Rukmini Rukmini (Sanskrit: रुक्मिणी) was the princess of Vidarbha, daughter of king Bhishmaka, brother of Rukmi and the first and chief consort of Krishna. Krishna kidnapped her and eloped with her as they loved each other but her brother Rukmi out of envy had forbidden their marriage because Krishna killed his…
Devaki Devaki (देवकी) is the daughter of Devaka, sister of Kansa, wife of Vasudeva Anakadundubhi and biological mother of Balarama, Krishna and Subhadra. After the marriage ceremony, Kansa volunteered to escort the newly-weds to Mathura and drove their chariot. A celestial voice proclaimed that “The eighth child of this Devaki that you are ferrying shall become your death!” Angered,…
Vasudeva Vasudeva (Devanagari वसुदेव, IAST Vasudeva), also called Ānakadundubhi (“Drum”, after the sound of drums heard at the time of his birth), was the father of Krishna, his eighth son who was an Avatar of Vishnu, and his siblings Balarama and Subhadra. He was king of the Vrishnis and a Yadava prince. He was the son of the Yadava king Shurasena.…
Balarama Balarama (Sanskrit: बलराम, IAST: Balarāma) is a god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra, Haladhara and Halayudha, and sometimes simply Rama. The first two epithets refer to his strength, the last two associate him with Hala (Langala, “plough”) which he uses as his weapon. In the Puranas and in Mahabharata, Balarama is considered as…
Satyabhama Satyabhama is the second-most-important consort of Krishna- the avatar of Vishnu. Satyabhama is believed to be an avatar of Bhumī Devī, the Goddess of Earth who is Prakriti form of Mahalakshmi. She aided Krishna in defeating the demon Narakasura. Satyabhama was the daughter of Yadava King Satrajit, the royal treasurer of Dwaraka, who was the owner…
Narada Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, Nārada) is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata telling Yudhishtira the Prahlada story the Ramayana as warning Ravan. as well as in the Puranas. Once God…
Markandeya Markandeya (Sanskrit: मार्कण्डेय)( IAST: Mārkaṇḍeya) is an ancient rishi (sage) born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. The Markandeya Purana especially, comprises a dialogue between Markandeya and a sage called Jaimini, and a number of chapters in the Bhagavata Purana are dedicated to his conversations and prayers. He is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. Today, Markandeya Tirtha, where the sage Markandeya…
Vrata Vrata (Sanskrit: व्रत) means “vow, resolve, devotion”, and refers to the practice of austerity, particularly in matters related to foods and drinks, as part of a pious observance or prayers seeking health, fertility, long life or happiness for her loved ones. Derived from the root ‘vr’ (“will, rule, restrain, conduct, choose,…
Shaunaka Shaunaka (Sanskrit: शौनक śaunaka) is the name applied to teachers, and to a Shakha of the Atharvaveda. It is especially the name of a celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, author of the Ṛgveda-Prātiśākhya, the Bṛhaddevatā, the Caraṇa-vyūha and six Anukramaṇīs (indices) to the Rigveda. He is claimed as the teacher of Katyayana and especially of Ashvalayana, and is said to have united the Bashkala and Shakala Shakhas of the Rigveda.…