Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 16,241
Date uploaded in London – 26 September 2026
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Vindhya
Vindhya (विन्ध्य).—One of the seven holy mountains (kulaparvata) situated in Bhārata, a region south of mount Meru, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 85.
Apart from its mention in the Nasik eulogy, the Vindhya mountain is mentioned in eight other inicriptions. Mandsaur inscription of Yalodharman and Viṣṇuvardhana refers to a tract of land, containing many countries, From the slopes of the Vindhyaf fiows waters of River Revā.
The Vindhya mountain comprised the chains of the ranges at the source of the Narmadā and Tāptī, and though most conspicuous in Western and central India, it extends right across the Peninsula, until passing through the neighbourhood of Gaya, its easternmost spurs reach and disappear in the valley of the Gaṅgā at Rajmahalas.
Puranic Story
Name of a range of mountain which separates Hindustan proper from the Deccan or south; it is one of the seven Kulaparvatas (q. v.) and forms the southern limit of Madhyadeśa; see Manusmṛti 2.21. [According to a legend, the Vindhya mountain, being jealous of the mount Meru (or Himālaya) demanded that the sun should revolve round himself as about Meru, which the sun declined to do; whereupon the Vindhya began to rise higher and higher so as to obstruct the path of the sun and moon. The gods being alarmed sought the aid of the sage Agastya, who approached the mountain and requested that by bending down he would give him an easy passage to the south, and that he would retain the same position till his return. This Vindhya consented to do (The real meaning is that Agastya was the first one to cross the mountain and came to South India via this mountain. Rama and others used coastal routes).Agastya laid road route.
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Vishnu
He is in 2000 year old Sangam literature and early Tolkappiam as MAAYON. Also found in the name of Sangam Tamil poets as Viinan; Vinnathaayan meant Vishnu Daasan; Kannan Thaayan meant Kanna Daasan.
1) Viṣṇu (विष्णु, “all-pervading”):—One of the twenty-four forms of Viṣṇu through which Nārāyaṇa manifests himself. He is accompanied by a counterpart emanation of Lakṣmī
2.General information. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara are the Lords of creation, sustenance and extermination of this perishable universe. These trimūrtis (three figures) also are perishable. It is said, that one day of Brahmā will constitute thousand four-fold (catur) yugas and that during the life of Brahmā, fourteen Indras will fall down from heaven and die. This is a Brahmā age. Viṣṇu-worship in Rājasthān.—The Ghosundi Inscription of the 2nd century B.C., records the construction of a stone wall round the hall of worship of Saṅkarṣaṇa-Balarāma and Vāsudeva by Sarvatāta of Gaja family. The fact that Viṣṇu was worshipped as early as the 2nd century B. C., is known from this inscription.
Temples of Viṣṇu constructed by the Śilāhāra dynasty (r. 765-1215 A.D.).—The Śilāhāras of Koṅkaṇ were devotees of Śiva. Though they themselves built no temples of Viṣṇu, inscriptions of the age mention several shrines of the god erected by their officers and subjects. They are not, however, existing at present.
Sanskrit dictionary
Viṣṇu (विष्णु).—[viṣ vyāpane nuk Uṇādi-sūtra 3.39]
1) The second deity of the sacred Triad, entrusted with the preservation of the world, which duty he is represented to have duly discharged by his various incarnations; (for their descriptions see the several avatāras s. v. and also under avatāra); the word is thus popularly derived :यस्माद्विश्व- मिदं सर्वं तस्य शक्त्या महात्मनः । तस्मादेवोच्यते विष्णुर्विशधातोः प्रवेशनात् (yasmādviśva- midaṃ sarvaṃ tasya śaktyā mahātmanaḥ | tasmādevocyate viṣṇurviśadhātoḥ praveśanāt) ||.
2) Name of Agni; विष्णुर्नामेह योऽग्निः (viṣṇurnāmeha yo’gniḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 3.221.12.
3) A pious man.
4) Name of a law-giver, author of a Smṛti called विष्णुस्मृति (viṣṇusmṛti).
5) Name of one of the Vasus.
6) The lunar mansion called Śravaṇa (presided over by Viṣṇu).
7) Name of the month चैत्र (caitra).
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Vishnu gupta
Viṣṇugupta (विष्णुगुप्त).—Name of Chāṇakya.
Viṣṇugupta (विष्णुगुप्त):—astronomer. Quoted by Varāhamihira W. p. 239. 255. Oxf. 329^a (Utpala: Cāṇakyāparanāman), by Hemādri in Vratakhaṇḍa 1, 55. 56, in Dānakhaṇḍa 117, by Bhūdhara W. p. 259, by Lakṣmīdāsa Cambr. 54, by Raghunandana in Prāyaścittatattva.
Vishnugupta is the name of an ancient Raja (king of Nepal) .
Viṣṇugupta (विष्णुगुप्त) is an example of a Vaiṣṇavite name mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions. Viṣṇugupta (विष्णुगुप्त) is mentioned as the son of Pūrṇahari in the Kanherī cave inscription of Pullaśakti. These copper plates (mentioning Viṣṇugupta) are incised in the caves at Kānherī near Bombay.
Viṣṇugupta (विष्णुगुप्त) (=Viṣṇugun) is another name for Viśāṅkhunārāyaṇa—a shrine is located approximately 20 km southeast of Kathmandu on a hill in the foothills of Mount Phulcoki.
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Viswamitra
See Vasishtha for more information.
Visvamitra is a celebrated ancient sage in Hindu literature, who transformed from a Kshatriya king into a revered Brahmarshi through rigorous penance.
Originally named Kaushika, he was a powerful Kshatriya king of Kanyakubja and the son of King Gadhi.
His intense rivalry and spiritual competition with the sage Vashistha over the divine cow Kamadhenu drove him to pursue extreme austerities. Through lifelong penance (tapas) along rivers like the Kaushiki, he progressively earned the titles of Rajarshi, Rishi, Maharshi, and ultimately Brahmarshi.
In the Ramayana, he guides and trains Prince Rama and Lakshmana, bestowing celestial weaponry (bala and ati bala) and helping them defeat demons like Tadaka before leading them to Sita’s Swayamvara. He is traditionally credited with authoring major portions of the Rigveda (such as Mandala 3) and is associated with bringing forth the sacred Gayatri Mantra. Mythological narratives across the Puranas recount his testing of King Harishchandra’s truthfulness, his encounters with celestial beings like Menaka, and surviving severe famines through extraordinary resolve.
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Viswanatha /Visalakshi
Vishvanatha is a primary manifestation of Lord Shiva as the “Lord of the World,” housed in the major jyotirlinga shrine of Kashi (Varanasi). Consort of Lord Siva in Kaasi. Viśālākṣī (विशालाक्षी) refers to “she who has wide eyes” and is used to describe Pārvatī.
The large or expansive eyes represent the Divine Mother’s all-encompassing gaze, infinite compassion, and watchfulness over all creation.
It occurs alongside names emphasizing universal motherhood and presence, such as Viswamatha (Mother of the Universe) and Jagatdhatri (Protector of the World). While forms like Kamakshi (of Kanchipuram) and Visalakshi (of Kashi) represent regional manifestations of the Goddess, the Sahasranama integrates them to show that Devi Lalitha embodies all these supreme forms of Shakti. Meenakshi (fish eyed Goddess of Madurai) Neelaayathaakshi (Blue or black eyed goddess of Nagapattinam ) are also named after her eyes.
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Vittala
Vittala, also known as Vithoba or Panduranga, is a Hindu deity worshipped mainly in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. He is a form of Lord Vishnu or his avatar, Lord Krishna.He is shown as a dark young boy.He stands with his hands on his hips. He stands on a brick. His main consort is Rakhumai (Rukmini). His main temple is in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Legend says he came to bless a devoted son named Pundalik. Pundalik was busy serving his parents and gave the Lord a brick to stand on while waiting. People sing his name in devotional songs and bhajans. Another famous temple of Him is Vittala Temple in Hampi.
An abhang is an unbroken, continuous form of Marathi devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal (Vithoba).: The word comes from a- (non) and bhanga (ending or breaking), meaning an uninterrupted, eternal flow of devotion. Rooted in the Varkari Bhakti movement of Maharashtra, India, starting around the 13th century. : Composed as simple, emotional verses meant for communal singing during walking pilgrimages (wari) to Pandharpur rather than silent reading. Prominent Saint-PoetsSant Tukaram: Authored over 5,000 abhangs that mixed intimate devotion with social critiques against caste injustices.Sant Dnyaneshwar: Pioneered early Marathi devotional literature alongside Sant Namdev.Sant Eknath & Sant Janabai: Advanced the tradition with powerful, accessible verses that transcended social barriers. Typically structured in short stanzas meant to be accompanied by cymbals and drums. Features call-and-response patterns, lively tempos, and emotional depth. Popularized by legendary classical and semi-classical vocalists like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Kishori Amonkar.
Ashadhi Ekadashi is a holy day dedicated to Lord Vitthal (Vithoba), marking the culmination of the historic Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage in Maharashtra. Celebrated on the 11th lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July), it is believed to be the day Lord Vishnu (Vitthal) enters Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep), beginning the four-month holy period of Chaturmas. Lord Vitthal is worshipped here to honour the deep devotion of Pundalik, who prioritized serving his elderly parents over receiving immediate divine vision, causing the Lord to wait on a brick. Devotees believe taking a holy bath in the Chandrabhaga River at Pandharpur and seeking darshan (divine view) at the Vitthal Rukmini Temple washes away sins. Lakhs of devotees known as Varkaris walk hundreds of kilometers in organized groups called Dindis. The main processional palanquins start from the sacred shrines of Saint Dnyaneshwar in Alandi and Saint Tukaram in Dehu, eventually converging at Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi. Participants wear simple white attire, carry saffron flags (pataka), and chant soulful devotional hymns (abhangas).Rituals: Devotees observe strict day-long fasting, abstaining from grains, and break the fast the following morning (Dwadashi).
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Vyasa
Vyasa is a central and revered figure in most Hindu traditions. He is the author as well as a character in the Mahabharata and considered to be the compiler of both the Vedas, and the supplementary texts such as the Puranas. Vyasa is sometimes conflated by some Vaishnavas with Badarayana, the author of the Vedanta Sutras. Vyāsa is also considered to be one of the seven Chiranjivins (long lived, or immortals), who are still in existence according to general Hindu belief.
Vyasa appears for the first time as the author of, and an important character in the Mahābhārata. He was the son of Satyavati, daughter of a ferryman or fisherman, and the wandering sage Parashara. He was born on an island in the river Yamuna. The place is named after him as Veda Vyas, possibly the modern-day town of Kalpi in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. He was dark-complexioned and hence may be called by the name Krishna (black), and also the name Dwaipayana, meaning ‘island-born’.
Vyasa was grandfather to the Kauravas and Pandavas. Their fathers, Dhritarashtra and Pandu, adopted as the sons of Vichitravirya by the royal family, were fathered by him. He had a third son, Vidura, by a serving maid.
Although the Vedas are eternal, because it was he who compiled them and divided them into four vedas.being a great organiser he entrusted the propagation of the vedas with four of his disciples. His four pupils—Paila, Vaiśampāyana, Jaimini and Sumantu.
Nārada emphasised devotion to Hari as the means of release and proceeded to narrate the story of his previous birth. When the sage left, Vyāsa retired to his hermitage Śamyāprāsa on the Sarasvatī and meditated on the Lord who appeared before him.
Vyasa Purnima- Guru Puja Day
Birth of Veda Vyasa: The day marks the birth anniversary of Maharishi Veda Vyasa, the legendary sage who compiled the four Vedas, wrote the Mahabharata (including the Bhagavad Gita), and authored the Puranas and Brahma Sutras. Guru-Shishya Tradition: It honours the sacred relationship between the guru (dispeller of darkness/ignorance) and the disciple. Alongside Hindus honouring their spiritual preceptors, Buddhists celebrate the day Lord Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, and Jains mark it as the day Lord Mahavira designated his first disciple.
Chaatur Maasya Vrata- Stay put for Four Months (Chaatur= Four, Massya=Month)
Duration: Spans four lunar months from Devashayani Ekadashi (or Guru Purnima) in Ashadha until Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartik. In Hinduism, it marks the period when Lord Vishnu enters cosmic sleep (Yoga Nidra) on the cosmic ocean. Devotees minimize material comfort and sense gratification, focusing instead on charity, prayer, scriptural study, and chanting. Ascetics and monks (Sannyasis) halt regular travel during these months to avoid accidentally harming small insects and life forms that thrive in the monsoon.
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Vijaya Dasami (Victorious Tenth Day)
Derived from Sanskrit (nava meaning nine, ratri meaning nights, and dashami meaning tenth day), it marks the day of victory following the worship of Goddess Durga. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil—specifically Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. The day is highly auspicious for starting new ventures, education, and learning.
Durga Puja- Grandest Festival in West Bengal; Vijaya Dasami (Dasara)- Grandest Festival in Mysore, Karnataka.
Vijayadaśamī (विजयदशमी).— Navaratri is celebrated for nine nights from the 1st to the 9th in the bright lunar fortnight of the month of Kanni (September-October) ; it continues up to Daśamī (the tenth night) it is called Dasra. The Hindus believe that the Vijayadaśamī (the victorious tenth) was the day on which Devī Durgā killed Mahiṣāsura and got victory. So this day is considered to be a suitable moment to begin the learning of all the arts which would enable one to carry on a successful life.
The soldier places his weapons, the man of literature his books and pen, the musician his musical instruments, at the feet of Devī Sarasvati and with devotion and worship receives them back from Devī on the Vijayadaśamī day .
This is a festival celebrated everywhere in India. In several native states this festival used to be celebrated under the sponsorship of the royal family as a State festival. As it is believed that Mahiṣāsura had lived in Mysore the celebration of Dasra in that State generally is on a grand scale. In Kerala, from olden times this festival was celebrated under the patronage of the Vañci Royal family.
To be continued……………
tags-HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL-120; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-120 ,vyasa, vittala, vindhya
