Category Archives: Hindu Mythology

Nandi was both a divine bull and a human manifestation of Siva. One account stated that Kandikeshvara (the tawny-colored dwarf), or Adhi- kara-Nandin, had lived a good and long life that was coming to an end. He prayed to Siiva for a longer life, and Siiva not only granted his request but placed Nandi, as he came to be called, over a portion of his dwarfs (ganas). Adhikara-Nandin was Nandi in his human form with the physical appear­ance of Siiva and stands at the entrance to many South Indian temples … Continue reading →

Nalakubera had a god, Kubera (god of wealth), as his father and his grandson was Visiravas—in his dark, or demonic, lineage. In a lineage that seemed to recognize more of Kubera’s divinity, Nalakubera’s grandfather (prajapati) was Pulastya (a progenitor). The demon Ravana was Nalakubera’s uncle. Ravana, the constant woman­izer, raped Rambha, to whom Nalakubera was engaged. Rambha pleaded with Ravana that he was an uncle to her and should not do such an evil thing. But Ravana did anyway. Nalakubera was enraged and cursed Ravana: that his head would be … Continue reading →

King Nala of Nishada, son of Virasena, and Damayanti were known as great lovers in the Puranic literature. They were foresters in their previous births— with the same name, Ahuka and Ahuka. They were granted a boon by Siva that they would be born in royal families in their following birth. According to Siva Purana, Siva helped in their romance as the swan who flew from Nala to tell Damayanti about him.

Nakula and his brother Sahadeva were born to King Pandu and his wife Madri. However, their birth was not normal—a curse prevented Pandu from touching his wives on pain of death, and a magical incantation had allowed their mother to have twins by the Asvins (the twin divine physicians). Some texts made them incarnations of the twin gods. (For more details about their birth see entry on Kunti.) Nakula, like Arjuna, was a great archer. To Nakula and Draupadi, the Pan- davas joint wife, was born a son named Satanika. … Continue reading →

Even before his birth, Nahusha has been proclaimed as the one to kill the demon (asura) that attempted to violate Parvati’s “wish-born” daughter, Asiokasundari. In the Epics and Puranas Parvati had been taken to the most beautiful gar­den in heaven by Siva in the midst of their love play (lila). Parvati saw the kalpa tree (Kalpa vriksha), the wish-fulfilling tree, and wished Asokasundari into being. Asiokasundari grew into a beauty who became the object of desire of an asura named Hunda. He attempted to molest her but was cursed to … Continue reading →

The Nagas were the race of serpents or snakes who were born from Kasyapa-pra- japati (a progenitor) by his wife Kadru. Many had divine powers and were neutral as far as their relationship with the gods was concerned. It was their great power that made them threatening to humans. When Bala-Rama, brother of Krishna, died, his spirit left his body through his mouth as a white serpent and was welcomed into the netherworld by the Naga kingdom. Prince Candrangada was rescued by the Naga king Takshaka and lived in his … Continue reading →

Naciketas was born to the sage Vajasiravas (also known as Aruni). Naciketas’s dialogue with Yama (death) was made famous in the Katha Upanishad. Vajasravas believed that he would gain heaven (svarga) by giving cattle as charity (or perhaps to the gods in sacrifice). The young Naciketas noticed that the cows were old and barren, so he doubted the efficacy of his father’s offerings. Naciketas knew that his father had promised to give away everything, so he asked if his father would also give him away, and to whom. Vajasiravas ignored … Continue reading →

Murukan was a Tamil god, who has been identified with Skanda, Siva’s son. Like Skanda, Murukan is a god of war and a god of love. He is always young, heroic, and handsome. Murukan is the most widely worshipped of the gods in much of South India, especially Tamil Nadu. Three pilgrimage centers and six major festivals allow a mixture of folk, Tantric, and Brahmanical traditions.

Mohini appeared at the churning of the Milky Ocean, again for the birth of a river and a divine monkey, and then for the incarnation of a sage. In order to prevent the asuras (demons) from obtaining their share of the divine nectar of immortality (amrita) that was produced from the churning of the Milky Ocean, Vishnu transformed into a beautiful women, Mohini. The asuras, led by Jambha, were beguiled by her charm, surrendered the pot of amrita they had taken from the sage Dhanvantari to Mohini to divide equally … Continue reading →

In the Rigveda Mitra’s name was often associated with Varuna. One chapter (Sukta) in the Rigveda said that if Mitra and Varuna were prayed to, the result would be an abundance of rain. Mitra was also glorified as the god of night and as ruling the earth and sky, together with Varuna. In the Puranas Mitra was a son of Kasiyapa-prajapati (a progenitor) and Aditya. By the time of the Vishnu Purana, there were twelve adityas. The other eleven were Vishnu, Sakra, Aryama, Dhata, Tvashta, Purusha, Vivasvan, Savita, Varuna, Bhaga, … Continue reading →