Jamadagni was born by a miraculous birth in which his caste was determined not be birth but by a magical portion of rice pudding. His father, the sage Ricika, a wonderous and powerful magician (siddha) gave his two wives different portions to determine the qualities of his future…
This myth presents two competing spiritual paths: one of austerities (tapas) and another of spirituality located in a householder’s life. Jajali had developed into a great ascetic. One day as he was doing a standing meditation, a pair of birds built their nest in his matted hair. So began…
Jahnu gave his kingdom to his son and retired to a quiet spot to do austerities (tapas). However, cosmic events disturbed his meditations. King Bhagiratha had been successful in his austerities to get Siva’s help in bringing the sacred river Ganga to earth. And when it came, it flooded…
This is a Puranic myth about dharma a father who failed to keep his dharma and sons who kept theirs. Jada was a brahmin who became an unscrupulous businessman. But he was robbed and killed and reborn a pisaca, a hunger ghost. His sons were quite moral and did…
There are three terms (isa, isana, isvara) that all come from the root, is (to have power). All can be translated as “lord,” or “the one who possesses power.” Theseterms were applied to many of the devas in the Vedic period—Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Soma, and Savitri. In late Vedic…
There are a number of references in the Rigveda to Indrani but her story was not told. She was chosen by Indra as his wife from among many other goddesses because she was said to be the most voluptuous. But in the Puranas Indrani became Saci, daughter of Puloma,…
