Vishwamitra

In Hindu Puranic and epic literature, one of the seven maharishis (great sages). He is also known as the royal sage, since he was a king before renouncing his title and kingdom.

More Definitions

Ramayana

One of the two major ancient Indian epics written in Sanskrit, it is believed to have been composed by Valmiki…

Dhyani-Buddha

Denoting any of the five celestial and meditative Buddhas — Vairochana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi — it was a…

Devadushya

Meaning “divine cloth” in Sanskrit, it is an upper body garment. In Jainism, it is believed that the deity Indra…

Mahabharata

The longest Indian epic poem, traditionally attributed to the legendary sage Vyasa and compiled into its extant recension sometime between…

Sardula

Another name for yalis or vyalas, they are guardian deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology depicted as a composite creature,…

Tathata

A central concept in Buddhism that denotes the essential or true nature of reality, which is beyond the range of…

Bhagirath

The mythical king of the Sagara Dynasty who performed several years of penance in the Himalayas. He is known to…

Hermes

Deity of the Greek Olympian pantheon, believed to be the messenger of the gods and a trickster who frequently travelled…