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, […]

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 […]

A rosary or bracelet made of rudrākṣa (rudraksha) beads. Many gods like Brahmā (Brahma), Śiva (Shiva), Gaṇeśa (Ganesha), Sarasvatī (Saraswati), Pārvatī (Parvati), et al, can be seen holding or being adorned with akṣasūtra (akshasutra). The famous Citrasūtra (Chitrasutra) part of Viṣñudharmottarapurāṇa (Vishnudharmottarapurana), while explaining the significance of akṣasūtra carried by gods, has said that akṣasūtra is suggestive of […]

In Brāhmaṇa-texts, the branches of an Udumvara tree is referred to as the manifestation of anna and rasa (food and nectre). At the time of Somayāga, the Udumvara branch is grounded onto the mahāvedī (grand altar), and touching that, the Udgātā and his associates sing stotra(s). In Aitareya Brāhmaṇa, about the origin of Udumvara, it […]