- Abhimanyu - The Brave Young Warrior
Abhimanyu was the the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, the sister of Krishna. When he was still in his womb, he listened to his father talk about war to his mother. This
entities/Abhimanyu.html - 3.1k - Oct 20 2004
- Adisesha - The Thousand Headed Serpent
Adisesha is the thousand headed serpent on which Lord Vishnu reposes in Vaikunta. Adisesha floats upon the sea-of-milk in Vaikunta. He is the first born of the serpents
entities/Adisesha.html - 1.6k - Oct 20 2004
- Aditi - Mother of the Devas
Aditi, one of the hundred daughters of Daksha, is the wife of the sage Kashyapa and the mother of the Devas. Hence, the Devas are also called Adithyas. Her name means 'un-binding' or 'liberation'.
entities/Aditi.html - 1.0k - Oct 20 2004
- Adityas - Sons of Aditi
The Adityas are eight in number, the sons of Aditi and sage Kashyapa. According to RigVeda2.27, they are: Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuna, Daksha,
entities/Aditya.html - 0.5k - Oct 18 2004
- Agastya - The Sage who created Kaveri
According to legend, the sage Agastya is an incarnation of Agni. Agni and Vayu had been cursed by Indra for insubordination to be born as mortals. Vayu was born as
entities/Agastya.html - 5.6k - Nov 25 2004
- Agni - The Fire
Agni is the God of Fire. He is said to be the son of Dyaus (Heaven) or of Heaven and Earth RigVeda1.160. Indra is said to be his twin brother. The later Puranas
entities/Agni.html - 4.4k - Nov 6 2004
- Agnivarna - Ancestor of Rama
Agnivarna is a king of the solar dynasty, the son of Sudarshana and an ancestor of Rama. His son is Shighraga.
entities/Agnivarna.html - 0.2k - Oct 15 2004
- Ahalya - The Wife of Gautama
Ahalya was a daughter of Lord Brahma. He sent her to the hermitage of sage Gautama to learn the scriptures. When the time came for her marriage, her divine beauty ensured that
entities/Ahalya.html - 1.6k - Oct 17 2004
- Aja - Father of Dasharatha
Aja was a King of the solar dynasty, the son of Nabhaga. He is the father of Dasharatha, and thus the grand-father of Rama.
entities/Aja.html - 0.2k - Oct 15 2004
- Amba - The Previous Birth of Shikandi
Amba was the eldest of the three princesses of Kashi, her younger sisters were Ambika and Ambalika. She had chosen Shalwa, the King of the Saubha kingdom, to be her husband
entities/Amba.html - 2.2k - Oct 21 2004
- Ambalika - The Mother of Pandu
Ambalika was the youngest of the Kashi princesses and was the second wife of Vichitraveerya, the half-brother of Bhishma. She was abducted from the Swaymwara (self-choice ceremony) by
entities/Ambalika.html - 0.8k - Oct 18 2004
- Ambarisha - Ancestor of Rama
Ambarisha was a king of the solar dynasty, the son of Prashushruka, and an ancestor of Rama. Nahusha_Ramayana is his son.
entities/Ambarisha.html - 0.3k - Oct 15 2004
- Ambika - The Mother of Dhritharashtra
Ambika was the second of the Kashi princesses who were abducted by Bhishma to become the wives of his half-brother Vichitraveerya. However, the eldest Amba refused to
entities/Ambika.html - 0.9k - Oct 18 2004
- Amrit - The Nectar of Gods
Amrit is the nectar of the Gods. Originally, the Devas were mortal. They came to know that they could become immortal by consuming Amrit. They knew that they can obtain Amrit by churning the ocean of milk in
entities/Amrit.html - 1.0k - Nov 2 2004
- Amsha - Luck
Amsha is the God of luck, one of the Adityas. He is the son of Aditi and sage Kashyapa. He is invoked together with his brothers, Mitra and Varuna.
entities/Amsha.html - 0.3k - Oct 18 2004
- Amshuman - Ancestor of Rama
Amshuman was a king of the Solar dynasty, the son of Amshuman, and an ancestor of Rama. Dilipa is his son.
entities/Amshuman.html - 0.2k - Oct 11 2004
- Anaranya - Ancestor of Rama
Anaranya is a King of the Solar dynasty and an ancestor of Rama. He is the son of Bana_Ramayana, and the father of Prithu.
entities/Anaranya.html - 0.3k - Oct 10 2004
- Anasuya - The Chaste Wife of Atri
Anasuya is the wife of the sage Atri, who is one of the SaptaRishis. She is said to be the most chaste among women. She is one of the many daughters of Daksha.
entities/Anasuya.html - 3.5k - Oct 30 2004
- Angaraka - Mars
Angaraka (Mars) is one of the NavaGrahas. He is also called Mangal or Kuja. He is a planet of martial aspect, and the equivalent of Mars in Roman Mythology or Ares in Greek. He is red colored and is
entities/Angaraka.html - 0.9k - Nov 6 2004
- Angaraparana - A Gandharva Friend of Arjuna
Angaraparana was a Gandharva, who was named so because of his flaming chariot. He encountered Arjuna when the Pandavas were traveling to Panchala from Ekachakrapura Mahabharata1.172.
entities/Angaraparana.html - 1.0k - Oct 19 2004
- Angirasa - Father of Brihaspati
Angirasa is one of the seven sages, the SaptaRishis. His wife is Suroopa and his sons are Uthathya, Samvarthana and Brihaspati. He is a Manasaputra (wish-born-son) of Lord Brahma.
entities/Angirasa.html - 0.5k - Nov 6 2004
- Anuvinda - Prince of Avanti
Anuvinda was the prince of Avanti. Along with his brother Vinda, he fought on the Kaurava side during the great battle of Kurukshetra. After achieving many great feats of bravery on the battlefield,
entities/Anuvinda.html - 0.5k - Mar 21 2005
- ApamNapat - Agni, The Son-of-waters
ApamNapat is the lightning form of Agni, the son-of-waters. In Sanskrit, Apam means 'Of the Waters' and Napat means 'son-of'. Thus, Apam Napat is "Son-Of-Waters". He is invoked separately in RigVeda2.35 and incidentally
entities/ApamNapat.html - 0.9k - Oct 2 2004
- Apsaras - Divine Nymphs
The Apsaras are celestial nymphs, the dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the Devas. All of them are extremely beautiful and skilled in both dance and music. They occur
entities/Apsara.html - 3.5k - Jun 2 2005
- Arishta - The Mother of Gandharvas
She is a daughter of Daksha and the wife of Kashyapa. The Gandharvas are her sons.
entities/Arishta.html - 0.2k - Oct 18 2004
- Arjuna - The Peerless Archer
Arjuna was the third Pandava, born to Kunti, the wife of Pandu, by the grace of Indra. He rivalled his divine father Indra in his prowess in arms. It was said that
entities/Arjuna.html - 3.7k - Sep 30 2005
- Aruna - The Charioteer of Surya
Aruna was the son of the great sage Kashyapa and Vinata, a daughter of Daksha. His mother had obtained a boon from her husband that she would have two offspring who surpassed the thousand sons (the
entities/Aruna.html - 2.0k - Nov 2 2004
- Arundhati - The Ideal Wife
Arundhati is the wife of the great sage Vasishta and the eighth of the nine daughters of sage Kardama (a wish-born son of Lord Brahma) and Devahuti. She was also called
entities/Arundhati.html - 0.9k - Nov 17 2004
- Aryaman - Hospitality
Aryaman is one of the Adityas, sons of Aditi and sage Kashyapa. His name literally means 'companion'. He is the Vedic God of hospitality. He is in general invoked along with
entities/Aryaman.html - 0.3k - Oct 18 2004
- Asamanja - Ancestor of Rama
Asamanja was a king of the Solar dynasty, the son of Sagara, and an ancestor of Rama. He had a son named Amshuman.
entities/Asamanja.html - 0.2k - Nov 2 2004
- Ashtavakra - Famous Boy Scholar
Ashtavakra was the son of a Brahmana named Kahoda and Sujata, the daughter of the sage Uddalaka. His father Kahoda had been a disciple of Uddalaka, and after
entities/Ashtavakra.html - 4.6k - Feb 13 2005
- Ashwamedha - The Horse Sacrifice
Ashwamedha, the horse sacrifice, is also known as haya-medha sacrifice. It is said to be the most difficult Yagna to perform, having many onerous requirements. Indeed, it is often said, that he who performs
entities/Ashwamedha.html - 1.4k - Oct 9 2004
- Ashwatthama - Son of Drona
Ashwatthama was the son of Drona and Kripi. When he was born, he neighed like a horse, and that is why he was given his name. (In Sanskrit Ashwa=Horse). He struck an
entities/Ashwatthama.html - 1.8k - Oct 18 2004
- Ashwinis - The Twin Divine Physicians
The Ashwini twins are the physicians of the Gods. They are said to have sprung from the sea-of-milk in Vaikunta, when it was churned by the Devas and Asuras.
entities/Ashwini.html - 3.0k - Nov 6 2004
- Asita - Ancestor of Rama
Asita is a king of the Solar dynasty, the son of Bharata_Ramayana2, and an ancestor of Rama. He was defeated by rival Kings from the clans of Haihayas, Talajanghas and Shashabindhus in battle. He
entities/Asita.html - 1.0k - Oct 20 2004
- Astika - Brahmana who saved the Serpents
Astika was the son of a Rishi named Jaratkaru and the sister of Vasuki, foremost among serpents. The name of this lady was also Jaratkaru1.
entities/Astika.html - 0.7k - Oct 19 2004
- Asuras - The Demons
The Asuras are the forces of evil in Indian mythology. They are the sons of the sage Kashyapa and Diti, and consequently the step-brothers of their mortal enemies, the Devas. They are
entities/Asura.html - 1.5k - Oct 20 2004
- Atiratha - Adoptive father of Karna
Atiratha was a charioteer by profession, and the chieftain of the city of Champa, on the banks of the river Ganga. He was also called Vikartana. He was a close friend of King Dhritharashtra of the Kurus. His wife Radha was a very
entities/Atiratha.html - 1.1k - Mar 26 2005
- Atman - The Soul
Atman is the soul. It is believed to be indestructable and immutable. The Advaitha (not-dual) principle (this was propounded by the great philospher Adi-Sankara), states that the
entities/Atman.html - 1.3k - Nov 6 2004
- Atri - One of the SaptaRishis
Atri is one of the seven sages, the SaptaRishis. He is better known as the husband of the chastest of all women, Anasuya. According to the Maarkandeya Purana, he is the father of Chandra.
entities/Atri.html - 0.3k - Oct 30 2004
- Baahlika - An Ally of the Kauravas
Baahlika was an ally of the Kauravas. He was present in many of their councils.
entities/Baahlika.html - 0.2k - Aug 31 2004
- Babruvahana - Son of Arjuna
Babruvahana was the son of Arjuna, and Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur. He was brought up in Manipur due to the promise given by his father to his grandfather Chitravahana, the King of
entities/Babruvahana.html - 0.4k - Aug 22 2005
- Bakasura - A Rakshasa Killed by Bheema
Bakasura was a Rakshasa who used to terrorize a town called Ekachakrapura. When the Pandavas came to that city in exile, Kunti sent Bheema to fight this Rakshasa, in order to save their
entities/Bakasura.html - 0.7k - Apr 10 2005
- Balarama - Brother of Krishna
Balarama was the brother of Krishna. He was a matchless warrior with the mace and was the teacher of both Bheema and Duryodhana. He wanted to take part in the war on the side of Duryodhana, but
entities/Balarama.html - 0.4k - Aug 31 2004
- Bali - An Asura King
Bali was a great Asura king who had conquered the heavens. At Indra's behest, Vishnu was born as a brahmin boy in the womb of Aditi, and went to the place where Bali
entities/Bali.html - 1.5k - Oct 17 2004
- Bana - An Ancestor of Rama
Bana is a King of the solar dynasty and an ancestor of Rama. He is the son of Vikukshi and the father of Anaranya.
entities/Bana_Ramayana.html - 0.2k - Oct 10 2004
- Bandy - Son of Varuna
Bandy was a son of Varuna by a mortal woman. He was the royal scholar at the court of King Janaka of Mithila and was famed for his learning. He had issued a challenge to all scholars that whoever defeats
entities/Bandy.html - 1.6k - Feb 6 2005
- Bhaga - Wealth and Marriage
Bhaga is one of the Adityas, a son of Aditi and sage Kashyapa. He is the god of wealth and marriage, and plays a minor role. Hymn RigVeda7.41 is dedicated to him.
entities/Bhaga.html - 0.7k - Mar 20 2005
- Bhagadatta - King of Pragjyotisha
Bhagadatta was the King of Pragjyotisha. He was a renowned warrior, and was know as a great friend of Indra. When Arjuna embarked on a campaign of conquest to help his
entities/Bhagadatta.html - 1.8k - Nov 27 2004
- Bhageeratha - The Symbol of Perseverence
Bhageeratha is a King of the Solar dynasty, the son of Dilipa, and an ancestor of Rama. He is the father of Kakutstha.
entities/Bhageeratha.html - 1.7k - Oct 11 2004
- Bharadwaja - Father of Drona
Bharadwaja was a great sage, the son of Brihaspati by Mamata, the wife of Utathya. Many Vedic hymns are attributed to this sage. He is also the
entities/Bharadwaja.html - 0.4k - Oct 19 2004
- Bharata - The King Who Gave His Name to India
Bharata was one of the most illustrious kings of the Chandra dynasty, which was also referred to as the Bharata dynasty from his time. He was the son of Dushyanta and
entities/Bharata.html - 0.7k - Oct 19 2004
- Bharata - Brother of Rama
Bharata is the son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and his second queen Kaikeyi. His father wanted to crown Rama, his eldest son (by his first wife Kausalya), but Kaikeyi intervened
entities/Bharata_Ramayana.html - 1.1k - Oct 18 2004
- Bharata - Ancestor of Rama
Bharata was a King of the Solar dynasty, the son of Dhruvasandhi and an ancestor of Rama. His son is Asita.
entities/Bharata_Ramayana2.html - 0.2k - Oct 18 2004
- Bheema - The Strongest Pandava
Bheema was the second Pandava, born to Kunti through Vayu. Like his father, he is very strong. In fact, there were said to be five men in the world, who were equal in strength and
entities/Bheema.html - 1.2k - Mar 13 2005
- Bhishma - The Grand Old Man of The Kurus
The name Bhishma means one who has taken a terrible oath (and fulfills it). He was an incarnation of the eldest Vasu, Dhyou. He was born as Devaratha, the son of King Shantanu of the
entities/Bhishma.html - 3.5k - Nov 13 2005
- Bhishmaka - King of Bhojas
Bhishmaka was the ruler of the Bhoja Kingdom. He was also known as Hiranyaroman ("golden-haired"), possibly because of his hair colour. He had a son named Rukmi and a daughter named Rukmini. His son wanted
entities/Bhishmaka.html - 0.5k - Mar 31 2005
- Bhrigu - Father of Shukracharya
Bhrigu was one of the seven great sages, the SaptaRishis. He is a ManasaPutra (wish-born-son) of Lord Brahma. His father is Brahma, who simply wished him into existence, to
entities/Bhrigu.html - 1.9k - Oct 30 2004
- Bhurisravas - A Great Warrior
Bhurisravas was the son of Somadatta and a great warrior. He was the enemy of the Yadavas, in particular of Satyaki, the disciple of Arjuna. He fought the great Kurukshetra war on the side of
entities/Bhurisravas.html - 1.1k - Oct 20 2004
- Brahma - The Creator
Brahma is the the creator part of the supreme trinity of hinduism - Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma. He is normally not worshipped alone, but as part of the
entities/Brahma.html - 2.0k - Nov 17 2004
- Brahman - The Supreme Truth
The fundamental goal of a Hindu may be said to be the realization of Brahman, the ultimate truth. It is said that Brahman is all things and all things are Brahman. The Trinity
entities/Brahman.html - 0.6k - Aug 31 2004
- Brahmana - Priests and Scholars
Brahmanas are the priests and scholars in the classification according to the Varna system. They are said to have sprang forth from the face of the primordial man Purusha,
entities/Brahmana.html - 0.4k - Aug 10 2004
- Brihaspati - The Guru of the Devas
Also called Guru, he is the preceptor of the Devas. Brihaspati is the son of Angirasa and Suroopa according to the Shiva Purana. He has two brothers named Utathya and Samvartana. He has children by three
entities/Brihaspati.html - 0.9k - Oct 19 2004
- Budha - Mercury
Budha is one of the NavaGrahas in Indian Astrology. He is the illegitimate son of Chandra and Tara, the wife of Brihaspati.
entities/Budha.html - 0.2k - Oct 19 2004
- Chandra - The Moon
Chandra is said to have emerged from the sea of milk, when it was churned by both the Asuras and Devas. Due to his brilliant form he was given the status of a planet, one of
entities/Chandra.html - 1.7k - Nov 2 2004
- Chitragupta - The Recorder of Deeds
Chitragupta is the accountant of Yama. He keeps track of the deeds, both good and bad, of everyone. When a person dies and is sent to Yama's abode for judgement, Chitragupta's records are the key
entities/Chitragupta.html - 0.4k - Aug 31 2004
- Chitrangada - Princess of Manipur
Chitrangada was the princess of Manipur, the daughter of king Chitravahana. She was an only child, so her father wanted to make sure that her son would be able to succeed to the kingdom after him.
entities/Chitrangada.html - 0.7k - Aug 22 2005
- Chitrasena - Chief-musician of Indra
Chitrasena, is a Gandharva, the son of \enityVishwakarma, and the chief musician in Indra's court. He is the best musician in the three worlds. He was the one who instructed Arjuna in music and dance,
entities/Chitrasena.html - 0.9k - Sep 30 2005
- Chitravahana - King of Manipur
Chitravahana was the King of Manipur. He had a daughter named Chitrangada. Arjuna, who was wandering during his twelve year exile (for having broken the compact regarding
entities/Chitravahana.html - 0.7k - Aug 22 2005
- Chyavana - Sage Who Helped the Ashwinis
Chyavana was a great sage, the son of sage Bhrigu (The story of his birth is told in here.) He was also known as Aurva. He performed a penance for many centuries. So
entities/Chyavana.html - 1.7k - May 30 2005