Ancient names, who and who of Hindu hindu mythology, vedic names - V

ancient mythological vedic names

Vaisampayana

A celebrated sage who was the original teacher of the Yajur-Veda. He was a pupil of the great Vyasa, from whom he learned Mahabharata, which he afterwards recited to King Janamejaya.

Vaishnava

The followers of Vaishnavism are referred to as Vaishnava.

Vaishravan

Elder brother of Ravana to whom Rama returned Pushpaka after the death of Ravana.

Vaishya

One of the four classification in Hindu tradition as per their occupation which comprises of merchants, artisans, and landowners.

Vaivasvata Manu 

Vaivasvata Manu (also Manu Vaivasvate) is one of the 14 Manus. He was born to Saranya and Vivasvat and was the King of Dravida during the epoch of the Matsya Purana. He was the founder of the Suryavansha race of Kings.

Vajrahanu

One of Ravana's generals.

Valala

Assumed name of Bhima when, he worked as a cook at Virata's court.

Vali

One of five great monkey warriors in Ramayana, a son of Indra. King of Kishkindha and the cruel elder brother of Sugriva. He was killed by Rama.

Valmiki

Sage Valmiki is the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana, taught Ramayana to Rama's twin sons Kusa and Lava.

Vamadeva

Vamadeva is the name of the "preserver" aspect of the god Shiva, one of five aspects of the universe he embodies. Also one of Dasharatha's priest.

Vamana

The fifth Avatara of Vishnu as that of a dwarf brahmin.

Vanasur

Same as Banasur, was a thousand-armed asura and very powerful. He was son of Bali. Bana was a follower of Siva. Banasura had a beautiful daughter named Usha.

Vandi

Court poet of Mithila who on being defeated by Sage Ashtavakra in a debate drowned himself in the ocean and went to the abode of Varuna.

Varaha

The third avatar of Vishnu, who came in the form of a boar.

Varna

Means colour, Varna also refers to the four classification in Hindu tradition as per their occupation as Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.

Varavata

A forest in which the Pandavas were asked to stay in a wax-house which was to be set on fire at midnight in order to kill the Pandavas while they were asleep.

Vareya

The charioteer of Rituparna, King of Ayodhya, who accompanied with Bahuka.

Varuna

God of the sky, of rain and of the celestial ocean.

Vasava

The name of arrow given by Indra to Karna.

Vasishta

Vasishta was chief of the seven sages (Saptarishis) and the Rajaguru of the Suryavamsha. He was Brahma's son. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and her child Nandini, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhati was his wife.

Vasudhana

Another warrior who perished in the battle on the Twelfth Day.

Vasudeva

Descendant of Yadu, husband of Rohini and Devaki. Father of Krishna. A name of Krishna. It means both son of Vasudeva and the supreme spirit that pervades the universe.

Vasuki

King of the Nagas or serpents who live in Patala. He was used by the Gods and Asuras as a coil round the mountain Mandara at the churning of the ocean.

Vatapi

Vatapi and Ilvala are two Rakshasas who are mentioned in the Ramayana as dwelling in the Dandaka forest.

Vayu

The god of air and wind who is also father of Bhima and Hanuman.

Veda

Vedas form the earliest record of the Hindu scriptures. There are four Vedas called Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva

Veda Vyasa

Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata.

Vibhandaka

A hermit who retired from the world and lived in the forest with his infant son Rishyasringa.

Vibhishana

Vibhishana was brother of Ravana. He was a noble character and advised Ravana, who abducted Sita, to return her to Rama.

Vichitravirya

Vichitravirya was Bhishma's half brother, the younger son of Queen Satyavati and King Santanu. Chitrangada, the elder brother of Vichitravirya, succeeded Santanu to the throne of Hastinapura. When he died childless, Vichitravirya, became King. He had two sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu.

Vidarbha

Vidarbha has been mentioned in Mahabharata as the capital city.

Vidura

Vidura was a son of a maid-servant who served the Queens of Hastinapura, Queen Ambika and Ambalika. A friend of pandavas. After Krishna, he was the most trusted advisor to the Pandavas and had warned them repeatedly about Duryodhana's plots.

Vijaya

Name of Karna's bow.

Vikarna

A son of Dhritarashtra who declared the staking of Draupadi is illegal, as Yudhishthira himself was a slave and had lost all his rights.

Vikramaditya

Vikramaditya is the name of a legendary King of Ujjain, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" has also been assumed by many Kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II. Hero of Vikram and Vetal tales.

Vikukshi

A King of the Surya vansh, who succeeded his father, Ikshwaku. He received the name of Sasada, 'hare-eater.' He was sent by his father to hunt and obtain flesh suitable for offerings. Being weary and hungry he ate a hare, and Vasishtha, the priest, declared that this act had polluted the food..

Vinda,

Anuvinda

Two brothers Kings of Avanti, great soldiers whom were on the Kaurava side, they suffered defeat at the hands of Yudhamanyu.

Vindhyas

Vindhyas is a range of hills in central India , which geographically separates the Indian subcontinent into northern India and Southern India.

Virata

King of Matsya, the country which was suggested by Bhima to live in disguise during the thirteenth year of their exile.

Virabhadra

Virabhadra was a demon that sprang from Shiva's lock of hair out of anger during Daksha yaga when Sati devi gave up her life.

Viradha

A fierce rakshasa who seizes Sita.

Virasen

Father of Raja Nala, King of Nishadha.

Virochana

An asura, son of Prahlada, and father of Bali. He is also called Drisana. When the earth was milked, Virochana acted as the calf of the Asuras.

Vishnu

One of the Trimurtis (Hindu Trinity), along with Brahma and Shiva. Known as the Preserver, He is most famously identified with His avatars, especially Krishna and Rama.

Vishvakarma

Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine craftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods' palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons.

Visvamitra

Vishvamitra was one of the most venerated rishi or sages of since ancient times. He was originally a Kshatriya but by austerities earned the title of Brahmarishi. He is also credited as the author some parts of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.

Visoka

Bhima's charioteer.

Visvarupa

Name of Twashta's son who became the preceptor of the gods.

Vivimsati

A Kaurava hero.

Vriddhakshatra

King of the Sindhus, father of Jayadratha into whose lap his son's head was fell by Arjuna.

Vrika

A Panchala prince who fell in battle.

Vrindavana

A garden in Mathura where Krishna passed his youth, under the name of Gopala, among the cowherds.

Vrisha, Achala

Sakuni's brothers.

Vrishdarbha

A King of Varanasi, associated with the story of "The King, the Pigeon, and Hawk".

Vrishni

A descendent of Yadu,  from whom Krishna got the name Varshneya.

Vrishasena

Son of Karna, A warrior on the Kaurava side, slain by Arjuna.

Vrishni

The people of Dwaraka to which belonged Krishna. After the death of Duryodhana, his mother Gandhari cursed that after 36 years Krishna should persish alone miserably and his people, the Vrishnis, should be destroyed.

Vritra

Means "the enveloper". Vritra, was an Asura and also a serpent or dragon. He was son of Twashta who was defeated by Indra's weapons Vajrayudha. He was born out of his father's sacrificial flames and became Indra's mortal enemy.

Vrikodara

Wolf-bellied, an epithet of Bhima, denoting his slimness of waist and insatiable hunger.

Vyasa

Compiler of the Vedas, son of sage Parashara.

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