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List Of Asuras
Asuras () are a class of beings or power-seeking clans, related to the more benevolent devas (also known as ''suras'') in Hinduism. Clans The two major clans of the Asuras are the Daityas and the Danavas. * Daitya - a clan of asuras born from the demonic Diti and Kashyapa. * Dānava - a clan of asuras born from the primordial sea Danu (Known as Dānaveghasā in Buddhism) and Kashyapa. * Rakshasa - a class of beings sometimes categorised as synonymous with asuras Legend * ॐ - mentioned in Hindu scriptures * ☸ - mentioned in Buddhist scriptures A * Āḍi ॐ * Aghāsura ॐ * Ahirāvaṇa - Described as a brother of Rāvaṇa in some versions of the Rāmāyaṇa ॐ * Akṣayakumāra - Son of Rāvaṇa ॐ * Alāmbāsa - A powerful asura mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata ॐ * Alambuṣa - A powerful asura from the Mahabharata ॐ * Alāyudha - A powerful asura from the Mahabharata ॐ * Andhaka ॐ * Anuhlāda - Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu ॐ * Apasmā ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kali - National Museum, New Delhi
Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who provide liberating knowledge. Of the numerous Hindu goddesses, Kali is held as the most famous. She is the preeminent deity in the Hindu tantric and the Kalikula worship traditions, and is a central figure in the goddess-centric sects of Hinduism as well as in Shaivism. Kali is chiefly worshipped as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, and Divine feminine energy. The origins of Kali can be traced to the pre-Vedic and Vedic era goddess worship traditions in the Indian subcontinent. Etymologically, the term ''Kali'' refers to one who governs time or is black. The first major appearance of Kali in the Sanskrit literature was in the sixth-century CE text ''Devi Mahatmya''. Kali appears in many stories, with the most popular one being wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
List Of Characters In The Mahabharata
The '' Mahabharata'' is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India composed by Veda Vyasa. At its heart lies the epic struggle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The central characters include the five Pandava brothers— Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—along with their wife Draupadi. On the opposing side, the hundred Kaurava brothers are led by the elder brother, Duryodhana. However, the ''Mahabharata'' is richly populated with other notable figures including Krishna, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kunti, Dushasana, Kripa, Dhritrashtra, Gandhari, Shakuni, Ashwatthama, Balarama, Subhadra, Vyasa, Abhimanyu, Pandu, Satyavati and Amba. The ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the '' Bhagavad Gita'' which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bakasura (crane Demon)
Bakasura (Sanskrit: बकासुर, IAST: Bakāsura) or Vakasura is the crane asura killed by the Hindu god Krishna. He is the companion of King Kamsa and the brother of Putana and Aghasura. He was sent by him in the form of a giant crane to kill Krishna so that the boy would not be able to kill the king, which was claimed as a prophecy by an unknown voice and the Devi Yogamaya. Bakasura was then killed by Krishna when the boy pushed his beak until it snapped. Legend Bala Krishna with his brother Balarama and the cowherd boys ( gopas) were enjoying their pastimes with their cows near the banks of the Yamuna river, while in other accounts they were in the forests of Gokul. Bakasura, in the form of a crane with a sharp beak, swooped down from the sky and swallowed Krishna, but he felt intense heat in his throat, causing him to vomit the child out. Krishna then caught Bakasura by the beak and pushed it until it snapped, causing the asura to expire and attain Moksha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhima
Bhima (, ), also known as Bhimasena (, ), is a hero and one of the most prominent characters in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. As the second of the five Pandava brothers, Bhima was born to Kunti—the wife of King Pandu—fathered by Vayu, the wind god, which bestowed upon him superhuman strength from birth. His rivalry with the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, defined much of his life, with this tension ultimately erupting in the Kurukshetra War, where Bhima killed all hundred Kaurava brothers. Bhima's life was filled with extraordinary episodes that showcased his strength and bravery. From childhood, where he was poisoned, to his victories over formidable foes like Bakasura, Hidimba, and Jarasandha, Bhima's adventures are integral to the ''Mahabharata''’s storyline. His raw, earthy nature is reflected in the brutal slaying of his enemies, his immense appetite and his marriage with Hidimbi, a rakshasi (a demoness), who bore him a son, Ghatotkacha, a powerful warrior who woul ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bakasura
Bakasura (, ), also rendered Baka, is a rakshasa featured in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The rakshasa lives in a forest which nowadays known as "Gangani" located near Garhbeta town of the Indian state of West Bengal. In exchange for protecting the kingdom from invaders, he terrorises its citizens, eating them at will. The weak king is rendered helpless. The people come to an arrangement with their tormentor: They would send him large provisions of food every week, which he would consume, along with the cart-driver who delivered them. In order to save the life of their Brahmin host when it is his turn to deliver the cartload, Bhima is eventually sent out to kill Bakasura, under the direction of his mother, Kunti. The slaying of Bakasura by Bhima is commemorated on the occasion of Bhimana Amavasya. History Pandavas The Pandavas (Sanskrit: पाण्डव, aɳɖɐʋᵊ IAST: Pāṇḍava) is a group name referring to the five legendary brothers, Yudhishtira, Bhi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhasmasura
In Hinduism, Bhasmasura (, ) is an asura or demon, who was granted the power to burn up and immediately turn into ashes (bhasma) anyone whose head he touched with his hand. The asura was tricked by the Vishnu's only female avatar, the enchantress Mohini, to turn himself into ashes. Legend While Bhasmasura is a character who does not appear in the Puranas, his story is mentioned in regional literature. The asura is stated to have been born of the ''bhasma'' dust (ashes) on the body of Shiva. Pleased at the great devotion of the demon towards him, Shiva agreed to grant a boon of his choice. Bhasmasura sought the power to burn to ashes anybody on whose head he placed his hand. Shiva granted this to him. Bhasmasura became arrogant with the boon, and is stated to have become a nightmare to the whole world. Vishnu assumed the form of the ravishing Mohini, an attractive dancer, who allured him with her charm, and initiated a dance called the ''Muktanṛtya''. During the course of this ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is widely revered among Hindu divinities. Krishna's birthday is celebrated every year by Hindus on Krishna Janmashtami according to the lunisolar calendar, lunisolar Hindu calendar, which falls in late August or early September of the Gregorian calendar. The anecdotes and narratives of Krishna's life are generally titled as ''Krishna Līlā''. He is a central figure in the ''Mahabharata'', the ''Bhagavata Purana'', the ''Brahma Vaivarta Purana,'' and the ''Bhagavad Gita'', and is mentioned in many Hindu philosophy, Hindu philosophical, Hindu theology, theological, and Hindu mythology, mythological texts. They portray him in various perspectives: as a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Banasura
Bana, also referred to as Banasura (), is an asura king in Hindu mythology, ruling from the city of Śoṇitapura. He is described to be the son of Mahabali. His tale of battling Krishna is described in the Bhagavata Purana. Legend A mighty asura, Bana once ruled over a large kingdom, Śoṇitapura. His influence was so strong and fierce that all the kings – and even some of the Deva (Hinduism), devas – shuddered in front of him. Banasura used to worship a rasalingam given to him by Vishvakarman, on instruction from Vishnu. As an ardent devotee of Shiva, he used his thousand arms to play the Mridanga, mridangam when Shiva was performing the tandava, tandavam dance. When Shiva offered Banasura a boon, the latter requested Shiva to be his city's guardian: therefore, Banasura became invincible. As time passed, he became even more cruel and arrogant. One day, Banasura's daughter, Usha, saw a young man in her dream, made love to him, and fell in love with him. Chitralekha (deity), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tripura Sundari
Tripura Sundari (Sanskrit: त्रिपुरसुन्दरी, IAST: Tripura Sundarī), also known as Lalita, Shodashi, Kamakshi, and Rajarajeshvari, is a Hindu goddess, revered primarily within the Shaktism tradition and recognized as one of the ten Mahavidyas. She embodies the essence of the supreme goddess Mahadevi. Central to the Shakta texts, she is widely praised in the ''Lalita Sahasranama'' and '' Saundarya Lahari''. In the Lalitopakhyana of the '' Brahmanda Purana'', she is referred to as Adi Parashakti. The term "Tripura" conveys the concept of three cities or worlds, while "Sundari" translates to "beautiful woman." She signifies the most beautiful woman across the three realms, with associations to the yoni symbol and the powers of creation, preservation, and destruction. According to the Srikula tradition in Shaktism, Tripura Sundari is the foremost of the Mahavidyas, the supreme divinity of Hinduism and also the primary goddess of Sri Vidya. The '' Tripu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhandasura
Bhandāsura is an asura who appears in Hindu literature, most prominently in Shaktism. He is featured in the ''Lalita Mahatmaya'' of the Brahmanda Purana, where he is slain by the goddess Lalita. Legend After his brothers were slain by the goddess Lalita, Bhandasura swore vengeance upon her. The armies of the two beings met in battle. Hundreds of the vehicles of daityas are stated to have appeared like hundreds of fishes and crocodiles. A river of blood is stated to have flowed. After four days, the leaders of the armies met in personal combat. The two beings engaged in an exchange of missiles. ''Andhatāmisraka'' (the great darkness) was sent by Bhandasura, which was neutralised by Lalita's ''Mahātaraṇi'' (the great sun). To assist her soldiers who were known as ''Śaktis'', the goddess sent the powerful astra of the deity Vishnu, which offered great respite to them. When the asura assailed Lalita's army with the ''Mahāsurāstra,'' thousands of asuras sprung out, placin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atikaya
Atikaya () is the son of Ravana and his second wife Dhanyamalini in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Legend The story of Atikaya is explained by Vibhishana in the ''Ramayana''. Once while filled with rage, he tried to uproot the Chakravalgiri mountain. Shiva noticed this and hurled his ''trishula'' at him, but Atikaya was so powerful at that time that he caught the trident mid-air like a toy and started laughing. Shiva was so impressed by the rakshasa that he taught all the secrets of archery to him. Due to armour of Brahma given to him, Atikaya had to be slain by Lakshmana by using a Brahmastra, a powerful weapon of the god Brahma. The wind-god Vayu, at the behest of the god Indra, revealed to Lakshmana the secret that an otherwise invincible armour of Brahma was granted to Atikaya, that could only be pierced by a Brahmastra. Atikaya and his brother Trishira are believed to be incarnations of the asuras Madhu and Kaitabha, who were slain by Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
