Gaja

Elephant. The origins of the elephant is indicated in the Ramayana. Brahma’s son marichi had a son named Kashyapa. Kashyapa married Daksha prajapati’s daughters – Diti, Aditi, Anala, Danu, Kalika, Tamra, Krodhavasha, and Manu. Krodhavasha had ten daughters – Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramada, Matangi, Sharduli, Shweta, Surabhi, Surasa, Kadru. As per Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 14, elephants were the offspring of Matangi.

Once Bhrigu cursed Agni, and Agni roamed the three worlds dejected. The devas searched for him and the elephants pointed out his hiding place to them. Agni cursed them that their tongue would fold inwards, as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 85 verse 35. The agnipurana gives the characteristics of elephants

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Aadishti

A disciple who was asked by his guru to live as a brahmachari for a certain period, as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 22 verse 17.

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Aadishishira

One of Shakalya’s disciples. Vyasa wrote the vedas and taught one of the parts to his son Shakalya. He in turn taught his five disciples Vatsyayana, Maulgalya, Shali, Aadishishira, Gokhali as per Bhagavata Skanda 12.

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Adityahridaya

A all-powerful mantra for destroying enemies. According to Ramayana Yudhakanda Sarga 107, sometime during the war with Ravana, Rama became immersed deep in thought and was immobilised. Ravana chose this moment to advance. As the devas watched from above to see how the battle would unfold, Agastya approached Rama and taught him the adityahridaya mantra. Having grasped the mantra, Rama resumed battle and defeated Ravana.

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