See Jambuka

A shiva idol in Mysore has this name. Jambu means a blackberry tree and it is believed that Shiva had visited this place. Once the area was full of jambu trees. A sage living there was fascinated by the jambu fruit and ate it after offering it to Shiva. The seed lay in his stomach, became a tree and burst out of his head. The sage became immensely happy and began dancing in front of Shiva. Shiva asked him to return to the place of its origin, and the sage did so. Shiva followed him and then began meditating under the tree. He thus came to be known as Jambunatha.

In Shiva’s bhutagana, there were two named Malyavan and Pushpadanta. They once began arguing on who was more devoted to Shiva. Pushpadanta cursed Malyavan and made him a spider, and in retaliation Malyavan made Pushpadanta an elephant. After living thus for a while, they began praying for redemption. They were guided to the Chola kingdom and finally reached Jambukeshwara and resided there. The elephant bathed at various holy places and brought back the water for the lord and the spider wove a web to prevent leaves from falling on the lord. The elephant would brugh the web away to sprinkle the water and the spider would weave again the next day. One day the spider was irritated enough to climb inside the elephant’s trunk and bite him. The elephant trumpeted in agony and finally died. The lord appeared and blessed them both. In honour of Pushpadanta, the place was called Tiruvanakovil . Malyavan was blessed that he would be born as a Chola king and do many kind deeds. He was born as the son of Shubhadeva and Kamalavati . He ruled as Chenganna and built the Jambukeshwara temple as per Tiruvanakkavupurana.

Also known as Jambumalika. A shudra sage. After Rama returned from exile and was ruling Ayodhya, a brahmin child died and its parents began wailing in front of his palace. Everyone wondered how such an incident could happen under Rama’s just rule. Narada, who was present there, said that in one corner of the kingdom, a shudra sage existed and that was the reason for this unfortunate death. Rama immediately called Lakshmana and asked him to keep the child’s body safe, told Bharata to guard the kingdom and began hunting for Jambuka. He found him near the southern ocean, on the banks of a river at the foothills of the Shaila. He was hanging from a tree limb, upside down. Jambuka said that he was meditating to reach heaven in a human form. Rama beheaded him and he attained swargaloka. The brahmin child was also revived as per Uttararamayana.

A sage who shone at Yudhishtira’s court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 4 verse 16.

Vishwamitra’s son as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 4 verse 57.

Means song as per Agnipurana Chapter 348.

A Sanskrit poet who lived between 1590-1665, whose most famous work was Rasagangadhara.

One of the 7 horses that pull Surya’s chariot. Brihati, Ushnik, Gayatri, Trishtup, Anushtup and Pankti as per Vishnupurana Ansh 2 Chapter 8.

Means victory as per Agnipurana Chapter 348.