Indian Mythology & Folklore

Essentials of Vidya & Avidya: Hindu Knowledge and Ignorance

The meaning of Vidya Vidya is a Sanskrit term that is translated as knowledge, and is closely related with another Sanskrit word “jnana”. Most Hindu religious and philosophical traditions distinguish between two types of knowledge. The lower knowledge is informational, derived from study of texts or hearing of teachings; while it is useful, perhaps even …

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Apsaras: Hindu Mythology Fairies (Portrait, Origins, Roles)

Apsaras are the dancing girls of Indra’s court. They rose from the milk ocean when it was churned, and are of resplendent and celestial forms. However, the Apasarases did not undergo purification and hence no god could wed them. So they became women of easy virtue and dwelt among the Gandharvas (Hindu class of mythological …

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Everything about Anasuya: Mythological Hindu Wife of Atri

The Hindu sage Atri took as wife Anasuya (or Anusuya), a name meaning the divine quality of Free-from-envy. She was so vigorous an ascetic, and producer of miracles, that she irrigated earth with the Ganges in drought and on another occasion “made ten nights one” because her friend was cursed to “become a widow tomorrow” …

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All about Airavata: Hindu Mythological Father of Elephants

Airavata is Hindu mythological king of elephants, produced from the churning of the ocean, and taken by Indra, who subsequently rode on Airavata in war and wherever he went. The name has been derived from Iravat “watery” and supposed to allude to the north, as the quarter whence rain comes, or to the original idea …

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