A chapter in the Mahabharata.

A member of Yama’s court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 8 verse 16. He remained a vegetarian all his life as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 115 verse 65.

Another name for Pururavas, son of Ila.

To the north of the mountain Shringavan, near the ocean, lies a region called Airavatakhatta as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 6 verse 37.

An asura killed by Krishna as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 38.

A naga born to Kashyapa and Kadru was also called Airavata as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 35 verse 5. Arjuna’s wife Ulupi’s father Kauravya belonged to his dynasty as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 213 verse 18.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Kashyapa – Bhadramata – Iravati – Airavata.

Kashyapa married Krodhavasha, daughter of Daksha, and they had ten daughters – Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramata, Matangi, Sharduli, Shweta, Surabhi, Surasa, Kadru. Iravati was Bhadramata’s daughter, and Airavata, the elephant,  was Iravati’s son as per Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 14.

Indra was the son of Kashyapa and Aditi. Since Airavata was also born in Kashyapa’s dynasty, Indra made the elephant his vehicle.

Once when Durvasa reached devaloka, Menaka gifted him a garland. He saw Indra on the Airavata along with the devas. He gifted the nectar filled garland, surrounded by bees to Indra, who kept it on top of Airavata’s head. The elephant took the garland in its trunk, smelled it, was irritated by the bees, and flung it to the ground. Durvasa thought Indra had insulted him and cursed that devaloka would lose its prosperity. The devas began to age. Vishnu told them that the amrit obtained by churning the ocean could save them. As per Vishnu’s advice, they made peace with the asuras and prepared for the samudra manthan. Together they collected the herbs, mixed them in the foamy white ocean, and started churning it using Vasuki and Meru. In the end, the devas got the amrit and after consuming it, regained their powers.

It is known what happened to Airavata after the devas began to age. No mention is made until the samudra manthan. During the event, the devas and asuras took their places on both sides of Mandara and using Vasuki as a rope, started churning the ocean. As per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 18 verse 14, Airavata emrged from the ocean along with other precious creatures and items.

Once, after the sages had anointed Pridhu as king, Brahma gave many devas  different responsibilities. Soma became the lord of stars, planets, brahmins, all kinds of plants, yajnas, meditation. Kuber was the lord of kings, Varuna was the lord of oceans, Vishnu was the lord of Adityas, Pavaka became the lord of Vasus. Daksha was the lord of prajapatis, Indra was the lord of Maruttas, Prahlad became the lord of daityas and danavas, Yama became the lord of pitrs and Airavata became the lord of all elephants as per Vishnupurana Ansh 1 Chapter 22.

Once an asura named Shurapadma surrounded devaloka with his army. A fierce war was fought during which Indra;s son Jayantha  was struck by an arrow and fell unconscious. Airavata saw this and charged at Shurapadma’s chariot, which crumbled on impact. Airavata struck Shurapadma’s temple and the asura broke his tusks and flung him to earth. Airavata got up after a while, entered the jungles and started praying to Shiva. Shiva gave him his tusks back as per Skandapurana Asurakanda.

Airavata is believed to be the Ashtadigpalaka of the east as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 66. According to Mahabharata Chapter 12 verse 33, Airavata lives in Pushkaradweepa.

See Brahma.

A son born to the sage Manduka and his wife Ithara. From his childhood he repeatedly chanted the mantra “Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” but never spoke to anyone. Manduka married another woman called Pinga and they had four intelligent sons. Once Ithara told her son that she was planning to give up her life because Manduka always belittled her that Aitareya hadn’t turned out as wise as his brothers. Then Aitareya imparted wisdom to her and discouraged her from giving up her life.

Later Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them. As per his instructions, Aitareya attended Harimedhya’s yajna happening in Koditheertha, and there, made a discourse on the meaning of the vedas. Harimedhya was impressed and got his daughter married to him as per Skandapurana Chapters 1, 2, 42.

A scholar. He was not a brahmin and therefore wasn’t able to study the vedas from a guru. He still managed to learn the vedas and even made a bhashya in the Rigveda, which is considered a significant body of work.