Adi is an asura from Hindu mythology, known primarily as the son of the demon Andhaka. He appears in the Matsya Purāṇa. His lineage and narrative underscore the enduring cosmic battle between divine forces and demonic entities.

Adi (asura)

Airavata is a divine white elephant from Hindu mythology, renowned for his four tusks, seven trunks, and majestic aura. Serving as the vehicle of the deity Indra, he is celebrated as the king of elephants and the 'elephant of the clouds'. Remarkably, in the Mahabharata, he is also identified as a great serpent, reflecting the complex symbolism in his myth.

Airavata

Alakshmi is the Hindu goddess of misfortune, serving as the antithesis of Lakshmi. She is depicted with repulsive, composite animal features and rides a donkey. Her presence in homes is believed to usher in poverty and discord, yet also motivate the pursuit of virtue.

Alakshmi

Ambika, also known as Ambika Devi, is a revered yakshini and protector goddess in Jainism, serving as the dedicated attendant deity of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha. She is often depicted with one or more children and under a tree, symbolizing her role as the Mother Goddess. Her diverse iconography and alternative names, such as Ambai, Amba, and Kushmandini, also associate her with the Hindu goddess Parvati.

Ambika (Jainism)

Andhaka is a fearsome, malevolent asura from Hindu mythology known for his monstrous form that includes 1000 heads and arms. His pride and hubris set him on a collision course with divine forces, ultimately leading to his downfall at the hands of Shiva and Parvati. His story is a timeless cautionary tale against unchecked arrogance.

Andhaka

Angada is a legendary vanara from the Hindu epic Ramayana, celebrated for his loyalty and martial prowess. He plays a pivotal role in assisting Rama to rescue Sita from Ravana. As the son of Vali and later crowned the monarch of Kishkindha, Angada embodies courage, leadership, and devotion to dharma.

Angada

Apsaras are celestial female spirits renowned for their breathtaking beauty and enchanting dance. They reside in the palaces of the gods in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, captivating all with their ethereal performances. Their ability to change shape and seduce even the most ascetic of sages highlights their mystical allure.

Apsara

Bakasura is a giant crane-shaped asura from Hindu mythology, sent by King Kamsa to eliminate the infant Krishna. He is noted for his imposing size, avian features, and supernatural physical abilities. His defeat at the hands of Krishna underscores the recurring theme of divine triumph over evil.

Bakasura (crane demon)

Barbarika is a legendary warrior from Hindu folklore, known as the son of Ghatotkacha and revered across regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Nepal. He is celebrated for his exceptional martial prowess and is identified with deities like Khatu Shyam and Akash Bhairav. Despite his absence from the canonical Mahabharata, his legend endures in popular religious traditions.

Barbarika

Bhairava, also known as Kāla Bhairava, is a fierce manifestation of Shiva and a venerated deity in both Hinduism and Vajrayāna Buddhism. He is renowned for his role as the punisher of sinners and the maintainer of cosmic order. His iconic imagery, featuring a daunting visage, a rod in hand, and a dog as his vehicle, underscores his formidable presence.

Bhairava

Bhairavi is a Hindu goddess and one of the Mahavidyas, the ten avatars of the mother goddess. She is revered for her fierce and transformative aspects, embodying both creation and destruction. As the consort of Bhairava, a form of Shiva, she represents the dynamic interplay of divine energies in Hindu mythology.

Bhairavi

Bhandasura is an asura from Hindu mythology renowned in Shaktism. He is depicted as a formidable demon endowed with great physical and magical prowess. His eventual slaying by the goddess Lalita symbolizes the victory of divine power over chaos.

Bhandasura

Bhasmasura is an infamous asura from Hindu mythology, endowed with the power to turn anyone he touches on the head to ashes. This deadly boon makes him a feared and formidable demon. However, his arrogance and impulsiveness lead to his downfall when he is tricked by Mohini, the enchanting avatar of Vishnu.

Bhasmasura

Bhima is a heroic demigod from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, renowned for his superhuman strength and fierce loyalty. Born of Kunti and the wind god Vayu, he played a pivotal role in the epic's narrative through his unmatched combat skills. His life, marked by legendary battles and steadfast devotion, continues to inspire as a symbol of might and righteousness.

Bhima

Chakora is a legendary bird from Hindu mythology, believed to be a partridge that uniquely feeds on the beams of the moon. Its mysterious lunar diet has inspired numerous love stories in North Indian folklore. The creature symbolises the romantic interplay between nature and the celestial.

Chakora (mythology)

Chamunda is a fearsome form of the Hindu Mother Goddess, revered for her demon-slaying prowess and fierce divine energy. As one of the seven Matrikas and chief Yoginis, she embodies both destructive and protective aspects of the divine feminine. Often depicted in cremation grounds and associated with ritualistic worship, Chamunda represents the transformative power of death and regeneration.

Chamunda

Dakini are powerful female deities in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. They embody enlightened energy and have been portrayed as both fearsome demonesses and benevolent guides. Their representations vary from early cannibalistic forms to sophisticated embodiments of spiritual transformation.

Dakini

Dawon, also known as Somnandi, is a sacred lion-tiger hybrid that serves as the divine mount of Goddess Durga in Hindu mythology. It is celebrated in religious texts and traditional art for its strength and majestic presence. As a symbol of dharma, Dawon plays a crucial role in the battle against evil.

Dawon

Devantaka is an asura and son of Ravana from Hindu mythology, known as the 'destroyer of Gods'. He was celebrated for his formidable combat prowess and exceptional strength. In the epic Ramayana, he met his end in a duel against the mighty Hanuman.

Devantaka

Diti is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, known as the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and the wife of sage Kashyapa. She is revered as the mother of the demonic Daityas and the divine Marutas, highlighting her integral role in cosmic creation. Her narrative reflects the nuanced interplay between divine benevolence and the forces of chaos in Hindu cosmology.

Hindu Creatures