Viṣṇu)

In Vanaparva of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) the great sage Pulastya describes several holy places, Adhivaṇga (Adhivanga) being one of them. It is depicted in Mahābhārata that this sacred place is inhabited by Yakṣas (Yaksha) or Guhyakas who are the caretakers of the treasures of the world. Visiting this holy place gives people the chance to live in […]

A township referred to in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). It is considered the same to be as the Karūṣa (Karusha) region that is mentioned in Purāṇas (Puranas). Possibly, it refers to the region of Rewa in Baghelkhand in central India. It lies to the south-west of Allahabad, 131 miles away. It is situated to the north east […]

One of the one thousand names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

This is a reference to Kṛṣṇa (Krishna). Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) has defined the word adhokṣaja (adhokshaja) as such— adhokṣaja is one the lower part of whose body never undergoes any decay, that is, one who never descends or goes downwards—adho na kṣīyate jātu yasmāttasmādadhokṣajaḥ. According to the annotator Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the word has been compounded in such […]

A river mentioned in Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana). Adhṛiṣyā (Adhrishya) is a river referred to during a discussion of the various ordinary rivers and countries in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

One of the one thousand names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

The word adhvara signifies yajña (yajna). The verbal root dhvar means to be violent. Subsequently, the words dhvaraṇa (dhvarana), or dhvara mean violence. That which has no brutality is known as adhvara— adhvara iti yajñanāma. dhvaratirhiṃsākarmā. During yajñas, grace is bestowed on everyone. The question, however, may arise that there is violence in the animal sacrifice involved in […]

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. […]

Ten kinds of people are fit to take up studies. They include the son of a teacher, one who is engaged in taking care of others and attending to others’ needs, a purveyor of various kinds of knowledge, a religious or pious person, one who is virtuous or pure, one who is capable of receiving […]

Ādi(Adi) is one of the names of God Śiva-Mahādeva9Siva-Mahadeva), mentioned in Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand Names of Siva). He has also been addressed as Ādya (Adya). The commentator, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), has thus analysed the meaning of the name Ādi — ādi sarvasmāt prathamaḥ. The same idea has been expressed in the clarification of […]

One of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) mentioned in Viṣṇusahasranāmastotra (Vishnusahasranamastotra; Thousand Names of Vishnu in the form of a Hymn). In this stotra, Viṣṇu has been twice addressed as Ādideva (Adideva).  

Ādikara (Adikara) is another name of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), since he is the Ādi (Adi) or the Beginning of the universe.

Ādikara (Adikara) is one of the names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu), since he is the primary entity of the universe.

One of the names of God Śiva (Siva), mentioned in Śivasahasranāmastotra. Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator, while clarifying the meaning of the name ‘Ādikara’, has said — Ādikaraḥ hiraṇyagarbhasrastāḥ. In one of the mantras in Ṛgveda (Rigveda) it is said that, in the beginning of creation, there had been only Hiraṇyagarbha. He is the creator and […]

One of the important names of  Śiva-Mahādeva (Shiva-Mahadeva). The term dīna carries several connotations in Sanskrit : grief, despair, defilement, poverty etc. Mahādeva is the manifestation of Brahma (the Supreme Being), of wisdom, of overwhelming bliss; a symbol of sanctity and luminosity. Therefore, grief, despair or defilement cannot affect Mahādeva. He remains instated beyond these […]