Glossary of terms in Hinduism 3437332 213455253 2008-05-19T12:40:58Z Ekabhishek 1738140 /* R */ {{IndicText}} The following is a '''glossary of terms and concepts in [[Hinduism]]'''. The list consists of concepts that are derived from both [[Hinduism]] and [[Hindu]] tradition, which are expressed as words in [[Sanskrit]] as well as [[Languages of India|other languages]] of [[India]]. The main purpose of this list is to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to the concepts of Hinduism all in one place. __NOTOC__ {{compactTOC}} ==A== *'''[[Abhimanyu]] (अभिमन्यु)''' : Son of [[Arjuna]] and [[Subhadra]] who was married to [[Uttara]], daughter of King [[Virata]]. *'''[[Acharya|Āchārya]] (आचार्य)''': Teacher or [[Guru]]. *'''[[Achuta]] (अचुत)''': A synonym of Sri [[Krishna]]. *'''[[Adhiratha]] (अधिरथ)''' : [[Karna]]'s foster-father. *'''[[Adi Shankara]] (आदि शङ्कर)''' : The first [[Hindu philosophy|Hindu philosopher]] who consolidated the principles of the [[Advaita Vedanta]] philosophy. *'''[[Aditi]] (अदिति)''' : A goddess of the sky, consciousness, the past, the future and fertility. *'''[[Advaita Vedanta]] (अद्वैत वेदान्त)''' : A school of [[Hindu philosophy]] often called a [[monism|monistic]] or non-dualistic system which refers to the indivisibility of the Self ([[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]]) from the Whole ([[Brahman]]). *'''[[Agastya]] (अगस्त्य)''' : A great sage whose life-story the [[Pandava]]s learnt while on pilgrimage to holy places, his wife [[Lopamudra]] was equally a great sage in her own right. *'''[[Aghasura|Aghāsur]] (अघासुर)''' : A dragon sent by [[Kamsa]] to destroy [[Krishna]] *'''[[Agneyastra|Āgneyāstra]] (आग्नेयास्त्र)''': Āgneyāstra is the fire weapon, incepted by God [[Agni]], master of the flames. *'''[[Agni]] (अग्‍नि)''': The sacred Hindu fire god.<ref name="Flesher"> {{cite web | url = http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/HGLOSSRY.HTM | title = Hinduism Glossary for Introduction to Religion | author = Paul V. M. Flesher | accessdate = 2006-06-25}} </ref> *'''[[Agnihotra]] (अग्निहोत्र)''': A sacrifice to God [[Agni]]. *'''[[Ahi (Hinduism)|Ahi]] (अहि)''': Means ("snake"), [[Vritra]] was also known in the [[Veda]]s as Ahi cognate with [[Azhi Dahaka]] of [[Zoroastrian mythology]] and he is said to have had three heads. *'''[[Ahamkara]] (अहंकार)''': A [[Sanskrit]] term that refers to [[egoism]], that is the ego of one's self, the identification of one's own ego. *'''[[Ahimsa|Ahimsā]] (अहिंसा)''': A [[religion|religious]] concept which advocates [[non-violence]] and a respect for all [[life]]. *'''[[Airavata|Airāvata]] (ऐरावत)''': [[Indra]]'s elephant. *'''[[Ajatasatru|Ajātasatru]] (अजातशत्रु)''': Having no enemy, friend of all born things, an epithet of Yudhishthira. *'''[[Akampana]] (अकम्‍पन)''': Meaning (Unconquerable) - A rākshasa slain by Hanumaān at seize. *'''[[Akshayapatra]] (अक्षयपत्र)''': A wonderful vessel given to [[Yudhishthira]] by the Sun god which held a never-failing supply of food. *'''[[Alambasa]] (अलम्‍बस)''': A [[Rakshasa]] friend of [[Duryodhana]] who had joined his forces but [[Satyaki]] compelled him to flee from the battlefield. *'''[[Amaravati|Amarāvati]] (अमरावती)''' : The city of [[Indra]] *'''[[Amarkantak]] (अमरकंटक)''': Amarkantak is a unique [[natural heritage]] area in eastern [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]. This is the meeting point of the [[Vindhya]]s and the [[Satpura]]s, with the [[Maikal Hill]]s being the fulcrum. This is the place from where the [[Narmada River]], the [[Sone River]] and [[Johila River]] emerge. *'''[[Amba|Ambā]] (अम्‍बा), [[Ambika|Ambikā]] (अम्‍बिका), [[Ambalika|Ambālikā]] (अम्‍बालिका)''' : The three daughters of King of Benares, Eldest daughter Ambā was in love with King Shālwa *'''[[Amrit]] (अमृत)''': Ambrosia, the food of the gods, which makes the partaker immortal. *'''[[Ananta]] (अनन्‍त)''': Ananta may be 1.The thousand headed [[naga (mythology)|nāga]] that issued from [[Balarama|Balrāma]]'s mouth 2. Author and commentator of [[Katyayana]] sutra 3. Ananta was the name of present Shekhawati region of [[Rajasthan]] in India. *'''[[Andhaka]] (अंधक)''': Andhaka was the demon son of [[Shiva]], and was created from a drop of his sweat. He was born blind. After birth, Andhaka was given to [[Hiranyaksha]] to be raised, as he had no sons. Later, Andhaka became the king of Hiranyaksha's kingdom. *'''[[Anga]] (अंग)''' : [[Mlechchha]] kings, a [[Kaurava]] supporter. *'''[[Angada]] (अंगद)''': One of the monkey host; Son of [[Vali|Valī]] *'''[[Aniruddha]] (अनिरुद्ध)''': Son of [[Pradyumna]] (a rebirth of Shatrughana who married with Chārumati and Ushā *'''[[Anjalika|Anjalikā]] (अंजलिका)''': The greatest of [[Arjuna]]'s arrows with which he slays Karna *'''[[Anjana|Anjanā]] (अंजना)''': Mother of [[Hanuman|Hanumāna]] *'''[[Anshumat]] (अंशुमत)''': A mighty chariot-fighter *'''[[Anusuya]] (अनुसूया)''' : Sati Anusuya was wife of the sage [[Atri]] and mother of [[Dattatreya]] (दत्तात्रेय) who is considered by some Hindus (in western India) to be an incarnation of the Divine Trinity [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Siva]]. *'''[[Apsaras|Apsarās]] (अपसरा)''': Heavenly nymphs, The dancing girls of Indra's court *'''[[Aquila]]{{dn}} (अक्‍विला)''': Equivalent, [[Garuda]]; the divine eagle *'''[[Arani|{{unicode|Araṇi}}]] (अरणि)''': An upper and a lower piece of wood used for producing fire by attrition. *'''[[Aranyaka|{{unicode|Āraṇyaka}}]] (आरण्यक)''' : Part of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]] that discuss [[philosophy]], [[sacrifice]] and the [[New Year]] [[holiday]]. *'''[[Arjuna]] (अर्जुन)''' : The third of [[Pandava|Pāndavas]] *'''[[Artha]] (अर्थ)''' : Wealth, one of the objects of human life, the others being [[Dharma]], (righteous- ness), [[Kama]] (satisfaction of desires), [[Moksha]] (spiritual salvation). *'''[[Arundhati (mythology)|Arundhati]] (अरुंधति)''': Wife of sage [[Vasishtha]]. *'''[[Arya]]''' : 'The Nomads.' The name of the immigrant race who came to india and chased the drividians to the south. *'''[[Asamanja]] (असमंज)''': Son of [[Sagra|Sāgra]] *'''[[Ashtavakra]] (अष्‍टवक्र)''': A towering scholar while still in his teens. *'''[[Ashta Lakshmi]]''': Eight aspects of goddess [[Lakshmi]], symbolising eight sources of wealth *'''[[Ashwatthama|Ashvatthāman]] (अश्‍वत्‍थामां)''': Son of [[Dronacharya]] and last supreme commander of the [[Kaurava]] force, strong as a horse *'''[[Ashvins]] (अश्‍विन)''' : The divine twins *'''[[Ashwamedha]] (अश्‍वमेध)''': The horse sacrifice *'''[[Ashwamedha|Asvamedha Yajna]] (अश्‍वमेध यज्ञ)''': A horse sacrifice. *'''[[Ashwapati]] (अश्‍वपति)''': Uncle of [[Bharata]] and [[Shatrughna]] *'''[[Ashwasena]] (अश्‍वसेन)''': Five mighty arrows shot by [[Karna]] *'''[[Asita]] (असित)''': A sage who held that gambling was ruinous and should be avoided by all wise people. *'''[[Asmaka]] (अस्मक)''': A [[Kaurava]] warrior who attacked [[Abhimanyu]]. *'''[[Astra (mythology)|Astra]] (अस्त्र)''': A missile charged with power by a holy incantation. *'''[[Atman (Hinduism)|Ātma]] (आत्‍मा)''': The underlying metaphysical self, sometimes translated as [[spirit]] or [[soul]]. *'''[[Ayodhya|Ayodhyā]] (अयोध्या)''': Unconquuerable, The city in the country of [[Koshala]] ==B== *'''[[Babhruvahana]]''' : Babhruvahana was son of [[Arjuna]] by his wife [[Chitrāngadā]]. *'''[[Badarikasram]] (बद्रीकाश्रम)''': Badarikasram is a place sacred to [[Vishnu]], near the Ganges in the [[Himalayas]], particularly in Vishnu's dual form of Nara-Narayana. *'''[[Bahlika]] (बाह्लिक)''', '''[[Dasharna]] (दशर्ण)''', : States the kings of which were [[Kalinga]], [[Magadha]], friendly to the[[Pandavas]], [[Matsya]], [[Panchala]], [[Salva]]. *'''[[Bahu]] (बाहु)''': A king of the Solar race. who was vanquished and driven out of his country by the tribes of [[Haihaya]]s and TaIajanghas. He was father of [[Sagara]]. *'''[[Bahuka]] (बाहुक)''': The changed name of [[Nala]], as a charioteer of [[Rituparna]], the king of [[Ayodhya]]. Also other name of king [[Bahu]]. *'''[[Baladeva]] (बलदेव)''': [[Balarama]], elder brother of Sri Krishna. *'''[[Balarama|Balarāma]] (बलराम)''': Elder brother of [[Lord Krishna]]. *'''[[Balarama|Balarāma]] (बलराम)''': An avatar or incarnation of [[Shesha|Adisesha]] the thousand-hooded serpent on which Lord Mahavishnu reclines in Vaikuntha. *'''[[Bakasura|Bakāsura]] (बकासुर)''': A voracious, cruel and terribly strong Rakshasa or demon who lived in a cave near the city of Ekachakrapura whom Bhima killed to the great relief of the citizens. *'''[[Banasura|{{unicode|Baṇāsura}}]] (बाणासुर)''': Banasura was a thousand-armed [[asura]] and son of [[Bali (demon)|Bali]]. He was a powerful and terrible asura. All people even the king of earth and [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] of heaven were afraid of him. Banasura was a follower of [[Siva]]. He had a beautiful daughter named [[Usha (goddess)|Usha]]. *'''[[Bhadra]] (भद्र)''': A mighty elephant *'''[[Bhadrakali|Bhadrakālī]] (भद्रकाली)''': Bhadrakālī is also known as the gentle [[Kali]], who came into being by Devi’s wrath, when [[Daksha]] insulted [[Shiva]]. She is the consort of [[Virabhadra]]. *'''[[Bhagadatta]] (भगदत्‍त)''': King of [[Pragjyotisha]], a Kaurava ally. *'''[[Bhagawan|Bhagawān]] (भगवान)''': Form of address to Gods and great rishis, example-Bhagawan Sri Krishna, Narada, Vyasa. A [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "Holy or Blessed one". It is a title of [[veneration]], often translated as "Lord" and refers to God. *'''[[Bhagavad Gita|Bhagavad Gītā]] (भगवद् गीता )''' : The national gospel contained in Mahābhārata, Part of the [[epic poem]] [[Mahabharata]], located in the ''[[Bhishma]]-[[Parva]]'' chapters 23&ndash;40. A core sacred text of [[Hinduism]] and [[Hindu philosophy|philosophy]]. *'''[[Bhagavati|Bhagavatī]] (भगवती)''': Alias [[Parvati|Pārvatī]], Shiva's wife *'''[[Bhagiratha|Bhagīratha]] (भगीरथ)''' : Son of Dilipa, king of Kosala *'''[[Bhajan]] (भजन)''': A [[Hindu]] [[devotional]] [[song]]. Great importance is attributed to the singing of bhajans within the [[Bhakti]] movement. *'''[[Bhakti|Bhaktī]] (भक्ति)''': A [[Sanskrit]] term that means intense devotion expressed by action (service). A person who practices bhakti is called bhakta. *'''[[Bhakti Yoga|Bhaktī Yoga]] (भक्ति योग)''': The [[Hindu]] term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to [[God]], called [[bhakti]].<ref name="Flesher" /> *'''[[Bharadwaja|Bharadwāja]] (भरद्वाज)''': A rishi, father of Yavakrida. *'''[[Bharata]] (भरत)''': Means "to be or being maintained"). Bharat may be 1. a name of [[Agni]] 2. a name of [[Rudra]] 3. one of the [[Adityas]] 4. [[Bharata (emperor)|Emperor Bharata]], son of [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala|Shakuntalā]] 5. [[Bharata (Ramayana)]], a son of [[Dasharatha]], younger brother of [[Rama]] 6. [[Bharata Muni]], the author of the [[Natyashastra]] 7. [[Bharata (Bhagavata)]], the eldest of a hundred sons of a saintly king by name [[Rishabha Deva]] according to the [[Bhagavata purana]]. *'''[[Bhārata]] (भारत)''': Meaning ("descended from Bharata"). Bhārata may refer to 1. The [[Bhāratas]], an [[Aryan]] tribe of the [[Rigveda]] 2. an early [[epic poetry|epic]] forming the core of the [[Mahabharata]] (allegedly comprising about a quarter of the extended epic) 3. the Republic of India (properly, Bhārata GaNarājya, भारत गणराज्य). *'''[[Bhargava|Bhārgava]] (भार्वग)''': Karna's divine weapon *'''[[Bhaumasur|Bhaumāsur]] (भौमासुर)''': A demon slain by Krishna *'''[[Bhima|Bhīma]] (भीम)''': The second of Pāndavas who excelled in physical prowess as he was born of the wind-god. *'''[[Bhishma|Bhīshma]] (भीष्‍म)''': Bhīshma was son of [[Shantanu|Shāntanu]], the great Knight and guardian of the imperial house of [[Kurus]]. *'''[[Bhishmak|Bhīshmak]] (भीष्‍मक)''': Raja of [[Kundalpur]] and father of [[Rukmini|Rukminī]]. *'''[[Bhoja]]s (भोज)''': A branch of the [[Yadava]] clan belonging to Krishna's tribe. *'''[[Bhuminjaya]] (भुमिंजय)''': Another name of prince [[Uttara]] son of [[Virata]] who had proceeded to fight the Kaurava armies, with Brihannala as his charioteer. *'''[[Bhurisrvas|Bhuriśravas]] (भुरिश्र्वस)''': Bhurisravas was a prince of the [[Balhika]]s and an ally of the [[Kaurava]]s, who was killed in the great battle of the Mahabharata. *'''[[Bhuta|Bhūta]]''' : A ghost, imp, goblin. Malignant spirits which haunt cementeries, lurk in trees, animate dead bodies, and delude and devour human beings. *'''[[Bibhatsu]] (बिभत्‍सु)''': One of [[Arjuna]]'s name meaning a hater of unworthy acts. *'''[[Brahma|Brahmā]] (ब्रह्‍मा)''': Creator of the universe, The [[Hindu]] [[creator god]], and one of the [[Trimurti]], the others being [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]]. He must not be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit of Hindu philosophy [[Brahman]]. *'''[[Brahmastra|Brahmāstra]] (ब्रह्‍मास्‍त्र)''': A divine weapon, irresistible, one given by Lord [[Brahma]] himself. *'''[[Brahmchari|Brahmachārin]] (ब्रह्‍मचारिन)''': A religious student, unmarried, who lives with his spiritual guide, devoted to study and service. *'''[[Brahmacharya]] (ब्रह्‍मचर्य)''' : Celibacy, chastity; the stage of life of Vedic study in which chastity and service are essential, The word ''Brahmacharya'' symbolises a person who is leading a life in quest of [[Brahma (god)|Brahma]], or in other words a [[Hindu]] [[student]]. *'''[[Brahmadatta]] (ब्रह्‍मदत्‍त)''': King of [[Benares]] *'''[[Brahman]] (ब्राह्‍मण)''': The signifying name given to the concept of the unchanging, [[infinite]], [[immanent]] and [[transcendence (religion)|transcendent]] [[reality]] that is the Divine Ground of all being. *'''[[Brahmin]] (ब्राह्ममन)''': One of four fundamental colours in Hindu [[Indian caste system|caste]] ([[Varna]]) consisting of scholars, priests and spiritual teachers. *'''[[Brihadaswa]] (बृहदास्‍व)''': A great sage who visited the Pandavas in their forest hermitage and reminded them of King Nala of Nishadha who also lost his kingdom in the game of dice and who deserted his wife Damayanti because of a curse but ultimately regained both, *'''[[Brihadratha]] (बृहद्रथ)''': Commander of three regiments reigned over Magadha and attained celebrity as a great hero, married the twin daughters of the Raja of Kasi. His two wives ate each half of a mango given by sage Kausika and begot half a child each. A Rakshasi recovered the two portions from a dustbin wherein they were thrown and when they accidentally came together, they became a chubby baby, which she presented to the king, saying it was his child, which later became known as [[Jarasandha]]. *'''[[Brihadyumna]] (बृहद्युम्‍न)''': A King, a disciple of sage [[Raibhya]]. *'''[[Brihannala]] (बृहन्नल)''': Name assumed by [[Arjuna]] while living at [[Virata]]'s court in incognito. He taught arts to Uttarā, the princess of the kingdom of [[Virata]]. *'''[[Brihaspati]] (बृहस्‍पति)''': Father of [[Kacha]] and priest of [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] *'''[[Brihatbala]] (बृहत्बल)''': A daring warrior who charged at [[Abhimanyu]] caught in the Kaurava army's net. ==C== *'''[[Caste]] (कास्‍ट)''': Mythical origin of Hindu system of racial continuity, equivalent in modern vernacular, birth (jāti) [[Image:ChakraDiag.jpg|thumb|50px|right|Diagram of [[chakra]]s]] *'''[[Chakra]] (चक्र)''': An energy node in the [[human body]]. The seven main chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the [[spine (anatomy)|spine]] to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain [[colour]], multiple specific functions, an aspect of [[consciousness]], a [[classical element]], and other distinguishing characteristics. *'''[[Chala]] (चल)''': A Kaurava warrior. *'''[[Champa|Champā]] (चम्‍पा)''': A city on banks of Ganges river where Karna found as a babe by Adhiratha and Rādhā *'''[[Chandala|Chāndāla]] (चांडाल)''': A person of a degraded caste, whose conduct was much below standard and whose cause pollution. *'''[[Chandraketu]] (चंद्रकेतु)''': A devotee of [[Manasa|Manasā]] *'''[[Chand Sadagar|Chānd Sadāgar]] (चांद सदगर)''': A merchant-prince of Champaka Nagar. Manasā Devi woos the devotion of him *'''[[Charachitra]] (चरचित्र)''': A son of King [[Dhritarashtra]] who perished in the war. *[[Chavadi]] : Place of public assembly of the village. It is the property of the entire community. In it all public business is transacted, and it serves also as the village club the headquarters of the village police and guest house for travellers. *'''[[Chedi]] (चेदि)''': A kingdodom of [[Shishupala|Shishupāla]], old name of present [[Chanderi]] *'''[[Chekitana]] (चेकितान)''': Chekitana was son of [[Dhrishtaketu]], Raja of the [[Kekayas]], and an ally of the [[Pandavas]]. *'''[[Chitra]] (चित्र)''': A son of Dhritarashtra killed in the war. *'''[[Chitraksha]] (चित्राक्ष)''': One of the many sons of King [[Dhritarashtra]] who fell in the war *'''[[Chitrakuta|Chitrakūta]] (चित्रकूट)''': Chitrakūta was in mountain forests where [[Rama]], [[Sita]] and [[Lakshmana]] spent eleven and half years of their exile; The hermitages of [[Valmiki|Vālmīki]], [[Atri]], [[Sati Anusuya]], [[Dattatreya]], Maharshi [[Markandeya]], [[Sarbhanga]], [[Sutikshna]] were here; and here the principal [[trinity]] of the Hindu pantheon, [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Mahesh]], took their incarnations. *'''[[Chitralekha]] (चित्रलेखा)''' : Chitralekha was a friend of [[Usha (goddess)|Usha]] and daughter of minister of [[Banasura]]. She was a talented lady who helped Usha to identify the young man, [[Aniruddha]], seen in the dream of Usha. Chitralekha through supernatural powers abducted Aniruddha from the palace of [[Krishna]] and brought him to Usha. *'''[[Chitrasena]] (चित्रसेन)''': King of the Gandharvas who prevented the Kauravas from putting up their camp near the pond where he himself had encamped. *'''[[Chitrayudha]] (चित्रयुद्‍ध)''': A Kaurava prince who laid down his life in the war. *'''[[Chitravarma]] (चित्रवर्मा)''': A brother of [[Duryodhana]] who was killed in the war *'''[[Chitrangada]] (चित्रांगद)''': Elder son of Santanu born of Matsyagandhi (Satyavati) who succeeded his father on the throne of Hastinapura. *'''[[Chitrāngadā]]''' : Chitrāngadā was one of [[Arjuna]]'s wives. Arjuna travelled the length and breadth of India during his term of exile. In ancient [[Manipur]] in the eastern [[Himalayas]] he met Chitrāngadā, the daughter of the king of Manipur and married her. [[Babhruvahana]] was soon born to the couple. Babruvahana would succeed his grandfather as king of [[Manipur]]. *'''[[Chyavana]] (च्‍यवन)''': A great rishi, husband of beautiful wife Sukanyā whom Ashvins beheld at her bath ==D== *'''[[Dāruka]] (दारुक)''': Sri [[Krishna]]'s charioteer. *'''[[Dadhichi]]''' : Dadhichi was a [[Vedic period|Vedic]] king, son of [[Atharvan]], who turned a great [[Rishi]]. Dadhicha gave his bones to destroy [[Vritra]], a brahmin, who became the head of the [[Asuras]]. *'''[[Daityas]] (दैत्‍य)''': Daityas were the children of [[Diti]] and the sage [[Kashyapa]]. They were a race of giants who fought against the gods. *'''[[Daksha]] (दक्ष)''': The skilled one, is an ancient creator god, one of the [[Prajapati]]s, the Rishis and the Adityas, and a son of Aditi and Brahma. *'''[[Dakshayani|Dākshāyani]] (दाक्षायनि)''': Dākshāyani is the Goddess of marital felicity and longevity; she is worshipped particularly by ladies to seek the long life of their husbands. An aspect of Devi, Dākshāyani is the consort of [[Shiva]]. Other names for Dākshāyani include Gaurī, Umā, Satī, Aparnā, Lalithā, Sivakāmini. *'''[[Damayanti|Damayantī]] (दमयंती)''': She is the wife of [[Nala]] whose story is told in the Mahabharata. *'''[[Dandaka]] (दंडक)''': A kingdom and a forest, had the same name, was a colonial state of Lanka under the reign of Ravana. Ravana's governor Khara ruled this province. It was the stronghold of all the Rakshasa tribes living in the Dandaka Forest. *'''[[Dasaratha]] (दशरथ)''': King of [[Ayodhya]] and Rama's father. *'''[[Darshana]] (दर्शन)''': A country whose king attacked Bhagadatta's elephant in an effort to save Bhima. *'''[[Dasharna]] (दशार्ण)''': Dasharna was an [[ancient]] [[Hindustan|Indian]] kingdom in [[Malwa]] region near [[Mandsaur]]. The queen of [[Chedi]] kingdom and mother of [[Damayanti]] were daughters of king of Dasharna. *'''[[Demons]]''' : A supernatural being that has generally been described as a malevolent spirit. A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured and insecurely controlled, they were constantly at war with devas. *'''[[Devadatta]] (देवदत्‍त)''': Name of Arjuna's conch, also Buddha's cousin. *'''[[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]] (देव)''': The [[Sanskrit]] word for god or [[deity]]. It can be interpreted as a demi-god, [[deity]] or any supernatural being of high excellence. *'''[[Devarata]] (देवर‍त)''': Father of [[Yajnavalkya]], the gods had given him a great bow and neither gods, nor gandharvas, nor asuras, nor rākshsa, nor men had might to string that. *'''[[Devaki|Devakī]] (देवकी)''': Mother of [[Lord Krishna]]. *'''[[Devata|Devatā]] (देवता)''': A sage who condemned the game of dice as an evil form of gambling and declared it unfit as entertainment for good people, as it usually offered scope for deceit and dishonesty. *'''[[Devavrata]] (देवव्रत)''': The eighth child of Santanu and Ganga who in time mastered the art yielding arms and learned the Vedas and Vedanta as also the sciences known to Sukra was crowned Yuvaraja (heir apparent), but later vowed to celibacy and was known as Bhishma. *'''[[Devayani|Devayanī]] (देवयानी)''': The beautiful daughter of Sukracharaya, preceptor of the demons, who fell in love with Kacha, son of Brihaspati, preceptor of the Devas. *'''[[Devendra]] (देवेन्‍द्र)''': King of the Gods. *'''[[Devi|Devī]] (देवी)''': The female version of a Deva, ie. a female deity or goddess. Devi is considered to be the Supreme Goddess in [[Shaktism]]. *'''[[Dhanvantari]] (धन्‍वंतरी)''': An avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. Dhanvantari appears in the Vedas as the physician of the gods, and is the god of [[Ayurvedic]] medicine. *'''[[Dharma]] (धर्म)''': Righteous course of conduct. Can mean law, rule or duty. Beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed quicker towards [[moksha]]. *'''[[Dharmagranthi]] (धर्मग्रंथी)''': Assumed named of Nakula at Virata's court. *'''[[Dharmananda]] (धर्मनन्‍द)''':The delighted of Dharma, a name of Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma or Yama. *'''[[Dharmavyadha]] (धर्मव्‍याध)''': He possessed the secret of good life and lived in the city of Mithila. He was a meat-seller. *'''[[Dhananjaya]] (धनन्‍जय)''': One of the names of Arjuna. *'''[[Dhanusaksha]] (धनुसक्ष)''': A great sage whom Medhavi, son of sage Baladhi, once insulted. He took the form of a bull and butted at that mountain and broke it to pieces. Then Medhavi fell down dead. *'''[[Dhaumya]] (धौम्‍य)''': Preceptor of the [[Pandavas]], who accompanied them during their exile to the Kurijangala forest, singing Sama hymns addressed to Yama, Lord of Death. *'''[[Dhrishtadyumna]] (धृष्‍टद्‍युम्‍न)''': Supreme commander of the Pandava forces and twin brother of [[Draupadi]]. *'''[[Dhrishtaketu]] (धृष्‍टकेतु)''': Dhrishtaketu may be 1. A son of [[Dhrishtadyumna]]. 2. A son of [[Sisupala]], king of [[Chedi]], and an ally of the [[Pandavas]]. 3. A king of the [[Kekayas]], also an ally of the [[Pandavas]]. 4. Son of [[Satyadhriti]]. 5. Son of [[Nriga]]. *'''[[Dhritarashtra|Dhritarāshtra]] (धृतराष्‍ट्र)''': Elder son of Vichitravirya and Ambika, born blind, father of Duryodhana. *'''[[Dharmaputra]] (धर्मपुत्र)''': The son of [[Yama]], epithet of Yudhishthira. *'''[[Dhartarashtras]] (धार्तराष्‍ट्र)''': Sons of Dhritarashtra *'''[[Dhruva]] (ध्रुव)''': Dhruva was the prince blessed to eternal existence and glory as the [[Pole Star]] (Dhruva Nakshatra in Sanskrit) by Lord [[Vishnu]]. The story of Dhruva's life is often told to Hindu children as an example for perseverance, devotion, steadfastness and fearlessness. *'''[[Dhumraksha|Dhumrāksha]] (धुमराक्ष)''': The ''Grey-eye'' rākshasha appointed by Rāvana who was slain by Hanumāna. *'''[[Dilipa]] (दिलीप)''': Son of [[Anshumat]] and father of [[Bhagiratha|Bhāgīratha]]. *'''[[Draupadi|Draupadī]] (द्रौपदी)''': Daughter of King Drupada, King of Panchala, who married all the five Pandavas though Arjuna had won her in the Swayamvara, because of the vow that they would share everything in common. *'''[[Drona|{{unicode|Droṇa}}]] (द्रोण)''': A Brāhman discovered by Bhīshma, Son of a Brahmana named Bharadwāja; married a sister of Kripa and a son Aswathama was born to them; learnt military art from Parasurama, the maser. Later he became the instructor to the Kaurava and Pandava princes in the use of arms. He was slain by [[Dhrishtadyumna]] in [[Mahabharata]] war. *'''[[Drupada]] (द्रुपद)''': King of Panchala, Drona's friend, father of Draupadi who became the wife of the Pandavas *'''[[Duhsasana|Duhsāsana]] (दुसासन)''': Duryodhana's brother who dragged Draupadi to the hall of assembly pulling her by her hair. *'''[[Durdhara]] (दुर्धर)''': A son of Dhritarashtra killed by Bhima in the war. *'''[[Durga|Durgā]] (दुर्गा)''': A form of [[Devi]], the supreme [[goddess]]. She is depicted as a woman riding a [[lion]] with multiple hands carrying weapons and assuming [[mudra]]s. *'''[[Durjaya]] (दुर्जय)''': A brother of Duryodhana who was sent to attack Bhima, to save Karna's life but lost his own. *'''[[Durmarsha]] (दुर्मर्श)''': A son of [[Dhritarashtra]] killed by Bhima. *'''[[Durmata]] (दुर्मत)''': A son of Dhritarashtra who got killed by Bhima. *'''[[Durmukha]] (दुर्मुख)''': A chariot-borne warrior on the Kaurava side. *'''[[Durvasa|Durvāsa]] (दुर्वास)''': An ancient sage known for his anger who visited the Kauravas. *'''[[Durvishaha]] (दुर्विषह)''': A warrior fighting on the Kaurava side. *'''[[Duryodhana]] (दुर्योधन)''': The eldest son of the blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] by Queen [[Gandhari]], the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, and the chief antagonist of the Pandavas. *'''[[Dushkarma]] (दुष्‍कर्म)''': A warrior belonging to the Kaurava side. *'''[[Dushyanta]] (दुष्‍यंत)''': A valiant king of the Lunar, race, and descended from [[Puru]]. He was husband of [[Sakuntala]], by whom he had a son, [[Bharata]]. The loves of Dushyanta and Sakuntala, her separation from him, and her restoration through the discovery of his token-ring in the belly of a fish, form the plot of [[Kalidasa]]'s celebrated play Sakuntala. *'''[[Dussaha]] (दुस्‍सह)''': A son of Dhritarashtra killed by Bhima. *'''[[Dvaita]] (द्वैत)''': A branch of [[Hindu philosophy]], founded by [[Shri Madhvacharya]]that advocates [[dualism]] and stresses a strict distinction between God and souls. *'''[[Dwaitayana]] (द्वैतायन)''': A forest where the Kaurava, cows were being bred and housed. *'''[[Dwaraka|Dwārakā]] (द्वारका)''': Krishna renounced war in Mathura for the greater good and founded and settled in Dwārakā. Leaving the Vrishnis people in Dwaraka, Krishna returned to Mathura and killed [[Kamsa]] (his maternal uncle) and Kālayavans demon and made Ugrasen (his maternal grandfather) the king of Mathura. *'''[[Dyumatsena]] (द्‍युमतसेन)''': King of [[Shalwas|Shālwas]] and father of [[Satyavan|Satyavān]]. ==E== *'''[[Ekachakra]] (एकचक्र)''': It was a city where the Pandavas are said to have lived here with their mother, [[Kunti]], when they were exiled to the forest and escaped from the burning of house of lac. *'''[[Ekalavya]] (एकलव्‍य)''': He was a young prince of the [[Nishadha]] tribes, who achieves a skill level parallel to the great [[Arjuna]], despite [[Drona]]'s rejection of him. He was a member of low caste and he wished to study in the gurukulam of Dronacharya. ==F== *'''[[Agni|Fire-God]]''' : Same as [[Agni]] who had son [[Nila]]. *'''[[Flute]]''' : [[Lord Krishna]] had a flute (called a [[Bansuri]] in Indian languages) which he used to play in the woods and all the herd-girls of Braj used to go out on the voice of this flute. ==G== *'''[[Gajasura]] (गजासुर)''': Gajasura (elephant demon) is the name used to refer to demon [[Nila]] when he took the form of an elephant and attacked [[Shiva]]. He was destroyed by [[Ganapati]]. *'''[[Ganapati|{{unicode|Gaṇapati}}]] (गणपति)''': Lord of the territory, The fulfiller of desire, the god of merchants, Second son of Shiva and Pārvati. Scourge of Carpathia and the Sorrow of Moldavia. Amanuensis of [[Vyasa]] who agreed to write down without pause or hesitation the story of the Mahabharata dictated by Vyasa. *'''[[Ganges|Ganga]] (गंगा)''': A holy river in [[Northern India]], believed to be a goddess by Hindus (see [[Ganga in Hinduism]]), Equivalent Ganges, The story of the birth of Ganges was told to Rama and Laxmana by [[Vishvamitra]]. *'''[[Ganesha|{{unicode|Gaṇesha}}]] (गणेश)''': The god of good fortune, commonly identified for his [[elephant]] [[head]]. *'''[[Ganesh Chaturthi|{{unicode|Gaṇeśa Chaturṭhī}}]] (गणेश चतुर्थी)''': Ganesh Chaturthi is an occasion or a day on which [[Ganesha|Lord Ganesha]], the son of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]], makes his presence on earth for all his devotees. It is the birthday of Lord [[Ganesha]]. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi *'''[[Gandhari|Gāndhārī]] (गांधारी)''': Dhritarashtra's wife and queen mother of the Kauravas. *'''[[Gandharva]]s (गंधर्व)''': A class of celestial beings regarded as specialists in music. *'''[[Gandiva|{{unicode|Gāṇdīva}}]] (गाण्डीव)''': [[Arjuna]]'s most potent bow. *'''[[Gangadwara]] (गंगद्वार)''': A place where sage Agastya and his wife performed penance. *'''[[Garuda]] (गरुड)''': It is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] mythology. *'''[[Gauri|Gaurī]] (गौरी)''': Gaurī or [[Dakshayani|Dākshāyani]] is the Goddess of marital felicity and longevity; she is worshipped particularly by ladies to seek the long life of their husbands. An aspect of Devi, Dākshāyani is the consort of Shiva. *'''[[Gayatri|Gāyatrī]] (गायत्री)''': A revered [[mantra]] in [[Hinduism]], found in the [[Yajur Veda]]. *'''[[Ghatotkacha]] (घटोत्‍कच)''': Son of Bhima from demoness Hidimba. *'''[[Gita|Gītā]] (गीता)''': See [[Bhagwad Gita]] *'''[[Gopa]]s (गोप)''': Equivalent, herd-boys *'''[[Krishna|Gopāla]] (गोपाल)''': Name of Krishna indicating his origin as a god of flocks and herds. *'''[[Gopi|Gopīs]] (गोपी)''': Gopi is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning 'cow-herd girls'. *'''[[Govardhan]] (गोवर्धन)''': Govardhan is a hill located near the town of [[Vrindavan]] in India. *'''[[Govinda]] (गोविन्‍द)''': One of the epithets of Sri Krishna and Vishnu; it means a cow-keeper and refers to Krishna's occupation in Gokula, the colony of cowherds *'''[[Grihastha]] (गृहस्‍थ)''': The second of the four phases(''[[#Purushartha|Purushartha]]'') of a man, when a person gets married and settles down in life and begets children. *'''[[Guha]] (गुह)''': King of [[Nishadha|Nishādha]] *'''[[Guru]] (गुरु)''': Revered preceptor, A spiritual teacher. In contemporary India, the title and term "Guru" is widely used within the general meaning of "wise man". *'''[[Guru Purnima|{{unicode|Guru Pūrṇimā}}]] (गुरु पूर्णिमा)''': The day of [[full moon]], ''Purnima'', in the month of ''Ashadh'' of the [[Hindu calendar]] is traditionally celebrated by [[Hindus]] as {{unicode|Guru Pūrṇimā}}. On this day, devotees offer [[puja]] (worship) to their [[Guru]]. ==H== *'''[[Hamsa]] (हंस), [[Hidimba|Hidimbā]] (हिडिम्‍बा), [[Kamsa]] (कंस)''' : Allies of King [[Jarasandha]]; the last married the two daughters of Jarasandha. Also Krishna's step-uncle whom Krishna killed. *'''[[Halayudha]] (हलयुद्ध)''': Plough-weaponed, an epithet of Balarama who wielded a plough as his weapon. *'''[[Hanuman|Hanumāna]] (हनुमान)''': Wise and learned monkey devotee of Sri Rama, who possessed extraordinary powers of discrimination and wisdom and who searched and found [[Sita]] in her confinement in [[Lanka]]. Son of [[Vayu]] and [[Anjana]]. *'''[[Hari]] (हरि)''': Hari is another name of [[Vishnu]] or God in Vaishnavism, Smarta or Advaitan Hinduism, and appears as the 650th name in the Vishnu sahasranama. *'''[[Harivamsa]] (हरिवंश)''': Harivamsa is an important work of Sanskrit literature. It is a kind of appendix to the Mahābhārata, that runs to 16,375 verses and focuses specifically on the life of [[Lord Krishna]]. *'''[[Hastinapura|Hastināpura]] (हस्‍तिनापुर)''': Hastinapura is the capital and the kingdom of the [[Kaurava]]s, the descendants of Kuru, which include the Pandavas. The throne of this city is the prize over which the great war of the epic is fought. *'''[[Hidimba|Hidimbā]] (हिडिम्‍बा)''': A powerful [[Asura]], who had yellow eyes and a horrible aspect. He was a cannibal, and dwelt in the forest to which the [[Pandava]]s retired after the burning of their house. He had a sister named [[Hidimbi]], whom he sent to lure the Pandavas to him; but on meeting with [[Bhima]], she fell in love with him. By his mother's desire Bhima married her, and by her had a son named [[Ghatotkacha]]. *'''[[Hindu scripture]]''' : Sacred texts of Hinduism mostly written in [[Sanskrit]]. Hindu scripture is divided into two categories: ''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]]'' &ndash; that which is heard (i.e. revelation) and ''[[Smriti]]'' &ndash; that which is remembered (i.e. tradition, not revelation). *'''[[Hinduism]]''' : A worldwide religious tradition that is based on the [[Veda]]s and is the direct descendent of the [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. *'''[[Hiranyakashipu]] (हिरण्‍यकश्यप)''': Hiranyakashipu was an [[Asura]], and also a King of Dravida whose younger brother, Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha, one of the avatars of Vishnu. Identical with Shishupāla and Rāvana. *'''[[Hiranyaksha]] (हिरण्‍याक्ष)''': Hiranyaksha was an [[Asura]] of the [[Daitya]] race, and a King of [[Dravida]] who was killed by Lord [[Vishnu]] after he took the Earth to the bottom of the ocean. He had an older brother named [[Hiranyakashipu]]. *'''[[Holika|Holikā]] (होलिका)''': Holika was a [[demoness]] who was killed on the day of [[Holi]]. She was the sister of King [[Hiranyakashipu]]. The story of Holika's conflict signifies the triumph of good over evil. *'''[[Krishna|Hrishikesha]] (ऋषिकेष): [[Krishna]]. ==I== *'''[[Ikshvaku]] (इक्ष्वाकु)''': The word Ikshvaku means "[[bitter gourd]]". Ikshvaku was the first king and founder of the [[Sun Dynasty]] in [[Vedic civilization]] in [[ancient India]]. He was the son of [[Manu]] (the first man on earth), sired by the Sun God, [[Surya]]. [[Rama]], of the epic [[Ramayana]] is a descendant of the house of Ikshvaku. So are [[Bhagiratha]], [[Dasaratha]], [[Luv]] and [[Kusa]]. *'''[[Ilvala]] (ईवल)''': Ilvala and [[Vatapi]] were [[asuras]], the rulers of [[Badami]], formerly known as Vatapi, was named after asura king [[Vatapi]]. *'''[[Indra]] (इन्‍द्र)''': King of the Gods. The chief [[deity]] of the [[Rigveda]], the god of [[weather]] and [[war]] as well as Lord of [[Swarga|Svargaloka]] in [[Hinduism]]. *'''[[Indrajit|Indrajīt]] (इन्‍द्र जीत)''': Son of [[Ravana]], King of Lanka, who conquered Indra, the Lord of Gods and who was killed by Rama's brother Lakshmana. *'''[[Indraprastha]] (इन्‍द्रप्रस्‍थ)''': Indraprastha (''City of Indra'') was a major northern city in [[Kingdoms of Ancient India|ancient India]] that was the capital of the kingdom led by the [[Pandavas]] in the [[Mahabharata]] epic, located upon the banks of the river [[Yamuna]] and extremely close to the modern national capital of [[Delhi]]. *'''[[Indrasena]] (इन्‍द्रसेन)''': A kinsman of the Pandavas, son of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]]. *'''[[Indrasena|Indrasenā]] (इन्‍द्रसेना)''': Daughter of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]]. *'''[[Indrakila]] (इन्‍द्रकिला)''': A mountain Arjuna passed on his way to the Himalayas to practise austerities to acquire powerful new weapons from Lord Mahadeva. *'''[[Iravan]] (इरवन)''': [[Arjuna]]'s son by a [[Naga people|Naga]] princess [[Ulupi]] who fell in the battle on the eighth day, fought on the side of the [[Pandavas]], killed by the [[Rakshasa]] [[Alumvusha]]. *'''[[Ishvara]] (ईश्व‍र)''': A [[Hindu]] philosophical concept of [[God]] referring to the Supreme Being which is the lord and the ruler of everything. [[Hinduism]] uses the term Ishvara exclusively to refer to the Supreme [[God]] in a monotheistic sense. ==J== *'''[[Jambavan|Jāmbavān]] (जाम्‍बवान)''': Jambavan or Jamvanta is a bear in Hinduism and believe to lived from [[Treta Yuga]] to [[Dvapara Yuga]]. *'''[[Janaka]] (जनक)''': King of [[Mithila]], a great Rajarishi; father of [[Sita]], wife of [[Rama]]). *'''[[Janamejaya]] (जनमेजय)''': A king who conducted a great sacrifice for the well being of the human race. *'''[[Janardana|Janārdana]] (जनार्दन)''': A name of Krishna *'''[[Jarasandha|Jarāsandha]] (जरासंध)''': A rākshasa father-in-law of [[Kamsa]], Son of [[Brihadratha]]. Mighty king of [[Magadha]] of whose prowess all Kshatriyas were afraid. Killed by Bhima in a thirteen-day non-stop physical combat: with Sri Krishna and Arjuna as witnesses. *'''[[Jarita]] (जरित), [[Laputa]] (लपुत)''': Female companions of a saranga bird, who was a rishi named [[Mandapala]] in his previous birth when he was refused admission to heaven because he was childless. *'''[[Jalasura|Jalāsura]] (जलासुर)''': A demon killed by [[Bhima]]. *'''[[Japa]] (जप)''': A spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a [[mantra]] or the name of [[God]]. The repetition can be aloud, just the movement of lips or in the mind. *'''[[Jataka|Jātaka]] (जातक)''': The Jataka is a voluminous body of folklore and mythic literature, primarily associated with the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as written in the Pali language (from about the 3rd century, C.E.); The story of Rama is told in one of Jātakas. *'''[[Jatāsura]] (जटासुर)''': A [[Rakshasa]] who disguised himself as a [[Brahman]] and carried [[Yudhishthira]], [[Sahadeva]], [[Nakula]], and [[Draupadi]]. He was overtaken and killed by [[Bhima]]. *'''[[Jatayu (Ramayana)|Jatāyū]] (जटायू)''': Jatāyū was king of all the eagles-tribes, the son of [[Aruna]] and nephew of [[Garuda]]. A demi-god who has the form of an (eagle), he tries to rescue [[Sita]] from [[Ravana]], when Ravana is on his way to Lanka after kidnapping Sita. His brother was [[Sampati|Sampatī]] *'''[[Jaya (disambiguation)|Jaya]] (जय)''': A son of King [[Dhritarashtra]], who was killed by [[Bhima]] in the war *'''[[Jayadratha]] (जयद्रथ)''': A warrior on the side of Kauravas who closed the breach effected by Abhimanyu in the [[Chakravyuha]] military formation by Dronacharya and trapped him inside. *'''[[Jayatsena]] (जयत्‍सेन)''': A kinsman of the [[Pandavas]]. *'''[[Jayatsena]] (जयत्‍सेन)''': A warrior fighting on the side of [[Kauravas]]. *'''[[Jiwal|Jīwal]] (जीवल)''': The charioteer of [[Rituparna]], king of [[Ayodhya]], who accompanied with [[Bahuka]]. *'''[[Jnana]] (ज्ञान)''': Knowledge of the eternal and real ==K== *'''[[Kacha]] (कच)''': Grandson of sage Angiras and son of Brihaspati, who went to seek knowledge under Sukracharya as a brahmacharin. Devayani, the preceptor's lovely daughter, fell in love with him. The Asuras (demons) suspecting him of wanting to steal the secret of reviving the dead, killed him a number of times. But due to Devayani's love for him, her father brought him back to life every time he was killed. Ultimately the secret was learnt by the devas who then succeeded in defeating the asuras. *'''[[Kagola]] (कगोल)''': A disciple of the great sage and teacher of [[Vedanta]], Uddalaka. *'''[[Kaikeyi|Kaikeyī]] (कैकेयी)''': She was the youngest of King [[Dasaratha]]'s three wives and a queen of Ayodhya. She was the mother of [[Bharata]]. *'''[[Kailash|Kailāsh]] (कैलास)''': It is a peak in the Gangdisê mountains, the source of rivers in Asia—the Indus River, the Sutlej River, and the Brahmaputra River—and is considered as a sacred place in four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön faith. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet. *'''[[Kaitabh]] (कैतभ)''': Kaitabh is an [[asura]] associated with Hindu religious cosmology. He along with his companion, Madhu, originated from one of the ears of God Vishnu. Kaitabh and Madhu were designed to annihilate [[Brahma]]. *'''[[Kalayavan|Kālayāvan]] (कालयावन)''': Kālayāvan was an [[asura]] who surrounded Mathura with an army of thirty million monstrous friends. Then Krishna departed to built a city of Dwārkā amidst sea, transported all his people to this city and left them in Dwārkā. Then Krishna returned and slew Kālayāvan. *'''[[Kal-Purush|Kāl-Purush]] (काल-पुरुष)''': The time-man, Bengali name of Orion. *'''[[Kali (Demon)|Kali]] (कलि)''': Kali was a demon, the personified spirit of the [[Kali Yuga|Fourth yuga]] who possesses [[Nala]]. *'''[[Kali Yuga|Kalī Yuga]] (कली युग)''': Kalī Yuga (lit. Age of Kali, also known as The Age of Darkness), is one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as part of the cycle of [[Yuga]]s, as described in Hindu scriptures, the others being [[Dwapara Yuga]], [[Treta Yuga]], and [[Satya Yuga]]. *'''[[Kali|Kālī]] (काली)''': A dark, black aspect of the mother-goddess [[Devi]] whose consort is [[Shiva]]. *'''[[Kalindi|Kālindī]] (कालिन्‍दी)''': Kālindī was daughter of the Sun who marries [[Lord Krishna]] while he was ruling at Dwārkā, Kālindī is also another name for the river [[Yamuna]] in northern [[India]]. *'''[[Kaliya|Kāliyā]] (कालिया)''': Kāliyā was the name of a poisonous [[Lernaean Hydra|hydra]] or ''[[Naga (mythology)|Nāga]]'' living on the bank of [[Yamuna River]]. Kāliyā was quelled by [[Krishna]] and sent to his abode in Ramanaka Dwīpa. *'''[[Kal nagini|Kāl nāginī]] (काल नागिनी)''': A serpent who kills [[Lakshmindara]], the son of [[Chand Sadagar]] who was a merchant-prince of [[Champaka Nagar]]. *'''[[Kalki]] (कल्कि)''': The tenth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] who is yet to come and will appear as a man on a horse at the end of [[Kali Yug]]. *'''[[Kama|Kāma]] (काम)''': Best understood as aesthetics, the definition of Kama involves sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, pleasure of the senses, love, and the ordinary enjoyments of life regarded as one of the four ends of man ([[purusharthas]]). *'''[[Kamadeva|Kāmadeva]] (कामदेव)''': Kāmadeva is the [[Hindu]] god of love. He is represented as a young and handsome [[wing]]ed man who wields a [[Bow (weapon)|bow]] and [[arrow]]s. *'''[[Kamboja]]s (कम्बोज)''': Enemies of the [[Kauravas]] whom Karna had defeated *'''[[Kamadhenu|Kāmadhenu]] (कामधेनु)''': Kamadhenu was a divine cow believed to be the mother of all cows. Like her child [[Nandini]], she could grant any wish for the true seeker. Kamadhenu provided [[Vasishta]] with his needs for the sacrifices. Kamadhenu (kama-dhenu, 'wish-cow'), was a miraculous cow of plenty who could give her owner whatever he desired. *'''[[Kampilya]] (कम्पिल्‍य)''': Capital of the [[Panchala Kingdom]] ruled by Drupada. *'''[[Kamsa]] (कंस)''': Maternal Uncle of Sri [[Krishna]] and son of [[Ugrasena]], also son-in-law of Jarasandha, whom Sri Krishna killed. *'''[[Kanika]] (कणिक)''': Minister of [[Sakuni]]. *'''[[Kanka]] (कंक)''': Assumed name of [[Yudhishthira]] at [[Virata]]'s court. *'''[[Kanva|{{unicode|Kaṇva}}]] (कण्‍व)''': Father of [[Shakuntala]]. *'''[[Karkotaka]] (कर्कोटक)''' : The [[Naga (mythology)|naga]] who bit [[Nala]] at the request of [[Indra]], transforming Nala into a twisted and ugly shape. *'''[[Kartavirya Arjuna]] (कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन)''' : ''Kārtavīrya Arjuna'' was King of [[Mahishamati]], [[kshatriya]] of Ramayana period believed to have a thousand arms. He had beheaded [[Jamadagni]], father of [[Parashurama]]. In revenge, Parashurama killed the entire clan of Kartavirya Arjuna. [[Ravana]] was comprehensively defeated and was put to humiliation by him. *'''[[Kausikam]] (कौसिकम्)''': A sage who learnt from [[Dharmavyadha]] the secret of Dharma, of performing one's duty. *'''[[Karma]] (कर्म)''': A Sanskrit term that comprises the entire cycle of [[Causality|cause and effect]]. *'''[[Karma Yoga]] (कर्म योग)''': The practise of disciplining action. [[Karma]] [[yoga]] focuses on the adherence to duty ([[dharma]]) while remaining detached from the reward. It states that one can attain [[Moksha]] (salvation) by doing his duties in an unselfish manner.<ref name="Flesher" /> *'''[[Karna|{{unicode|Karṇa}}]] (कर्ण)''': A matchless warrior, son of the Sun god and [[Kunti]]. Disciple of [[Parasurama]]. Also son of Radha, his foster-mother, and was known as Radheya. *'''[[Kartavirya|Kārtavīrya]] (कार्तवीर्य)''': A great warrior who defeated [[Ravana]], King of Lanka. *'''[[Kartikeya|Kārtikeya]] (कार्तिकेय)''': Commander of the armies of the devas, A god born out of a magical spark created by [[Shiva]], his father. His brother is [[Ganesha]]. *'''[[Kashyapa]] (कश्‍यप)''': An ancient sage , father of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], [[Asuras]], [[Naga (mythology)|Naga]]s and all of humanity. He is married to [[Aditi]], with whom he is the father of [[Agni]] and the [[Aditya]]s. His second wife, [[Diti]], begot the [[Daitya]]s. Diti and Aditi were daughters of King [[Daksha]] and sisters to Sati, Shiva's consort. One of Dashratha's counsellors also. *'''[[Kauravas]] (कौरव)''': Kaurava is a Sanskrit term, that means a descendant of [[Kuru]], alternate name of sons of [[Dhritarashtra]]. *'''[[Kausalya|Kausalyā]] (कौसल्‍या)''': She was the eldest of King [[Dasaratha]]'s three wives and a queen of Ayodhya. She was the mother of Rama. *'''[[Kekaya]] (केक‍य)''': A brave warrior on the [[Pandava]] side into whose chariot [[Bhima]] got during the fighting on the sixth day. [[Usinaras]], the [[Sibi]], the [[Madra]]s, and the Kekayas were the direct descendants of [[Yayati]]'s son [[Anu]]. *'''[[Kesava]] (केसव)''': One of the names of Sri [[Krishna]]. *'''[[Keshini|Keshinī]] (केशिनी)''': Wife of [[Sagara (Vedic king)|Sāgara]] *'''[[Ketama]] (केतम)''': Another chief whose head was cut off by [[Drona]]. *'''[[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]] (केतु)''': Ketu is generally referred to as a "shadow" planet. It has a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. Astronomically, Ketu and [[Rahu]] denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. *'''[[Khandavaprastha|{{unicode|Khaṇdavaprastha}}]] (खाण्डवप्रस्‍थ)''': The ancient capital from where the ancestors of Pandavas, [[Nahusha]] and [[Yayati]] ruled. The Pandavas rebuilt the ruined city and erected palaces and forts and renamed it [[Indraprastha]]. *'''[[Khara]] (खर)''': Khara was younger brother of [[Ravana|Rāvana]] who was slain by Rama. *'''[[Kichak]]a (किचक)''': [[Sudeshna]]'s brother, commander-in-chief of [[Virata]]'s army, who made advances to [[Sairandhri]] ([[Draupadi]]). He was invited to meet her at night at the ladies dancing hall and was met instead by Valala ([[Bhima]]) dressed up as a female who killed him (Kichaka). *'''[[Kinnars]] (किन्‍नर)''' : Human birds with instruments of music under their wings. *'''[[Kirata|Kirāta]] (किरात)''': Huntsman, The non-Aryan aborigines of the land. They are mentioned along with Cinas for Chinese. Kiratas are believed to be of Tibeto-Burman origin. *'''[[Kirmira]] (किर्मीर)''' : Kirmira was a [[Rakshasa]], the brother of [[Bakasura]]. He lived in the forest of [[Kamyaka]], and used to terrorize the Rishis who inhabited that forest. He ran into the Pandavas when they began their exile in the Kamyaka forest. Upon learning that Bheema was present, who had slain his brother Bakasura, the Rakshasa then challenged the Pandava to fight. After a fierce battle, [[Bhishma]] choked Kirmira to death *'''[[Kishkindha|Kishkindhā]] (किष्किन्‍धा)''': Kishkindhā was the kingdom ruled by a Vanara King [[Sugreeva]], the younger brother of [[Bali]], during the Ramayana period. This was the kingdom where he ruled with the assistance of his most intelligent minister, [[Hanuman]]. *'''[[Kosala]] (कोशल)''': Kosala was an ancient Indian [[Aryan]] kingdom, corresponding roughly in area with the region of [[Oudh]]. Its capital was [[Ayodhya]], where [[Rama]] was born. *'''[[Kripacharya|Kripāchārya]] (कृपाचार्य)''': Aswathama's uncle who advocated a combined assault on Arjuna in battle as against Karna's boast that he could take him on single-handed. *'''[[Krishna|{{unicode|Krishṇa}}]] (कृष्‍ण)''': The eighth avatar of [[Vishnu]], one of the most worshipped by many Hindus. Krishna is famous for his lecture to [[Arjuna]] written in the [[Bhagavad Gita]]. *'''[[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa|Krishna-Dwaipāyana]] (कृष्‍ण द्वैपायन)''': Another name of Sage [[Vyasa]]. *'''[[Krauncha]] (क्रौंच)''': Curlew-heron. *'''[[Krauncha-Vyuha]] (क्रौंच व्‍युह)''': military formation on a pattern supposed to resemble a heron with outstretched beak and spreading wings. In ancient Indian practice, armies were arrayed for battle in formations of definite patterns, each of which had a name such as Chakra, or Kurma or Krauncha, or Makara according to a real or fancied resemblance. *'''[[Kritavarma]] (कृतवर्म)''': A notable [[Yadava]] warrior fighting on the side of Kaurava forces. *'''[[Kshatriya]] (क्षत्रिय)''': One of the four fundamental colours ([[Varna]]s) in Hindu tradition, consisting of the warriors, soldiers and rulers of society. *'''[[Kshatradharma]] (क्षात्रधर्म)''': This is a form of spiritual practice that involves "Protection of the seekers and destruction of the evildoers". In other words, it is the duty of fighting against evil as told by lord [[Krishna]] to [[Arjuna]] in the [[Bhagavad Gita]]. *'''[[Kubera]] (कुबेर)''': One of the gods of [[wealth]] and riches. *'''[[Kuchasthala]] (कुचस्‍थल)''': A city where [[Krishna]] stayed the night on his way to the court of [[Dhritarashtra]]. *'''[[Kumara|Kumāra]] (कुमार)''': Son of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] who conquered and slew the demon [[Taraka]]. *'''[[Kumbha]] (कुम्भ)''': Kumbha was a rakshasa who led a host against the monkeys when Hanumana fetches healing herb. *'''[[Kumbhakarna]] (कुम्भकर्ण)''': Brother of [[Ravana]], King of Lanka, who was asleep most of the time because of the curse of Brahma. *'''[[Kundalpur]] (कुण्‍डलपुर)''': Capital of Raja [[Bhismak]] who was father of [[Rukmini]], the wife of [[Krishna]]. *'''[[Kundinapura]] (कुण्‍डिनपुर)''': Capital of [[Vidarbha]]. *'''[[Kunti|Kuntī]] (कुंती)''': Mother of [[Pandavas]], Daughter of [[Sura]] also known as [[Pritha]]. She was given in adoption to the king's childless cousin [[Kuntibhoja]] and was named Kunti after her adoptive father. *'''[[Madri|Kunti-Madri]] (कुंती-माद्री)''': Queens of King Pandu who gave birth to three and two sons known as the Pandavas in the forest where he spent many years for having committed some sin. The sons were known as Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. *'''[[Kurma]] (कुर्म): Tortoise, The second [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] where he took the form of a [[tortoise]]. *'''[[Kurukshetra]] (कुरुक्षेत्र)''': Plain of, scene of great battle between the [[Pandava]]s and [[Kuru]]s for the throne of [[Hastinapura]] resulted in a battle in which a number of ancient kingdoms participated as allies of the rival clans. The location of the battle was Kurukshetra in the modern state of [[Haryana]] in India. *'''[[Kurus]] (कुरु)''': The name of an [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]] tribe and their kingdom in the Vedic civilization of India. Their kingdom was located in the area of modern [[Haryana]]. [[Bhisma]] was their guardian. *'''[[Kusha (Ramayana)|Kusha]] (कुश)''': Kusha and his twin brother [[Lava]] are the children of the Hindu God [[Rama]] and his wife[[Sita]], whose story is told in the Ramayana ==L== *'''[[Lakshagrah]] (लाक्षागृह)''': The house of [[lac]], The palace made out of lac at Benares where [[Pandava]]s along with [[Kunti]] were kept with a sense of banishment. *'''[[Lakshmana|{{unicode|Lakshmaṇa}}]] (लक्ष्मण)''': Younger stepbrother of [[Rama]] and son of [[Sumitra]] and King [[Dasaratha]]. Duryodhana's gallant young son also bore this name. *'''[[Lakshmi|Lakshmī]] (लक्ष्मी)''': Goddess of prosperity, wealth and good fortune. She is the consort of [[Vishnu]] and an aspect of [[Devi]]. *'''[[Lakshmindara|Lakshmīndara]] (लक्ष्मीन्‍दर)''': Son of [[Chand Sadagar]] who weds [[Behula]]. He was slain by [[Kal-nagini]] but restored to life by [[Mansa]]. *'''[[Lanka|Lankā]] (लंका)''': An island city, generally identified with [[Ceylon]], the home of [[Ravana]]. *'''[[Lava]] (लव)''': [[Kusa]] and [[Lava]] were sons of [[Rama]] and [[Sita]]. *'''[[Lomasa]] (लोमस)''': A [[brahmana]] sage who advised the Pandavas to reduce their retinue while repairing to the forest. Those unable to bear the hardships of exile were free to go to the court of Dhritarashtra or Drupada, king of Panchala. He accompanied [[Yudhishthira]] on his wanderings. *'''[[Lopamudra]] (लोपमुद्रा)''': Daughter of the king of [[Vidarbha]] who married the sage [[Agastya]]. *'''[[Lord Narayana]] (नारायण)''': Refuge of men; [[Mahavishnu]]. ==M== *'''[[Madhava|Mādhava]] (माधव)''': One of the names of [[Krishna]]. It means the Lord of [[Lakshmi]]. *'''[[Madhu]] (मधु)''': The name of Kingdom of [[Shtrughna]]. *'''[[Madhusudana]] (मधुसुदन)''': Another name of [[Krishna]], the slayer of the asura [[Madhu]]. *'''[[Mahabharata|Mahābhārata]] (महाभारत)''': One of the two major ancient [[Sanskrit]] [[Epic poetry|epic]]s of [[India]], the other being the ''[[Ramayana]]''. The ''Mahabharata'' is of religious and philosophical importance in India; in particular, the [[Bhagavad Gita]], which is one of its chapters (''Bhishmaparva'') and a sacred text of [[Hinduism]]. *'''[[Mahadeva|Mahādeva]] (महादेव)''': Another name of [[Shiva]]. *'''[[Mahaparshwa|Mahāpārshwa]] (महापार्शव)''': One of [[Ravana]]'s generals. *'''[[Maharaksha|Mahārāksha]] (महाराक्ष)''': Son of [[Khara]] slain at [[Lanka]]. *'''[[Mahavishnu|Mahāvishnu]] (महाविष्‍णु)''': Lord of the Universe who took human birth in order to wrest his kingdom from Emperor [[Bali]] for the salvation of the world. Lord Vishnu also took birth as Rama, son of Dasaratha, to kill Ravana, King of Lanka. *'''[[Mahendra]] (महेन्‍द्र)''': A King who had attained heaven. Also the name of a mountain upon which [[Hanuman]]a rushes while searchin [[Sita]], shaking it in wrath and frightening every beast that lived in its woods and caves. *'''[[Mainaka]] (मैनक)''': Another mountain, well wooded and full of fruits and roots, [[Hanuman]]a coursed through the air while searchin [[Sita]]. *'''[[Maitreya]] (मैत्रेय)''': A sage who visited the court of [[Dhritarashtra]], expressed sorrow at the Pandava's plight, advised Duryodhana not to injure the Pandavas for his own good. *'''[[Malini|Mālinī]] (मालिनी)''': Malini was the name of river that was flowing in the forest where the [[ashrama]] of [[Kanva]] rishi was situated and [[Dushyanta]] fell in love with [[Shakuntala]]. *'''[[Mandhatri]]''': Mandhatri was a king, son of [[Yuvanaswa]], of the race of [[Ikshvaku]], and author of a hymn in the [[Rigveda]]. *'''[[Manasarovar|Mānasarovar]] (मानसरोवर)''': A sacred lake in the Himalayas *'''[[Mandara]] (मंदर)''': The mountain used as a curning stick in [[Samudra manthan]] for churning the ocean using [[Vasuki]] nāga as rope by gods on one side and [[asuras]] on other side. *'''[[Mandavya]] (मंदव्‍य)''': A sage wrongly punished by the king by being impaled as the chief of robbers who had clandestinely hidden their stolen goods in a corner of his hermitage when he was in deep contemplation. Lord Dharma gave him this punishment for having tortured birds and bees in his childhood. At this Mandavya cursed Dharma who was born as Vidura, the wise, to the servant maid of Ambalika, wife of King Vichitravirya, who offered her to Sage Vyasa in place of Ambalika. *'''[[Mandodari|Mandodarī]] (मंदोदरी)''': Mandodari was the daughter of the King of [[Danava]]s, [[Mayasura]] and celestial dancer, Hema. She was the first wife of the Lord of Lanka [[Ravana]]. [[Image:Manipura.png|thumb|Manipura chakra]] *'''[[Manipura]]''' : 'City of jewels' in Sanskrit. Manipura is the third primary [[chakra]] according to [[Hindu]] tradition. It is positioned at the [[navel]] region and it has ten [[petal]]s which match the [[vritti]]s of spiritual ignorance, [[thirst]], [[jealousy]], [[treachery]], [[shame]], [[fear]], [[disgust]], [[delusion]], [[foolishness]] and [[sadness]]. *'''[[Manasa|Manasā Devī]] (मन्‍सादेवी)''': The goddess of snakes, daughter of [[Shiva]] by a mortal woman. *'''[[Manthara|Mantharā]] (मंथरा)''': Mantharā was a servant who convinced [[Kaikeyi]] that the throne of Ayodhya belonged to her son [[Bharata]] and that [[Rama]] should be exiled from the kingdom. *'''[[Mantra]] (मंत्र)''': An incantation with words of power. A [[religion|religious]] [[syllable]] or [[poem]], typically from the [[Sanskrit]] language. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed [[concentration]] in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras are performed through [[chanting]]. *'''[[Manu Smriti]] (मनुस्मृति)''' : The Manusmriti translated Laws of Manu is regarded as an important work of Hindu law and ancient Indian society. Manu was the forefather of all humans and author of [[Manu Smriti]]. Certain historians believe it to have been written down around 200 C.E. under the reign of Pushymitra Sunga of Sangha clan, who is alleged to have persecuted many Buddhists, to regulate a code of conduct consolidating Hinduism. *'''[[Maricha|Mārīcha]] (मारीच)''': A character in the [[Ramayana]], uncle of [[Ravana]] who transformed himself into a golden deer at the behest of Ravana to entice Sita. *'''[[Markandeya|Mārkandeya]] (मार्कण्‍डेय)''': A sage who told [[Yudhishthira]] the story of a brahmana, Kausika. *'''[[Marutta]] (मरुत्त)''': A king of the Ikshwaku dynasty whose sacrifice was performed by Samvarta in defiance of Indra and Brihaspati. *'''[[Matali|Mātalī]] (मातली)''': Charioteer of [[Indra]] who took Arjuna to the kingdom of gods. *'''[[Matanga]] (मतंग)''': A rishi during [[Ramayana]] period, Rama and Laxman pass by while searching Sita on way to mountain [[Rishyamuk|Rishyamūk]] on which dwelt [[Sugriva]]. *'''[[Mathura|Mathurā]] (मथुरा)''': The capital of Yadavas which was invaded by [[Kams]] *'''[[Matrikas]]''': A group of mother goddesses. *'''[[Matsya]] (मत्‍स्‍य)''': The first [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], where he came in the form of a [[fish]]. *'''[[Maya (illusion)|Māyā]] (मा‍या)''': Maya is the limited, purely physical and mental reality in which our everyday consciousness has become entangled. Maya is believed to be an illusion, a veiling of the true, unitary Self—the Cosmic Spirit also known as Brahman. Maya originated in the Hindu scriptures known as the [[Upanishad]]s. *'''[[Mayasura]] (मयासुर)''': Maya (मय), or Mayasura was a great ancient king of the [[Asura]], [[Daitya]] and [[Rakshasa]] races upon earth. He was also the chief architect of the peoples of the netherworlds. *'''[[Medhavi]] (मेधवी)''': Son of Sage Baladhi who desired that his son should live as long as a certain mountain lasted. *'''[[Menaka|Menakā]] (मेनका)''': Menakā is considered one of the most beautiful of the heavenly [[Apsaras]]. She was sent by [[Indra]], the king of the Devas, to break the severe penance undertaken by [[Vishwamitra]]. *'''[[Meru]] (मेरु)''': An ancient mountain and mythical centre of the universe on which was situated the city of [[Brahma]]. Becoming jealous of Meru, the [[Vindya]] began to grow very high obstructing the sun, the moon and the planets. [[Agastya]] whom the Vindhya mountain respected asked it to stop growing until he crossed it on his way to the south and returned to the north again. But he did not return at all, having settled in the south. *'''[[Mithila|Mithilā]] (मिथिला)''': Mithilā was a kingdom in ancient India. It existed in the eastern Gangetic plains in areas which is today spread over Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states of India, and parts of Nepal. Raja [[Janaka]], father of [[Sita]], was king of this kingdom. *'''[[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]] (मित्र)''': One of the [[Aditya]]s. *'''[[Moksha]] (मोक्ष)''': Refers to liberation from the [[samsara|cycle]] of death and [[rebirth]]. In higher [[Hindu philosophy]], it is seen as a transcendence of phenomenal being, of any sense of [[consciousness]] of [[time]], [[space]], and [[Causality|causation]] ([[karma]]). *'''[[Muchukunda]] (मुचुकुंद)''': Muchukunda was a great sage who kills [[Kalayavan]], the great [[Yavana]] warrior king in the Indian epic Mahabharata. *'''[[Mukasura|Mukāsura]] (मुकासुर)''': Mukāsura was a [[demon]], friend of [[Kauravas]], who was sent to disturb the austerities, Arjuna was performing at Mount Kailash. Mukāsura went to forest where Arjuna was practicing his vows of prayer, vigil, and fast and attacked Arjuna in the form of a boar to kill. At the same time [[Shiva]] came in the form of a huntsman and saved him. Shiva gave [[Arjuna]] the [[Gandiva]], the divine bow, and blessed him. ==N== *'''[[Nachiketa]] (नचिकेता)''': Nachiketa was son of a cowherd of the name [[Vajashrava|Vājashrava]], who was offered to [[Yama]] to find a place in Heaven by his father. Nachiketatas with his wits learnt the wisdom taught by death, found the Brahman and was freed from death. *'''[[Nāga]] (नाग)''': Nāga is the Sanskrit and Pāli word for a minor deity taking the form of a very large snake, found in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The use of the term nāga is often ambiguous, as the word may also refer, in similar contexts, to one of several human tribes known as or nicknamed "Nāgas"; to elephants; and to ordinary snakes, particularly the King Cobra and the Indian Cobra, the latter of which is still called nāg (नाग) in [[Hindi]] and other languages of India. *'''[[Naga (clan)|Nāgas]] (नाग)''': Nāgas were a group who spread throughout India during the period of the epic Mahabharata. The demi-god tribe called [[Suparnas]] (in which Garuda belonged) were arch-rivals of the Nagas. The well known Nagas are [[Ananta]], [[Vasuki]], [[Takshak]]a, [[Karkotaka]] and [[Airavata]]. *'''[[Nag panchami|Nāga panchami]] (नाग पंचमी)''': The festival of ''[[Nag panchami|Nāga panchami]]'' is celebrated in [[Hindu]]s to pay respect to Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nāga panchami are [[Ananta]], [[Vasuki|Vāsuki]], [[Taxak]], [[Karkotaka]] and [[Pingala]]. *'''[[Nagavanshi]] (नाग वंशी)''': Nagavanshi dynasty is one of the [[Kshatriya]] dynasties of India. It includes a number of [[Jats]] and [[Rajput]] clans. The worshippers of [[Naga (mythology)|Nāga]] (serpent) were known as Nāgā or Nāgil. The descendants of Nagas were called Nagavanshi. *'''[[Nahusha]] (नहुष)''': A mighty king who was made king of the gods because [[Indra]] had disappeared due to his killing [[Vritra]] through sin and deceit. *'''[[Naivedhya]] (नैवेध्य)''': Food or eatables prepared as offerings to God, prior to the oblation. (See also: ''[[Prasad]]'') *'''[[Nakula]] (नकुल)''': Fourth brother of the [[Pandavas]]. *'''[[Nala]] (नल)''': King of [[Nishadha]] who lost his kingdom in a game of dice and deserted his wife [[Damayanti]] because of a curse. *'''[[Nanda]] (नंद)''': Nanda is head of a tribe of cowherds referred as Holy Gwals and foster-father of Krishna, who was allegedly given to him by Vasudeva. Nanda was married to [[Yasoda]]. Krishna derives his name Nandalal (meaning son of Nanda) from him. *'''[[Nandi bull|Nandi]] (नंदि)''': Nandi is the white bull which [[Shiva]] rides, and the leader of the [[Ganas]]. The white color of the bull symbolizes purity and justice. *'''[[Nandini|Nandinī]] (नन्‍दिनी)''': [[Vasishtha]]'s divinely beautiful cow, child of [[Kamadhenu]]. *'''[[Narasimha|{{unicode|Narasiṃha}}]] (नरसिंह)''': The fourth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. He is a mixed form of a man and a [[lion]]. *'''[[Nara]] (नर)''': [[Arjuna]] or [[Dhananjaya]]. *'''[[Narada|Nārada]] (नारद)''': Narada is the Hindu divine sage, who is an enduring chanter of the names [[Hari]] and [[Narayana]] which other names for Vishnu, considered to be the supreme God by Vaishnavites and many other Hindus. He is regarded the [[Manasputra]] of [[Brahma]] as he was born of his thoughts. He is regarded as the [[Triloka]] sanchaari, the ultimate nomad, who roams the three lokas of [[Swargaloka]] , [[Mrityuloka]] and [[Patalloka]] to find out about the life and welfare of people. *'''[[Narayana|{{unicode|Nārāyaṇa}}]] (नारायण)''': {{unicode|Nārāyaṇa}} is an important Sanskrit name for [[Vishnu]]. The name is also associated with [[Brahma]] and [[Krishna]]. He is also identified with, or as the son of, the original man, [[Purusha]]. *'''[[Narayana|{{unicode|Nārāyaṇa}}]]s (नारायण)''': [[Krishna]]'s kinsmen. *'''[[Narayanasrama|{{unicode|Nārāyaṇāsrama}}]] (नारायणाश्रम)''': A charming forest where the [[Pandavas]] had halted during their wanderings. *'''[[Narayanastra|{{unicode|Nārāyaṇastra}}]] ( नारायणास्त्र )''': Narayanastra is the personal missile weapon of [[Vishnu]] in his [[Narayana]] form, this astra lets loose a powerful tirade of millions of deadly missiles simultaneously. *'''[[Narishyanta]] (नरिष्यन्त)''': Narishyanta was son of [[Vaivasvata Manu]] and belongs to solar race of [[Kshatriya]]s. *'''[[Narmada|Narmadā]] (नर्मदा)''': The Nerbudda river, one of the most important sacred rivers, originating from [[Amarkantak]] is believed to have descended from the sky by the order of Lord [[Shiva]]. The personified river is variously represented as being daughter of a Rishi named [[Mekala]] (from whom she is called Mekala and Mekala-kanya), as a daughter of the moon, as a 'mind-born daughter' of the Somapas, and as sister of the [[Naga (mythology)|Naga]]s. It was she who brought [[Purukutsa]] to the aid of the [[Naga (mythology)|Naga]]s against the [[Gandharva]]s, and the grateful snake-gods made her name a charm against the venom of snakes. *'''[[Neta|Netā]] (नेता)''': Netā was daughter of [[Shiva]] and friend of [[Manasa Devi]]. *'''[[Nikumbha]] (निकुम्‍भ)''': One of [[Ravana]]'s generals who led the rakshasas against the host of monkeys and was slain. *'''[[Nila|Nīla]] (नील)''': Son of [[Agni]]; One of the monkey host placed at the gate guarded by [[Prahasta]]. *'''[[Nirvana|{{unicode|Nirvāṇa}}]] (निर्वाण)''': Literally "extinction" and/or "extinguishing", is the culmination of the [[yogi]]'s pursuit of liberation. [[Hinduism]] uses the word nirvana to describe the state of [[moksha]], roughly equivalent to [[heaven]]. *'''[[Nishadha|Nishādha]] (निषाध)''': A country where Indra, Lord of the gods had lived once disguised as a brahmana. King of the Nishadha was [[Guha]] who guarded [[Rama]] after he crossed Koshala kingdom on his exile. *'''[[Nishadha|Nishādha]] (निषाध)''': The Nishādha peoples were indigenous tribes inhabiting ancient India. The Indo-Aryan peoples of ancient India's Vedic civilization saw the Nishadhas as uncivilized and barbarian peoples. Nishadhas did not follow the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]], and were involved in a number of wars with [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]] kingdoms. ==O== [[Image:Aum.svg|thumb|60px|Om]] *'''[[Om]] : (Also ''Aum'', ॐ)''' is the most [[sacred]] [[syllable]] in [[Hinduism]], first coming to light in the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic Tradition]]. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "'''Udgitha'''" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most [[mantra]]s begin with it. ==P== *'''[[Panchajanya|Pānchajanya]] (पांचजन्‍य)''': Name of [[Krishna]]'s conch. *'''[[Butea|Palāsa]] (पलास)''': A tree ''Butea frondosa'' also called "flame of the forest". *'''[[Panchala|Pānchāla]] (पांचाल)''': Pānchāla corresponds to the geographical area between the Ganges River and Yamuna River around the city of Kanpur and Benares. Anciently, it was home to an Indian kingdom, the Panchalas, one of the Mahajanapadas. *'''[[Panchali|Pānchālī]] (पांचाली)''': Another name of [[Draupadi]], Queen of the Pandavas and daughter of King Drupada. *'''[[Panchalya|Pānchālya]] (पांचाल्य)''': A son of King [[Drupada]] who died in the war. *'''[[Panchvati|Panchvatī]] (पंचवटी)''': The place beside the river Godavari where [[Rama]], [[Sita]] and[[Laxmana]] stayed in exile. *'''[[Pandavas|{{unicode|Pāṇḍavaḥ}}]] (पाण्‍डव)''': Pandavas in [[Sanskrit]] {{unicode|pāṇḍavaḥ}} are the five acknowledged sons of [[Pandu]], by his two wives [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]]. They are [[Yudhishtira]], [[Bhima]], [[Arjuna]] and [[Nakula]] , [[Sahadeva]] *'''[[Pandu|{{unicode|Pāṇḍu}}]] (पाण्‍डु)''': Second son of [[Vichitravirya]] and [[Ambalika]] who succeeded to the throne of [[Hastinapura]] on his father's death, as his elder brother Dhritarashtra was born blind, father of the Pandavas. *'''[[Paramhamsa]] (परमहंस)''': The supreme swan *'''[[Parashara|Pārāsara]] (पारासर)''': A great sage, father of [[Veda Vyasa]]. *'''[[Parashurama]] (परसुराम)''': Sixth avatara of [[Vishnu]], the son of [[Jamadagni]]. His name literally means Rama-with-the-axe. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills. Parashurama's creation was a mistake as his mother was given a concoction made to produce a Kshatriya child. Parashurama was of mixed varna. *'''[[Partha|Pārtha]] (पार्थ)''': Another name of [[Arjuna]]. *'''[[Paravasu]] (परवसु)''': Son of [[Raibhva]] and elder brother of Arvavasu whose wife was violated by Yavakrida, who was killed with a spear by a fiend for his sin. *'''[[Parikshit]] (परिक्षित)''': Son of Abhimanyu and grandson of the Pandavas who was crowned king after the holocaust claimed the Kauravas and the Pandavas. *'''[[Parnada|{{unicode|Parṇada}}]] (पर्णाद)''': The name of a brahman who brought news of [[Nala]] to [[Damayanti]]. *'''[[Parvati|Pārvatī]] (पार्वती)''': Goddess of love, the consort of [[Shiva]] and mother of [[Ganesha]],Rukmini prayed to her for saving her from the cruel Sisupala king of Chedi, as she had set her heart on marrying Krishna. *'''[[Pashupatastra|Pāśupatāstra]] (पाशुपतास्त्र)''' : Pāśupatāstra is the irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of [[Shiva|Siva]] discharged by the mind, eyes, words or a bow. *'''[[Paurava]] (पौरव)''': A Kaurava hero. *'''[[Pavanrekha|Pavanrekhā]] (पवनरेखा)''': Wife of Ugrasena, mother of [[Kams]]. *'''[[Phalguna]] (फल्‍गुन)''': [[Arjuna]]. *'''[[Pitamaha|Pitāmaha]] (पितामह)''': Literally grandfather, which however carried no imputation of senile infirmity but denotes the status of the pater familias. *'''[[Prabhasa]] (प्रभास)''': The Vasu who seized [[Vasishtha]]'s divine cow. *'''[[Pradyumna]] (प्रद्‍युम्‍न)''': Son of [[Krishna]] and [[Rukmani]]. *'''[[Prahasta]] (प्रहस्‍त)''': Means long-head, One of [[Ravana]]’s generals slain by [[Nila]]. *'''[[Prajapati|Prajāpatī]] (प्रजाप‍ित)''': Prajāpatīs are a group (or one) of creation gods, children of [[Brahma]], including [[Daksha]]. *'''[[Prasad]] (प्रसाद) ''' : Food or other offerings, considered to be sanctified, after being presented to God. (See also: ''[[Naivedhya]]'') *'''[[Pratikhami]] (प्रतिखामी)''': [[Duryodhana]]'s charioteer. *'''[[Prayag|Prayāg]] (प्रयाग)''': The holy place at [[Allahabad]] where [[Ganga]] and [[Jamuna]] meet. *'''[[Pritha|Prithā]] (प्रिथा)''': Mother of [[Karna]] and of the [[Pandavas]]; equvivalent [[Kunti]]. *'''[[Pundarikaksha|{{unicode|Puṇdarikaksha}}]] (पुण्डरिक्ष )''': [[Krishna]], the lotus-eyed one. *'''[[Purana|{{unicode|Purāṇa}}]] (पुराण)''': Purana meaning "ancient" or "old" is the name of a genre (or a group of related genres) of Indian written literature (as distinct from oral literature). Its general themes are history, tradition and religion. It is usually written in the form of stories related by one person to another. *'''[[Purochana]] (पुरोचन )''': An architect and friend of [[Duryodhana]], who built a beautiful wax palace named "Sivam" in [[Varanavata]]. *'''[[Purumitra]] (पुरुमित्र )''': A [[Kaurava]] warrior *'''[[Purusharthas|Purushārtha]] (पुरुषार्थ)''': The four chief aims of human life. Arranged from lowest to highest, these goals are: sensual pleasures ([[kama]]), worldly status and security ([[artha]]), personal righteousness and social morality ([[dharma]]), and liberation from the cycle of [[reincarnation]] ([[moksha]]). *'''[[Purushottama]] (पुरुषोत्तम)''': An epithet of Sri [[Krishna]]. It is one of the names of [[Vishnu]] and means the Supreme Being. *[[Pushkara]] : The brother of [[Nala]] to whom nala lost his kingdom and all that he possessed in gambling. ==Q== ==R== *'''[[Radha|Rādhā]] (राधा)''': Rādhā is one of the [[gopi]]s (cow-herding girls) of the forest of [[Vrindavan]], Krishna plays with her during his upbringing as a young boy; The other Radha is the wife of the charioteer [[Adhiratha]], who found an abandoned new-born boy, whom he named [[Karna]]. *'''[[Rahu|Rāhu]] (राहु)''':Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. Rahu is one of the [[navagrahas]]. *'''[[Raibhya]] (रैभ्य)''': A sage whose hermitage was situated on the banks of the Ganga, near [[Rishikesh]], a place, which gets its name, from Lord [[Vishnu]] appearing to him as Hrishikesh. The Pandavas during their wanderings visited it. This ghat was very holy. Bharata, son of Dasaratha bathed here. Indra was cleansed of his sin of killing Vritra unfairly by bathing in this ghat. Sanatkumar became one with God. Aditi, mother of the gods, prayed here to be blessed with a son. *'''[[Radheya]] (राधेय)''': Son of [[Radha]], a name of [[Karna]], who as a foundling was brought up as a son by Radha, the wife of the Charioteer [[Adhiratha]]. *'''[[Rajasuya|Rajasūya]] (राजसूय)''': A sacrifice performed by a king to be entitled to assume the title of "Emperor". *'''[[Rakshasa|{{unicode|Rā́kṣasaḥ}}]] (रा॑क्षस)''': A rakshasa alternately, raksasa or rakshas is a [[demon]] or unrighteous spirit in Hinduism. *'''[[Rama|Rāma]] (राम)''': The Seventh [[Avatara]] of [[Vishnu]]. The life and heroic deeds of Rama are written in the [[Sanskrit]] [[epic poetry|epic]], The [[Ramayana]]. *'''[[Ramanaka dwipa|Ramanaka dwīpa]] (रमणक द्वीप)''': The home of [[Kaliya]] [[Naga (mythology)|Naga]], a poisonous hydra, on the banks of [[Jamuna]] river. *'''[[Ramayana|{{unicode|Rāmāyaṇa}}]] (रामायण)''': Part of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[smriti]], written by [[Valmiki]]. This [[Epic poetry|epic]] of 24,000 verses in seven ''kandas'' (chapters or books) tells of a [[Raghuvamsa]] prince, [[Rama]] of [[Ayodhya]], whose wife [[Sita]] is abducted by the [[rakshasa]] [[Ravana]]. *'''[[Rambha|Rambhā]] (रम्‍भा)''': An [[apsara]] in the court of [[Indra]]. *'''[[Rati|Ratī]] (रती)''': Ratī is the goddess of passion and lust, and a daughter of [[Daksha]]. She married [[Kamadeva]], the God of love. *'''[[Ravana|{{unicode|Rāvaṇa}}]] (रावण)''': King of [[Lanka]] who abducted Sita, the beautiful wife of Ramachandra. Ravana is depicted in art with up to ten heads, signifying that he had knowledge spanning all the ten directions. *'''[[Rewati|Rewatī]] (रेवती)''': Daughter of Raja Rewat of [[Arnta|Arntā]] who marries [[Balarama]] *'''[[Rigveda|{{unicode|Ṝgveda}}]] (ऋग्वेद)''': The Rigveda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns counted as the holiest of the four religious texts of Hindus, known as the [[Vedas]]. *'''[[Rishabha]] (ऋषभ)''': Rsabha, the bull, a Hindu god mentioned in epic and Puranic literature, is an unusual avatar of [[Vishnu]]. The second note of the Indian gamut (Shadja, rishabha, gandhara, madhyama, panchama, daivata, nishada -sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni.) *'''[[Rishi|{{unicode|Ṛṣi}}]] (ऋषि)''': Rishi, also known as Mantradraṣṭa ("seer of the Mantras") and Vedavaktāra ("chanter of the Vedas") is a seer who "heard" (cf. śruti) the hymns of the Vedas. A rishi is regarded as a combination of a patriarch, a priest, a preceptor, an author of Vedic hymns, a sage, a saint, an ascetic, a prophet and a hermit into a single person. *'''[[Rishyamuk|Rishyamūk]] (ऋष्यमूक)''': Mountain on which [[Sugriva]] dwelt. *'''[[Rishyasringa]] (ऋष्यश्रृंग)''': Son of sage [[Vibhandaka]], who had grown up seeing no mortal except his father. The king of Anga, which was afflicted with a dire famine, to bring rain and plenty, invited him. *'''[[Rituparna|{{unicode|Rituparṇa}}]] (ऋतुपर्ण)''': The king of [[Ayodhya]] to whom [[Nala]] became the charioteer. *'''[[Rohini|{{unicode|Rohiṇi}}]] (रोहिणि)''': The wife of [[Vasudeva]] and mother of [[Balarama]] *'''[[Romapada]] (रोमपद)''': King of [[Anga]] which was once visited by a great drought. *'''[[Rudra]] (रुद्र)''': A [[Rigveda|Rigvedic]] god of the storm, the hunt, [[death]], [[Nature]] and the [[Wind]]. Rudra is an early form of [[Shiva]] and a name of Shiva in the [[Shiva sahasranama]]. *'''[[Rudra|Rudra nritya]] (रुद्र नृत्‍य)''': [[Siva]]'s cosmic dance of destruction. *'''[[Rukma]] (रुक्‍म)''': Elder brother of [[Rukmani]], Heir apparent to the throne of [[Vidarbha]]. When defeated by Balarama and Krishna he established a new city [[Bhojakata]], ashamed to return to [[Kundinapura]], the capital of Vidarbha, and ruled over it. *'''[[Rukmini|{{unicode|Rukmiṇī}}]] (रुक्‍मिणी)''': Daughter of Raja [[Bhismak]], born at [[Kundalpur]]. Rukmini was the first wife and queen of [[Krishna]], the 8th avatar of Vishnu. She was an avatar of [[Lakshmi]]. ==S== *'''[[Sachi Devi|Shachī]] (शची)''': Wife of [[Indra]], king of the gods on whom [[Nahusha]]'s evil eye fell. She was also known as [[Indrani]]. *'''[[Sadhana]] (साधना)''': [[spirituality|Spiritual]] exercise by a [[Sadhu]] or a Sadhaka to attain [[moksha]], which is liberation from the cycle of birth and death ([[Samsara]]), or a particular goal such as blessing from a [[Deva (Hinduism)|deity]]. *'''[[Sagara (Vedic king)|Sagara]] (सगर)''': King Sagar is one of the greatest kings of [[Suryavansha]] in the [[Satya Yuga]]. He was king of [[Ayodhya]], ancestor to King [[Dasharatha]]. He had two wives [[Keshini]] and [[Sumati]]. [[Asamanja]] was his son from Keshini. *'''[[Sahadeva|Sahadéva]] (सहदेव)''': Youngest of the [[Pandava]] princes who offered the first honors to Krishna at the Rajasuya sacrifices. *'''[[Saibya]] (सैब्‍य)''': A ruler friendly to the [[Pandavas]]. *'''[[Sairandhri]] (सैरंध्री)''': A maid servant or female attendant employed in royal female apartments. *'''[[Saindhava]] (सैंधव)''': [[Jayadratha]]. *'''[[Sakra|Śakra]] (सक्र)''': Śakra is identified with the Vedic deity [[Indra]]. Śakra is sometimes named as one of the twelve [[Aditya|Ādityas]]. *'''[[Sakuni|Shakuni]] (शकुनि)''': Shakuni was the brother of [[Gandhari]]. He was very fond of his nephew [[Duryodhana]]. He won the Pandavas' half of the kingdom for his nephew, as a wager in a rigged game of dice. *'''[[Salva]] (सल्‍व)''': Friend of [[Sisupala]], who besieged [[Dwaraka]] Sri Krishna's kingdom to avenge Sisupala's death at the latter's hand. *'''[[Shalya]] (शल्‍य)''': Ruler of [[Madradesa]] and brother of [[Madri]] and uncle of the [[Pandavas]] who because of having received hospitality from Duryodhana went over to his side. *'''[[Samadhi]] (समाधि)''': A term used in [[yoga|yogic]] meditation. Samadhi is also the [[Hindi]] word for a structure commemorating the dead. *'''[[Sambu]] (सम्बु)''': Sambu was son of [[Krishna]], who married [[Lakshmana]], daughter of [[Duryodhana]]. *'''[[Samkhya|Sāmkhya]] (सांख्य)''': A school of philosophy emphasising a [[dualism]] between [[Purusha]] and [[Prakrti]], propounded by sage [[Kapila]]. *'''[[Sampati|Sampāti]] (सम्पाति)''': Sampati was one of the two sons of [[Aruna]], elder brother of [[Jatayu (Ramayana)|Jatayu]]. Sampati lost his wings when he was a child. *'''[[Samsaptaka]] (संसप्‍तक)''': One who has taken a vow to conquer or die, and never to retreat. The Samsaptakas were suicide-squads, vowed to some desperate deed of daring. *'''[[Samsara]] (संसार)''': Means wandering, The tree worlds constitute Samsara. Refers to the concept of [[reincarnation]] or [[rebirth]] in [[Indian philosophy|Indian philosophical]] traditions. *'''[[Samvarta]] (संवर्त)''': Brihaspati's younger brother, a person of great learning. *'''[[Samba]] (संब)''': A [[Yadava]] youngster dressed as a woman who gave birth to a mace, as foretold by rishis. * '''[[Samudra manthan]] (समुद्र मन्थन)''' : Samudra manthan or The churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the Puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years in the festival known as [[Kumbha Mela]]. *'''[[Sanga]] (संग)''': Son of [[Virata]]. When king Virata was wounded, he had to get into Sanga's chariot, having lost his chariot, horses and charioteer *'''[[Sanjaya]] (संजय)''': The narrator who tells blind Dhritarashtra the progress of the war from day to day. He told the king that a victim of adverse fate would first become perverted and loses his sense of right and wrong. Time would destroy his reason and drive him to his own destruction. *'''[[Sankula Yuddha]] (संकुल युद्ध)''': A melee, confused fight, a soldiers battle as distinguished from the combats of heroes. *'''[[Santa|Santā]] (संता)''': Daughter of [[Dasharatha]], Wife of sage [[Rishyasringa]]. *'''[[Santanu|Sāntanu]] (सांतनु)''': King of [[Hastinapura]], father of [[Bhishma]]. *'''[[Sanyasin|Sanyāsin]] (सन्यासिन)''': One who has renounced the world and its concerns. *'''[[Sarasana]] (सरसन)''': One of the [[Kaurava]] brothers who died in the war. *'''[[Sarmishtha]] (सरमिष्‍ठा)''': Princess and daughter of [[asura]] king [[Vrishaparva]], wife of [[Yayati]], who got angry with [[Devayani]] and slapped and pushed her into a dry well. Sarmishtha gave birth to [[Druhyu]], [[Anu]], and [[Puru]]. *'''[[Saraswati]] (सरस्वती)''': Saraswati is the first of the three great goddesses of Hinduism, the other two being [[Lakshmi]] and [[Durga]]. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahmā, the Creator. *'''[[Sarayu|Sarayū]] (सरयू)''': Sarayu was an ancient Indian river, sometimes thought of at probably today's [[Ghaghara]] river, and sometimes as a tributary. The river where [[Lakshamana]] practices austerities. *'''[[Satanika]] (सतनिक)''': [[Virata]]'s son whose bead was severed by [[Drona]]. *'''[[Sati|Satī]] (सती)''': One of name of [[Dakshayani|Dākshāyani]], Dākshāyani is the consort of [[Shiva]]. Other names for Dākshāyani include Gaurī, Umā, Aparnā, Lalithā, Sivakāmini etc. [[Sati (practice)]] is the immolation of a widow on her husband's pyre in [[Hinduism]]. *'''[[Satyajit]] (सत्यजित)''': A [[Panchala]] prince, a hero who stood by Yudhishthira to prevent his being taken prisoner by Drona, while Arjuna was away answering a challenge by the Samsaptakas (the [[Trigartas]]). *'''[[Satyaki]] (सत्यकि)''': A Yadava warrior, friend of Krishna and the Pandavas who advocated collecting their forces and defeating the unrighteous Duryodhana. *'''[[Satya Narayana|Satya Nārāyana]] (सत्य नारायण)''': Vishnu, Embodiment as [[Krishna]]. *'''[[Satyavan|Satyavān]] (सत्यवान)''': Meaning the truth-speaker, husband of [[Savitri]]. The oldest known version of the story of Savitri and Satyavan is found in "The Book of the Forest" of the [[Mahabharata]]. *'''[[Satyavati|Satyavatī]] (सत्यवती)''': A fisherman's daughter who possessed uncommon beauty and emanated a divinely sweet fragrance and king Santanu became enamored of her, married her and made her his queen. The wife of [[Bhishma]]'s father, [[Shantanu]]. *'''[[Satyavrata]] (सत्यव्रत)''': Warrior on the [[Kaurava]] side. *'''[[Saugandhika]] (सौगंधिका)''': A plant that produced a very beautiful and fragrant flower that [[Bhima]] went to get for [[Draupadi]]. *'''[[Savitri|Sāvitrī]] (सावित्री)''': Wife of [[Satyavan]]. *'''[[Savyasachi]] (सव्‍यसाचि)''': Ambidexter, one who can use both hands with equal facility and effect. A name of [[Arjuna]] who could use his bow with the same skill with either hands. *'''[[Shakti]] (शक्‍ती)''': An aspect of [[Devi]] and a personification of [[God]] as the Divine Mother who represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. *'''[[Shakuntala|Shakuntalā]] (शकुन्‍तला)''': Shakuntala was mother of Emperor [[Bharata]] and the wife of [[Dushyanta]]. Shakuntala was born of [[Vishvamitra]] and [[Menaka]]. *'''[[Shalwa|Shālwa]] (शाल्व)''': The King with whom [[Amba|Ambā]] was secretly in love. *'''[[Shankara]] (शंकर)''': A name of [[Shiva]]; A great magician , friend of [[Chand Sagar]]. *'''[[Shankha|Śankha]] (शंख)''': Shankha is the divine Counch or sea shell, which is one of the insignia in the Hindu God [[Vishnu]]'s hands. The sound emitted from Shankha when blown, is too divine, that is used for regular rituals for Vishnu. Śankha was also the name of one of sons of King [[Virata]] who was killed in [[Mahabharata]]. *'''[[Shantanu]] (शान्‍तनु)''': Shantanu was a king of [[Hastinapura]], father of [[Bhishma]]. Shantanu weds [[Satyavati]], a ferryman's daughter. *'''[[Shatrughna]] (शत्रुघ्‍न)''': One of [[Dasharatha]]'s four sons, King of [[Madhu]]. *'''[[Shatapatha Brahmana|{{unicode|Śatapatha brāhmaṇa}}]] (शतपथ ब्राह्मण)''': Shatapatha Brahmana ("Brahmana of one-hundred paths"), abbreviated ŚB) is one of the prose texts describing the Vedic ritual, associated with the [[White Yajurveda]]. *'''[[Shesha|{{unicode|Śeṣa}}]] (शेष)''': Shesha is a [[naga (mythology)|naga]], one of the primal beings of creation. Equivalent-''[[Ananta]]'' or ''Atī-sheshan''. In the Puranas, Shesha is said to hold all the planets of the universe on his hoods and to constantly sing the glories of Vishnu from all his mouths. *'''[[Shiva]] (शिव)''': A form of [[Ishvara]] or [[God]] in [[Shaivism]]. Śiva is commonly known as "the destroyer" and is the third god of the [[Trimurti]]. *'''[[Shikhandi]] (शिखण्डी)''': Daughter-son of [[Drupada]], A girl turned man, warrior on the Pandava side. He had been born in an earlier lifetime as a woman named [[Amba]], who was rejected by [[Bhishma]] for marriage. *'''[[Shishupala|Shishupāla]] (शिषुपाल)''': Shishupala was son of [[Damaghosha]], king of [[Chedi]], by [[Srutadeva]], sister of [[Vasudeva]]; he was therefore cousin of [[Krishna]], but he was Krishna's implacable foe, because Krishna had carried off [[Rukmini]], his intended wife. Shishupāla was Identical with [[Hiranyakashipu]] who was slain by [[Krishna]]at the time of [[Dharmaputra]]'s Rajasuya sacrifice. *'''[[Shiva]] (शिव)''': Shiva is a form of [[Ishvara]] or God in the later Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. Shiva is the supreme God in [[Shaivism]], one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India. *'''[[Shivi]] (शिवि)''': Shivi was a great, powerful and generous king. [[Indra]] and [[Agni]] once tested his generosity by becoming birds when the king gave flesh from his body to fulfil his duty. *'''[[Shri]] (श्री)''': Another name of [[Lakshmi]], a goddess, the delight of [[Vishnu]]. *'''[[Shri Krishna]] (श्री कृष्‍ण)''': See [[Krishna]]. *'''[[Shrutkirti|Shrutkīrti]] (श्रुत्‍कीर्ति)''': Daughter of [[Kushadhwaja]]; bestowed on [[Shatrughna]]. *'''[[Shudra]] (शुद्र)''': One of the four castes in Hindu tradition, consisting of artisans, cleaners and labourers. *'''[[Shukracharya]] (शुक्राचार्य)''': Shukracharya was a guru in Hindu mythology. Known as the guru of the [[Asuras]], he is also associated with the planet [[Shukra]] (Venus) which is named after him. He was born as the son of Rishi [[Brighu]] and his wife [[Ushana]]. *'''[[Siddhashrama|Siddhāshrama]] (सिद्धाश्रम)''': The [[Shiva]]'s hermitage, Where Rama and Vishvamitra sacrifice for many days. *'''[[Simhanada]] (सिंहनाद)''': A lion-note or roar; a deep roar of defiance or triumph which warriors were wont to utter to inspire confidence in their friends, of terror in their enemies. *'''[[Sindhu]] (सिन्धु)''': The Indus River, Urdu دریائے سندھ; Tibetan: Sengge Chu ('Lion River'); Persian: Hindu; Greek: Sinthos; Pashto: Abaseen ("The Father of Rivers"); Mehran (an older name)) is the longest and most important river in Pakistan. Originating in the Tibetan plateau in the vicinity of [[Lake Mansarovar]]. *'''[[Sinhikha]] (सिंहिख)''': The grim [[rakshas]]i who rose from the sea and caught [[Hanuman]]a, when he coursed through the air like [[Garuda]] in search of [[Sita]]. *'''[[Sini]] (सिनि)''': One of the suitors to [[Devaki]]’s hand. A kinsman of the [[Kauravas]]. *'''[[Sita|Sītā]] (सीता)''': Sita was the wife of [[Rama]], and is esteemed an exemplar of womanly and wifely virtue. Sita was herself an avatāra of [[Lakshmi]], Vishnu's eternal consort, who chose to reincarnate herself on Earth as Sita, and endure an arduous life, in order to provide humankind an example of such virtues. *'''[[Sloka]] (श्‍लोक)''': A verse of lines in [[Sanskrit]], typically recited as a prayer. *'''[[Smarta]] (स्‍मर्त)''': A [[Hindu]] [[religious denomination|denomination]], which follows [[Advaita]] philosophy and considers that all gods are manifestations of [[Ishvar]]. *'''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]] (श्रुति)''': A canon of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[scripture]]s. Shruti is believed to have no [[author]]; rather a [[divinity|divine]] recording of the "cosmic sounds of truth", heard by [[rishi]]s. *'''[[Soma]] (सोम)''': A ritual drink of importance among [[Hindu]]s. It is frequently mentioned in the [[Rigveda]], which contains many hymns praising its energizing or intoxicating qualities. *'''[[Somadutta]] (सोमदत्त)''': One of the suitors to [[Devaki]]'s hand. A kinsman of the Kauravas. *'''[[Sthuna|{{unicode|Sthūṇa}}]] (स्थूण)''': A [[Yaksha]], follower of [[Kubera]], who exchanges his identity with [[Shikhandin]], A rakshasa who helps disturb [[Vishvamitra]]'s sacrifices. *'''[[Subahu]] (सुबाहु)''': King of [[Kulinda]] in the Himalayas, ally of the Kauravas, Subahu was a [[demon]] who tried to interrupt [[Viswamitra]]'s yaga. He was slain by Lord [[Rama]]. King of [[Chedi]]. *'''[[Subhadra]] (सुभद्रा)''': Wife of [[Arjuna]], sister of Sri [[Krishna]] and mother of [[Abhimanyu]]. *'''[[Subrahmaniam]] (सुब्रहमण्यम)''': The southern mountain deity. *'''[[Sudakshina]] (सुदक्षिण)''': A warrior on the [[Kaurava]] side. *'''[[Sudarsana]] (सुदर्सण)''': A warrior on the Kaurava army. *'''[[Sudarshana Chakra]] (सुदर्शन चक्र)''': Sudarshan Chakra is a spinning disc like weapon with very sharp edge, which is one of the weapons in the [[Hindu]] God [[Vishnu]]'s hands. *'''[[Sudeshna]] (सुदेषणा)''': Queen of King [[Virata]] whom [[Sairandhri]] (Draupadi) served. *'''[[Sudeva]] (सुदेव)''': A Brahman who traced [[Damayanti]] in [[Chedi]] and later helps [[Damayanti]] in her quest to find [[Nala]]. He was friend of [[Damayanti]]'s brother. *'''[[Sugriva|Sugrīva]] (सुग्रीव)''': Monkey-king, friend of Sri Rama, and brother of mighty Vali whom Sri Rama killed. *'''[[Sujata]] (सुजाता)''': Daughter of Sage Uddalaka and wife of Kagola, his disciple who had virtue and devotion but not much of erudition, mother of [[Ashtavakra]]. *'''[[Suka]] (सुक)''': A sage, son of [[Vyasa]], who related the Srimad Bhagavata to King Parikshit, grandson of Arjuna. *'''[[Sukanya|Sukanyā]] (सुकन्‍या)''': Meaning - Fair-maid, The wife of [[Chyavana]] whom the [[Ashvins]] beheld at her bath, bare of any garment. *'''[[Suman|Sumān]] (सुमन)''': Son of [[Asamanja]]. *'''[[Sumati|Sumatī]] (सुमती)''': Wife of [[Sagara]]. *'''[[Sumitra]] (सुमित्र)''': [[Abhimanyu]]'s charioteer. *'''[[Sumitrā]] (सुमित्रा)''': One of [[Dasharatha]]'s three wives; mother of [[Lakshamana]] and [[Shatrughna]]. *'''[[Sunda (asura)|Sunda]] (सुन्‍द)''': Sunda and [[Upasunda]] were two brave and poerful [[asura]] princes who performed austerities to please [[Brahma]],who besowed them the boon that nobody else would slay them, other than each other. Later Brahma created a beautiful [[apsara]] [[Tilottama]] to creat differences within and destroyed them mutually. *'''[[Suniti|Sunitī]] (सुनिती)''': Mother of [[Dhruva]]. *'''[[Suparshwa|Supārshwa]] (सुपार्शव)''': One of [[Ravana]]'s counsellors. *'''[[Surabhi]] (सुरभि)''': The wish-bestowing cow that came first from the sea in the process of churning of the Ocean by gods and ''daityas''. *'''[[Surpankha|Surpankhā]] (सुर्पण्खा)''': A ''rākshasī''; sister of [[ravana]]; desires Rama; seeks to become [[Lakshamana]]'s wife who attempts to slay [[Sita]]. *'''[[Supratika]] (सुप्रतिक)''': Name of King [[Bhagadatta]]'s elephant. *'''[[Surya|Sūrya]] (सूर्य)''': A solar deity who is one of the three main [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] Gods. *'''[[Susarma]] (सुसर्म)''': King of [[Trigarta]], a supporter of the Kauravas who backed the proposal to invade [[Matsya]], Virata's country. *'''[[Sushena]] (सुषेन)''': A monkey chief ; at siege of [[Lanka]]. *'''[[Sutra|Sūtra]] (सूत्र): Sūtra refers to an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a book or text. 'Sutras' form a school of Vedic study, related to and somewhat later than the [[Upanishad]]s. *'''[[Suvarna]] (सुवर्ण)''': A soldier on the [[Kaurava]] side. *'''[[Rama|Sri Rama]] (श्रीराम)''': Also knew as Rama, Ramachandra or Sri Rama. Hanumana tells Bhima how he was deeply thrilled when he happened to touch Rama's body. This king of Ayodhya was banished to the forest for fourteen years, killed Ravana the king of Lanka who abducted his wife, Sita. *'''[[Srinjayas]] (श्रीन्‍जय)''': Pandava supporters. *'''[[Srutayu]] (श्रुतायु), [[Astutayu]] (अस्‍तुतायु)''' : Two brothers fighting on the Kaurava side attacked [[Arjuna]] but were killed. *'''[[Srutayudha]] (श्रुतायुद्घ)''': A Kaurava warrior whose mace hurled at Krishna rebounded fiercely, killing Srutayudha himself. Her mother Parnasa had obtained that gift from Varuna who had specified that the mace should not be used against one who does not fight, else it would kill the person who hurls it. *'''[[Swarga]] (स्‍वर्ग)''': An Olympian paradise, a place where all wishes and desires are gratfied, The heaven of Indra where mortals after death enjoy the results of their good deeds on earth. *'''[[Sveta]] (स्‍वेत)''': A son of King [[Virata]] who fell in battle to [[Bhishma]]'s arrow. *'''[[Swayamvara]] (स्‍वयं‍वर)''': Meaning - Own-choice, Swayamvara, in ancient India, was a practice of choosing a life partner, among a list of suitors by a girl of marriageable age. *'''[[Syala]] (स्याल)''' : A [[Yadava]] prince who insulted the sage [[Gargya]], and was the cause of his becoming the father of [[Kalayavana]], a great foe of [[Krishna]] and the Yadava family. ==T== *'''[[Tall]] (टल्‍ल)''': One of [[Ravana]]'s counsellors *'''[[Tara#Hinduism|Tārā]] (तारा)''': See [[Tara#Hinduism]] *'''[[Taragam|Tāragam]] (तारगम)''': ''Tāragam'' is the name of forest, where dwelt ten thousand heretical rishis, who taught that the universe is eternal, that souls have no lord and that performance of works alone suffices for the attainment of salvation. [[Shiva]] taught them lesson and they became his followers. This legend is associated with Shiva's dance. *'''[[Taraka|Tāraka]] (तारक)''': A demon slain by [[Kumara]], the first son of [[Shiva]]. *'''[[Tandava]] (ताण्‍डव)''': [[Siva]]'s cosmic dance. *'''[[Tantra]] (तंत्र)''': The esoteric Hindu traditions of [[ritual]]s and [[yoga]]. Tantra can be summarised as a family of voluntary rituals modeled on those of the Vedas, together with their attendant texts and lineages. *'''[[Tantripala]]''' : Assumed name of [[Sahadeva]] at [[Virata]]'s court. *'''[[Tilottama|Tilottamā]] (तिलोत्तमा)''': Tilottama was an [[Apsaras]]. She is reputed to have been created by [[Vishwakarma]] from [[Sesame|Tila]] seeds. She was responsible for bringing out the mutual destruction of the [[Asura]]s [[Sunda]] and [[Upasunda]]. *'''[[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]] (त्रिपुरा)''': Tripura (meaning three cities, in Sanskrit) was constructed by the great architect [[Mayasura]]. They were great cities of prosperity, power and dominance over the world, but due to their impious nature, Maya's cities were destroyed by [[Lord Shiva]]. *'''[[Trishira]] (त्रिसिर)''' : Trishira that is, ''one having three heads'', was an [[asura]] mentioned in the [[Ramayana]]. He was one of the seven sons of [[Ravana]], and his other brothers were [[Indrajit]], [[Prahasta]], [[Atikaya]], [[Akshayakumara]], [[Devantaka]] and [[Narantaka]]. *'''[[Tulsi Das|Tulsī Dās]] (तुलसीदास)''': Goswami Tulsidas (1532&ndash;1623) was a Hindu poet and philosopher, translator of the epics into vernacular. Tulsidas wrote twelve books and is considered the greatest and most famous of Hindi poets. ==U== *'''[[Uchchaihsravas|Uchchaihśravas]]''' : Uchchaihsravas was the white horse of [[Indra]], produced at the churning of the ocean. It is fed on ambrosia, and is held to be the king of horses. *'''[[Udayana]]''' : Udayana was a prince of the Lunar race, and son of [[Sahasranika]], who is the hero of a popular story. He was king of [[Vatsa]], and is commonly called [[Vatsaraja]]. His capital was [[Kausambi]]. Also a name of [[Agastya]]. *'''[[Uddalaka]]''' : A great sage and teacher of [[Vedanta]]. *'''[[Uddhava]]''' : The friend and counselor of [[Krishna]]. According to some he was Krishna 's cousin, being son of [[Devabhaga]], the brother of [[Vasudeva]]. He was also called [[Pavanayadhi]]. *'''[[Ugrasena]] (उग्रसेन)''': one-time King of [[Yadava]]s; deposed by his son [[Kams]]. His wife was [[Pavanrekha]]. Krishna killed Kams and established Ugrasena on throne. *'''[[Ujjain|Ujjayini]] (उज्‍जयिनि)''': Ujjayini or Ujjain (उज्जैन) is an ancient city of central India, in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh near which the ancient throne of [[Vikramaditya]] was discovered, one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, where the Kumbh Mela is held every twelve years. It is also home to [[Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga]], one of the twelve [[Jyotirlinga]] shrines to the god [[Shiva]]. *'''[[Aulakh|Ulūka]] (उलूक)''': 'An owl.' Son of [[Kitava]]. He was king of a country and people of the same name. He was an ally of the [[Kauravas]], and acted as their envoy to the Pandavas. *'''[[Ulupi|Ulūpī]] (उलूपी)''': A daughter of [[Kauravya]], Raja of the [[Naga (clan)|Nagas]], with whom [[Arjuna]] contracted a kind of marriage. She was nurse to her stepson, [[Babhruvahana]], and had great influence over him. According to the Vishnu Purana she had a son named [[Iravat]]. *'''[[Umadevi|Umadevī]] (उमादेवी)''': Wife of [[Siva]]. *'''[[Unchhavritti]] (उन्‍छवृत्ती)''': The life of a mendicant, begging his food. *'''[[Upachitra]] (उपचित्र)''': One of King [[Dhritarashtra]]'s sons who perished in the war. *'''[[Upanishad]] (उपनिषद्)''': Part of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] ''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]]'' [[Sacred text|scripture]]s which primarily discuss [[meditation]] and [[philosophy]], seen as religious instructions by most schools of [[Hinduism]]. *'''[[Upaplavya]] (उपप्‍लव्‍य)''': A place in [[Matsya]] Kingdom, where the Pandavas settled after their exile of thirteen years. *[[Uparichara]] : A [[Vasu]] or demigod, who, according to the Mahabharata, became king of [[Chedi]] by command of Indra. He had five sons by his wife; and by an Apsaras, named [[Adrika]], condemned to live on earth in the form of a fish, he had a son named [[Matsya]] (fish), and a daughter, [[Satyavati]], who was the mother of [[Vyasa]]. *'''[[Upasunda]] (उपसुन्‍द)''': Sund and Upasunda were two brave and poerful [[asura]] princes who performed austerities to please [[Brahma]],who besowed them the boon that nobody else would slay them, other than each other. Later Brahma created a beautiful [[apsara]] [[Tilottama]] to creat differences within and destroyed them. *'''[[Urmila|Urmilā]] (उर्मिला)''': Second daughter of [[Janaka]]; bestowed on [[Lakshmana]]. *'''[[Urvasi|Urvasī]] (उर्वसी)''': An apsara in [[Indra]]'s court, whose amorous overtures [[Arjuna]] declined. *'''[[Usha (goddess)|Ushā]] (उषा)''': Wife of [[Aniruddha]], daughter of [[Banasur]]. *'''[[Ushanas]] (उशना)''': Ushanas were appointed as priests of [[asuras]], who knew the science of bringing to life. *'''[[Uttanka]] (उत्‍तंक)''': Uttanka was a pupil of [[Veda]], the third pupil of [[Dhaumya]] rishi. The other two pupils of Uttanka were [[Janamejaya]] and [[Poshya]]. *[[Uttara]] (उत्तर)''': A son of the Raja of [[Virata]]. Uttara was killed in battle by Salya. *'''[[Uttara|Uttarā]] (उत्तरा)''': A daughter of the Raja of [[Virata]]. She married [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna]]. *'''[[Uttar kanda|Uttar kānda]] (उत्तरकांड)''': The part of epic [[Ramayana]] added later to the work of [[Valmiki]]. ==V== *'''[[Vaisampayana|Vaiśampayana]] (वैशंपायन)''': A celebrated sage who was the original teacher of the Black [[Yajur-Veda]]. He was a pupil of the great [[Vyasa]], from whom he learned the [[Mahabharata]], which he afterwards recited to King [[Janamejaya]] at a festival. *'''[[Vaishnava]] (वैष्‍णव)''': A sacrifice performed by Duryodhana in the forest. Yayati, Mandhata, Bharata and others also performed it. *'''[[Vaishnava mantra]] (वैष्‍णव मंत्र)''': An invocation which endows a missile with some of the irresistible power of [[Vishnu]]. *'''[[Vaishravan|Vaishrāvan]] (वैश्रावण)''': Elder brother of [[Ravana]] to whom Rama returned [[Pushpaka]] after the death of [[Ravana]]. *'''[[Vaishya]] (वैश्य)''': One of the four fundamental [[varna]]s (colours) in [[Hindu tradition]] comprising of merchants, artisans, and landowners. *'''[[Vaivasvata Manu]] (वैवस्वत मनु)''': Vaivasvata Manu (also Manu Vaivasvate) is one of the 14 [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manus]]. He is considered the progenitor of the current [[Manvantara]], which is the 7th of the 14 that make up the current [[Kalpa (time unit)|Kalpa]], each Kalpa making up a day of Brahma. He was born to [[Saranya]] and [[Vivasvat]] and was the King of [[Dravida]] during the epoch of the [[Matsya Purana]].He was the founder of the [[Suryavansha]] race of kings. *'''[[Vajrahanu]] (वज्रहनु)''': One of [[Ravana]]'s generals. *'''[[Vajrayudha]] (वज्रयुद्ध)''': The weapon with which [[Indra]] killed [[Visvarupa]] on suspicion because his mother belonged to the asura tribe of daityas. *'''[[Valala]] (वलाल)''': Assumed name of [[Bhima]] when, he worked as a cook at [[Virata]]'s court. *'''[[Vali (Ramayana)|Vālī]] (वाली)''': One of five great monkeys in [[Ramayana]], a son of Indra, Monkey-king of [[Kishkindha]] and the cruel elder brother of [[Sugriva]]. He was killed by [[Rama]]. *'''[[Valmiki|Vālmikī]] (वाल्मिकी)''': Maharishi Valmiki is the author of the Hindu epic [[Ramayana]], a brahman by birth, connected with the kings of [[Ayodhya]], contemporary of Rama who invented the ''[[shloka]] metre'', who taught the [[Ramayana]] to [[Kusa]] and [[Lava]]. *'''[[Vamadeva|Vāmadeva]] (वामदेव)''': Vamadeva is the name of the "preserver" aspect of the god [[Shiva]], one of five aspects of the universe he embodies. Also one of [[Dasharatha]]'s priest. *'''[[Vamana]] (वामन)''': The fifth [[Avatara]] of [[Vishnu]]. He is the first Avatar of Vishnu which had a completely human form, although it was that of a dwarf [[brahmin]]. *'''[[Banasura|Vanāsur]] (बाणासुर)''': Same as [[Banasur]], was a thousand-armed [[asura]], powerful and terrible. He was son of [[Bali]]. Bana was a follower of [[Siva]]. Banasura had a beautiful daughter named [[Usha (goddess)|Usha]]. *'''[[Vanaprastha]] (वानप्रस्‍थ)''': The third stage of the dvija's life, when he is required to relinquish worldly responsibilities to his heirs and retires to the woods with his wife for an anchorite's life. A person who is living in the forest as a hermit after giving up material desires. *'''[[Vandi]]''' : Court poet of [[Mithila]] who on being defeated by Sage [[Ashtavakra]] in debate drowned himself in the ocean and went to the abode of [[Varuna]]. *'''[[Varaha]] (वाराह)''': The third [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], who came in the form of a [[boar]]. *'''[[Varnas|{{unicode|Varṇa}}]] (वर्ण)''': Means - colour, Varna refers to the four naturally existing classes of society as given in the Hindu scriptures: [[Brahmin]], [[Kshatriya]], [[Vaishya]] and [[Shudra]]. *'''[[Varanavata|{{unicode|Vārṇāvata}}]] (वारणावत)''': A forest in which the [[Pandavas]] were asked to stay in a wax-house which was to be set on fire at midnight in order to kill the Pandavas while they were asleep. *'''[[Varshneya|{{unicode|Varṣṇeya}}]] : The charioteer of [[Rituparna]], king of [[Ayodhya]], who accompanied with [[Bahuka]]. *'''[[Varuna|{{unicode|Varuṇa}}]] (वरुण)''': A god of the [[sky]], of [[rain]] and of the [[celestial ocean]], as well as a god of [[law]] and of the [[underworld]]. *'''[[Varuni|{{unicode|Varuṇī}}]] (वरुणी)''': The goddess of wine. *'''[[Vasava|Vāsava]] (वासव)''': Name of arrow of death, given by [[Indra]] to [[Karna]]. *'''[[Vasishtha|{{Unicode|Vashiṣtha}}]] (वशिष्‍ठ)''': Vasishtha was chief of the seven venerated sages (or [[Saptarishi]]) and the [[Rajaguru]] of the [[Suryavamsha]]. He was the manasaputra of [[Brahma]]. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. [[Arundhati]]was his wife. *'''[[Vasudhana]] (वसुधन)''': Another warrior who perished in the battle on the Twelfth Day. *'''[[Vasudeva]] (वसुदेव)''': Descendant of [[Yadu]], husband of [[Rohini]] and [[Devaki]]. An epithet of Krishna. It means both son of Vasudeva and the supreme spirit that pervades the universe. *'''[[Vasuki]]''' : King of the [[Naga (mythology)|Naga]]s or serpents who live in [[Patala]]. He was used by the gods and [[Asura]]s for a coil round the mountain [[Mandara]] at the churning of the ocean. *'''[[Vatapi]]''' : Vatapi and [[Ilvala]], two [[Rakshasa]]s, sons either of Hrada or Viprachitti. They are mentioned in the Ramayana as dwelling in the [[Dandaka]] forest. *'''[[Vayu]] (वायु)''': The god of [[air]] and [[wind]] who is also father of [[Bhima]] and [[Hanuman]]. *'''[[Veda]] (वेद)''': Collectively refers to a corpus of ancient [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] religious literature that are considered by adherents of [[Hinduism]] to be ''revealed'' knowledge. Many [[Hindu]]s believe the Vedas existed since the beginning of creation. *'''[[Veda Vyasa]] (वेद व्‍यास)''': [[Vyasa]], author of the [[Mahabharata]]. *[[Vibhandaka]] : An ascetic who retired from the world and lived in the forest with his infant son [[Rishyasringa]]. *'''[[Vibhishana|{{unicode|Vibhīshaṇa}}]] (विभीषण)''': Vibhishana was a rakshasa, brother of [[Ravana]]. He was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to Rama. *'''[[Vichitravirya|Vichitravīrya]] (विचित्रवीर्य)''': Vichitravirya was [[Bhishma]]'s half brother, the younger son of queen [[Satyavati]] and king [[Santanu]]. Chitrangada, the elder brother of Vichitravirya, succeeded Santanu to the throne of Hastinapura. When he died childless, Vichitravirya, became king. He had two sons, [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]]. *[[Vidarbha]] : Birar, and probably including with it the adjoining district of Beder, which name is apparently a corruption of Vidarbha. The capital was [[Kundinapura]], the modern "Kundapur," about forty miles east of [[Amaravati]]. *'''[[Vidura]] (विदुर)''': Vidura was a son of a maid-servant who served the Queens of [[Hastinapura]], Queen [[Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]]. A friend of [[pandava]]s. After Krishna, he was the most trusted advisor to the Pandavas and had warned them repeatedly about [[Duryodhana]]'s plots. *'''[[Vijaya]] (विजय)''': Name of [[Karna]]'s bow. *'''[[Vikarna]] (विकर्ण)''': A son of Dhritarashtra who declared the staking of Draupadi illegal, as Yudhishthira himself was a slave and had lost all his rights. Therefore the Kauravas had not won Draupadi legally, he held *'''[[Vikramaditya]] (विक्रमादित्य)''': Vikramāditya is the name of a legendary king of [[Ujjain]], famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" has also been assumed by many kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King [[Chandragupta II]]. *[[Vikukshi]] : A king of the [[Solar race]], who succeeded his father, [[Ikshwaku]]. He received the name of Sasada, 'hare-eater.' He was sent by his father to hunt and obtain flesh suitable for offerings. Being weary and hungry he ate a hare, and Vasishtha, the priest, declared that this act had defiled all the food, for what remained was but his leavings. *'''[[Vinda]] (विन्‍द), [[Anuvinda]] (अनुविन्‍द)''': Two brothers kings of [[Avanti]], great soldiers whom were on the Kaurava side, they suffered defeat at the hands of [[Yudhamanyu]]. *'''[[Vindhyas]] (विन्‍ध्य)''': Vindhyas is a range of hills in central India, which geographically separates the Indian subcontinent into northern India (the Indo-Gangetic plain) and Southern India. *'''[[Virata|Virāta]] (विराट)''': King of [[Matsya]], the country which was suggested by [[Bhima]] to live in incognito during the thirteenth year of their exile. *'''[[Virabhadra|Vīrabhadra]] (वीरभद्र)''': Vīrabhadra was a demon that sprang from [[Shiva]]'s lock of hair. Shiva burnt with anger when not invited in a sacrifice by [[Daksha]] and his wife [[Sati]] released the inward consuming fire and fell dead at Daksha's feet. Shiva burned with anger, and tore from his head a lock of hair, glowing with energy, and cast upon the earth. The terrible demon Vīrabhadra sprang from it. On the direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ''ganas'' in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm wind and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head. *'''[[Viradha|Virādha]] (विराध)''': A fierce [[rakshasa]] who seizes [[Sita]]. *[[Virasen|Vīrasen]] : Father of Raja [[Nala]], king of [[Nishadha]]. *'''[[Virochana]] (विरोचन)''': An [[asura]], son of [[Prahlada]], and father of [[Bali]]. He is also called [[Drisana]]. When the earth was milked, Virochana acted as the calf of the Asuras. *'''[[Vishnu]] (विष्‍णु)''': A form of [[God]], to whom many [[Hindu]]s pray. For [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]], He is the only Ultimate Reality or God. In [[Trimurti]] belief, He is the second aspect of God in the [[Trimurti]] (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with [[Brahma]] and [[Shiva]]. Known as the ''Preserver'', He is most famously identified with His [[avatar]]s, especially [[Krishna]] and [[Rama]]. *'''[[Vishvakarma|Vishvakarmā]] (विश्वकर्मा)''': Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine craftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods' palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons. *'''[[Vishvamitra|Viśvamitra]] (विश्‍वामित्र)''': Brahmarishi Visvamitra or Vishvamitra was one of the most venerated rishi or sages of since ancient times in India. He was originally a [[Kshatriya]] but by austerities earned the title of Brahmarishi. He is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra. *'''[[Visoka]] (विसोक)''': [[Bhima]]'s charioteer. *'''[[Visvarupa]] (विस्‍वरुप)''': Name of [[Twashta]]'s son who became the preceptor of the gods, Brihaspati having left when insulted by Indra. *'''[[Vivimsati]] (विविस्‍मति)''': A [[Kaurava]] hero. *'''[[Viswarupa]] (विस्‍वरुप)''': All-pervading, all-including form. See the description in the Bhagavad Gita chapter eleven. *'''[[Vriddhakshatra]] (वृद्घक्षत्र)''': King of the [[Sindhu]]s, father of [[Jayadratha]] into whose lap his son Jayadratha's head was caused to fall by Arjuna after cutting off Jayadratha's head. *'''[[Vrika]] (वृक)''': A [[Panchala]] prince who fell in battle. *[[Vrindavana]] : A wood in the district of [[Mathura]] where [[Krishna]] passed his youth, under the name of [[Gopala]], among the cowherds. *'''[[Vrisha]] (वृष), [[Achala]](अचल)''' : Sakuni's brothers. *'''[[Vrishdarbha]] (वृषदर्भ)''': A king of [[Benares]], associated with the story of "The king, the Pigeon, and Hawk". *'''[[Vrishni]] (वृषणि)''': A descendent of [[Yadu]], and the ancestor from whom [[Krsna]] got the name [[Varshneya]] *'''[[Vrishnis]], (वृषणि)''': The descendant of [[Vrishni]], son of [[Madhu]], whose ancestor was the eldest son of Yadu. [[Krsna]] belonged to this branch of the Lunar race. The people of [[Dwaraka]] were known as the Vrishnis. Tribals of this race were devoted to the [[Pandavas]], who with Sri [[Krishna]] visited the Pandavas in their exile. *'''[[Vrishasena]] (वृषसेन)''': Son of [[Karna]], A warrior on the Kaurava side, slain by Arjuna. *'''[[Vrishnis]] (वृषणि)''': The people of [[Dwaraka]] to which belonged [[Krishna]]. After the death of [[Duryodhana]] his mother cursed that after 36 years Krishna should persish alone miserably and his people, the Vrishnis, should be destroyed. *'''[[Vritra]] (वृत्र)''': Means "the enveloper". Vritra, was an [[Asura]] and also a serpent or dragon, the personification of drought and enemy of [[Indra]]. Vritra was also known in the [[Veda]]s as [[Ahi (Hinduism)|Ahi]] ("snake"), cognate with [[Azhi Dahaka]] of [[Zoroastrian mythology]] and he is said to have had three heads. He was son of [[Twashta]] who was defeated by Indra's weapons [[Vajrayudha]]. He was born out of his father's sacrificial flames and became Indra's mortal enemy. *'''[[Vrikodara]] (वृकोदर)''': Wolf-bellied, an epithet of [[Bhima]], denoting his slimness of waist and insatiable hunger. *'''[[Vyasa]] (व्‍यास)''': Compiler of the Vedas, son of sage Parasara. *'''[[Vyuha]] (व्‍युह)''': Battle arrays. ==Y== *'''[[Yadavas|Yādavas]] (यादव)''': The descendants of [[Yadu]], who dwelt by the [[Jamuna]] river. *'''[[Yadu]] (यदु)''': A prince of the lunar dynasty; Yadu is the name of one of the five Aryan clans mentioned in the [[Rig Veda]]. His descendants are called [[Yadavas]]. The epic Mahabharata and Puranas refer to Yadu as the eldest son of mythological king [[Yayati]]. *[[Yaduvamsis]] : Those of the clan of [[Yadu]]. *'''[[Yajna]] (यज्ञ)''': A [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] [[ritual]] of [[sacrifice]] performed to please the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit [[Brahman]]. Often it involves a fire, which represents the god [[Agni]], in the centre of the stage and items are offered into the fire. *'''[[Yaksha|{{unicode|Yakṣa}}]] (यक्ष)''': Yaksha or Yakkha (Pāli) is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits or minor deities who appear in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is {{unicode|yakṣī}} or {{unicode|yakṣiṇī}} (Pāli: yakkhī or yakkhinī). subjects of [[Kubera]], the god of wealth. *'''[[Yama]] (यम)''': Yama, also known as Yamarāja (यमराज) is the lord of death, first recorded in the Vedas. God of dharma, whose son was [[Yudhishthira]]. It is he whose questions Yudhishthira answered correctly whereupon his dead brothers were brought back to life on the banks of the enchanted pool. *[[Yamas]] : A yama ([[Sanskrit]]), literally translates as a "restraint", a rule or code of conduct for living [[virtuous]]ly. *'''[[Yasoda|Yashodā]] (यशोदा)''': Yasodā was wife of [[Nanda (mythology)|Nanda]] and foster-mother of, [[Krishna]], who was given to them by [[Vasudeva]]. Yasoda also played an important role in the upbrinding of [[Balarama]] and his sister [[Subhadra]]. She is also sometimes described as having her own daughter, known as [[Ekānaṅgā|{{unicode|Ekānaṅgā}}]]. *[[Yavakrida]] : Son of Sage [[Bharadwaja]] who was bent upon mastering the [[Veda]]s. *'''[[Yayati]] (ययाति)''': Emperor of the [[Bharata]] race who rescued [[Devayani]] from the well into which she had been thrown by [[Sarmishtha]]. He later married both Devayani and Sarmishtha. One of the ancestors of the Pandavas who became prematurely old due to Sukracharya's curse. *'''[[Yoga]] (योग)''': [[Spiritual practice]]s performed primarily as a means to [[enlightenment (concept)|enlightenment]] (or [[bodhi]]). Traditionally, [[Karma Yoga]], [[Bhakti Yoga]], [[Jnana Yoga]], and [[Raja Yoga]] are considered the four main yogas. In the [[western world|West]], yoga has become associated with the [[asanas]] (postures) of [[Hatha Yoga]], popular as fitness exercises. *'''[[Yoga Sutra]] (योग सूत्र)''': One of the six [[darshana]]s of Hindu or [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] schools and, alongside the [[Bhagavad Gita]] and [[Hatha Yoga Pradipika]], are a milestone in the history of [[Yoga]]. *'''[[Yogi]] (योगी)''': One who practices yoga, These designations are mostly reserved for advanced practitioners. The word "yoga" itself --from the Sanskrit root yuj ("to yoke") --is generally translated as "union" or "integration" and may be understood as union with the Divine, or integration of body, mind, and spirit. *'''[[Yudhamanyu|Yudhāmanyu]] (युधामन्यु)''': A [[Panchala]] prince supporting the Pandavas, who was assigned the task of protecting the wheels of [[Arjuna]]'s chariot along with [[Uttamauja]]. He was slain in his sleep by [[Ashvatthama]]. *'''[[Yudhishthira]] (युधिष्ठिर)''': Yudhisthira was the eldest son of King [[Pandu]] and Queen [[Kunti]], king of [[Hastinapura]] and [[Indraprastha]], and World Emperor. He was the principal protagonist of the Kurukshetra War, and for his unblemished piety, known as Dharmaraja. *'''[[Yuga]] (युग)''': In Hindu philosophy (and in the teachings of Surat Shabd Yoga) the cycle of creation is divided into four yugas (ages or eras). *'''[[Yuga Dharma]] (युगधर्म)''': One aspect of Dharma, as understood by Hindus. Yuga dharma is an aspect of dharma that is valid for a [[Yuga]],. The other aspect of dharma is Sanatan Dharma, dharma which is valid for eternity. *'''[[Yuyudhana|Yuyudhāna]] (युयुधान)''': Another name of [[Satyaki]], who was not killed in the warfare but in a mutual fight among [[Yadavas]]. *'''[[Yuyutsu]] (युयुत्सू)''': A noble son of [[Dhritarashtra]] who bent his head in shame and sorrow when Yudhishthira lost Draupadi. He also disapproved of the unfair way in which Abhimanyu was killed. ==Z== == Notes == {{reflist}} == References == * {{cite book | first=Rachel | last=Storm | title=The Encyclopedia of Eastern Mythology | publisher=Lorenz Books | location=New York | year=1999 | id=ISBN 0-7548-0069-5}} * {{cite web | url = http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/HGLOSSRY.HTM | title = Hinduism Glossary for Introduction to Religion | author = Paul V. M. Flesher | accessdate = 2006-06-25}} * {{cite book | first=Anna L. | last=Dallapiccola | title=[[Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend]] | publisher=Thames & Hudson | year=2002| id=ISBN 0-500-51088-1}} *Excerpt from MAHABHARATA retold by C. Rajagopalachari (Compiled and edited International Gita Society) *[[Sister Nivedita]] & Ananda K.Coomaraswamy: Myths and Legends of the Hindus and Bhuddhists, Kolkata, 2001 ISBN 81-7505-197-3 *[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli] *[http://students.washington.edu/prem/mw/a.html Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary] *[http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/index_a.htm Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India] *[http://www.blessingsonthenet.com/glossary/index1.asp Glossary of Indian epics] *[http://www.kamat.com/glossary/ Glossary of Indian Terms] == See also == {{portal|Hinduism|Aum red.svg}} {{Hinduism footer small}} [[Category:Glossaries|Hindu terms]] [[Category:Hinduism related lists]]