Ulūka (Uluka) is the son of Śakuni (Sakuni), king of Gāndhāra (Gandhara). We see him present for the first time in the svayamvara sabhā (swayamvara sabha; an assembley where a princess chooses her own husband) of Draupadī (Draupadi). It is to be noted that a player of dice was often referred to as Kitava. A dice-player […]

Ulūka (Uluka) was one of the sons of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra). Amvā (Amva), while practicing tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic penance). was travelling across several sites of pilgrimage, and at that time she visited the hermitage of Ulūka. Along with other sages, he also came to see Bhīṣma (Bhishma) lying on his bed of […]

In Sabhāparva (Sabhaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), we get the name of a locality and the tribe living there, both called Ulūka (Uluka)  — on the route of Arjuna’s expedition. Arjuna basically won the northern countries, and most of the localities that came under his power, were hilly areas of Himālaya (Himalaya). Ulūku was also a […]

Ulūka is a Yakṣa (Yaksha; an order of demi-gods). He was one of the Yakṣa-warriors who had a fight with Garuḍa (Garuda), while he was bringing Amṛta (Amrita; the divine nectre).

Ulūpī is the daughter of the Nāga-king Kauravya, born of the genealogy of Airāvata, and she is the wife of  the third Pāṇḍava Arjuna. After the Pāṇḍavas’ marriage to Draupadī, at the suggestion of Nārada, the brothers thought of a way, to avoid any conflict among themselves regarding Draupadī. It was decided that Draupadī would […]

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 […]

Umlocā (Umlocha) is a distinguished Apsarā (Apsara; Celestial courtesan). She performed a dance during the birth ceremony of Arjuna.

In the war against Tārakāsura (Tarakasura), the gods selected and hailed Skaṇda Kārtikeya (Skanda Kartikeya) as the army chief of the divine army. At this time, Indra and other important gods sent some of their special followers with Skaṇda (Skanda) to help him in destroying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura). Uṇmāda (Unmada) was one of these three followers […]

In the war against Tārakāsura (Tarakasura), the gods selected and hailed Skaṇda Kārtikeya (Skanda Kartikeya) as the army chief of the divine army before the beginning of this great war. At this time, Indra and other important gods sent some of their special followers with Skaṇda (Skanda). These followers would eventually work as Skaṇda’s (Skanda’s) […]

One of the names of Lord Shiva. See Uṇmāda (Unmada).

Upabeṅā (Upabena) was a river from which the pious Agṇi (Agni) or fire was created.

One of the hundred sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra) and Gāndhārī (Gandhari). In the battle of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra), on the day of the killing of Jayadratha, he got killed by Bhīmasena (Bhimasena).

Upadeśakara (Upadesakara) was one of the eight thousand names of Śiva (Siva). Upadeśakara (Upadesakara) means someone who gives advice. Generally, parents, teachers and other senior persons give advice. Lord Śiva (Siva) is the God, the creator and nurturer of all the humans and he is like our guardian. He imparts the jñan (jnan) or knowledge […]

Upajalā (Upajala) is a river mentioned in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata). Jalā (Jala)and Upajalā (Upajala)–two rives flow by the two sides of the river Yamunā (Yamuna). Agni achieved predominance over Indra, by performing a yajña (yajna), on the bank of this river.

Upakāra (Upakara) was one of the names of Śiva Mahādeva (Siva Mahadeva). Commentator Nīlkaṇtha (Nilkantha) explained the meaning of the name of Śiva (Siva) as Upakāra (Upakara)- Upakāraḥ (Upakarah) Prīṇanarūpa (Prinanarupa)| ‘Prīṇana'(Prinana) means to produce satisfaction, to please. The meaning of Upakāra (Upakara) was also almost similar. The etymology of Upakāra (Upakara) indicates that after […]

In Virāṭparva of Mahābhārata, Kīcaka, brother-in-law of king Virāṭ, was slain by Bhīma. As a consequence of insulting Draupadī, his smashed body was found in the dance-court of the royal house. In  this context, the Upakīcaka(s) have been introduced here. Citing the śloka from Mahābhārata, Haridāsa Siddhāntavāgiśa has said that, after the death of Kīcaka, […]

Upakṛṣṇa (Upakrishna) is one of the follower-warriors of Skanda-Kārtikeya(Kartikeya). He assisted Kārtikeya (Kartikeya) while slaying Tārakāsura(Tarakasura).

The main and general meaning of Upāṁśu (Upamsu) indicates a kind of Mantrajapa (chanting of mantras or hymns). Upāṁśu (Upamsu) is also used as a conjunction to mean serenity- Upāṁśujarpabhede (Upamsujarpabhede) syād (syad) upāṁśu (upamsu) vijane’vyayam| In the Agni Purāṇa (Purana), it was said in the Mantraparibhāṣā (the text about the mantra or chants) that […]

Upāṃśu-vrata A term called upāṃśu-vrata can be found in Mahābhārata. It means some serious vow, unknown or previously undisclosed to others. Janamejaya, son of Parīkṣita wished to accept Somaśravā, son of sage Śrutaśravā. The sage proposed that the king should take another of his sons, charged with great ascetic powers, but with a condition. He […]

Upananda was one of the hundred sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Dhritarashtra)and Gāndhārī (Gandhari).  In Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra) he was fighting against Bhīmasena(Bhimasena) along with his other brothers, and he was killed by Bhīmasena. Upananda is also referred to as Upanandaka. Upananda and Upanandaka are one and the same. The ‘ka’ pratyaya is used to mean ‘own-ness’.

Two mṛdaṅgas (mridanga; one kind of earthen instrument) named Nanda and Upananda were posted upon in the flagpost of the chariot of Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthita). The two sounded well when the chariot was on the move. In Droṇaparva (Dronaparva)of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) , Upananda has been mentioned as Upanandaka.

Upananda is an warrior-associate of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya). He helped Skanda while slaying Tārakāsura (Tarakasura).

Upnananda – 2 Upanansa was one of the Nāgas (Naga; Snake) born of the womb of Kadru and Kaśyapa(Kasyapa) Prajāpati (Prajapati). Nārada (Narada), while describing the distinguished Nāgas living in Bhogavatīpuri (Bhogavatipuri), mentions the name of Upananda to Mātali (Matali).

Upanayana is a term which is much heard and much debated. Now Upanayana has become a religious practice, but it was no so earlier. Upanayana was probably suggestive of student-life, which was called Brahmacarya in another term. Later, another ritual started before upanayana, which was called Vidyārambha. Generally Vidyārambha started at the age of five. […]

The Brahma-conception as stated in Upaniṣad, has been hailed in the highest esteem in Mahābhārata and Purāṇa. The narrator of Mahābhārata itself, has established the greatness of the text, by calling it a narrative of elaboration of all that is in Veda and Upaniṣad– brahman-vedarahasyañca yaccānyat sthāpitaṃ mayā sāngopaniṣadāñcaiva vedānāṃ vistarakriyā. To describe the level […]

Upaplavya is a city mentioned in Mahābhārata. It was situated beside the capital of Virāṭ, the king of Matsya. After the twelve years̍ exile and one year̍s ajñātavāsa, Pāṇḍava(s) came to Upaplavya, and here the son of Arjuna, Abhimanyu, got married to Uttarā, daughter of king Virāṭ. On the occasion of this marriage, all the […]

Uparicaravasu is the son of Kṛtaka, king of Cedi, who was the descendant of Ṛkṣa, son of Ajamīḍha. His original name is Vasu, later he came to be known as Uparicaravasu. In Matsyapurāṇa, king Uparicaravasu or Khacaravasu is referred to as the son of king Uttānapāda. King Vasu went to tapovana and started hard ascetic […]

Upaśānta (Upasanta) is one of the Aṣṭottara (Ashtottara) Sahasranāma (Sahasranama) of God Śiva (Siva). In his Bhāratakaumudī (Bharatakaumudi) ṭīkā (tika), while explaining the meaning of ‘Upaśānta’, Haridāsa Siddhāntavāgiśa (Haridas Siddhantavagish) has said, — Upaśāntaḥ nivṛttakrodhaḥ. Rudra Śiva (Siva) gets angry very quickly, but he can also be calmed down with little effort. So he is […]

Upatyaka is a locality in India. It ids possible that people who lived in the valley-area of the hills, were known as Upatyaka.  

Upāvṛtta is one of the major localities of ancient India. In the beginning of Bhīmaparva in Mahābhārata, through the words of Sañjaya it is mentioned along with Anupāvṛtta, Kekaya, Svarāṣṭra or Surāṣṭra.  The name of this locality is also found in Vaudhāyana Dharmasūtra, where it is said that lower class people lived in Upāvṛtta and […]

Upayāja (Upayaja) is a sage. Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Yāja (Yaja) and Upayāja were two brothers. When Drupada, king of Pāñcāla (Panchala), performed a yajña (yajna) in order to get a son to kill Drupada, they became the priest of that yajña. [See Yāja ]

Upendrā (Upendra)  is a river in Bhāratavarṣa (Bharatavarsha; India).

Upendra is one of the thousand names of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu).

Uraga is an ancient locality, and the inhabitants of this locality were also known as Uraga.  From several śloka (verses) in various Purāṇa(s) (Purana; Mythological Scriptures), it is proved that the Uraga tribe refer to the Nāga (Naga; Snake) tribe. [See Nāga]

One of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu). While explaining the meaning of the name Ūrdhvaga (Urdhvaga), Śaṁkarācārya (Samkaracharya), the commentator, says — sarveṣāmupari tiṣṭhan ūrdhvagaḥ. The place of God Viṣṇu is above all deva(gods) and dānava(demons), he is the greatest of all — in this sense, Ūrdhvaga is one of the […]

Ūrdhvagātmā(Urdhvagatma) is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama; Thousand and eight names) of God Śiva (Siva). Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), has explained the meaning of this name as follows — ūrdhvagātmā upādhitrayāduparigata ātmā svarūpaṁ yasya. The term upādhitraya(upadhitraya; three entitlements) may have two connotations. The three guṇas (guna; attribute)– Sattva (Sattwa), […]

Ūrdhvaliṇga (Urdhvalinga; One whose genital organ is maintained upright, in control) is one of the Aṣṭottara Sahasranāma (Ashtottara Sahasranama; Thousand and Eight Names) of God Śiva (Siva). [See Ūrdhvaretā]

Ūrdhvasaṁhanana (Urdhvasamhanana)is one of the of God Śiva (Siva). While explaining the meaning of this name, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator has said — Ūrdhvasaṁhanana; śreṣṭho dṛḍhaśarīraścetyarthaḥ. The term ‘saṁhanana'(samhanana) means tough or firm. Nīlakaṇṭha has explained the name as an adjective for the tall and stout bodily shape of God Śiva.

Ūrdhvaśāyī(Urdhvasayi) is one of the names of God Śiva (Siva), as mentioned in Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; The Hymn of the Thousand names of Siva). [See Ūrdhvaretā]

In Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is said that Ūrdhvavāhu (Urdhvavahu) is one of the sages who have their place on the right side of Yama.

Ūrdhvaveṇīdharā (Urdhvavenidhara) is one of the Mātṛka (Matrika; a lesser female deity), who was present as an associate during the abhiṣeka (corronation) of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Kartikeya).

Ūrjayoni(Urjayoni) is one of the Brahmavādī (Brahmavadi; One who discusses the Grace of Brahman or the Absolute Divinity) sons of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage)Viśvāmitra (Viswamitra), mentioned in Anuśāsanaparva (Anusasanaparva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata).

One of the Sahasranāma (Sahasranama; Thousand names) of God Viṣṇu (Vishnu) . While discussing the name Ūrjita (Urjita), Śankarācārya(Sankaracharya) as commentaor, has said, — “valaprakarṣaśālitvāt ūrjita.” In Sanskrit, the term ūrjaḥ (ūrjas) means power or strength. So the term ūrjita may refer to the one who is powerful, energetic; at the same time it may […]

Ūrjitaśāsana (Urjitasasana) is one of the Sahasranāma(Sahasranama; Thousand Names) of God Viṣṇu(Vishnu).  

Ūrṇanābha(Urnanabha) is one of the hundred sons born of the womb of Gāndhārī (Gandhari), sired by Dhṛtarāṣtra (Dhritarashtra).

Urvarā (Urvara)  is a distinguished Apsarā (Apsara; Celestial courtesan). When Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Aṣṭāvakra (Ashtavakra) visited the court of Kubera, Urvarā was one of those who performed a dance to welcome him.    

In the Vanaparva of the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Urvaśītīrtha (Urvashitirtha) was a pious place. It was mentioned that if someone took a bath here, he would be blessed. This pious place was also mentioned in the Padma Purāṇa (Purana). But the actual location of this place was not indicated.

Urvaśī is one of the Apsarā(s) or celestial beauties. But she is not just ̍one of them̍. She has a special position among the other Apsarā(s) such as Menakā, Rambhā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī and so on. She has always been recognised as the greatest of all. In all the legends related to Urvaśī, her behaviour and […]

Urvaśītīrtha (Urvasitirtha) is a pilgrimage site located amidst the flow of the river Brahmaputra. While talking about the glory of the tīrtha(s), Bhīṣma (Bhishma) told Yudhiṣṭhira(Yudhisthira) about this site of pilgrimage. On the Purṇimā tithi (Purnima; the Full-moon day) of the month of Kārtika (Kartika), under the influence of the star Kṛttikā (Krittika), taking a […]

Kavi is Brahmā̍s son, born of his mental conception. In Mahābhārata, the eight sons of Kavi are referred to as Vāruṇa. Each of these eight sons of Kavi are referred to as ̍prajāpati̍.  Uśanā is one of them. This Uśanā is also known as Śukrācārya. In Ṛgveda, the name of Uśanā comes several times, and in […]