Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia - Duryodhana
In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana (or Dhuryodhana) is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, and the eldest of th...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Duryodhana: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Duryodhana
Duryodhana The eldest son of Dhritarashtra and chief rival of the Pandavas. He made many attempts to cheat the Pandavas of their right...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Duryodhana: Sanskrit Hinduism Dictionary Iii On Duryodhana (dhuryodhana)
Duryodhana: Duryodhana (Dhuryodhana). Chief (and eldest) of the evil-minded sons of Dhritharashtra.   (See also: Duryodhana...   » Read the article

Article - Righteousness: God's Chariot Shows The Path
Righteousness: God's Chariot Shows the Path The wheel was, without doubt, a great technological breakthrough. It made quick motion possi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Usurping The Kingdom
When the princes come of age, Yudhisthira is given half the kingdom and made king of Indraprastha, so as to avoid a clash with the Kaurav...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Achilles' Heel: Encyclopedia - Achilles' Heel
Achilles' heel refers to a fatal weakness in a powerful person that leads or may lead to his downfall. It references a vulnerability that...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ashwatthama: Encyclopedia - Ashwatthama
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Ashwatthama (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थाम्, ashvatthām) or Ashwatthaman (Sanskrit: अश्�...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sakuni: Encyclopedia - Sakuni
In the Mahabharata, Sakuni was the brother of Queen Gandhari, and was son of King Subala of Gandhara. He accompanied his sister to Hastin...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dhritarashtra: Encyclopedia - Dhritarashtra
In the Mahabharata Dhritarashtra was the son born by Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika and fathered by Vyasa. This blind king of Hastinap...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia - Karna
Karna (written Karṇa in IAST transliteration) (also known as Karan) is one of the central figures in Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Andhaka: Encyclopedia - Andhaka
In Hinduism, Andhaka often refers to a malevolent demon. Andhaka - The Story. Andhaka was the demon son of Shiva, and was created from ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vanavaasa: Encyclopedia - Vanavaasa
Vanavaasa in Kannada Language means exile to the forest. Pandavaas lost to Kauravas in a game of dice and according to the pact they had ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Balarama: Encyclopedia - Balarama
In Hinduism, Balarama (phonetically Balarāma - his other names include Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha) is the name of the elder brot...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vidura: Encyclopedia - Vidura
Vidura was a son of a maid-servent who served the Queens of Hastinapura, Queen Ambika and Ambalika. In some accounts, he was an incarnati...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kaurava: Encyclopedia - Kaurava
The term Kaurava is a Sanskrit term, that means the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja: Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja
Sudakshina Kamboja is the third king of the Kambojas referred to in the Mahabharata. And is also the most referenced of all the Kamboja k...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bhima: Encyclopedia - Bhima
In the Mahabharata, Bhima (Sanskrit: भीम्, bhīm) or Bhimasena (Sanskrit: भीमसेन्, bhīmasén) is a heroic warrior,...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर्, yudhishthir) was the eldest son of King Pandu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jayadratha: Encyclopedia - Jayadratha
In the epic Mahabharata, Jayadratha is the king of Sindhu. He is married to Dusshala, the sister of the Kaurava brothers. Jayadratha - Bo...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bapu Artist: Encyclopedia - Bapu Artist
Sattriraju Lakshmi Narayana, also known as Bapu was born on 14th of December in 1933 in Narsapur, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. He gradu...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Duryodhana: Sai Baba Dictionary On Duryodhana
Duryodhana: Duryodhana: Kaurava, nephew of Arjuna, who lead the hostile armies together with his other hundred brothers, the sons o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jayadratha: Encyclopedia Ii - Jayadratha - In The War
The Sindhu king sides with Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War. Jayadratha uses his boon when he stops the Pandava brothers from entering t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - King Of Anga
A contest tournament was held to determine the greatest skilled warrior after completion of teaching by Drona. The Kauravas were jealous ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja: Encyclopedia Ii - Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina Kamboja In Mahabharata War
Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina and his army. King Draupida of Panchala had advised Yudhishtra to send messangers to Kamboja and other ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - The War At Kurukshetra
Yudhisthira makes numerous efforts of diplomatic means to retrieve his kingdom peacefully, but Duryodhana refuses to concede. Dhritarasht...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sakuni: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Sakuni
Sakuni Duryodhana’s Uncle who gambled with the Pandavas on Duryodhana’s behalf, forcing the Pandavas into exile.   ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dussasana: Sanskrit Hinduism Dictionary Iii On Dussasana (dhusshaasana)
Dussasana: Dussasana (Dhusshaasana). Infamous second son of Dhritharashtra and younger brother of Duryodhana.   (See also: ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Kambhoja: Sanskrit Hinduism Dictionary Iii On Kambhoja (kaambhoja)
Kambhoja: Kambhoja (Kaambhoja). King who fought for Duryodhana; killed by Krishna.   (See also: Kambhoja , Hinduism, Hindui...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Bapu Artist: Encyclopedia Ii - Bapu Artist - Painting Style
Bapu introduced a painting that uses simple bright colours which are easy on the eye. His unique style of economy of strokes, freehand dr...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Jayadratha: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Jayadratha
Jayadratha The king of Sindhu-desha and brother-in-law of Duryodhana. He once kidnapped Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, and so the...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Duhshasana: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Duhshasana
Duhshasana The second of Dhritarashtra’s one hundred sons. Duhshasana, Sakuni, and Karna were the inner circle of advisers to Du...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dushyasana: Encyclopedia Ii - Dushyasana - Draupadi's Humiliation
After Yudhisthira loses his kingdom, his brothers and his wife Draupadi in a game of dice with Shakuni, Dushasana dragged Draupadi down i...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bhima: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Bhima (-sena)
Bhima (-sena) The second and strongest of the five Pandava brothers, a great club fighter, voracious eater, and intolerant punisher of...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bhishma: Bhakti Yoga Dictionary Ii On Bhishma
Bhishma The son of Santanu and the sacred Ganga. He was one of the twelve mahajanas, the great authorities on Vedic knowledge. As the ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - Exile Of 14 Years
Yudhisthira is unable to refuse the challenge of Duryodhana's uncle Shakuni, and gambles away his kingdom, his wealth, his brothers and h...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Drona: Encyclopedia Ii - Drona - Yudhisthira's Capture And Drona's Death
In the war, Yudhisthira is targeted by Kuru commander Drona to be captured, but the latter fails to accomplish this. The Kuru commander a...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Drona: Encyclopedia Ii - Drona - Modern Assessment
Drona is criticized by several modern scholars for his alleged racism and caste discrimination, over the rejection of Ekalavya and Karna....   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - In Ayya Vazhi
The Ayya Vazhi religion, a sect of Hinduism in Tamil Nadu believes that Ravana is indeed a manifestation of evil and goes even further. F...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Dushyasana: Encyclopedia Ii - Dushyasana - Birth And Development
When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continues for an unusually long period of time, she beats her womb in frustration, and en...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - The Ride With The Lord
In one segment, Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, tried to win Karna over to the side of the Pandavas. The discussion, which took place...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Drona: Encyclopedia Ii - Drona - Drona In The War
Drona strongly condemns the wicked prince Duryodhana and his brothers for their abusive treatment of the Pandavas, and for usurping their...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kathakali: Encyclopedia Ii - Kathakali - Kathakali Plays
Almost always, the viewer is told or is supposed to have knowledge of the story being enacted before the start of a Kathakali play. The m...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Arjuna: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary On Arjuna
Arjuna (Sanskrit) White, clear; third of the Pandu princes, son of the god Indra by Kunti, also known as Pritha. During the fratricida...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kroni: Encyclopedia Ii - Kroni - Fragments Of Kroni
The six fragments of Kroni were then born as evil spirits (or Asuras) in six successive Yukams (aeons). In all the yukams Mayon had to in...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Abhimanyu: Theosophy Dictionary On Abhimanyu
Abhimanyu (Sanskrit) (from abhi towards + the verbal root man to think)   Son of Arjuna by Subhadra, sister of Krishna. In the my...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Charvaka, Carvaka: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary On Charvaka, Carvaka
Charvaka carvaka (Sanskrit) A rakshasa (demon) who in the Mahabharata was a friend of Duryodhana, chief of the Kurus, and hence an ene...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yudhishthira, Yudhisthira: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary On Yudhishthira, Yudhisthira
Yudhishthira Yudhisthira (Sanskrit) One of the principal heroes of the Mahabharata, eldest of the five Pandavas, son of Kunti by the g...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahabharata: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahabharata - The Significance Of Mahabharata
Background - The story has its beginning at the time of King Shantanu, three generations before Krishna and Arjuna. King Shantanu’s fi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahabharata: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahabharata - The Central Story
The core story of the work is that of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two coll...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja: Encyclopedia Ii - Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina At Draupadi’s Swayamvara
According to epic evidence, Sudakshina Kamboj had participated in the Swayamvara of Draupadi, the princess of Panchala. Sudaksinaz.ca.Kam...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra
The Mahabharata was the eighteen day war between the Pandavas and Kauravas at Kurukshetra. Karna was killed on the 17th day of battle by ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Abhimanyu: Encyclopedia Ii - Abhimanyu - Birth Education And War
As an unborn child in his mother's womb, Abhimanyu learns the knowledge of entering the deadly and virtually impenetrable Chakra Vyuha (s...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - Retirement And Ascent To Heaven
Upon the onset of the Kali yuga and the death of Krishna, Yudhisthira and his brothers retire, leaving the throne to the son of Abhimanyu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Brihaspati And Lokayata
It is said that the Hindu sage Brihaspati, the preceptor of the Vedic gods, founded and preached the Lokayata thought, though this involv...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Balarama: Encyclopedia Ii - Balarama - Appearance
Balarama was conceived as a son of Vasudeva and Devaki. Kamsa, brother of Devaki and an evil king, was intent upon killing all the progen...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Abul Fazl On Lokayata
An extract from Aaine-Akbari (vol.III, tr. by H. S. Barrett, pp217-218) written by Abul Fazl, the famous historian of Akbar's court, ment...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Carvaka: Encyclopedia Ii - Carvaka - Lokayata On The Role Of Women
The Carvaka doctrines of equality and freedom preserved and enhanced the dignity of women. A woman's position in a world controlled by me...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - Upbringing
The child Karna was borne down the river and picked up by the leader of charioteers called Adiratha, a shudra, the lowest caste in Hindu ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - After Karna's Death
After Karna's death, Kunti informed the Pandavas that she was Karna's mother and that he was the eldest of the Pandavas. The Pandavas gri...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wars Of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia Ii - Wars Of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata
Commanders in Chief: Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Shalya Maharathas: Shalya, Ashwathama, Somadatta, Bhurisrava, Bhagadatta, Jayadratha, Kritava...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja: Encyclopedia Ii - Sudakshina Kamboja - Kamboj Traditions And Sudakshina
According to the traditions of the Kamboj community passed on to it from its ancestors, a certain king Sodakhsh (Sudakshina) is believed ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram: Encyclopedia Ii - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram - Santror As Security
He didn't stop with creating new laws. He asked Thirumal to bring him security forces that were courageous, obedient and genuine to him. ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram: Encyclopedia Ii - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram - Death Of The King
When the Santror was working as the security of the king, one day as per the karma of the Santror, they fall asleep when they were in dut...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram: Encyclopedia Ii - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram - Advice Of Thirumal
Having seeing all these troubles created by Kalineesan for the Santror, Thirumal visited Neesan and said: "The reason for your fall of yo...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - Birth And Upbringing
Pandu, the king of Hastinapura and father of the Pandavas could not sire children as he was cursed to die by a brahmin in deer form whom ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Khasas: Encyclopedia Ii - Khasas - Khasas In Epic Literature
The epic literature asserts that the Khasas, Chinas, Hunas, Shakas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Pahlavas, Kiratas, Sinhalas, Mlechchas etc were al...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ayyavazhi: Encyclopedia Ii - Ayyavazhi - Beliefs
Adherents of Ayyavazhi believe in both reincarnation and the Dharma Yukam but condemn the caste system . They also reject the use of murt...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Abhimanyu: Encyclopedia Ii - Abhimanyu - Abhimanyu's Death
On the 13th day of battle, the Kauravas challenge the Pandavas to break a circular battle formation known as the Chakra Vyuha (see Wars o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ayyavazhi: Encyclopedia Ii - Ayyavazhi - Beliefs
Adherents of Ayyavazhi believe in both reincarnation and the Dharma Yukam but condemn the caste system . They also reject the use of murt...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ashvakas: Encyclopedia Ii - Ashvakas - Geographical Location
The Ashvakas were located in the eastern parts of modern Afghanistan in the intervening river valleys starting from Laghman in the west u...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ashvakas: Encyclopedia Ii - Ashvakas - Afghan And Ashvakan Relationship
According to modern view, the name Afghan derives from Sanskrit Ashvaka or Ashvakan, the Assakenoi of classical writings. McCrindle obser...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Drona: Encyclopedia Ii - Drona - Birth And Early Life
Drona was born a brahmin, son of sage Bharadwaja. He spent his youth in poverty, but studied religion and military arts together with the...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Birth And Early Life
Ravana was born Dasagriva (One with Ten Heads) the son of the sage Visrawasa by his wife Kaikasi, a rakshasa princess. Thus he is thought...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Emperor Of The World, And Evil
After winning his boons, Ravana is sought out by the leaders of the rakshasas, who desire him to lead their race to power. Ravana - Conq...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Abhimanyu: Encyclopedia Ii - Abhimanyu - Arjuna's Great Revenge
News of the despicable acts committed on Abhimanyu reached his father Arjuna at the end of the day, who vows to kill Jayadratha the very ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Abhimanyu: Encyclopedia Ii - Abhimanyu - Explanation Of His Death
The death of such a virtuous and young hero leaves the Pandavas flabbergasted. The fates of most characters are openly prophesized in the...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Karna: Encyclopedia Ii - Karna - Birth
The princess Kunti, while young, was granted a boon whereby she could call upon any of the gods through a mantra and the god would grant ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - King Of Indraprastha
Yudhisthira and his brothers are favored by the Kuru elders like Bhishma, Vidura Kripa and Drona over the Kauravas due to their devotion ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia Ii - Yudhisthira - Emperor Of The World
At the end of the war, Yudhisthira and the Pandava army emerge victorious, but the sons of Draupadi and many Pandava heroes like Dhristad...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Tapasya
According to the Ramayana, as a young man Ravana undertakes a terrible penance, lasting over 1,000 years to please Lord Shiva. When Shiva...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Emperor Of The World And Evil
After winning his boons, Ravana is sought out by the leaders of the rakshasas, who desire him to lead their race to power. Ravana - Conq...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Violations Of Women
Ravana's sexual prowess is important to note as it plays a critical part in his legacy and downfall. Even as a young man he shamelessly v...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - Assessment
Some, however, regard Ravana as having been a wise and benevolent ruler, and view the version of events used in the Ramayana as propagand...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ravana: Encyclopedia Ii - Ravana - In Scriptures
The Ramayana is not the only religious scripture that views Ravana as evil. In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his brother, Kumbakarna w...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wars Of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia Ii - Wars Of Hindu Mythology - War In Religion And Myth
While no Hindu epic or scripture fails to describe the horrors of war and its fallout, major wars are fought with a religious purpose: of...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wars Of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia Ii - Wars Of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras Of Vishnu
Vishnu, the Inconceivable Supreme, periodically takes birth, an Avatara upon earth to destroy evil and deliver the pious. He is also the ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wars Of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia Ii - Wars Of Hindu Mythology - Siva
The Lord Destroyer, Sarvaripati Siva is the most fearsome manifestation of the Supreme Godhead. Assigned with destroying all of the unive...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wars Of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia Ii - Wars Of Hindu Mythology - Devastras
An Astra is a missile-type weapon which is to be hurled at an enemy. Examples include arrows from bows. A Shastra is a personal weapon, l...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Khasas: Encyclopedia Ii - Khasas - Khasas Kambojas In Bengal
The archieves of Bengal contain references on the presence of foreign groups like Khasas, Pukkasha, Pulinda, Thara, Kamboja, Yavana, Sumh...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahabharata: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahabharata - Scope
With its vast philosophical depth and sheer magnitude, a consummate embodiment of the ethos of not only grand India but of Hinduism and V...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahabharata: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahabharata - In Modern Times
Between 1919 and 1966, the scholars at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, compared the various manuscripts of the epic fro...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahabharata: Encyclopedia Ii - Mahabharata - Primary Purport
With its vast philosophical depth and sheer magnitude, a consummate embodiment of the ethos of not only grand India but of Hinduism and V...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram: Encyclopedia Ii - Thirumal In Thiruvananthapuram - Tavam Of Neesan
When the Neesan was ruling like this, he had no offspring and was worried. He fell on the feet of Thirumal and requested him to give him ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Birth
When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continues for an unusually long period of time, she beats her womb in frustration, and en...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Birth
When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continues for an unusually long period of time, she beats her womb in frustration, and en...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - The Kurukshetra War
At the end of the exile term, Duryodhana refuses to return Yudhisthira's kingdom, despite the counsel of Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and even ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - The Kurukshetra War
At the end of the exile term, Duryodhana refuses to return Yudhisthira's kingdom, despite the counsel of Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and even ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Gandhari's Blessing And The Fight With Bhima
Queen Gandhari is distraught when she hears that all her sons save Duryodhana have been slain. Despite knowing that Duryodhana was wicked...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Evil Tendencies And Schemes
Although loved by all his family, Duryodhana and most of his brothers are seen as inferior to the Pandavas in their adherence to virtue a...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Duryodhana: Encyclopedia Ii - Duryodhana - Gandhari's Blessing And The Fight With Bhima
Queen Gandhari is distraught when she hears that all her sons save Duryodhana have been slain. Despite knowing that Duryodhana was wicked...   » Read the article