Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,576

Date uploaded in London – 4 April 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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Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow; K- words

Kanakabishekam

A ritual where an old man or a woman or couple was showered with gold coins. It is done when a man becomes 90/ 100nyear old or in honour of some achievement.Kanaka means gold; abishekam means ritual bathing.

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Kenopanishad

Kenopaniṣhad (केनोपनिषद्) refers to “the Upanishad that is filled with questions relevant to the ultimate purpose of human life. It is known as the ‘Why?’ Upanishad”

The Kena Upanishad is one of the earlier, “primary” Upanishads, commented upon by Shankara and Madhvacharya. It is associated with the Samaveda .

Like the Isavasya, this Upanishad derives its name from the opening word of the text, Kena–ishitam, “by whom directed.” It is also known as the Talavakara Upanishad because of its place as a chapter in the Talavakara–Brahmana of the Sama–Veda.

Among the Upanishads it is one of the most analytical and metaphysical, its purpose being to lead the mind from the gross to the subtle, from effect to cause. By a series of profound questions and answers, it seeks to locate the source of man’s being; and to expand his self–consciousness until it has become identical with God–Consciousness.

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Ketu graha

Ketugraha (केतुग्रह) the descending node . One of the nine planets in Hindu astrology. Ketu is generally referred to as a “shadow” planet. It has a tremendous impact on human lives . Astronomically, Ketu and Rahu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Ketu maintained closer relationship with Rāhu, a step-brother of his, being the son of Kaśyapa by another wife called Siṃhikā.

Rāhu and Ketu are considered as inauspicious planets. Rāhu wears a half-moon and Ketu holds in his hands a sword and lamp.

Ketu in a horoscope primarily decides the areas of life where an individual experiences detachment, karmic lessons, sudden changes, and spiritual awakening. As a shadow planet, it acts as a, “agent” of the house it occupies, often causing detachment from worldly pleasures to propel the soul toward liberation (moksha) and internal enlightenment.

Holy Shrines:

• Rahu – Naganathaswamy Temple, Thirunageswaram: Known for milk abhishekam during Rahu kalam.
• Ketu – Nagannathaswamy Temple, Keezhperumpallam: Dedicated to Ketu

General meaning in Sanskrit

Ketu (केतु).—[cāy-tu kī ādeśaḥ Uṇādi-sūtra 1.73]

1) A flag, banner; चीनांशुकमिव केतोः प्रतिवातं नीयमानस्य (cīnāṃśukamiva ketoḥ prativātaṃ nīyamānasya) Ś.1.33;

2) A chief, head, leader, foremost, any eminent person (oft. at the end of comp.); मनुष्यवाचा मनुवंशकेतुम् (manuṣyavācā manuvaṃśaketum) R.2.33;14.7; कुलस्य केतुः स्फीतस्य (kulasya ketuḥ sphītasya) (rāghavaḥ) Rām.

3) A comet, meteor; Bhāgavata 2.6.15; Manusmṛti 1.38.

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Khandawa vana (Gondwana Land)

Khandava Vana (खांडववन):Khandava Vana was an ancient forest mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, inhabited by Naga tribes. It lay to the west of Yamuna river, in modern day Delhi territory. Pandavas cleared this forest to construct their capital city called Indraprastha.

The burning of Khandava Vana by Arjuna and Krishna is a historical event where the forest, identified as Gondwana land, was destroyed, leading to a mass migration of the Naga tribes (ancestors of the Gonds) to South America to establish the Mayan, Olmec, and other civilizations. This event precipitated a massive cultural shift rather than just a mythological incident.

Gondwana land is derived from Khandava.

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Kichaka

Kichaka was troubling Draupadi who worked as a servant maid during the incognito period. She could not tolerate him and devised a plan with her brother Bhima who worked as a cook in the same place. She enticed him in to a trap where Bhima was waiting. A big fight followed and Kichaka was killed.

Kichaka (किचक): Sudeshna’s brother, commander-in-chief of Virata’s army, who made advances to Sairandhri (Draupadi). He was invited to meet her at night at the ladies dancing hall and was met instead by Valala (Bhima) dressed up as a female who killed him (Kichaka)

Kichaka was smitten with lust for Draupadi who was serving as a maid-in-waiting to his sister Sudeshna, under the assumed name of Sairandhiri. Despite her rebuffing his advances and warning him that she was already married to five Gandharvas of immense power, he attempted to outrage her modesty. In desperation she asked Bhima to find a way out of this problem.

According to Bhima’s plan, she tricked Kichaka into meeting her late at night in a deserted hall. Kichaka went there with high hopes, but found Bhima waiting for him instead. A wrestling duel ensued, in which Kichaka was killed.

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Kolattam / Kummi

A group dance still practised by women in South India. The dance evolves with rhythmic patterns with the aid of two sticks. They go in circles while doing it.

It is called dandia in Gujarat. It is a simple dance and is performed by a group who move in circles to measure steps, marking time by sticks called dandia. Dandiya are the featured dances of Navratri evenings in Gujarat The dance is performed in the Marwar region of Rajasthan too

Danda in Sanskrit and Kol in Tamil mean the same- a stick

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Kummi is a similar dance which is done without sticks. They use hands to clap.

It is popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where women dance in a circle, clapping their hands rhythmically. It is commonly performed during festivals, temple celebrations, religious Bhajans and social gatherings.

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Kovalan/ Kannaki

Kovalan and Kannagi are the central protagonists of the ancient Tamil epic Silappadikaram (The Tale of an Anklet), written by Ilango Adigal. The story follows their marriage, Kovalan’s infidelity with a dancer named Madhavi, his abandonment of Kannagi, and his eventual unjust death in Madurai, resulting in Kannagi’s divine rage.

Kannagi is portrayed as a loyal, chaste wife, while Kovalan is a wealthy merchant’s son who loses his fortune to the dancer Madhavi.

After returning to Kannagi, the couple moves to Madurai to rebuild their lives. There, Kovalan is falsely accused of stealing the Queen’s anklet and is executed.

Devastated by the injustice, Kannagi confronts the King of Madurai, proving her husband’s innocence by breaking open her own anklet, revealing rubies inside, unlike the queen’s pearls.

In her rage, Kannagi burns down the city of Madurai and is later worshiped as a goddess (Kannagi Amman) in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The epic highlights themes of chastity, divine justice, and the power of a woman wronged, often seen as a cornerstone of Tamil literature.

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Krishna/ Kesava

Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) refers to “dark-complexioned”. Lord Vishnu’s names in Vishnu Sahasranama.

Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण).—(ŚRĪ KṚṢṆA). Born in the Yādava dynasty as the son of Vasudeva and Devakī, Śrī Kṛṣṇa was the ninth of the ten incarnations of Mahāviṣṇu.

2) Kṛṣṇā (कृष्णा).— Krishnaa- long sound–Another name for Pāñcālī/Draupadi.

3) Kṛṣṇā (कृष्णा).—A river in South India.

4) Kṛṣṇā (कृष्णा).—Another name for Durgā. (Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 6, Verse 9).

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Keśava (केशव) refers to:—A name for kṛṣṇa that means ‘the slayer of the keśī demon’ or ‘one who has beautiful long hair’

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Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga (क्रियायोग) is fundamentally defined as the “yoga of action” or “disciplined behaviour.” It represents a practical approach combining action, devotion, and study, with key definitions including tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara  pranidhana (surrender) to reach Samadhi.

Definition & Significance: It focuses on utilizing action to achieve mindfulness, reduce afflictions, and accelerate spiritual evolution. It is sometimes described as a, which often includes pranayama techniques to accelerate spiritual growth.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: Yoga Sutras 2.1-2.2 specifically outline the “Yoga of Action” as a method to minimize kleshas (mental afflictions) and reveal samadhi.

Kriya Yoga centres provide instruction in meditation techniques aimed at spiritual development, often based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda or Mahavatar Babaji. Major organizations offering in-person, online training, and initiations include Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), Ananda, and Bhakti Marga, with numerous locations across the UK, Europe, and worldwide.

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Kripacharya and Kripi

Kripacharya, the revered guru of the Kuru princes in the Mahabharata, is a scholar, warrior, and embodiment of dharma, Kripacharya stands apart as one of the seven Chiranjeevis (immortals) destined to live through the ages.

He was the son of Sharadvan and was raised by King Shantanu of the Kuru dynasty. He became the royal teacher of the Kuru princes, including Bhishma, Dronacharya, and later the Pandavas and Kauravas. His mastery over warfare, dharma, and scriptures made him a highly respected figure in the royal court. Kripacharya fought on the side of the Kauravas . He was one of the 11 army commanders on the Kaurava side and was one of the three survivors of Mahabharata war. Together with his nephew Ashwatthama and Krita Varma he set fire to the tents of surviving  Pandavas in the war. Later he became the teacher of young Parikshit and was appointed as the defender of Hastinapura .

Kripi

Kripacharya’s sister. Both were twins. Kripi married Dronacharya and her son was Ashwattama.

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Krauncha dwipa

It is one of the seven continents according to Hindu Purana.

Krauncha (क्रौञ्च) primarily refers to the Sarus crane or a similar wading bird in Sanskrit literature, renowned for its monogamous nature and role in initiating the first verse of poetry (shloka) by Sage Valmiki. It also signifies a mythical continent (Krauncha-dwipa), a mountain pierced by Kartikeya, and a strategic military formation (vyuha).

Valmiki cursed a hunter who killed a male Krauncha bird while it was in union with its mate, highlighting the bird’s symbolic representation of love and innocence.

The Krauncha mountain was pierced or split by Kartikeya (Skanda) or Parashurama, signifying the overcoming of obstacles.

Krauncha Vyuha is a battle arrangement designed to mimic the shape of a heron with outstretched wings.

To be continued……………………..

Tags-HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 46; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-46, Kripacharya,Kripi, Kanakabishekam, Krauncha dwipa, Kenopanishad