Karna (written Karṇa in IAST transliteration) (also known as Karan) is one of the central figures in Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the first son of Kunti, and was thus half brother to the Pandavas, and the eldest of them. Although Duryodhana of the Kauravas anoints him king of Anga, his role in the legend far exceeds the importance of a king. He fought for the Kauravas in the great battle at Kurukshetra. Karna - Birth. The princess Kunti, while young, was granted a boon whereby she could call upon any of ...

Including:

• Karna - Birth
• Karna - Upbringing
• Karna - Training
• Karna - King of Anga
• Karna - The Tragedy of Karna
• Karna - The Ride with The Lord
• Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra
• Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle
• Karna - After Karna's Death
• Karna - Contrast with Arjuna
• Karna - Parallels
• Karna - Iliad
• Karna - Bible

Read more here: » Karna: Encyclopedia - Karna

See also:

Karna, Karna - Birth, Karna - Upbringing, Karna - Training, Karna - King of Anga, Karna - The Tragedy of Karna, Karna - The Ride with The Lord, Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra, Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle, Karna - After Karna's Death, Karna - Contrast with Arjuna, Karna - Parallels, Karna - Iliad, Karna - Bible

Read more here: » Karna: Encyclopedia II - Karna - After Karna's Death

Karna

The first son of Kunti, born to her by the sun-god before her marriage to Pandu. She abandoned the infant Karna by floating him in a basket on a river, and he was discovered and adopted by a mixed-caste chariot driver. Karna became an arch-rival of the Pandavas, who were unaware of his origin. In the Kurukshetra battle, he was made the Kuru commander-in-chief after the death of Drona, and Arjuna killed him.

(See also: Karna, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Purification is of two kinds: Antar-Dhauti (internal cleaning) and Bahir-Dhauti (external cleaning). There are some other Dhautis, viz., Danta Dhauti (cleaning the teeth), Jihva Dhauti (cleaning the tongue), Karna Dhauti (cleaning the ears), Mula Sodhana Dhauti (cleaning the anus), etc.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Dhauti: Dhauti and Kundalini Yoga

Mahalaya Amavasya

The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Mahalaya Amavasya: Food Offering in Hinduism - Mahalaya Amavasya

Righteousness: God's Chariot Shows the Path

The wheel was, without doubt, a great technological breakthrough. It made quick motion possible. And when the wheel was integrated with the domesticated horse, it redefined mobility and did wonders for tactics and strategy of warfare. It also gave the charioteer a commanding view of life. Nagasena used the chariot as a metaphor to explain profound truths:

Read more here: » Righteousness: God's Chariot Shows the Path

The Mahabharata was the eighteen day war between the Pandavas and Kauravas at Kurukshetra. Karna was killed on the 17th day of battle by Arjuna, while serving as the Kuru commander. Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle. During the course of the war, he encountered each Pandava prince, save Arjuna, and defeated everyone of them and was capable of even killing them. (This included Yudhisthira, the Pandava who claimed the right to rule Hastinapura), and Bhima, who was the most powerful warrior of tremendous passion. However, Karna kept ...

See also:

Karna, Karna - Birth, Karna - Upbringing, Karna - Training, Karna - King of Anga, Karna - The Tragedy of Karna, Karna - The Ride with The Lord, Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra, Karna - Karna's Honor and Dishonor in Battle, Karna - After Karna's Death, Karna - Contrast with Arjuna, Karna - Parallels, Karna - Iliad, Karna - Bible

Read more here: » Karna: Encyclopedia II - Karna - The Great War: Kurukshetra

Radha refers to either one of two figures in Hindu religion. By far the most important is Radha, the gopi, who participates in the Rasa Lila with Krishna. Radha - The Mahabharata. Radha - Radha the gopi. In the story of Krishna, as told in the Puranas and the Mahabharata, she is one of the gopis (cow-herding women) of the forest of Vrindavan, and was brought up in this community with Krishna. In the orginal story she is briefly mentioned as one of the gopis who Krishna plays wit ...

Including:

• Radha - The Mahabharata
• Radha - Radha the gopi
• Radha - The foster mother of Karna
• Radha - Radha the Gopi in later Vaishnava traditions
• Radha - Festivals
• Radha - Radha the most important Gopi of Krishna
• Radha - Radha the beautiful one

Read more here: » Radha: Encyclopedia - Radha

In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana (or Dhuryodhana) is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, and the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, and the chief antagonist of the Pandavas. Duryodhana - Birth. When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continues for an unusually long period of time, she beats her womb in frustration, and envy of Kunti, the queen of Pandu who had given birth to the five Pandavas. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-colored flesh emerg ...

Including:

• Duryodhana - Birth
• Duryodhana - Omens
• Duryodhana - Development
• Duryodhana - Karna
• Duryodhana - Evil tendencies and schemes
• Duryodhana - Usurping the kingdom
• Duryodhana - The dice plot and Draupadi's humiliation
• Duryodhana - World emperor
• Duryodhana - The Kurukshetra War
• Duryodhana - Gandhari's blessing and the fight with Bhima
• Duryodhana - Death and Heaven
• Duryodhana - Modern assessment
• Duryodhana - In media

Read more here: » Duryodhana: Encyclopedia - Duryodhana

In the epic Mahabharata, Drona (or Dronacharya) is the royal guru to the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the devastras. Arjuna was his favorite student. Drona's love for Arjuna was only second to his love for his son Ashwathama. 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 then prince of Panchala, Drupada. Drupada and Drona b ...

Including:

• Drona - Birth and Early Life
• Drona - Drona and Drupada
• Drona - Guru Parasurama
• Drona - Dronacharya
• Drona - The ball and the ring
• Drona - Arjuna
• Drona - Ekalavya and Karna
• Drona - Revenge upon Drupada
• Drona - Drona in the war
• Drona - Abhimanyu's killing
• Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death
• Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia - Drona

In Hindu mythology, Arjuna is one of the heroes of the epic Mahabharata. His name means 'bright', 'shining', or 'silver' [1]. He was the third of the five Pandava brothers, and the youngest of the three children borne by Kunti, the first wife of Pandu. Arjuna - Birth. Pandu had been cursed with death in case he ever indulged in intercourse. He therefore was unable to sire a child. His first wife, Kunti, had in her maiden days received a boon from sage Durvasa, which enabled her to invoke any deity of her ch ...

Including:

• Arjuna - Birth
• Arjuna - Personality
• Arjuna - The Diligent Student
• Arjuna - Draupadi
• Arjuna - Adherence to his Duty
• Arjuna - Marital Engagements
• Arjuna - In Exile
• Arjuna - The Kurukshetra War
• Arjuna - Krishna and Arjuna
• Arjuna - The Bhagavad Gita
• Arjuna - Karna and Arjuna
• Arjuna - Arjuna's revenge
• Arjuna - After the War
• Arjuna - Other Names of Arjuna
• Arjuna - Referencees

Read more here: » Arjuna: Encyclopedia - Arjuna

In the Mahabharata, the gandiva is a magical bow given to Arjuna by Agni, God of Fire. Arjuna intervened on the behalf of the gluttonous and sickened Agni, who needed to consume a forest to heal himself. The bow was used by Arjuna to prevent Indra, the King of the Gods, from causing rain to snuff out Angi's fire and thus allow him to consume the forest. Agni then granted this bow to Arjuna, where he used it to slay many warriors, including Karna. Other related archivesAgni, Arjuna, Kar

Read more here: » Gandiva: Encyclopedia - Gandiva

In the Mahabharata, Bhima (Sanskrit: भीम्, bhīm) or Bhimasena (Sanskrit: भीमसेन्, bhīmasén) is a heroic warrior, son of Kunti by Vayu, but the acknowledged son of Pandu and the second eldest of the Pandava brothers (if Karna, son of Kunti by Surya is considered, then Bhima becomes the third eldest sun of Kunti). He is distinguished from his brothers by his great stature and strength. He was recognized as the strongest man in the three worlds (heaven, hell and earth) and was a rival to Dury ...

Read more here: » Bhima: Encyclopedia - Bhima

Amavasya is the Indic name for a new-moon. The word Amavasya is common to many Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati. The fortnight containing the new-moon is considered auspicious by Hindus. They believe that during this period, the offerings they make, reach their late forefathers. Every month, the new-moon day is considered auspicious and poojas are made. The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering ...

Read more here: » Amavasya: Encyclopedia - Amavasya

Parashurama Bhargava or Parasurama (Axe-wielding Rama), is the Sixth avatara of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. He is also the first Sovereign Emperor known to man. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills. He is a Chiranjeevin. Parashurama - The Killing of Jamadagni. King Kaartaveerya-arjuna(Sahasrarjuna) and his army visited Jamadagni, a brahmin sage, who fed his guest and the whole army with his div ...

Including:

• Parashurama - The Killing of Jamadagni
• Parashurama - The Extermination of the Kshatriya Race
• Parashurama - Legends
• Parashurama - Siva's Bow
• Parashurama - The Mahabharata
• Parashurama - The Sixth Avatara

Read more here: » Parashurama: Encyclopedia - Parashurama

In the Mahabharata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu, by his two wives Kunti and Madri. They are Yudhishtira Bhima Arjuna (sons of Pandu's first wife Kunti), and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva (sons of his second wife Madri). As Pandu is cursed with death if he ever has intercourse with his wives, the actual fatherhood of the children is traditionally attributed to various gods, by the boon that was given to Kunti by Durvasa. According t ...

Read more here: » Pandava: Encyclopedia - Pandava

In Hinduism, Princess Kunti is the mother of the Pandavas. Kunti has been described as a very pious women of great strength. She was born to King Shoorsen of the Yadu Clan. This is the same clan of Shri Krishna. Kunti's childhood name was Pritha and was given to King Shoorsen's best friend, King Kuntibhoj due to this faliure to produce children. After her arrival, King Kuntibhoj produced children and took Pritha as his lucky charm and took care of her until her marriage and renamed her as Kunti. King Shoorsen's other son was Vasudev, who was the father of Shri Krishna, theref ...

Read more here: » Kunti: Encyclopedia - Kunti

Charaka, sometimes spelled Caraka, (perhaps 1st or 2nd century CE) is one of the founders of Ayurveda. According to Charaka, health and disease are not predetermined and life may be prolonged by human effort. According to the Charaka tradition, there existed six schools of medicine, founded by the disciples of the sage Punarvasu Ātreya. Each of his disciples, Agnivesha, Bhela, Jatūkarna, Parāshara, Hārīta, and Kshārapāni, composed a Samhitā. Of these, the one composed by Agnivesha was supposed to be the best. The Agnivesha Samhitā was later revised by Charaka and it came to be known as Charaka Samhitā. ...

Read more here: » Charaka: Encyclopedia - Charaka

The Wars of Hindu mythology depict great heroes and demons in battles of celestial proportions, filled with the awesome force of celestial weapons, religious mysticism, magic, celestial and supernatural beings. Overriding the awesome battles and wonderous features is a deep driving purpose of religion and fate. 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: often ...

Including:

• Wars of Hindu Mythology - War in Religion and Myth
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Avataras of Vishnu
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - Siva
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Kshatriya Order
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - Devastras
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Devas and Asuras
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Ramayana
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The Mahabharata
• Wars of Hindu Mythology - The End of the World

Read more here: » Wars of Hindu Mythology: Encyclopedia - Wars of Hindu Mythology

Sudakshina Kamboja is the third king of the Kambojas referred to in the Mahabharata. And is also the most referenced of all the Kamboja kings in the whole Mahabharata and most illustrious warrior of the Kambojas of Epic Age. 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 to have descended from the line of god Chander Burman of remote antiquity.

Including:

• Sudakshina Kamboja - Kamboj traditions and Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Physical Characteristics of Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina at Abhisheka ceremony of Yudhisthra
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina at Draupadi’s Swayamvara
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina Kamboja in Mahabharata war
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina and his army
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina one of ten salient commanders of Kurus
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Krshna extols Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Bhishma extols Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Durodhana extols Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Sudakshina’s duels in the war
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Duryodhan at the death of Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Karna at the death of Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Vasudeva at the death of Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Gandhari at the death of Sudakshina
• Sudakshina Kamboja - Epilogue

Read more here: » Sudakshina Kamboja: Encyclopedia - Sudakshina Kamboja