Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,846
Date uploaded in London –8 June 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
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N Words
Nabhaga / naabhaaga
Many characters in the Puranas have this name; a bit confusing!
Nabhaga (नभग):—
One of the ten sons of Śrāddhadeva and Śraddhā. This name is not to be confused with Nābhāga (another son of Manu whose name is sometimes replaced with Kavi). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.1.11-12)
Nābhāga (नाभाग).—Naabhaaga-
A brother of Ikṣvāku. The famous Ambarīṣa was Nābhāga’s son. After conquering all the worlds, he ruled the kingdom strictly along the path of truth and righteousness. (Vana Parva, Chapter 25, Verse 12). In the evening of his life Nābhāga gifted away the whole land to Brahmins. Since she could not leave Nābhāga, Bhūmidevī herself assumed physical form and went to him on the occasion. This emperor never consumed meat. He lives in Brahmaloka according to Chapter 115, Anuśāsana Parva. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 96, Verse 124).
Another story
Nābhāga (नाभाग).—A son of Vaivasvata Manu and father of Ambarīṣa.*
The last son of Nabhaga and a bachelor; saw his father’s property divided among his other brothers and himself left with nothing; on his father’s advice he went to the sacrifice of Angīra’s descendants and explained the sixth day rituals relating to Viśvedevas. When the sacrificers went to Heaven their unspent wealth was presented to him. At this time appeared a person of dark complexion who was Rudra and who claimed all the property as his own; when Nabhaga was consulted he said that on a certain occasion, all the remainder in a sacrificial hall was left to Rudra. So Nābhāga apologised and gave away all that wealth. With this Rudra was pleased and initiated him into the knowledge of the Brahman. After making a present of all that wealth to the prince, he disappeared.
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Naga, Naaga, Naaga loka/ Naaga kanya
Naga (नग) is synonymous with Mountain (śaila).
A mysterious name in Indian History and Tamil Sangam Literature; over twenty Tamil poets have this name. Naga lokam is located in the middle of rivers or seas. Arjuna married Naga Kanya Ulupi. Manimekalai, Tamil epic, described Nagaloka. It says Sri Lanka was full of Naga Kanyas.All the river side beauties and sea side beauties are described as Naga Kanyas (snake nymphs). The very word SNAKE is derived from Sanskrit S+naka!
In Sangam Tamil literature Naaka lokam is heaven/Swarga.
Gupta inscriptions talk about Ganapati Naga etc.
Wisdomlib.org gives more on Nagas:
1) Nāga (नाग).—An asura (demon). (See under Nāgāstra).
2) Nāga (नाग).—A class of serpents. It is stated in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇya Kāṇḍa, Sarga 14, that of the ten daughters of Kaśyapa, from Surasā, the nāgas and from Kadrū, the Uragas (both are serpents) came into the world.
Nāga (नाग) refers to a group of inhabitants of ancient Kaśmīra (Kashmir valley) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The Nāga deities of the Nīlamata have power over rain, storm and snow, and dwell generally in lakes, pools and springs.
Creatures born with human forms above the naval and of snakes below; born of Kaśyapa and Kadru; their capital was Bhogavatī; their chief was Ananta;1 came to Dvārakā with the gods;2 attacked the chariot of the Lord;3 residents of the Naiṣadha Hill, of all talams and especially Pātalam; capital Māhiṣmatī, renowned for Karkoṭaka sabhā; worship Pitṛs;4 Vāsuki, as their overlord;5 when milking the cow-earth Takṣaka was the calf;6 celebrated the marriage of Śiva and Umā;7 to be worshipped in Palace buildings.
Nāga (नाग) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.34, I.35, I.31.6, I.35, I.60.66) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places.
From Kashmir Ananta nag to Kanyakumari Nagerkoil ,we have hundreds of names with Naga
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Nagara
In Sangam Tamil literature Nagar means Temple (in Madurai).
Nāgara (नागर, “townsmen”):—The Sanskrit name for a group of Prāsādas (‘town buildings’), according to the 11th-century Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra (chapter 63). This work, authored by Bhojadeva, is an encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.āsāda
Nāgara (नागर) refers to one of the six types of Temples, according to chapter 4 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā
Nagara (नगर) refers to a “city”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.23
Nagara (नगर) refers to a “city” (suitable for the householder to settle down as a citizen), according to chapter 1.4 of Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra:
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Nachiketa
Son of Rishi Uddalaka Aruni.
The story of Nachiketas appeared first in the Rig Veda. Later Taitriya Brahmana and Katha Upanishad dealt with it. Vajra sravasva or Uddalaka Aruni, father of Nachiketa, desirous of attaining heaven, performed great sacrifices and was profuse in his gifts to the Brahmins. Nachiketa, as a boy, noted that his father had given only old and barren cows to them.
Nachiketa told his father that he had not given all and asked him ‘To whom I shall be given?’ On repeating the question three times, father angrily replied, ‘To Death’ (Mrtyu).
Thereupon he fell down as though dead and found himself in the presence of Yama, abode of Death. After staying there for three nights, Yama was forced to offer him a boon. He prayed to see his father again and he reconciled. This boon was granted and another one was offered. All kinds of blessings were proposed but the boy refused to be contented with anything but a true knowledge of the soul. Yama then proceeded to instruct him.
In Mahabharata , it is told that Nachiketa expressed a desire to see some great persons there. Yama then arranged Nachiketa to see some of the great persons who had given away cows to Brahmanas. Bhishma related this episode to Yudhisthira to stress the importance of gifting cows to Brahmana.
***
Nahusha
An ancestor of Kuru Dynasty; son of Ayu and father of Yayati. Once in the temporary absence of Indra, he became the king of Swarga/heaven. There he became intoxicated with power and began to behave like a tyrant. He even entertained a desire that Indrani (Sachi) wife of Indra, should submit to him. Indrani had to seek the help of Brahma and together they devised a plan to topple him
Sachidevi (Indrani) went to Nahusha’s palace. There, she said, “O mighty king of the gods! Before I become your wife, I have a request to make. I wish you to come majestically to my house in a grander style than the Lord Vishnu or Shiva. Let the seven rishis bear your palanquin.” Nahusha, already riding high in his pride, instantly fell into the trap.
Seven revered rishis carried him in a palanquin on the dreadful day of Nahusha’s supposed meeting. Engulfed in lust, Nahusha was impatient to reach Sachidevi soon. Agastya, shortest of the Rishis, also joined the seven Rishis. Because he was too short the palanquin had wobbled. So Nahusa began goading the rishis to go faster and, out of mad wickedness, kicked the pious sage Agastya, saying “sarpa, sarpa.” Sanskrit has two meanings of ‘sarpa’- one is ‘‘to move’, and the other is ‘serpent’. Agastya cried out loud in anger, “O wicked Nahusha, you out of pride had made us the rishis bearer of your palanquin. On top of it, you are also goading us and saying sarpa, sarpa constantly. I curse you now and here that thou shall fall from heaven and become a sarpa on earth.”
Immediately, Nahusha fell headlong from heaven and became a python in the jungle. There, he had to wait for long period for deliverance. His progeny, Yudhisthira, came to rescue him in Dwapara Yuga.
When Nahusha got his deliverance from the curse, he told Yudhisthira:
सुप्रज्ञमपि चेच्छूरमृद्धिर्मोहयते नरम् ।
वर्तमानः सुखे सर्वो मुह्यतीति मतिर्मम ।।
suprajñamapi cecchūramṛddhir mohayate naram
vartamānaḥ sukhe sarvo muhyatīti matir mama
“O righteous king Yudhisthira! The wealth and opulence fascinate even the most intelligent and brave man. I believe that everyone immersed in pleasure is disillusioned by it and subjected to the great fall as I did.”
Goswami Tulasidas ji also said in Ramcharitmanas:
नहिं कोउ अस जनमा जग माहीं,
प्रभुता पाई जाहि मद नाहीं ।
nahim kou asa janama jaga māhī,
prabhutā pā’ī jāhi mada nāhī
“Never has a creature born in this world who doesn’t get intoxicated with pride when exalted with power and opulence.”
The story of Nahusha proves that excessive fame and power lead to pride, and pride leads to the ultimate downfall. So, one must always be conscious of one’s surroundings and not allow pride to take over.
***
Nakula
Youngest of the five Pandava brothers, he was the son of Madri and twin brother of Sahadeva. He was an extremely handsome youth renowned for his mastery in sword fighting. As he was an expert rider, he had no difficulty in obtaining a post as the keeper of royal stable of King Virata of Matsya Desa during the thirteenth year of banishment. Under the name of Granthika, he spent one year without anyone recognising him. At the end, just before revealing his identity, he fought along with the Matsya forces against the invading army of Susharma of Trigarta desa and earned the respect of King Virata.
Mythologically he was the son of Aswins, also known as Nasatya in the Vedas. He had a son named Niramitra by his wife Karenu-mati, a princess of Chedi desa.
In Indonesia, Nakula is a highly prominent name in Bali. It is a major street in the upscale resort town of Seminyak (Jalan Nakula) and the namesake of Nakula, a leading Bali-based hospitality and private villa management company
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Nala and Damayanthi
This interesting love story of Nala and Damayanthi is in the third chapter, Vana Parva, of Mahabharata. The story was adapted into Tamil by two poets Pukazenthi and Athi Veera Rama Pandyan. Other poets of Tamil epic Silappadikaram and Thevaram made passing references to it. Because the story is so moving, a lot of other important things in the story are missed by many.
Following subjects are dealt within the story:-
1.Extra Terrestrials
Art of Disguise
Eight Paranormal Powers
4.Bird Migration and Training Birds for communication
5.Art of Cookery
6.Art of Charioting
7.Magic Numbers
8.Art of Gambling and Manipulation
9.invisible Cloaking
10.Toxicology
11.Moral Teaching and Psychology
12.Letter Writing by Kings
13.Truth alone Triumphs
14.Necessity of cleanliness
15.Role of Poetry
16.Brahmin Ambassadors/ Role of Ambassadors
17.Travellers’ Tale & Business Travel & Robbers
18.Geography
19.History
20.Role of Saints/Psychologists
21.Child care
22.Unusual Freedom of Indian Women
23.Body marks
24.Science of Horses
25.Tree Science
NALA DAMAYANTI story was translated into Latin by Bopp and into English verse by Dean Milman.
DAMAYANTHI was the only daughter of King Bhima of Vidarbha (Nagpur region in Maharashtra). She was very beautiful and clever. Nala, King of Nishada, was a brave and handsome person. He was learned in Vedas and virtuous. He had great skills in arms, management of horses and cooking. His only weakness was addiction to gambling (which we see later in Yudhishthira of Mahabharata as well). Nala and Damayanti loved each other, though they have never met. Nala sent a message using swans.
(This shows the use of animals for human communication; it is in Sangam literature Purananuru verse as well.)
Bhima determined that his daughter should hold a swayamvara. The warrior class Hindu women of India had the highest freedom in the world. They chose the bravest and the cleverest prince or a king as their husband. This explodes the theory of Aryan immigration and Aryan-Dravidian division. Since it was not practised anywhere in the world except Hindus
Bhima sent letters to all the kings inviting them to Swayamvara (princess choosing her own partner).
Kings flocked to Damayanti’s Swayamvara and among them was Nala. Having heard the beauty of Damayanti through the Inter Galactic traveller Narada, even the Vedic Gods Indra, Varuna, Agni and Yama came to it. Nala who met them on the way, without knowing their intention, promised them to help. Even when they asked his help in marrying Damayanti, he did not go back on his words.
Nala reluctantly performed the promised task, but his presence perfected his conquest, and the maiden announced her resolve to pay due homage to Four Vedic Gods, but choose him for her lord. Nala entered the harem of Damayanti by becoming invisible with the power given by the Vedic gods. Now we read in science magazines about ‘Invisible cloaks’. We had such facilities thousands of years ago!
During the Swayamvara (princess freely choosing her own lord), all the four gods looked like Nala (art of disguise), but Damayanti was able to see the features of Extra Terrestrials in the Four heavenly Gods. Their feet never touched the ground (floating), they never winked (no beating of brows) and their garlands never withered.
When Damayanti chose Nala as her husband, they got married formally and lived happily for some time. Kali, the symbol of bad age- Iron Age- also came for the Swayamvara, but very late. When he heard that everything was over, he decided that he would separate the couple in future. One day when Nala did not wash his hands and feet before worshipping God, Kali entered him and made him an addict to gambling. Hindus always quote this event to emphasize cleanliness
At Kali’s instigation Pushkara, younger brother of Nala challenged him to come for a game of dice. Nala lost everything and his brother Pushkara became king. Both Nala and Damayanthi were forced to leave the country
As he lost even his clothes, he shared the cloth of Damayanti and decided at one stage that he should leave her alone. While she was sleeping, he slipped out leaving her in great distress. When she came to forest she wisely sent her two children Indrasena and Indrasenaa (long vowel is used for females in Sanskrit; Krishna is lord; Krishnaa is Draupadi).
This shows the importance of child care. A woman worries more about the safety and welfare of her children than her life.
Damayanti joined the caravan that was passing through the forest. We find such caravans going through forest in Tamil literature as well. The caravan of merchants was attacked by an elephant, and the chaotic scene is described vividly in the Mahabharata. Even Brahmins joined the group of tradesmen passing through the forest.
When the queen mother of Chedi Kingdom saw a beautiful woman with all the features of a queen, walking with the traders, she called her and gave her refuge.
Nala was bitten by the king of serpents Karkotaka in the forest, who was under a curse from which Nala was to deliver him. The serpent bit Nala and the poison should work upon him till the evil spirit (Kali) was gone out of him, and then he should restore his original handsome form. The serpent’s poison made him ugly and deformed. Here we learn about toxicology.
Later, Nala entered the service of King Rituparna of Ayodhya, as a trainer of horses and an accomplished cook, under the name of Bahuka.
Damayanti was sent to her father’s kingdom of Vidarbha where he found her children. Then she devised a clever plan to bring back Nala. She announced a second swayamvara.
In those days Brahmins were used as ambassadors, and Damayanti also employed a Brahmin to find Nala with all the available information. One Brahmin identified and informed Damayanti about his whereabouts.
In the meantime, Rituparna, having heard the second swayamwara of Damayanti, decided to attend it. Since he knew that Nala was a great driver of chariots, he employed the service of him to travel 800 miles in 24 hours (100 yojanas in the original).
On their way Rituparna taught Nala the science of numbers and the rule of chances and learnt from Nala, the science of horses. This shows the Exchange of Knowledge and Sharing Information. As soon as Nala acquired this knowledge, the evil spirit (Kali which means Dark) went out of him.
Damayanti convinced that it was her husband Nala by the flavour of a dish he cooked. Here comes the art of cooking.
Afterwards Nala and Damayanti met and Nala resumed his form. Now that he knew the science of numbers, he challenged Pushkara for a game of dice and won the game. Rituparna’s teaching helped him. Nala got back his kingdom and lived happily with his wife.
—Subham—
Tags-HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 71; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-71 (Post No.15,846), Nahusa, Nala, Nachiketa, Naga
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