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Asikni (goddess)
In Hindu mythology, Asikni ( sa, असिक्नी, Asiknī, the dark one' or 'night), also known as Panchajani and Virani, is a consort of Daksha in the Puranic pantheon. Most scriptures mention her as the mother of 6000 sons and 60 daughters. Etymology and epithets The Sanskrit word "Asikni" means 'dark' or 'night'; it can also refer to "a girl attending woman's apartment". The word is used in the ''Rigveda'' (c. 1500 BCE) to describe the river Chenab. She is also known by the patronymic "Panchajani" and "Virani". Life Birth Puranas differ about her parentage. Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana, Garuda Purana, and Brahma Purana note Asikni to have been born of Brahma's left thumb. According to the Bhagavata Purana and Shiva Purana, she was the daughter of Prajapati Panchajana. Brahma Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Vayu Purana, Kalika Purana, Kurma Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, and Shiva Purana note her to be the daughter of Prajapati Virana. Marriage The b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Daksha
In Hinduism, Daksha ( Sanskrit: दक्ष, IAST: , lit. "able, dexterous, or honest one") is one of the ''Prajapati'', the agents of creation, as well as a divine king-rishi. His iconography depicts him as a man with a stocky body and a handsome face or the head of a goat. In the '' Rigveda'', Daksha is an '' Aditya'' and is associated with priestly skills. In the epics and ''Puranic'' scriptures, he is a '' son'' of the creator god Brahma and the father of many children, who became the progenitors of various creatures. According to one legend, an egoistic Daksha conducted a yajna (fire sacrifice) and didn't invite his youngest daughter Sati and her husband Shiva. He was beheaded by Virabhadra for insulting Sati and Shiva but was later resurrected with the head of a goat. Many '' Puranas'' state that Daksha was reborn to Prachetas in another '' Manvantara'' (age). Etymology and textual history The meaning of the word "Daksha" (दक्ष) is "able", "expert", "ski ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shiva Purana
The ''Shiva Purana'' is one of eighteen major texts of the ''Purana'' genre of Sanskrit texts in Hinduism, and part of the Shaivism literature corpus. It primarily revolves around the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati, but references and reveres all gods. The ''Shiva Purana'' asserts that it once consisted of 100,000 verses set out in twelve Samhitas (Books), however the Purana adds that it was abridged by Sage Vyasa before being taught to Romaharshana. The surviving manuscripts exist in many different versions and content, with one major version with seven books (traced to South India), another with six books, while the third version traced to the medieval Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent with no books but two large sections called ''Purva-Khanda'' (Previous Section) and ''Uttara-Khanda'' (Later Section). The two versions that include books, title some of the books same and others differently. The Shiva Purana, like other Puranas in Hindu literature, was likely a livi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ashvini
Ashvini (अश्विनी ''aśvinī'') is the first nakshatra ( lunar mansion) in Hindu astronomy having a spread from 0°-0'-0" to 13°-20', corresponding to the head of Aries, including the stars β and γ Arietis. The name ''aśvinī'' is used by Varahamihira (6th century). The older name of the asterism, found in the Atharvaveda (AVS 19.7; in the dual) and in Panini (4.3.36), was ''aśvayúj'', "harnessing horses". Astrology The word Ashvini means horsewoman or born from a female horse. It is said to be a "Maha-nakshatra". The mother of Ashwini Kumars is Sanjana, and the father is Sun but in horse form known as Vivaswat. Ashvini is also known as the star of transport. The Chariot of Sun God is pulled by seven horses or the seven colors of the rainbow. Therefore, energy or power is associated with horses and we call it horse-power in literal terms. Ashwini thus relates to speed and agility. Ashvini is ruled by Ketu, the descending lunar node. In electional astro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kashyapa
Kashyapa ( sa, कश्यप}, ) is a revered Vedic sage of Hinduism., Quote: "Kasyapa (Rudra),(Vedic Seer)..." He is one of the Saptarishis, the seven ancient sages of the ''Rigveda''. Kashyapa is the most ancient and venerated rishi, along with the other Saptarishis, listed in the colophon verse in the ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad''. Kashyapa is an ancient name, referring to many different personalities in the ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts. The place Kashmir is named after him, as well as numerous other Sanskrit texts and Indian scriptures. Name Kashyapa means "turtle" in Sanskrit. According to Michael Witzel, it is related to Avestan ''kasiiapa'', Sogdian ''kyšph'', New Persian ''kašaf'', ''kaš(a)p'' which mean "tortoise", after which Kashaf Rūd or a river in Turkmenistan and Khorasan is named. Other relations include to Tokarian B ''kaccāp'' ("brainpan"), Tokarian A ''kāccap'' ("turtle", "tortoise"). Frits Staal agrees that Kaśyapa means tortoise but believe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Krodhavasha
In the ''Ramayana'', Krodhavasha was the wife of the sage Kashyapa, the mother of Surabhi, and the daughter of Daksha. She gave birth to Asuras, or demons, who were also known as Krodhavasas. As she was very short-tempered, the children born to her were ferocious animals, birds, and fish, all monsters species with sharp teeth. Offspring In one version it is said that Krodhavasa had ten daughters: Mrgi, Mrgamanda, Harl, Bhadramata, Matarigl, Sarduli, Sveta, Surabhi, Sarasa, and Kadru. According to Vanaparva of ''Mahabharata'', some of Krodhavasa's sons worked as guards at Kubera's lotus lake. Once Bhima, one of the Pandavas, came to the lotus lake and started picking Saugandhika flowers. Krodhavasas went to Kubera complaining about it. It is also said that Krodhavasas worked in the army of Ravana of Ramayana fame. A legend According to a story from the epic ''Mahabharata'', which was adopted into a drama, Bhima is on a pilgrimage to Gandharvamadana to pluck some Saugandhika flower ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surabhi
Kamadhenu ( sa, कामधेनु, , ), also known as Surabhi (, or , ), is a divine bovine-goddess described in Hinduism as the mother of all cows. She is a miraculous cow of plenty who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle. In iconography, she is generally depicted as a white cow with a female head and breasts, the wings of a bird, and the tail of a peafowl or as a white cow containing various deities within her body. Kamadhenu is not worshipped independently as a goddess. Rather, she is honored by the Hindu veneration of cows, who are regarded her earthly embodiments. Hindu scriptures provide diverse accounts of the birth of Kamadhenu. While some narrate that she emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean, others describe her as the daughter of the creator god Daksha, and as the wife of the sage Kashyapa. Still other scriptures narrate that Kamadhenu was in the possession of either Jamadagni or Vashista (both anc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surasa
Surasa also Siras is a Hindu goddess, who is described as the mother of the nagas (serpents)." Her most popular tale appears in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'', where she is tasked to test the god Hanuman on his way to Lanka. Birth and children In the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'', Surasa is one of the 12 daughters of Daksha, who are married to the sage Kashyapa. She became the mother of the nagas (a class of serpents), while her co-wife and sister Kadru gave birth to uragas, another class of snakes. Vasuki, Takshaka, Airavata and other sons of Surasa are described to live in Bhogavati. The epic ''Mahabharata'' describes her being born from the wrath of Krodhavasha, another wife of Kashyapa. Surasa has three daughters: Anala, Ruha and Virudha. The serpents descend from the daughters of Surasa. She is thus called the mother of nagas and also cranes; another snake race Pannagas descends from Kadru. The ''Matsya Purana'' and the ''Vishnu Purana'' describes Surasa as one of 13 wives of Kas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danu (Asura)
Danu () is a Hindu primordial goddess. She is mentioned in the ''Rigveda'' to be the mother of the eponymous race of Danavas. The word ''Danu'' described the primeval waters that this deity perhaps embodied. In later Hinduism, she is described to be the daughter of the Prajapati Daksha and his spouse Panchajani, and the consort of the sage Kashyapa. Etymology As a word for "rain" or "liquid", ''dānu'' is compared to Avestan ''dānu'', "river", and further to river names like Don, Danube, Dnieper, Dniestr, etc. There is also a Danu river in Nepal. The "liquid" word is mostly neutral, but appears as feminine in RV 1.54. Literature Rigveda In the ''Rigveda'' (I.32.9), she is identified as the mother of Vritra, the asura slain by Indra. Padma Purana In the Padma Purana, the children of Danu are described: Brahmanda Purana In the Brahmanda Purana, it is stated that while Aditi is habitually righteous, and Diti was habitually strong, Danu habitually practises maya ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yama (Hinduism)
Yama ( sa, यम), also known as Kala, and Dharmaraja is the Hindu god of death and justice, responsible for the dispensation of law and punishment of sinners in his abode, Yamapuri. He is often identified with Dharmadeva, the personification of ''Dharma'', though the two deities have different origins and myths. In Vedic tradition, Yama was considered to be the first mortal who died and espied the way to the celestial abodes; thus, as a result, he became the ruler of the departed. His role, characteristics, and abode have been expanded in texts such as the ''Upanishads'', the ''Ramayana'', the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Puranas''. Yama is described as the twin of Yami, and the son of the sun god Surya (in earlier traditions Vivasvat) and Sanjna. He judges the souls of the dead and depending on their deeds, he assigns them to the realm of the Pitris (forefathers), Naraka (hell), or be reborn on the earth. Yama is aided by the god Chitragupta, who keeps a record of ever ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Narada
Narada ( sa, नारद, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata, regaling Yudhishthira with the story of Prahalada and the Ramayana as well as tales in the Puranas. A common theme in Vaishnavism is the accompaniment of a number of lesser deities such as Narada to offer aid to Vishnu upon his descent to earth to combat the forces of evil, or enjoy a close view of epochal events. He is also referred to as ''Rishiraja'', meaning the king of all sages. He was gifted with the boon of knowledge regarding the past, present, and the future. Hinduism In Indian texts, Narada travels to distant worlds and realms (Sanskrit: ''lokas''). He is depicted carrying a khartal (musical instrument) and the veena, and is generally regarded as one of the great ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Linga Purana
The ''Linga Purana'' (लिङ्गपुराण, IAST: ) is one of the eighteen '' Mahapuranas'', and a ''Shaivism'' text of Hinduism. The text's title ''Linga'' refers to the iconographical symbol for Shiva. The author(s) and date of the ''Linga Purana'' are unknown, and estimates place the original text to have been composed between the 5th-10th century CE. The text exists in many versions and was likely revised over time and expanded. The extant text is structured into two parts, with a cumulative total of 163 chapters. The text presents cosmology, mythology, seasons, festivals, geography, a tour guide for pilgrimage (''Tirtha''), a manual for the design and consecration of the ''Linga'' and '' Nandi'', ''stotras'', the importance of these icons, a description of Yoga with claims of its various benefits. Date and structure The estimated composition dates for the oldest core of ''Linga Purana'' vary among scholars, ranging from the 5th-century CE to the 10th-century. L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kurma Purana
The ''Kurma Purana'' ( IAST: Kūrma Purāṇa) is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, and a medieval era Vaishnavism text of Hinduism. The text is named after the tortoise avatar of Vishnu. The manuscripts of ''Kurma Purana'' have survived into the modern era in many versions. The number of chapters vary with regional manuscripts, and the critical edition (edited by Anand Swarup Gupta, and published by the All-India Kashiraj Trust, Varanasi) of the ''Kurma Purana'' has 95 chapters. Tradition believes that the ''Kurma Purana'' text had 17,000 verses, the extant manuscripts have about 6,000 verses. The text, states Ludo Rocher, is the most interesting of all the Puranas in its discussion of religious ideas, because while it is a Vaishnavism text, Vishnu does not dominate the text. Instead, the text covers and expresses reverence for Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti with equal enthusiasm. The ''Kurma Purana'', like other Puranas, includes legends, mythology, geography, ''Tirtha'' (pilgrim ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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