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 […]

Āḍi (Adi)is a terrible dānava (danava; demon). According to Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana), Āndhakāsura(Andhakasura) is the uncle of Āḍi. However, Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana) refers to Āḍi as being the son of Andhakāsura, who was slain by Śiva (Siva). In order to take revenge, Āḍi started performing a great tapasyā (ascetic practice). Pleased by his tapasyā, when Brahmā wished […]

In the Purāṇa, one hundred and one kinds of death has been mentioned. One amongst them is the inevitable death — when Kāla (Kala; Time, or the great destroyer), is ready to exterminate the human life. Besides, there is a mention of other hundred types of death, which are called āgantukamṛtyu (agantukamrityu; stranger-death). Disease, curse, […]

When God Srīhari (Shrihari) created Urvaśi (Urvashi) from his thighs, all the gods were bewitched by her. Mitra was one of the gods of the pair Mitrāvaruṇa (Mitravaruna). Urvaśī consented when Mitra sought union with her. But Varuṇa (Varuna) followed her, pulling at the corner of her dress. Urvasī told him, “Mitra has courted me […]

Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana) informs us of a different Agastyatīrtha (Agastyatirtha) which is located on the southern part of Aruṇādri (the Aruna Mountains). Aruṇādri or Arunācala lies to the west of Kailāsa (Mount Kailas). Therefore, this Agastyatīrtha lies on the bordering areas of northern India.It is said that a person who takes a holy dip at this […]

Agastyeśvara (Agastyeshwar) is a holy place of pilgrimage in the ancient region of Avantī (Avanti). The Purāṇas say that a person who takes a dip at this holy place goes up to Rudraloka after death.

A name associated with the bovine cattle as they are not suitable for violence or slaughter.  

Mahādeva’s (Mahadeva) third image or form; Atharvaveda praises this form of the lord.

Agni is the Sanskrit word for ‘fire’. Agni is one of the foremost among the Vedic deities. In regard of the number of Vedic hymns (sūkta; sukta) attributed to the deities, Agni comes only second to Indra (almost two hundred hymns have been dedicated to Agni). Since Agni’s deeds and actions are mainly observable on […]

Priyavrata, son of the first Manu Svāyambhuba (Svayambhuba) and Śatarūpā (Satarupa), is the father of Āgnīdhra. Vahirṣmatī (Vahirsmati), daughter of Prajāpati Visvakarmā (Prajapati Viswakarma), is Āgnīdhra’s (Agnidhra) mother. Āgnīdhra was the ruler of Jambudvīpa (Jambudwipa; a name of ancient Bharatabarsa), surrounded by the lavaṇasamudra (labanasamudra; salt-water sea) His nine sons became the rulers of nine varṣas (varsa; […]

Daśaratha’s (Dasharath) son Rāmacandra (Ramchandra), after slaying Rāvaṇa (Ravan) and enthroning Vibhīṣaṇa (Bibhishan) as the king of Laṅkā (Lanka), departed for the Gandhamādana (Gandhamadan) Hills along a bridge with Sītā (Sita) and Lakṣmaṇa(Lakshman). After this, with the intention of purification of himself and Sītā, Rāmacandra started residing at Lakṣmītīrtha (Lakshmitirtha) with Indra and other gods, […]

Agnitīrtha (Agnitirtha) is the name of a sacred place of pilgrimage in Prabhāsakṣetra (Prabhasakshetra). Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana) talks about the legend of this place. It is recounted there that the kings of the Haihaya dynasty once fell out with the sages of Bhṛgu’s (Bhrigu)clan. The sons of the Haihaya king Kṛtavīrya (Kritavirya) went on to kill […]

Agniveśya (Agniveshya) was a pious sage dedicated to religious austerities mentioned in Purāṇas (Purana). Kuśadhvaja (Kushadhwaja), the king of Kāśī (Kashi), was enamored by the beauty of his daughter and abducted her. This act, akin to that of a vulture, caused Agniveśya to call down a curse upon him which said that Kuśadhvaja would become a […]

In Vāyupurāṇa (Vayupurana), when the term Ahirvudhnya is used for the first time, it is referred to as one of the several yajñasthāna(s) (yajnasthana; place of fire-sacrifice). It is said that Ahirvudhnya is the name of gṛhapti (grihapati)agni or gārhapatya agnisthāna (garhapatya agnisthana, a ritual fireplace considered sacred for the life of a householder). Ahirvudhnya […]

Aindrī (Aindri) is another name of Ekānaṁśā (Ekanamsa), sister of Vāsudeva-Kṛṣṇa (Vasudeva-Krishna). Basically, she is a form of Śakti (Sakti) Mahāmāyā (Mahamaya).

In the clan of Maharṣi Hārīta (Maharshi Harita), there was a Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana) called Māṇḍūki (Manduki) who was well conversant in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas (Vedangas). The name of his wife was Itarā (Itara). She was devoted to her husband and she was pious in nature. Her son was called Aitareya. Actually he was named […]

Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana) chronicles that a certain sage named Akṣapāda (Akshapada) prayed to Varaṇeśvara Śiva (Varaneshwara Shiva) by the banks of the river Varaṇā (Varana) in Kaśi (Kashi), and thereby successfully attained divine grace under the order of pāśupata (pashupata) faith.

One of the mātṛkā (matrika; a leser female deity), associates of Skanda-Kārtikeya (Skanda-Kartikeya).

Āma(Ama) is Priyavrata’s son. His son is Ghṛtapuṣṭi(Ghritapusti). A varṣa(varsha; a vast plot of land) of Krauñcadvīpa (Kraunchadwipa ; the island named Krauncha) is named after Āma.

In such conditions as — during a journey from one place to another, or, if there is no priest present at the time of the birth of a son, or if the wife is menstruating, it is a custom to perform āmannaśrāddha (amannasraddha). [See Āmānna (Amanna)]

Amarakaṇṭaka (Amarakantaka) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. The lake Jvalā (Jwala)and the river Viśalyakaraṇī (Visalyakarani) are located here. Situated near the land of Kaliṅga, Amarakaṇṭaka is a siddhakṣetra, famed across the three worlds. Practicing tapasyā (tapasya; penance) in this place, one may attain great puṇya (punya; virtue). It is also a place well-recommended for performing […]

When God Śiva (Siva) divided his liṅga (linga; the divine manifestation of God’s genital organ) in several manifestations, one of these parts got established in Amarāvatī (Amaravati) as Amareśvara (Amareswara) liṅga.

Amareśvaragiri (Amareswaragiri) is a sacred site of pilgrimage, and the abode of Goddess Tripurā (Tripura). Devarṣi (Devarshi; Divine Sage) Nārada (Narada) brought Goddess Tripurā from Amareśvaragiri to Mahīsāgarasaṅgamatīrtha (Mahisagarasangamatirtha), in order to protect the later site.

A holy place of pilgrimage that falls within the area of Avantī (Avanti). One who pays a visit to this sacred place, gains kingdom and heaven. Attainment of divine grace is inevitable if one visits the deities Vīrabhadra (Virabhadra), Caṇḍikā (Chandika) and Siddheśvara (Siddheshwara).

A sacred pilgrimage site situated in Avantīkṣetra (Avantikhsetra). One who visits Ānandesvara (Anandeswara) , after taking a bath in Vijayatīirtha (Vijayatirtha), gets a pure and sinless body, and achieves a triumphant position in svarga (heaven).

At Lākula (Lakula), a holy place, Harapriyā Pārvatī (Harapriya Parvati) is known as Sarvamaṅgalā Anaṅgā (Sarvamangala Ananga). Alternately, at Bharatāśrama (Bharatashrama), Devī Bhagavatī (Devi Bhagavati) is renowned as Anaṅgā.

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 renowned place of pilgrimage situated in Avantīkṣetra (Avantikshetra). Ablution at this sacred site spares one’s ancestors from suffering in naraka or hell. Once Devī Pārvatī’s (Devi Parvati’s) skin turned dark. She was dismayed at losing her fair complexion. Even though Śiva (Shiva) consoled her, he also teased Pārvatī by calling her ‘Kālī’ (Kali). Enraged, she […]

Aṇḍakaṭāha (Andakataha) is situated at the end of andhakāra (andhakara, or darkness) and 44 crores 89 lakhs 80 thousand yojanas below it. The keepers of the eastern, southern, western and northern parts are Vasudhāmā (Vasudhama). Saṃkhapāla (Sankhapala), Takṣakeśa (Takshakesha) and Ketumāna (Ketumana) respectively. They, along with their respective wives Harasiddhi (Harasiddhi), Suparṇākṣhī (Suparnakshi), Bhāskarā (Bhaskara) […]

A sacred Śivaliṅga (Shivalinga) situated near Someśvara (Someshwara) or Somanatha, a part of Prabhāsakṣetra (Prabhasaksetra) [holy area of Prabhasa]. Aṅgāreśvara (Angareshwara) is located at the north-eastern corner of Somanatha.

According to Purāṇas (Puranas), the planet Maṅgala (Mangala; Mars) is red in colour and his complexion is blood red. He is Śiva’s (Shiva’s) son and born of him. Therefore, Mars is a form of Mahādeva (Mahadeva). Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana) chronicles that this ruddy complexioned form of Mahādeva had been manifested in Mahākālavana (Mahakalavana) on the bank […]

Aṃśu (Angshu) literally means ray or glow of light. According to Ṛgveda (Rigveda), when a certain portion part or aṃśa of the sacrificial moon-plant or somlatā (somlata) is grounded, what we have is known as aṃśu. Therefore, aṃśu is that which flows from the moon— pra syandasvba soma biśbebhiraṁśubhiḥ.  The word aṃśu literally refers to the moon, […]

An elephant famous in Purāṇas (Purana). He was fathered by the great elephant Airāvata (Airavata) to Abhramū (Abhramu) and lived in the netherworld (pātāla; patala). He was born in the lineage of another famous elephant Supratīka (Supratik). Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana) categorises him as one of the dighastī (dighasti). [See Dighastī] In the battle of Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra) […]

Upon being cursed, apsarā (apsara) Puñjikasthalā (Punjikasthala), daughter of the Water-god Varuṇa (Varuna), was born as the daughter of Kuñjara (Kunjara), the vānara (vanara; monkey) king [here ‘monkey’ must be read in terms of the ethnic group of people who used to wear the totem of monkey] and married off to another vānara king, Keśarī (Kesari). This […]

Añjanī (Anjani) was the wife of Hemasadana, the king of Magadha. A son named Budha was born to the couple. 

A great place of pilgrimage in the vicinity of the Avantī (Avanti) area. Any pilgrim who pays homage to the shrine of Rāma-Janārdana (Ram Janardan) at Aṅkapāda (Ankapad) does not have to visit Yamaloka. Balarāma (Balaram) and Kṛṣṇa (Krishna) took birth in the Yadu clan in order to cleanse the world of all evil. They […]

The place where Indra, king of gods, came out, tearing off the kukṣi (kukshi; the side of body where the arm joins the torso) of Vṛtrāsura (Vritrasura), was located in between the rivers Gaṅgā (Ganga) and Yamunā (Yamuna). The corpse of the powerful demon fell there. The name of this sacred place is Antarvedī (Antarvedi).

Aparadvārakā (Aparadwaraka) is the goddess who protects the eastern gate of the city of Dvārakā. This goddess lives in Mahīsāgara-saṅgamatīrtha (Mahisagara-sangamatirtha)along with her 24000 crores of family(associate-goddesses). Devarṣi (Devarshi) Nārada (Narada)was able to bring this goddess to Dvārakā, by performing a long tapasyā (tapasya; hard ascetic practices). On the navamī (navami) tithi of the month […]

For the saints, monks and hermits, the act of renouncing everything, and for the householders, the act of renouncing things belonging to others, is called Aparigraha. In Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Aparigraha is conceptualised as the manifestation of Brahman, or the Supreme Self — aśavdaṃ aparigraham. Parigraha means to accept things or mpney from people. Aparigraha is […]

After Madanabhasma (the burning of Madana), Mahādeva (Mahadeva) disappeared and Pārvatī (Parvati; daughter of Parvata; that is the mountain Himalaya) Umā(Uma) started tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practice) for him. She made an altar at the very place where Rudra-Śiva burned Madana, and started her tapasyā, sitting there. During this hard ascetic practice, she lived only on […]

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 […]

Goddess Gaurī (Gauri; the fair one) or Pārvatī (Parvati), like a fond mother and nurse, gives suck to all humankind. So she is referred to as Āpītakucā (Apitakucha; a mother-figure with ripe breasts, that have been sucked to the full, or moderately). Goddess Pārvatī, through her union with Aruṇādri (Arunadri, the mountain Aruna), came to […]

Once goddess Gaurī (Gauri), becoming angry with Mahādeva (Mahadeva), left Kārtikeya (Kartikeya) who was willing to suck her, and went away to perform tapasyā (tapasya; ascetic practice). So she came to be known as Apītastanī (Apitastani; one whose breasts are unsucked).

Āpyāyana(Apyayana) was the son of Priyavrata and the father of Yajñavāhu (Yajnavahu). A varṣa(varsha; a vast plot of land) of Śālmalīdvīpa(Salmalidwipa; the island called Salmali) was named after him.  

In Arālakeśvara (Aralakeswara) tīrtha (tirtha; sit of pilgrimage), Mahādeva (Mahadeva) is known as Sūkṣma (Sukshma)mand Goddess Umā (Uma) is known by the name Sūkṣmā.

In Agnipurāṇa (Agnipurana), Ariṣṭanemi(Arishtanemi) is a progenitor-father. Sixteen sons were born out of the wombs of his wives — ariṣṭanemi-patnīnām apatyanīha ṣoḍaśa. It may be so that Ariṣṭanemi here refers to Kaśyapa (Kasyapa). According to Devibhāgavata (Devibhagavata), Ariṣṭanemi himself had been the founder of a genealogical line. Dakṣa (Daksha) sired six daughters, who were born […]

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 […]

Arundhatī is the wife of the great sage Vaśiṣṭha. She is so famous for her loyalty to her husband, that while blessing a newlywed wife, the reference to Arundhatī comes in– “As Arundhatī is dear to Vaśiṣṭha, so may you be to your husband– yatha vaiśravaṇe bhadrā vaśiṣṭhe cāpyarundhatī yathā nārāyaṇe lakṣmīstathā tvaṃ bhava bhartṛṣu. […]

God Śiva(Siva) is known as Āṣāḍeśa(Ashadesa) in the sacred site called Āṣāḍī (Ashadesa). The name of the goddess here is Ratīśā (Ratisa). In another place, the name of the goddess is Rati.