ABC of Hinduism

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ABC of Hinduism

Prem P. Bhalla

EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Since 2011) www.educreation.in

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Preface

It has never been possible to define Hinduism in precise terms. Some call it a religion; others call it a faith. The majority interprets it as a way of life. It is not possible to draw upon the thoughts, words and directions of a founding father of Hinduism, as we can in other religions, because there is none. The foundation of Hinduism rests upon the Vedas, which are not the work of a single person. They are a source of knowledge and wisdom revealed on separate occasions to different people and compiled together later. The Vedas were not accepted blindly as a matter of faith. The conscientious saints and sages put them to test. They were discussed, debated and repeatedly tried. The comments, opinions and findings were recorded. emerged from such deliberations. These were further discussed in different forms and on different occasions. Everyone did not accept what was said and discussed. Several schools of thought emerged. Differences of opinion were happily accepted in a spirit of open thought and free existence. The interpretations might have been different and dissensions may have existed, but none challenged the authority of the Vedas because they are based upon the fundamentals of nature and existence. Who could refute the hymns in praise of (fire), Surya (sun - energy), Varun (water), Vayu (air), Prithvi (earth) or Indra (rain and the environment)? Whom would the beauty of Usha not bewilder, the charming golden rays of brilliance rising above the horizon ushering in another day of hope and attainment? Who would not like to thank the forces that make it all happen at the end of another satisfying day at sunset? The hills, mountains, springs, rivers and the sea were always generous in promising better life. Within these were treasures mankind searched for in greed. In return for the benevolence people prayed to them as gods. It is only the gods who give without asking for anything in exchange. People revered the animals, fishes and birds. Gods incarnated through them. They

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used them as their vehicles. Gods were as much a part of the animal world as of mankind. Hindus revered the plants, shrubs and trees. They are living beings and part of the vast universe. While many provided food, others provided flowers and the trees provided shelter and comforting shade, abundance of energizing oxygen and of course the fruits that delighted the palate as much as they were beneficial for health. In them, the Hindus saw the abodes of gods. Through them they sought health, happiness and a long life for themselves and for those they loved. Gods would not disappoint them. Human life is short, but knowledge and wisdom are forever. It was not possible to record it for the generations to come because no such facilities existed at that time. Yet knowledge and wisdom was transmitted through word of mouth through sheer repetition of the hymns in praise of the benevolent gods. All men and women are not born equal. Some are born with intellect, the ability to understand, analyse and accept or reject what comes before them. The majority consists of ordinary people with a simple mind and ordinary intellect. The saints and sages reached out to them with nature‟s wisdom in the form of stories and parables that they could understand. It was sugar coating the bitter truth, which may not always be palatable to accept. From the stories and explanations emerged yet another form of religious texts, which are known as Purans. The Purans highlight the activities of different gods. The existence of evil has always been recognised as a part of life. With the human body being pulled towards the pleasures of the senses, and with giving in to them easily leading one to harm, the perpetual battle between the good and bad desires has been illustrated through a variety of stories that enrich Hindu texts. We see storytelling at its best in the great Hindu epic, sage Valmiki‟s Ramayan. Sri Ram is recognised as a god who lived an ideal life of a man fulfilling his responsibilities as a son, a student, a brother, a husband, a friend and as a king. Many versions of the Ramayan have since been written in many languages. Each year one sees the life of Sri Ram re-enacted through Ramlilas all over the world. Innumerable TV serials and films are testimony to Sri Ram‟s popularity amongst both the Hindus and non-Hindus.

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The second Hindu epic, the Mahabharat, is again a remarkable story with shorter stories within the principal story highlighting the forces of good and evil. These are as relevant today as they were when first written. The Bhagwat Gita that forms a part of the epic could be described as the essence of the teachings of Hinduism. It has found its way into every Hindu home. Like the earlier epic, Mahabharat has been televised and made into films that have attracted the viewership of millions of people around the world. While Hinduism accepts the existence of different schools of thought within it, it equally accepts the growth of distinct allied religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism from within it. These religions have their own distinct forms and following. Since they have emerged from Hinduism and have much in common, they continue to share many similarities mutually accepted by everyone. People following these faiths continue to live in harmony in communities everywhere. Hindu rites, rituals, customs and traditions are followed by millions of people around the world. Many follow them because others are doing it. A large majority has lost touch with many of these simply because the current system of education initiated by the British has totally ignored the purpose and utility of these activities. The common man, lost in the struggle for economic competency, has had no time to understand that the Hindu traditions provide a complete plan of a good life from childhood to death. With a religion that is thousands of years old, has many schools of thought, with the religious texts written in Sanskrit and a variety of other languages that were popular at that time, and with a variety of rituals still accepted and followed, though without sufficient understanding of their significance, the common man stands lost in search for relevant information on several aspects of Hinduism that interest him. His call is loud and clear, “Where can I instantly find relevant information that would be useful to me?” Hinduism can be proud of having the world‟s oldest religious texts. There is no dearth of religious literature of all descriptions. The original literature is in Sanskrit or other languages. Effort has been made to translate important texts. There are limitations of finding exact words that could describe not only the meaning but

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also the feelings and emotions of the original texts. Indian and foreign scholars have produced works of great merit. Libraries are full of books on almost every subject. Most of them are of interest to scholars. The common man is in a hurry to seek information he or she requires. Besides libraries, information on almost everything is available on the Internet. The big question is, “How much of this information is authentic, valid and useful?” A few years ago I was inspired to put together a book: Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs and Traditions that covered the basics of Hindu life from childhood to death. I followed this with Hindu Gods and Goddesses to explain why Hindus have many gods and goddesses. Still later, to get across the ideal of Sri Ram‟s life to the common man, I wrote The Story of Sri Ram. Much could be learnt from Sri Ram‟s life. I made an effort of putting together Gems from the Ramcharitmanas. Continuing my effort to bring the intricacies of Hinduism and practical knowledge within the reach of the common man I wrote Seven Steps to Self-realisation. I am overwhelmed by the acceptance of these works by Hindus in India and around the world. Compelled by the need for information that would de-mystify the many names that appear in Hindu religious texts, Sanskrit or Hindi terms and texts that are an integral part of the thought processes, which some of us living in orthodox Hindu families are acquainted with, but the vast majority find it hard to understand, I have tried to put together information on religious texts, their concepts and development, the men and women who were a part of this development, from the ancient times to the modern era where we have saints and speaking fluently in English, as they would in Sanskrit, Hindi or other regional languages. Stories weaved around the lives of gods and goddesses and the demons bring them back to life arousing greater interest in them. ABC of Hinduism is a humble effort in this direction. For convenience of the reader, the information has been compiled in alphabetic order. I do hope that both the Hindus and non-Hindus will find it of interest in understanding Hinduism better.

- Prem P. Bhalla *****

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Manu Smriti. Aarsh vivah is related to marriages of sages. Manu commends this kind of marriage. A Aarti is a brief ceremony Aachman During a Hindu performed in adoration of a religious ceremony it is god, an outstanding personality customary for the priest and the or a guest by circular persons performing the movement of a lighted lamp. ceremony to take water This ceremony is conducted at (preferably from the river sunrise and sunset in all Ganga) thrice in the right palm temples and places of prayer. and drink it. This is termed It is mandatory in all aachman. This helps moisten established places of prayer. the mouth and clear the throat Abhay means „without fear‟ so that one can chant the and describes a form of the with clarity. If the goddess Durga. ceremony is long, one can Abhdinagri is another name repeat taking aachman. for Dwarka, the capital city of Aagam, Agam is a collection Sri Krishna. of traditional doctrines handed Abhimanyu was the son of down and accepted by Pandav Arjun and Subhadra. tradition. These are practical He was married to Uttara, manuals of worship that daughter of king of Virat. On include tantra, and the battlefield of Mahabharat, yantra. They provide Dronacharya advised Kauravs knowledge and explain to form the ‘chakravyuh’ battle procedures to concentrate, formation to fool the Pandavs observe rituals and worship. A into entering it and getting variety of details are provided. entrapped, particularly when These are not based upon the Arjun was engaged in another teachings of the Vedas, but also sector of the battle. not antagonistic towards them. Abhimanyu told his uncles Vaishnavs, Shaivites and that he knew how to enter the Shakts have their own set of ‘chakravyu’, but did not know aagams. how to get out of it. The uncles Aarsh vivah is one of the eight assured that they would follow kinds of marriages described in him and would not allow the

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Kauravs to close the formation. difference between the jivatma It was not to be so. Abhimanyu and Paramatma. It opposes the entered the ‘chakravyuh’; Advaitic philosophy of thought. others could not. Rather than Adharm is the opposite of fight one-to-one, the Kauravs dharm. It means the total lack united to attack Abhimanyu, of righteousness. who fought single-handed. He Adhibhautik form is one of fell to the attack of the three forms in which Dronacharya, Duryodhan, Karn Hindus perceive Gods. The and others. Kauravs are looked other two forms are Adhidaivic down upon for this act of unfair form and the Adhyatmic form. play. Abhimanyu is Adhibhautik refers to remembered as a brave young something derived from the man of sixteen who fought five primary elements. It is bravely till the end. Uttara was explained that there is divinity pregnant at that time. She gave in every natural thing. Gods birth to a son Parikshat who are seen in natural things. For later became the king of example, Varun is seen in Hastinapur. water just as Vayu is seen in Abhinandan Nath is the fourth air. Tirthankar or Jain saint. Adhidaivik form is one of the Abhyas means repetitive three forms in which Hindus action, habit formation, perceive Gods. The other two practices and persistence in forms are Adhibhautik form accepting and following the and the Adhyatmic form. guidelines described in the Adhidaivik refers to that which Hindu religious texts. As in all proceeds from divine or things practice leads to supernatural sources. In perfection. heaven, every god has a Abj is another name of resplendent form, which is said Dhanvantari, the physician of to be the adhidaivik form. the gods. Hindus see the gods in this Acharya is a learned man, a form. Those of a pure mind teacher. can communicate with gods in Achintya bhed-abheda refers this form. to the philosophy of Hindu Adhipurush means the thought that explains the Supreme Being. inconceivable oneness and

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Adhyatma Ramayan is a outlining the Advait Vedant shortened version of the epic philosophy in verse. He was Ramayan in Sanskrit. immediately accepted as a Adhyatmik form is one of the disciple. He acquired the three forms in which Hindus ability to understand and perceive Gods. The other two comment upon the Brahm forms are Adhibhautik form Sutras and promote the Advait and the Adhidaivic form. philosophy. Adhyatmik refers to divinity, to He proceeded to Kashi the soul and the Supreme where he inducted Sanandan as Spirit. This is yet another form his first disciple. Others in which gods are found in followed. One day on his way living beings. Just as we need to the Vishwanath Temple in a to eat to live, we need to feed narrow lane he met an the gods within us so that they untouchable with four dogs. may continue to be a part of us. The disciples asked the If not fed, they forsake the untouchable to give way to individual to suffer. their . The untouchable Adi Shankar was an Indian responded, “What do you want philosopher born in the 8th me to move? My atman that is century to Kaippily Sivaguru eternal, or this physical body?” Nambudri and Aryamba He immediately realised that Antharjanam in Kalady in the untouchable was none other Kerala. He was a child when than Shiva; his dogs were the his father died. He was four Vedas. He prostrated initiated as a student at the age before the Lord composing five of five. By the time he was shlokas known as Manish eight, he had mastered the Panchakam. Vedas. He was inclined to take Adi Shankar went on to be sanyas or renunciation. It was known as Adi Shankaracharya after much persuasion that his and Shankar mother gave her consent. Bhagavatpadacharya. He He travelled north in search travelled in all directions in the of a true teacher. Govind country promoting the Advait Bhagavatpad met him on the philosophy, often engaging in banks of the Narmada River. debates with other saints who He inquired about him and his enjoyed eminent positions but purpose. He responsed swiftly, held different opinions. A

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capable debater and writer he confirmed these teachings in wasily convinced people having experienced liberation wherever he visited. in their lifetime. He established four Maths or Few saints have done as centres to promote Hindu much for Hinduism as Adi religion. In the south, he Shakaracharya. His established a Math in Sringeri commentaries on the in Karnataka; in the west he Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita established it in Dwarka in and the Brahm Sutras have Gujarat, in the east in provided the foundation for his Jagannath Puri in Orissa and in followers to promote his the north at Joshimath in philosophy. He believed that Uttarakhand. He placed the everyone has the right to Maths in the charge of four of knowledge of Brahman and his main disciples: that the supreme goal can be Sureshwaracharya, attained through knowledge Hastamalakacharya, only. He left this world at the Padmapadacharya and age of 32 to unite with the Totakacharya. The heads of Supreme Spirit. Even after the Maths were given the title 1200 years his prayer to the of Shakaracharya, meaning the guru is remembered every day: learned Shankar. Even to this Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, day the authority of the heads Guru Dev Maheshwara; of the Maths can be traced back Guru Sakshath Parbrahma, to the first four Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah, Shankaracharyas. It means Guru is the creator Adi Shankaracharya, using Brahma, Guru is the sustainer his vast knowledge and Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer experience, consolidated the Shiva. Guru is the Supreme teachings to promote Advait Spirit. I offer salutations to this Vedant, which was based upon Guru. religious scriptures, reasoning Adi-kavi literally means the and experience. He explained first poet. It refers to sage that Brahman is the only truth, Valmiki who composed the the world is an illusion and Ramayan in Sanskrit. there is no difference between Adi-kavya is the first literary Brahman and the individual creation, the Ramayan by sage self. Many evolved souls Valmiki.

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Adinath is another name of Advait means the absence of Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar duality or difference. It refers or Jain saint. to unity or ultimate oneness. Adi-Puran means the first Adi Shankaracharya in his Puran. This title is given to commentary on Brahm Sutra Brahm Puran. explains that there is a Adi-Shakti is a concept that relationship between jivatma the feminine power inherent in and Paramatma or Brahman. all creation comes from Shakti. This means that all living She is worthy of worship as beings are connected with Devi and all other Brahman. Since this world is manifestations. illusory, one needs to become Aditi means „free‟ or „one one with Brahman. without bounds‟. She is known Adya is a class of deities. as the mother of gods. She was Agastya was an eminent sage. the daughter of Daksh Prajapati He is Varun‟s son through and was married to sage Urvashi. He is the author of Kashyap. She gave birth to several Vedic hymns. He lived twelve Adityas. Of these, in the Dandak forest. He had Varun is best known, followed two sons by his wife by Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, Lopamudra. He is known to Savita, Bhag, Ansh, Vaman, have humbled the Vindhya hills Daksh, Tvashta, Dhata and that blocked sunshine. On Vaman. Besides these, she had another occasion he drank up twenty-one other children. the ocean to bring out the Aditya means son of Aditi. In demons hidden there. He also it was said that killed the demon Sund and there were six Adityas. Later it cursed Tadaka and her son was said to be twelve, namely, Marich to become demons for Dhata, Mitra, Aryaman, Rudra, having attacked him. Sri Ram, Varun, Surya, Bhag, Vivasvan, Sita and Lakshman visited him Pusha, Savita, Tvashta and when they were in exile. The Vaman. Each Aditya sage is said to have presented represents the Sun in twelve celestial weapons to Sri Ram. months of the year. He travelled to Ayodhya to Aditya Puran is one of the 18 congratulate Sri Ram when he imporant Purans. became king.

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Aghasur was a demon who Some describe him as a son of supported Kans in his fight Brahma. He married Svaha. against Sri Krishna. Bakasur Kartikey is said to be his son, and Putna were his brother and either through Svaha, Ganga or sister. He took the form of a the five maidens who received snake to kill Sri Krishna, but the five sparks sent by Shiva. instead lost his own life like his Agni is two-faced and red in brother and sister did earlier. colour. The two faces are Agneyastra is a weapon symbolic of the beneficial and presided over by Agni, the fire- destructive attributes of fire. god. Agni is described with black Agneyi is another name of eyes and hair, three legs and Svaha, wife of Agni. It is also seven arms. Agni uses a ram as the name of the wife of Kuru. a vehicle. When riding a They were blessed with seven chariot, goats pull it. Seven sons and a daughter. beams of light are seen coming Agni Dev is a companion god out of his body. He is also to Indra, the king of gods. He known as Sapta Jivh, meaning is second only to Indra. He is one with seven tongues. Agni immortal. Agni, in Sanskrit, is visible in three forms – fire, means fire. As a medium of lightning and the sun. Agni is offering sacrifices, Agni is a also said to be the power of messenger between the gods digestion in each individual. and the common man. He is Fire purifies everything and symbolic of youth. The first referred to as the great purifier. word in the Rig-Veda is Agni. Hindu scriptures suggest that He is described as a priest, a yagyas where mantras are divine route to sacrifice and chanted and sacrifices offered one who gives . through Agni must be In some Hindu scriptures conducted regularly. In many Agni is described as the son of Hindu homes „havan‟ is the sage Kashyap and wife conducted every day. In Aditi. Others describe him as others, it is conducted on Indra‟s twin brother, son of special occasions. Each mantra Dyaus Pita and Prithvi. The chanted always begins with two sticks that produce fire „Aum‟ and ends with „Svaha‟, when rubbed together are also who is Agni‟s wife. This is described as Agni‟s parents. symbolic of making her a

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witness when sacrifices are to fire help cleanse the air in offered to Agni. the home, spreads fragrance Amongst Hindus a marriage and is a source of energy. It is not complete until the couple promotes concentration, peace takes marital vows before a and contentment. It is good for fire. It is also necessary to go health. The Atharva-Veda around the fire. Even on death, commends it. Hindus consign the last remains Agnihotri is a class of of an individual to fire, who maintain a considering it the most perpetual fire in the house. purifying agent in life. Agni Agni-sanskar is the disposal of continues to be worshipped a dead body by burning it in with both awe and respect. fire; cremation. Agni Puran is one of the six Agnivesh was a sage who had Shaiva Maha-Purans, narrated mastered the art of archery. He by Agni Dev to Vasishth to was the preceptor to teach him about the twofold Dronacharya and Drupad. knowledge of Brahman. The Agrasandhani is the register Puran consists of 15,400 where Yama, the god of death, verses. The contents include records the details of all the ritual and mystic worship, actions, both virtuous and descriptions of the cosmos, the sinful of every being. duties of kings, the art of Agresar was a sage who warfare and treatises based accompanied Kunti and the five upon the Sutras of Panini. It Pandav children to Hastinapur has sections devoted to Sanskrit after the death of Pandu. grammar, meter, phonetics, law Ahalya was the wife of sage and medicine. Besides these, it Gautam. Enamoured by her also gives the details about Sri charm and beauty Indra once Ram, Sri Krishna, Sri Ganesh took the form of her husband and Prithvi. It also discusses and unknowingly she fell the various incarnations of victim to his desires. Gautam Vishnu. returned to see what had is a sacrificial fire. happened. He cursed Indra that Many Hindus, particularly the he would lose his manhood and Hindus offer cursed Ahalya to be turned into prayers to fire. The „samagri‟ a stone. Much later when Sri or the herbs used as an offering Ram passed through the forest

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on way to Mithila he liberated aim. All paths lead to the same her by touching the stone with goal. his foot. She returned to her Airavat was a wonderful white husband. Indra sought the help elephant that emerged from the of Agni who asked Pitris to ocean during Samudra- replace his manhood with that manthan. Indra, the king of of a ram. Ahalya is one of the gods took it as a vehicle. Panch-kanya. Aitareya Upanishad is one of Ahinsa, Ahimsa is the the ten important Upanishads. principle of non-violence. It is It is associated with the Rig- the desire to not hurt or harm Veda. The text of this anyone physically. While it is Upanishad is in prose form widely practised by Hindus, it divided into three sections or is of special significance in chapters. It consists of 33 Jainism. verses derived from Aitareya Ahuti is an oblation or offering Aranyaka, compiled by to a deity. It is also referred to Aitareya Mahidas. In the first as a sacrifice. This word is section, Atman or the inner self used when making an offering is described as the divine during a havan or Agnihotra. creator. In the second section, The fire is lit ceremoniously, it is explained that the atman symbolic of inviting Agni Dev, has three births. In the third special mantras are chanted and section, the qualities of the an offering in the form of atman and Brahman are and havan samagri (a mixture explained. of herbs and ghee) is made to Ajamil was a great sinner. Yet the fire at the end of the he went to Vaikunth because at mantra. The word Svaha is the time of death he called out uttered loudly to make her a to his son who was named witness to the offering. Narayan. Aim of Hinduism The aim of Ajgav is the name of Shiva‟s Hinduism is to encourage and bow. guide individuals to self- Akampan was a general in realisation, to gain knowledge demon Khar‟s army that of Oneness and experience attacked Sri Ram and God-realisation. There are Lakshman at Panchvati. In the several paths to achieve this battle Khar, Dushan and Trisira died. Akampan escaped to tell

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Ravan that Sri Ram had single- went with several commanders handedly killed his brothers and the army to fight Hanuman along with 14,000 demons. who had come to Lanka. Akhand Jyoti is constituted of Hanuman killed him. two words; akhand meaning Akshay Naumi is the ninth day continuous and jyoti meaning of the moonlit half of the Hindu light. It refers to a lamp that is month Kartik. It is considered kept lit continuously for the auspicious for all kinds of period of prayer. For example, ceremonies and functions. the recitation of the Ramayan Akshay Tritiya is a popular takes 24 hours, the recitation of Hindu festival that is known by Guru Granth Sahib takes 48 a variety of names and forms in hours and the prayers during different parts of India. In Navratri continue for 9 or 10 Rajasthan it is known as Aksh days. The lamp is kept lit Teej, in Uttar Pradesh as Sukal throughout the period. Tritiya and in Karnataka as At Badrinath, situated at Akshay Tadige. It is celebrated over 10,000 feet above sea on third day of the Shukla level, the temple is buried Paksh of the Hindu month under snow for six months and Vaisakh or Baisakh. is inaccessible to the devotees. It is considered a very At the time of closing the auspicious day to start new temple just before the winter, things, buy gold or property. It the lamp is charged with is a popular day to solemnize sufficient ghee to last six weddings, enter new months. When the temple is relationships or give charity. opened in the beginning of Lakshmi and Ganesh are the summer Hindus from all over most important deities come to witness the Akhand worshipped on this day because Jyoti and offer prayers to it. they are synonymous with Akrur was Sri Krishna‟s uncle prosperity. who motivated him and his It is believed that Satyug brother Balram to go to began on this day. Ganga also Mathura with him and kill descended on earth on this day. Kans. Ved Vyas started writing the Aksh Kumar was one of the great Hindu epic Mahabharat sons of Ravan and Mandodri. on this day. This day is also At his father‟s command he celebrated as the birthday of

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Parasuram, the sixth Shalva, but he would not accept incarnation of Vishnu. her as she had lived in another Alaknanda is a name of the man‟s house. She asked river Ganga, as it flows from Bhisma to marry her but he was heaven to earth. Alaknanda is bound by his vow of celibacy that portion of the river that and refused her. Amba desired flows downwards from to avenge the insult. She Badrinath to Deoprayag where offered great sacrifices and it joins the Bhagirathi and is penance to Shiva and was born known as Ganga thereafter. as Shikhandini, daughter of Alka is the name of the capital Drupad. She fought the battle city of Kuber, the god of of Mahabharat as Shikhandi wealth. and was the cause of Amar Das, Guru was the third Bhishma‟s death. Sikh Guru and served from Ambalika was the youngest 1552 to 1574. He founded daughter of the king of Kashi. Goindwal. She was carried away along Amartya means one who is with her sisters Amba and immortal; deathless. The Ambika to marry Vichitravirya. Hindu scriptures contain details She was the younger widow of of many demons that attained Vichitravirya. She gave birth boons from Brahma, Vishnu to Pandu through Vyas. The and Shiva through severe Pandavs were her grandsons. penance, austerities and Ambika was the second meditation to attain daughter of the king of Kashi. immortality, but eventually the She was carried away along arrogance of these individuals with her sisters Amba and led them to sinful activities that Ambalika to marry brought their end. Vichitravirya. She was the Amavas is the darkest night of elder widow of Vichitravirya. the lunar month. She gave birth to Dhritrashtra Amba is another name of the through Vyas. She was the goddess Durga. grandmother of the Kauravs. Amba was the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi. Bhisma had carried her and her sisters Ambika and Ambalika to marry Vichitravirya. Amba loved

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