King Nala of Nishada, son of Vipassana, and 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….
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)….
Even before his birth, Nausha 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)….
The Nag’s were the race of serpents or snakes who were born from Kasyapa-pra- japati (a progenitor) by his wife Karda. 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…
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…
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….
