A region in northern India. A fierce battle happened here between Arjuna and the rajarishi Rishika as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 27 verse 25.

A rajarishi. He was believed to be the reincarnation of an asura leader named Arka as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 67 verses 32-33.

The letter ‘Rr’ means sound as per Agnipurana Chapter 348. Rishi originated from that letter. Before writing evolved, the vedas were conveyed orally by sages. (rishis) Many believe that the vedas were what was manifested to rishis in their hearts and minds as inspiration, insight, knowledge.

He who has the ability to be calm and objective, retain control of faculties, and immerse himself in meditation, and has the power and integrity to curse and bless is a rishi. The vedas have many mentions of rishis and they are ubiquitous in the scriptures. Many sages came to visit Rama after he returned from Lanka. Vishwamitra, Yavakrita, Raibhya, Kanva, Garga came from the east with their disciples. Dattatreya, Namuchi, Pramuchi, Valmiki, Soma, Kundu, Agastya and their disciples came from the south. Vrishangu, Kavisha, Kaumya, Raudreya, Vamadeva, Saubhari, Ashtavakra, Shuka, Bhrigu, Lomasha, Maulgala and their disciples came from the west, and Kashyapa, Vasishta, Atri, Gautama, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja, Sanaka, Sharabhanga, Durvasa, Matanga, Vibhandaka, Tumburu and the saptarishis along with their disciples arrived from the north according to Uttararamayana. Rishis are of three types – devarishi, rajarishi and brahmarishi. Vasishta is a brahmarishi, Vishwamitra a rajarishi and Kashyapa was a devarishi.

On the four sides of Meru, there are twenty mountains – Kuranga, Karaga, Kushumbha, Vikangata, Trikuta, Shishira, Patanga, Ruchaka, Nila, Nishadha, Sheetivasa, Kapila, Shankha, Vaidurya, Charudhi, Hamsa, Rishabha, Naga, Kalanjara, Narada, as per Devibhagavata Ashtamaskanda. Rishabha is also mentioned when Sugriva gives instructions to the vanaras to search for Sita. He talks of a Rishabha in the middle of an ocean as per Ramayana Kishkindakanda Sarga 40 verse 44.

A holy place on the banks of the Saraswati. Bathing here earns one a divine aircraft as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 84.

A holy place in Ayodhya. An upavasa here is equivalent to donating a thousand cows and conducting a Vajapeya yajna as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 85.

An asura according to Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 227 verse 51.

A snake born in the dynasty of Dhritarashtra. He died in Janamejaya’s sarpasatra as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 57 verse 11.

A sage – grandson of the king Agnidhra.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Swayambhuvamanu – Priyavrata – Agnidhra – Nabhi – Rishabha.

He was born to Nabhi and his wife Meru. Rishabha’s wife was Jayanti and they had a hundred sons. Rishabha left the kingdom to his first born Bharata and went away to meditate in Pulaha’s hermitage in the jungles. He meditated there for several years and the mountain where he sat came to be known as Rishabhakuta. Since he preferred silence, he disliked people coming to the mountain and cursed that the mountain would throw stones whenever anyone tried to climb it. Once he called the winds and told them to maintain silence when they passed the mountain. He decreed that those who spoke on the mountain would be struck by lightning. Later the place became a pilgrimage spot called Nanda as per Mahabharata Aranyaparva Chapter 11.

Rishabha prayed to Shiva and became a shivayogi. Once a brahmin named Mandara and a prostitute named Pingala, who were living together, died and in their next birth, Mandara was born as Nala’s grandson Bhadrayu and Pingala was born as Sumati, wife of Vajrabahu (Amshuman). Sumati became pregnant but was poisoned by the other wives, who were jealous. She became sick, as did her child, and they were abandoned in the forest. She started living with a trader family, but the child soon died. As per Shivapurana Rishabha reached there and consoled her.

Rishabha lived according to the rules of vanaprastha and conducted many yajnas. He lost weight and the veins in his body started becoming visible. He swallowed a stone and walked through the forest, waiting for salvation as per Vishnupurana Chapter 1. The Shivapurana has a story of a Rishabha who attained salvation after he died in a forest fire.

A Chandravanshi king.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Puru – Janamejaya – Prachinvan – Namasyu – Veetabhaya – Shundu – Bahuvidha – Samyati – Rahovadi – Bhadrashwa – Matinara – Santurodha – Dushyanta – Bharata – Suhotra – Suhota – Gala – Garda – Suketu – Brihalkshetra – Hasti – Ajameedha – Riksha – Samvarana – Kuru – Sudhanva – Sugotra – Chyavana – Kriti – Uparicharavasu – Brihadratha – Kusha – Rishabha.

He fought inside a garudavyuha built by Drona as per Mahabharata Dronaparva Chapter 20 verse 12.