Matsyapuraṇa (Matsyapurana) refers to Aṃśumāna (Angshumana) as one of the horses that pulled the Moon’s chariot.

During ancient times, there was a noble sage known as Kauśika (Kaushika). He had seven sons who committed the sin of slaughtering cows and as a result, were born, in their next birth, to a family of hunters. Thereafter, they were born as ruddy geese on the waters of the Mānasa (Manasa) Sarovara. One 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, […]

One of the seven varṣaparvata (varshaparvata; principal mountains) in the mythical land of Śākadvīpa (Sakadweepa), one is Śyamaparvata (Syamaparvata; the Syama Mountains). Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) identifies the country at the foothills of Śyamaparvata as Anīcaka (Anichaka) or Anīcakavarṣa (Anichakavarsha; the land or country called Anīcaka). Etymologically the adjective anīca (anicha) means ‘not low’ or ‘high’. Such an interesting name of the […]

Aniruddha was a grandson of Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) and son of Pradyumna. He took training of martial arts from Arjuna, the third Pāṇḍava (Pandava) brother. When the Pāṇḍavas had scarcely got the kingdom of Indraprastha, along with many other kings and noblemen, Kṛṣṇa’s progeny also visited King Yudhiṣṭhira (Yudhishthira) there. Some of them stayed back at the city to receive […]

A site of pilgrimage situated on the southern bank of the holy river Narmada; it has been alluded to in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) and Kurmapurāṇa (Kurmapurana). The piety obtained at this sacred site from ablution, charity, feasts and making sacramental offering to the manes has been described in Purāṇas. It is assumed that there is an idol of […]

The name of an idol of Śiva or a Śiva linga situated on the banks of Narmada. Those who visit this holy site of pilgrimage are cleansed of all their sins.  

The term ‘Anta’ means destruction or death. Yama is known as Antaka as he controls the death of all creatures. When Sāvitrī (Savatri), going to Yamaloka , prayed to Yama in order to get her husband’s life back, she addressed Yama as Antaka at that time. sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ yasmādantakaro mahān tasmāt tvamantakaḥ proktaḥ sarvadevairmahādyute. [See […]

Antardhāna (Antardhana) is the son of king Pṛthu (Prithu). A son named Havirdhāna (Havirdhana) was born of the womb of his wife Śikhaṇḍinī (Sikhandini), and sired by Antardhāna. According to Bhāgavatapurāṇa (Bhagavatapurana), Vijitāśva (Vijitaswa) was the original name of this son of Pṛthu. He received the lessons of Antardhāna (the art of disappearing from the […]

Yadu, the eldest son of Yayāti (Yayati), had five sons. According to the reading of Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Antika was one of these five sons of Yadu.

Anu was the second son sired by King Yayāti (Yayati) to Śarmiṣṭha (Sarmishtha).  When Yayāti, cursed of acquiring untimely senility by Śukrācārya (Sukracharya), requested each of his sons to exchange his youth with the king’s old age, Anu directly refused this plea of his father. He said that old men, like infants and lowly people, eat whenever […]

Aṇuha (Anuha) was a son of Vibhrāja (Vibhraja), a king of the Nīpa (Neepa) dynasty. His wife was Kīrti [Kirti; some texts mention her as Kṛtvī (Kritwi) or Kīrtimatī (Kirtimati) as well], daughter of Śukadeva (Shukadeva) and granddaughter of Vedavyāsa (Vedavyasa). With Kīrti, Aṇuha sired Brahmadatta who became famous as rājarṣi (rajarshi; a sagely king).  In […]

Anujībī (Anujibi) are those subordinates of a king who depend on the king for their livelihood. An entire chapter of Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) is dedicated in the discussion of how they should behave in front of the king and behind him, and what their conduct towards ministers, bureaucrats, princes and other near and dear ones of […]

Anumati is a ṛṣi (rishi; sage). Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) mentions his name as a sage belonging to the order of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). So, it can be assumed that Sage Anumati was connected to Bhṛguvaṁśa (Bhriguvamsa) through a genealogical or disciple-wise line.

Śrutakīrti (Srutakirti), one of the daughters fathered by Śūra (Sura) to the Bhoja princess, was the queen of the Kekaya king. A son called Anuvrata was born out of this marriage. Although Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) states that Anuvrata was the only son of Śrutakīrti, according to other Purāṇas (Purana) she had begotten five sons – one of whom […]

Anuvrata was a ruler of Magadha in Kaliyuga (‘the era of Kali’) known to rule for sixty years. A descendant of Bṛhadratha (Brihadratha), he was son of Kṣema (Kshema) and father of Sunetra. 

Anuvrata is one of the kings who ruled in Magadha in the Kali age. He was the son of Kṣema and father of Sunetra, in the genealogical line of Vṛhadratha. King Anuvrata ruled for sixty years.

Some portions of the annapiṇḍa(s) (annapinda; food in the shape of a ball, used in sraddha-rituals) that are placed on kuśa (kusa; a king of grass), to be offered to the deceased spirit, are given to the Brāhmaṇa(s). Since Brāhmaṇa(s) partake of the anna, that portion of the anna is called anvāhāryaka (anwaharyaka). yasmādannād dhṛtā […]

One of the Asṭavasu (Astavasu; eight Vasus), Āpa  (Apa) is a god with a celestial halo. He has four sons, namely –Śānta (Santa), Vaidaṇda (Vaidanda), Śāmva (Samva) and Munivakra. They are entitled to protect the yajña (yajna; ritual sacrifice). In Brahmāṇdapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana), the name ‘Āyu'(Ayu) or ‘Āya’ (Aya) has been used instead of Āpa. Vaitaṇda […]

Āpa (Apa) is one of the sons of the great sage Vaśiṣṭha (Vasishtha). In Svārociṣa (Swarochisha) Manvantara, those seven sons of Vaśiṣṭha became famous as the seven Prajāpati (Prajapati; ruler of the people) . Āpa is one of them.

In Matsyapurāṇa(Matsyapurana) it is said that the eight sons born of the womb of Sudevī (Sudevi), sired by Dharma, are called Āṣṭavasu(Astavasu; the eight Vasus). Āpa (Apa) is one of them.

Apāgneya (Apagneya) is a sage. The vaṃśa (vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great sage) Apāgneya (Apagneya) is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) (rishivamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) belonging to the pravara or gotra of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apāṇḍu (Apandu) is a sage. The vaṃśa (vamsa) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great sage) Apāṇḍu (Apagneya) is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s)(genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) belonging to the pravara or gotra (clan) of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apaprāvaraṇa (Apapravarana) is a hill-based locality or the community living in that region, mentioned in Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa (Brahmandapurana). In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana)., this is referred to as Kuthaprāvaraṇa (Kuthapravarana). In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), its name is Kuśaprāvaraṇa (Kusapravarana).

Aparānta (Aparanta) is an ancient locality. When Paraśurāma destroyed the Kṣatriya(s) (Kshatriya)for twenty one times, and freed the earth of the Kṣatriya clan, Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Kaśyapa(kasyapa) asked him to stop. He also told him, ‘You should not live here, rather go to the place across the southern sea. Thus instructed, Paraśurāma came there […]

Āpastamva(Apastamva) is a mantradraṣṭā ṛṣi (mantradrashta rishi; seer of the sacred hymns). In the Dvāpara(Dwapara) age, there is a decline of the intellect of the human beings. Then, the people detach themselves from Śiva, and get addicted to avarice, they become impatient. Gradually varṇasaṁkara (varnasamkara; caste-hybridity) increases and the varṇadharmāśrama (the codes of the varna […]

Āpastamvi (Apastamvi) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; great sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). From the name of Bhṛgu, they are also known as Bhārgava(Bhargava).

Āpastamvi (Apastamvi) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Aṇgirā (Angira). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they are also known as Āṇgirasa (Angirasa).

Āpasthūṇa (Apasthuna)is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Vaśiṣṭha(Vasishtha)). According to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Aṇgirā, they are also known as Vāśiṣṭhī (Vasishthi).

Apasyanta is one of the sons born of the womb of Sunṛtā (Sunrita), and sired by Uttānapāda (Uttanapada).

Apasyati is the eldest among the four sons born of the womb of Sunṛtā (Sunrita), and sired by Uttānapāda (Uttanapada), son of Svāyambhuva (Swayambhuva) Manu. According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), he was the elder brother of Dhruva.  

Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Apasyauṣa (Apasyausha) is one of the mantradraṣṭā (mantradrasta; seer of sacred hymns) sages belonging to the the vaṃśa (vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order of sages) of Maharṣi Aṅgirā (Angira).

Apatha is a hill-based locality mentioned in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana).

Āpava(Apava)  was a sage. For ten thousand years, he remained steadfast in his tapasyā (tapasya; a practice of ascetic penance) inside water. Kārtavīryārjuna (Kartaviryarjuna) destroyed his abode of penance. As a result, he got cursed. Once Āditya (Aditya) came to Kārtavīrya (Kartavirya) and asked him to make him satisfied. Kārtavīrya sought to treat him with […]

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) Āpavatsa (Apavatsa) is one of those gods whom one needs to worship during the foundation of the base of a new palace. It is said in Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) that Āpavatsa has to be offered dadhi (curd) as naivedya (food-offering).

Āpikāyani (Apikayani) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu) — as mentioned in the Purāṇas (Purana). From the name of Bhṛgu, they are also known as Bhārgava(Bhargava).

Āpiśī (Apisi) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśas (rishivamsas; hereditary or disciple-wise cults of the sages), belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharsi; great sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu) — as mentioned in the Purāṇa (Purana). From the name of Bhṛgu, they are also known as Bhārgava(Bhargava).

Āpītaka (Apitaka) is the son of Lamvodhara, belonging to the Andhra dynasty. He ruled for twelve years.

According to Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), Āpnuvān (Apnuvan) is one of the sons of Paulamī (Paulami), sired by Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Bhṛgu (Bhrigu). He is the father of Aurvva (Aurva). Āpnuvān is also one of the gotra-pravartaka (one who pioneers a clan) sages belonging to the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Bhṛgu (Bhrigu), as mentioned in […]

Apratīpī (Apratipi) is one of the kings belonging to the vaṃśa (vamsa; genealogical line or dynasty) of Jarāsandha (Jarasandha), who ruled Magadha in Kaliyuga (the Kali era). He was the son of Śrutaśravā (Srutasrava). He had a son called Niramitra. He reigned for thirty six years.

Apsareśatīrtha is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located on the bank of the rier Narmadā (Narmada). If some one takes a bath in this tīrtha, he is believed to have access heavenly pleasures and plays along with the Apsarā(s) (Apsara; Celestial courtesans). In Padmapurāṇa (Padmapurana) it is said that having a bath in […]

Prior to the performance of a Vedic yāga (yaga ; a holy fire-ritual) called ‘Upasat’, the Somalatā (the creeper named Soma, sacred to the Vedic rituals) is sprinkled with water in order to keep it alive. This act is called the āpyāyana (apyayana; gesture of greeting) of Soma. This act is performed for three days, […]

Ārāma (Arama) is a kind of artificial park or orchard. In Purāṇa (Purana), among the acts of social benefience –like the digging of a pond and so on, the establishment of ārāma (Arama)  was also an act of virtue, to be performed by a king. The procedure of the foundation of ārāma, as mentioned in […]

Ārcanāśana (Archanasana) is one of the ṛṣivaṁśa (rishivamsa, hereditory or disciple-wise line of sages)  belonging to the gotra (clan) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Atri, as mentioned in the Purāṇas (Puranas; Mythological Scriptures). Through the genealogical or disciple-wise line from Atri, they are also known as Ātreya (Atreya).

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 […]

The vaṃśa (vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Ardhapaṇya (Ardhapanya) is one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) belonging to the pravara (clan) of Maharṣi Atri. Ardhapaṇya was one of the clan-founders of Atrivaṃśa.

Ari is a ṛṣi (rishi; sage). The vaṃśa(vamsa; genealogical or disciple-wise order) of Maharṣi (Maharshi; Great Sage) Ari as one of the ṛṣivaṃśa(s) belonging to the vaṃśa-pravara (vamsa-pravara; clan) of Maharṣi Aṇgirā (Angira). He was one of the vaṃśa-pravardhaka (one who increases the order) belonging to the pravara of Maharṣi Aṇgirā.

Ariṣṭā (Arishta) is the daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha) Prajāpati (Prajapati; ruler of the people) and the wife of Kaśyapa (Kasyapa) Prajāpati. She was skilled in the art of music. The Kinnara(s) and Gandharva(s) (both are distinguished orders of demi-god-like beings), sired by Kaśyapa, were born out of her womb. Eight distinguished Apsarā(s) were also born of […]

Ariṣṭa (Arishta) was one of the nine sons of Vaivasvata Manu.

Ariṣṭa(Arishta) was the son of Vali, the demon-king. It is known that he participated in tārakamaya yuddha (tarakamaya yuddha; a mythical star-war).