|
Harishchandra
Harishchandra () is a legendary king of the Solar dynasty, who appears in several legends in texts such as the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', ''Mahabharata'', the ''Markandeya Purana'', and the ''Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Bhagavata Purana''. The most famous of these stories is the one mentioned in the ''Markandeya Purana''. According to this legend, Harishchandra gave away his kingdom, sold his family, and agreed to be a slave – all to fulfill a promise he had made to the sage Vishwamitra, Vishvamitra. Legend Aitareya Brahmana According to a legend mentioned in ''Aitareya Brahamana'', Harishchandra had one hundred wives, but no son. On advice of the sage Narada, he prayed to the deity Varuna for a son. Varuna granted the boon, in exchange for an assurance that Harishchandra would make a sacrifice to Varuna in the future. As a result of this boon, a son named Rohita (or Rohitashva) was born to the king. After his birth, Varuna came to Harishchandra and demanded that the child be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rohitashva
Rohitashva () or Lohitashva is a prince in Hinduism, known for his extraordinary journey and acts of devotion. He is the son of Harishchandra, a revered king celebrated for his truthfulness and piety towards the gods. Etymology The name ''Rohitashva'' originates from Sanskrit and consists of two words: ''rohita'', signifying "red" or "ruddy," and ''ashva'', meaning "horse." Legend Rohitashva's legend is featured in the ''Markandeya Purana'': Rohitashva was the son of King Harishchandra and his queen Shaivya. Once, while on a hunting expedition, Harishchandra was possessed by Vighnaraja, the lord of obstacles, in order to disturb the '' tapasya'' (meditation) of the sage Vishvamitra. When Harishchandra came to his senses, he realised that the sage was extremely angry with him, and apologised. He promised to fulfill any of the sage's desires to get rid of his guilt. Vishvamitra demanded that the king give up all that he possessed, except his wife and Rohitashva, to him. Har ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sunahshepa
Shunahshepa () is a legendary sage mentioned in Hindu mythology. A number of passages in ''Rigveda'' are attributed to him. He was adopted by the sage Vishvamitra, and given the new name Devarata. His name is also transliterated as Cunahcepa, Cunahçepa, Sunahsephas, Sunahshepa, and Shunashepa. He was first mentioned in Mandala 1, Hymn 24 of the Rigveda as a devotee of the god Varuna. According to a legend, Shunahshepa was chosen to be sacrificed in a ritual, but was saved after praying to the Rigvedic deities. The earliest extant text to mention this legend is ''Aitareya Brahmana'' (7.13-18) of ''Rigveda''. The story is repeated in the ''Balakanda'' (1.61) of Valmiki's ''Ramayana'' with some variations. Several other texts borrow the story: these include ''Sankhyana Srauta Sutra'', ''Baudhayana Shrauta Sutra'', the Puranas, and the works of Chandrakirti among others. Legend Aitareya Brahmana King Harishchandra of the Ikshvaku dynasty had 100 wives, but no son. On adv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Varanasi
Varanasi (, also Benares, Banaras ) or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.* * * * The city has a syncretic tradition of Islamic artisanship that underpins its religious tourism.* * * * * Located in the middle-Ganges valley in the southeastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi lies on the left bank of the river. It is to the southeast of India's capital New Delhi and to the southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. It lies downstream of Prayagraj, where the confluence with the Yamuna river is another major Hindu pilgrimage site. Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Kashi, its ancient name, was associated with a kingdom of the same name of 2,500 years ago. The Lion capital of Ashoka at nearby Sarnath has been interpreted to be a commemoration of the Buddha's first sermon there in the fifth century BCE. In the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vishwamitra
Vishvamitra (, ) is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient India. Vishvamitra is one of the seven Brahmarshi. According to Hindu tradition, he is stated to have written most of the Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra (3.62.10). The Puranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of —and thus wielded the whole power of — the Gayatri Mantra. Vishvamitra is supposed to have been the first, and Yajnavalkya the last. Before renouncing his kingdom and royal status, Brahmarishi Vishvamitra was a king, and thus he retained the title of Rajarshi, or 'royal sage'. Textual background Historically, Viśvāmitra Gāthina was a Rigvedic rishi who was the chief author of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda. Viśvāmitra was taught by Jamadagni Bhārgava. He was the purohita of the Bharata tribal king Sudās, until he was replaced by Vasiṣṭha. He aided the Bharatas in crossing the Vipāśa and Śutudrī rivers (mo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Varuna
Varuna (; , ) is a Hindu god. He is one of the earliest deities in pantheon, whose role underwent a significant transformation from the Vedic to the Puranic periods. In the early Vedic era, Varuna is seen as the god-sovereign, ruling the sky and embodying divine authority. He is also mentioned as the king of asuras, who gained the status of a deva, serving as the chief of the Adityas, a group of celestial deities. He maintains truth and ''ṛta'', the cosmic and moral order, and was invoked as an omniscient ethical judge, with the stars symbolizing his watchful eyes or spies. Frequently paired with Mitra, Varuna represents the magical and speculative aspects of sovereignty, overseeing the relationship between gods and humans. The transition from the Vedic to later periods saw Varuna's domain begin to shift from the firmament to waters. He became associated with celestial waters, marking the initial phase of his transformation. By the time of the '' Itihasa-Purana'', Varuna ha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trishanku
Trishanku (), born Satyavrata, is a king of the Suryavamsha (Solar dynasty) featured in Hindu texts. His legend is described in the epic Ramayana''.'' He is the father of Harishchandra. Etymology The name ''Trishanku'' is a combination of Sanskrit words ''Tri'' meaning 'three' and ''śaṅku'' (शङ्कु) meaning 'stumps', thus the name means 'three stumps', likely denoting to the alignment of stars of the Southern Cross constellation. Legend Puranas Curse of Vasishtha According to legend, Satyavrata was an impious and lustful prince. He is recorded as having been banished by his father, Trayyāruṇa, for stealing a Brahmin bride from her wedding ceremony. Holding the royal preceptor, Vasishtha, responsible for his prescription of the punishment, Satyavrata nursed a great hatred towards him. He is described as having greatly assisted the preceptor's traditional rival, Vishvamitra, when the latter's family suffered from hunger, offering them food daily during a severe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Solar Dynasty
The Solar dynasty or (; ), also called the Ikshvaku dynasty, is a legendary Indian dynasty said to have been founded by Ikshvaku. In Hindu texts, Hindu literature, it ruled the Kosala Kingdom, with its capital at Ayodhya (Ramayana), Ayodhya, and later at Shravasti. They worshipped their Kuladevata, clan deity, Surya (a Hindu solar deity), after whom the dynasty is named. Along with the Lunar dynasty, the Solar dynasty comprises one of the main lineages of the Kshatriya Varna (Hinduism), varna in Hinduism. According to Jain literature, the first ''Tirthankara'' of Jainism, Rishabhanatha himself, was King Ikshvaku. Twenty-one further ''Tirthankaras'' were born in this dynasty. According to Buddhist literature, Gautama Buddha descended from the this dynasty. The important personalities belonging to this royal house are Mandhatri, Muchukunda, Ambarisha, Bharata (Jainism), Bharata, Bahubali, Harishchandra, Dilīpa, Sagara (Vedic king), Sagara, [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ambarisha
In Hindu texts, Ambarisha (, ) is a mythological Ikshvaku king, and the son of Mandhata.Pargiter, F.E. (1972) 922 ''Ancient Indian Historical Tradition'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.92. He is believed to have conquered the whole world in a week. He lived during the Treta Yuga. Legend ''Ramayana'' The Ramayana contains a variation of an ''Aitareya Brahmana'' legend about the king Harishchandra. In the Ramayana version, the king is named Ambarisha, instead of Harishchandra. According to this legend, Ambarisha was once engaged in a Ashvamedha Yagna at his capital Ayodhya. During this ceremony, the horse of Ashvamedha was stolen by Indra. The priest conducting the ceremony told the king that he needed to find the animal, or perform a human sacrifice to avert the misfortune resulting from the situation. After being unable to find the animal, the king bought Shunahshepa, the son of a sage, for the sacrifice. Shunahshepa survived the sacrifice by reciting two hymns that the s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Suryavamsha
The Solar dynasty or (; ), also called the Ikshvaku dynasty, is a legendary Indian dynasty said to have been founded by Ikshvaku. In Hindu literature, it ruled the Kosala Kingdom, with its capital at Ayodhya, and later at Shravasti. They worshipped their clan deity, Surya (a Hindu solar deity), after whom the dynasty is named. Along with the Lunar dynasty, the Solar dynasty comprises one of the main lineages of the Kshatriya varna in Hinduism. According to Jain literature, the first ''Tirthankara'' of Jainism, Rishabhanatha himself, was King Ikshvaku. Twenty-one further ''Tirthankaras'' were born in this dynasty. According to Buddhist literature, Gautama Buddha descended from the this dynasty. The important personalities belonging to this royal house are Mandhatri, Muchukunda, Ambarisha, Bharata, Bahubali, Harishchandra, Dilīpa, Sagara, [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rajasuya
Rajasuya () is a śrauta ritual of the Vedic religion. It is ceremony that marks a consecration of a king. According to the Puranas, it refers to a great sacrifice performed by a Chakravarti – universal monarch, in which the tributary princes may also take part, at the time of his coronation, as a mark of his undisputed sovereignty. Description The rajasuya is associated with the consecration of a king and is prescribed as a ritual to establish a king's sovereignty. It is described in the Taittiriya corpus, including Apastamba '' Śrauta Sutra'' 18.8–25.22. It involves '' soma'' pressing, a chariot drive, the king shooting arrows from his bow, and a symbolic "cattle raid": The newly anointed king seizes cattle belonging to his relative, and then gives part of his property to that relative. Also included is a game of throwing dice with the Adhvaryu priest in which the king wins a cow, by which the king is enthroned and the cosmos is regenerated. There is a revealing of the ta ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one of the most popular in Vaishnavism. Composed in Sanskrit and traditionally attributed to Veda Vyasa, it promotes '' bhakti'' (devotion) towards Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, integrating themes from the Advaita (monism) philosophy of Adi Shankara, the Vishishtadvaita (qualified monism) of Ramanujacharya and the Dvaita (dualism) of Madhvacharya. It is widely available in almost all Indian languages. The ''Bhagavata Purana'', like other puranas, discusses a wide range of topics including cosmology, astronomy, genealogy, geography, legend, music, dance, yoga and culture. As it begins, the forces of evil have won a war between the benevolent '' devas'' (deities) and evil '' asuras'' (demons) and now rule the universe. Truth re-emerges as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
