- Raghu - Ancestor of Rama
Raghu was a king of the Surya (sun) dynasty, the son of Kakutstha. He is an ancestor of Rama. His son is Pravriddha, also known as Kalmashapadha.
entities/Raghu.html - 0.3k - Oct 11 2004
- Rahu - The Rakshasa Who Became a Navagraha
Rahu is one of the nine planets, NavaGrahas. He was originaly one of the Asuras, who became immortal by drinking Amrit, disguised as one of the Devas. He was
entities/Rahu.html - 0.6k - Nov 2 2004
- Rakshasas - Demons
Rakshasas are demons, who are forces of evil. They appear to be related to the Asuras, and the names might be used interchangably. It is also sometimes use to refer to persons who
entities/Rakshasa.html - 0.4k - Oct 21 2004
- Rama - An Incarnation of Vishnu
Rama is the hero of the epic Ramayana. He is an incarnation of Vishnu. He was born as a crown prince, but went into voluntary exile for 14 years, to fulfill a promise made by his father to his
entities/Rama.html - 0.6k - Nov 5 2004
- Rambha - An Apsara
Rambha is an Apsara (celestial maiden, a dancer) at the court of Indra. According to some accounts, she emereged from the ocean-of-milk, when it was churned by the
entities/Rambha.html - 0.3k - Nov 2 2004
- Rati - The Consort of Love
Rati is the daughter of the Daksha and the wife of the God of love, Kama. She is said to be the embodiment of beauty and also held to be incomparable in her
entities/Rati.html - 0.4k - Oct 17 2004
- Ravana - The Demon King
Ravana was a demon king, who had unleashed a reign of terror from his kingdom at Lanka. He abducted Sita, the wife of Rama. Rama invaded Lanka with an army of monkeys and killed
entities/Ravana.html - 0.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Rbhus - Divine Artisans
In the RigVeda, the Rbhus (Rbhu, Vibhavan, and Vaja) are a trio of skilled, divine artisans. They are the sons of heaven ($Dyaus) and earth. They performed many feats of
entities/Rbhu.html - 0.6k - Nov 6 2004
- Renuka - Wife of Jamadagni
Renuka was the wife of Jamadagni and the mother of Parashurama. She was the daughter of King Presnajit. Their five sons were: Rumanvan, Sushena, Vasu, Viswavasu and
entities/Renuka.html - 0.3k - Mar 26 2005
- Rishyashringa - Deer born Sage
Rishyashringa is the son of Vibhandaka, who is the son of the sage Kashyapa. When Vibhandaka was washing his mouth in the river, he beheld the celestial nymph Urvashi and his
entities/Rishyashringa.html - 2.0k - Oct 19 2004
- Rohini - The Favorite Wife of Chandra
Rohini is a daughter of Daksha. She was married to Chandra, the moon, alongwith twenty-six of her sisters. The twenty-seven sisters are the twenty-seven constellations in Indian
entities/Rohini.html - 0.6k - Oct 21 2004
- Rudra - Father of the Maruts
In the RigVeda, Rudra is a God who belongs to the atmospheric group of Gods, who are Rudra, Indra, ApamNapat, the Maruts, Vayu, Parjanya and the ocean. In the Puranas
entities/Rudra.html - 0.9k - Nov 6 2004
- Rukmi - Prince of the Bhojas
Rukmi was the son of King Bhishmaka of the Bhoja Kingdom. He wanted his sister Rukmini to marry his friend Shishupala, the King of Chedi, but she loved Krishna and informed him that she
entities/Rukmi.html - 1.2k - Mar 31 2005
- Rukmini - Wife of Krishna
Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhishmaka, the ruler of the Bhoja Kingdom. She had fallen in love with Krishna after having heard his heroic exploits, but her brother, prince Rukmi, was desirous
entities/Rukmini.html - 1.1k - Mar 31 2005
- Ruru - Grandson of Chyavana
Ruru was the grandson of the sage Chyavana. He was the son of Pramati and Ghritachi. He was betrothed to a maiden named Pramadvara, who was the daughter of Menaka and the king of
entities/Ruru.html - 3.0k - May 30 2005
- Sachi - The Consort of Indra
The wife of Indra is Sachi, often simply called Indrani.
entities/Sachi.html - 0.2k - Oct 20 2004
- Sagara - Ancestor of Rama
Sagara was an emperor of the Solar dynasty, the son of Asita, and an ancestor of Rama. After being defeated in battle, his father fled to the Himalayas with his two wives. He died there,
entities/Sagara.html - 0.9k - Oct 20 2004
- Sahadeva - The Fifth Pandava
Nakula was the fifth Pandava, the sons of Pandu. His mother was Madri and his fathers were the Ashwini twins. His twin brother was Nakula.
entities/Sahadeva.html - 0.3k - Oct 18 2004
- Salya - Brother of Madri
Salya was the brother of Madri, the mother of the Pandavas Nakula and Sahadeva. He was the king of the Madra kingdom.
entities/Salya.html - 1.7k - Mar 13 2005
- Sampati - Bird-son of Kashyapa
Sampati was a great bird, the son of the sage Kashyapa and Unmati, one of the hundred daughters of Daksha. He was very fond of his half-brother Jatayu (who was also a bird). Once
entities/Sampati.html - 0.7k - Oct 21 2004
- Samsaptakas - Warriors Sworn to Victory or Death
Samsaptaka means 'sworn warrior'. They were the bravest of the Trigartas, who, led by their King Susarman, had sworn an oath to either kill Arjuna or die in that attempt. After swearing their
entities/Samsaptaka.html - 2.5k - Jun 16 2005
- Sanjaya - Counsellor of Dhritharashtra
Sanjaya was a trusted counsellor and confidant of King Dhritharashtra. He was often employed by the King as a messenger.
entities/Sanjaya.html - 0.6k - Nov 28 2004
- SaptaRishis - The Seven Great Sages
SaptaRishis, are the seven great sages in Indian Mythology. They have attained a semi-immortal status, that of an exceedingly long life span due to their Yogic power and by the power of their penance.
entities/SaptaRishi.html - 1.2k - Nov 17 2004
- Saranyu - Wife of Vivasvant
Saranyu is the daughter of Tvashta, the divine architecht. She is married to Vivasvant, the sun god. The twins Yama and Yami are their children. The RigVeda
entities/Saranyu.html - 0.4k - Nov 6 2004
- Saraswati - The Goddess of Learning and Wisdom
She is the goddess of wisdom and learning. She is the wife of Brahma, and is usally depicted sitting on a lotus flower, with a Veena (stringed musical instrument) and scriptures in her hands. She is always depicted wearing a
entities/Saraswati.html - 0.5k - Oct 17 2004
- Sati - The wife of Shiva
Sati was one of the hundred daughters of Daksha and was hence also called Daakshayini. She married Lord Shiva against the will of her father. Much angered, Daksha conducted a
entities/Sati.html - 1.4k - Nov 4 2004
- Satyaki - Disciple of Arjuna
Satyaki was a Yadava warrior, the grandson of the great warrior Sini. He was also called Yuyudhana. He was a close friend of Arjuna and was also his disciple. He was a great archer, just like his Guru.
entities/Satyaki.html - 0.5k - Oct 18 2004
- Satyavan - Husband of Savitri
Satyavan was the son of King Dyumatsena of the Salwas. His father was forced into exile by the machinations of their kinsmen, and the royal family, consisting of the King, Queen and their son Satyavan was forced to
entities/Satyavan.html - 1.7k - Dec 19 2005
- Satyavati - Grandmother of Pandu and Dhritharashtra
Satyavati was born inside a fish. (The story of her birth is told in more detail here.) This fish was caught by the chief of fishermen, who adopted her as his own daughter, as he had no children.
entities/Satyavati.html - 3.4k - Nov 5 2004
- Savitri - The Ideal Wife
Savitri was the daughter of King Aswapati of the Madra Kingdom. Having been childless for many years, he performed a penance towards Savitri (the Sun) and asked him the boon of a thousand vigorous sons.
entities/Savitri.html - 2.8k - Oct 30 2005
- Shakti - Eldest Son of Vasishta
Shakti was the eldest of the hundred sons of sage Vasishta and Arundhati. He married a woman named Adrishyanti, through whom he had a son named Parasara.
entities/Shakti-Vasishta.html - 0.8k - Nov 17 2004
- Shakti - The Cosmic Female Force
The cosmic female force is known as Shakti. She is the wife of Shiva and a form of Parvati.
entities/Shakti.html - 0.2k - Oct 18 2004
- Shakuni - Brother of Gandhari
Shakuni was the brother of Gandhari. He was very fond of his nephew Duryodhana. He won the Pandava's half of the kingdom for his nephew, as a wager in a rigged game of dice. The
entities/Shakuni.html - 0.4k - Oct 21 2004
- Shakuntala - Mother of Bharata
Shakuntala was the daughter of Menaka, the Apsara. Her father was the great sage Vishwamitra. When her immortal mother returned to her heavenly abode, she was entrusted to the sage Kanva, who
entities/Shakuntala.html - 1.0k - Oct 21 2004
- Shalwa - King of Saubha
Shalwa was the king of the Saubha Kingdom. Amba, the eldest princess of Kashi, had chosen him as her husband and would have selected him in the Swayamwara (self-choice ceremony), but she
entities/Shalwa.html - 1.1k - Aug 29 2004
- Shani - Munificience and Malevolence
Shani, or Saturn, is one of the strongest planets in Indian astrology. He is the son of Surya and Sangya, the daughter of Vishwakarma, the architect of the Devas. Among the NavaGrahas, he is considered to bestow the
entities/Shani.html - 2.1k - Oct 21 2004
- Shankana - Ancestor of Rama
Shankana is a King of the solar dynasty, the son of Pravriddha, and an ancestor of Rama. His son is Sudarshana.
entities/Shankana.html - 0.2k - Oct 15 2004
- Shantanu - Father of Bhishma
Shantanu was a king named Mahabhishak in his previous birth. Mahabhishak had ascended to the heavens after his death, but was cursed to be reborn as a mortal for his licentious behaviour in the court of Indra.
entities/Shantanu.html - 0.8k - Oct 18 2004
- Sharmishta - Mother of Puru
Sharmishta was the daughter of King Vrishaparva of the Asuras. Once, she insulted the Devayani, the daughter of the Asura Guru Shukracharya. To make amends for this act, she had to become
entities/Sharmishta.html - 1.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Shataananda - Son of Ahalya and Gautama
Shataananda is a sage, the son of Ahalya and the sage Gautama. He makes a brief appearance in the Ramayana.
entities/Shataananda.html - 0.2k - Nov 5 2004
- Shatrughna - Twin of Laxmana
Shatrughna is the son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and his youngest queen Sumitra. He is the twin-brother of Laxmana. His mother was given two half-portions of the sacrificial nectar by her
entities/Shatrughna.html - 0.4k - Oct 10 2004
- Shibi - An Ancestor of Rama
Shibi was an ancestor of Rama, born in the Ikshvaku dynasty. He is best known for his devotion to truth and justice. To test his devotion to truth, Indra and Agni took the forms
entities/Shibi.html - 1.4k - Oct 4 2005
- Shighraga - Ancestor of Rama
Shighraga was a King of the solar dynasty, the son of Agnivarna, and an ancestor of Rama. His son is Maru.
entities/Shighraga.html - 0.2k - Oct 15 2004
- Shikandi - The Warrior Who Killed Bhishma
Shikandi was Amba in his/her previous birth. After obtaining the boon that she would kill Bhishma in her next birth, Amba committed suicide to hasten that birth. (Read that story
entities/Shikandi.html - 1.1k - Oct 19 2004
- Shishupala - The King of Chedi
Shishupala was the King of Chedi Kingdom. He was born with three eyes and four hands. As soon as he was born, he screamed and brayed like an ass. His parents and relatives were struck with fear on account of these
entities/Shishupala.html - 2.0k - Aug 28 2004
- Shiva - The Destroyer
Shiva is the destructive aspect of the supreme Trinity. His consort is Parvati. His sons are Skanda, the commander of the army of Devas, and Ganapati, who is also
entities/Shiva.html - 1.6k - Nov 18 2004
- Shudras - Peasants and Workers
Peasants and Workers are classified as Shudras according to the Varna system. They are the fourth class according to this classifications. They are said to have sprang forth from the
entities/Shudra.html - 0.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Shuka - Son of Vyasa
Shuka was the son of the sage Vyasa. According to tradition, Vyasa, who compiled all the Vedas and composed the Mahabharata, taught them along with the Puranas to
entities/Shuka.html - 1.7k - Nov 6 2004
- Shukra - The Guru of the Asuras
Shukracharya, also know as Shukra, is the son of the great sage Bhrigu and Ushana, daughter of HiranaKashipu. He went to the hermitage of Angirasa to learn the scriptures.
entities/Shukracharya.html - 1.0k - Oct 19 2004
- Shurpanakha - Sister of Ravana
Shurpanakha was the sister of Ravana, the Asura king of Lanka. Their father was a sage named Vishrava and their mother a Asura woman named Kaikasi. They had two more children,
entities/Shurpanakha.html - 1.5k - Dec 31 2004
- Shweta - The Prince of Matsya
Shweta was the eldest son of King Virata, and thus heir-apparent to the Matsya Kingdom. He had an younger brother named Uttara-m, and a younger sister named Uttara.
entities/Shweta-m.html - 0.4k - May 21 2005
- Shwetaketu - Son of Uddalaka
Shwetaketu was the son of sage Uddalaka, who was famed for his learning. According to the Mahabharata12.34, Shwetaketu was actually conceived upon the wife of Uddalaka by a disciple of that
entities/Shwetaketu.html - 2.1k - Feb 12 2005
- Simhika - A Daughter of Daksha
Simhika was a daughter of Daksha, and the wife of the sage Viprachitti.
entities/Simhika.html - 0.2k - Oct 20 2004
- Sini - A Yadava Warrior
He was the Yadava warrior, who defeated Somadatta and won the hand of the princess Devaki for his friend Vasudeva. He was the grandfather of Satyaki, who was a great friend and
entities/Sini.html - 0.3k - Oct 20 2004
- Sita - An Incarnation of Mahalakshmi
Sita was an incarnation of Mahalakshmi. She was a child of the earth and was found by king Janaka of the Videha kingdom, while plowing the ground to prepare for a sacrifice. She was adopted by
entities/Sita.html - 0.8k - Nov 4 2005
- Skanda - Commander of the Army of Devas
Skanda is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is also considered by some to be the son of Agni and the Krittikas (pleiades), or of Agni and Swaha.
entities/Skanda.html - 1.3k - Oct 15 2005
- Soma - The Moon
Soma is the name of Chandra, the moon. It is also the name of the intoxicating drink that is offered to the Vedic Gods. The RigVeda sometimes addresses Soma, the drink as a seperate deity
entities/Soma.html - 0.3k - Nov 6 2004
- Somadatta - Father of Bhurisravas
Somadatta was an ally of the Kauravas. He was a suitor to Devaki, who was the mother of Krishna. He fought with Sini, who was seeking the hand of Devaki for
entities/Somadatta.html - 0.7k - Oct 20 2004
- Suadha - The wife of Angirasa
Suadha is one of the hundred daughters of Daksha and is said to be married to the sage Angirasa. More common accounts place the name of Angirasa's wife as Suroopa. In fact, both
entities/Suadha.html - 0.3k - Jul 20 2004
- Subahu - Asura Slain by Rama
Subahu was an Asura, the kinsman of Ravana, the King of the Asuras. Accompanied by his brother Maricha, he used to disrupt the sacrifice of the sage
entities/Subahu.html - 0.8k - Nov 14 2004
- Suhbadra - Wife of Arjuna
Subhadra was the sister of Krishna and Balarama. Krishna wanted her to marry Arjuna but Balarama was against it. Finally, with the help of Krishna's plot,
entities/Subhadra.html - 0.4k - Oct 18 2004
- Sudarshana - Ancestor of Rama
Sudarshana is a King of the solar dynasty, an ancestor of Rama. His father is Shankana and his son is Agnivarna.
entities/Sudarshana.html - 0.3k - Oct 15 2004
- Sudeshna - Wife of Virata
Sudeshna was the queen of the King Virata of the Matsya Kingdom. She had two sons Shweta-m Uttara-m, and a daughter Uttara, who later married Abhimanyu, the son of
entities/Sudeshna.html - 2.0k - Nov 13 2005
- Sudyumna - King of Solar Dynasty
Sudyumna was a king of the solar dynasty. Once, he went hunting in the forest, and was separated from his retinue. Tired, and exhausted, he waded into a pool in the forest along with his stallion and
entities/Sudyumna.html - 1.5k - Nov 17 2004
- Sugreeva - The King of Monkeys
Sugreeva was the younger brother of Vali, the king of monkeys. Once, when his brother was fighting a demon, Sugreeva was standing guard over the battle cave. He mistakenly assumed that
entities/Sugreeva.html - 1.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Sukanya - The Wife of Chyavana
Sukanya was a princess. She once mistakenly blinded the sage Chyavana, and to make amends for her mistake married him. He was much older than her, yet they were very happy together. The Ashwini twins were
entities/Sukanya.html - 0.9k - Aug 27 2004
- Sumantra - Charioteer of Dasharatha
Sumantra was the charioteer and one of the ministers of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. It was he who suggests that the King utilize the services of the sage Rishyashringa to
entities/Sumantra.html - 0.5k - Oct 10 2004
- Sumitra - Mother of Laxmana and Shatrughna
Sumitra is the youngest wife of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. She is the mother of the twins Laxmana and Shatrughna. When the King obtained son-giving nectar by performing the Ashwamedha
entities/Sumitra.html - 0.5k - Oct 9 2004
- Surya - The Sun
Surya is the sun. (He is also referred to as Vivasvant) and Martanda. Like Chandra he is both a Deva and a NavaGraha. According
entities/Surya.html - 1.5k - Nov 6 2004
- Susandhi - Ancestor of Rama
Susandhi is a king of the Solar dynasty, and an ancestor of Rama. He is the son of Mandhata and had two sons, Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit.
entities/Susandhi.html - 0.3k - Oct 11 2004
- Susarman - The Leader of the Samsaptakas
Susarman was the King of the Trigartas, with their capital at the city of Prasthala. From the time the Trigartas were conquered by Arjuna when he set out on his campaign of conquest (to enable
entities/Susarman.html - 3.4k - Jun 16 2005
- Suta - Mixed Caste
A Suta is a child fathered on a Brahmana woman by a Kshatriya man. Since Brahmanas are higher up in the Varna system than Kshatriyas, this mixed marriage
entities/Suta.html - 0.9k - Mar 26 2005
- Swaha - Wife of Agni
Swaha is a daughter of Daksha, and by many accounts, the wife of Agni, the God of fire. Agni was initially reluctant to marry her, but in the end was persuaded to do so. She obtained
entities/Swaha.html - 0.7k - Oct 16 2005
- Swargaloka - The Heavens
Also known as Swarga, Swargaloka is the name of the heavens in Hindu mythology. The principal inhabitants of this place are the Devas, whose capital city is Amravathi.
entities/Swargaloka.html - 0.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Takshaka - The King of Serpents
According to the Mahabharata, Takshaka is the king of serpents. Other accounts give the name of this being as Vasuki, but these two serpents are believed to be different snakes.
entities/Takshaka.html - 4.0k - Nov 5 2004
- Tara - The Wife of Brihaspati
Tara is the wife of Brihaspati. She bore him seven sons and a daughter. She commited adultery with Chandra and gave birth to his son Budha.
entities/Tara.html - 0.3k - Oct 20 2004
- Taraka - Asura Killed by Skanda
Taraka was an Asura, the son of Vajranaga and Varangi. His father had conquered and humiliated Indra, only sparing the life of the king of the Gods when Brahma and
entities/Taraka.html - 3.8k - Oct 24 2004
- Tataka - Mother of Subahu and Maricha
Tataka was a shape-shifting Yaksha woman, the mother of the demons Subahu and Maricha. She was the daughter of a Yaksha named Suketu, who obtained her
entities/Tataka.html - 1.5k - Nov 14 2004
- Tilottama - An Apsara
Tilottama is an Apsara in Indra's court. In Sanskrit, Tila means seasme, and since Vishwakarma created her from from seasme seeds (on the advice of Lord Brahma), she is
entities/Tilottama.html - 0.3k - Oct 21 2004
- Trinity - Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma
The Trinity is the group of the most powerful Gods in Hinduism. They are all considered various aspects of the ultimate truth, the ultimate force of Brahman, which encompasses
entities/Trinity.html - 0.5k - Jul 25 2004
- Trishanku - Ancestor of Rama
Trishanku was a King in the Solar dynasty, the son of Prithu. His original name was Satyavrata. His son was Dhundumara. Satyavrata committed three sins, and hence he got the name Trishanku. First, while a prince, he misbehaved
entities/Trishanku.html - 2.0k - Nov 17 2004
- Tumburu - A Gandharva Chief
Tumburu is one of the prominent Gandharvas. He is well know for his skill in music, and has a very intimate relationship with the Apsara Rambha.
entities/Tumburu.html - 0.3k - Jun 2 2005
- Tvashta - The Divine Artificer
Tvashta, also called Bhaumana is the divine carpenter. He is the father of Saranyu (the wife of Vivasvant) and the grand-father of the primeval twins Yama and Yami.
entities/Tvashta.html - 2.0k - Feb 12 2005