Ancient names, who and who of Hindu hindu mythology, vedic names - V
Vaisampayana
A celebrated sage who was the original teacher of the Yajur-Veda. He was a pupil of the great Vyasa, from whom he learned Mahabharata, which he afterwards recited to King Janamejaya.
Vaishnava
The followers of Vaishnavism are referred to as Vaishnava.
Vaishravan
Elder brother of Ravana to whom Rama returned Pushpaka after the death of Ravana.
Vaishya
One of the four classification in Hindu tradition as per their occupation which comprises of merchants, artisans, and landowners.
Vaivasvata Manu
Vaivasvata Manu (also Manu Vaivasvate) is one of the 14 Manus. He was born to Saranya and Vivasvat and was the King of Dravida during the epoch of the Matsya Purana. He was the founder of the Suryavansha race of Kings.
Vajrahanu
One of Ravana's generals.
Valala
Assumed name of Bhima when, he worked as a cook at Virata's court.
Vali
One of five great monkey warriors in Ramayana, a son of Indra. King of Kishkindha and the cruel elder brother of Sugriva. He was killed by Rama.
Valmiki
Sage Valmiki is the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana, taught Ramayana to Rama's twin sons Kusa and Lava.
Vamadeva
Vamadeva is the name of the "preserver" aspect of the god Shiva, one of five aspects of the universe he embodies. Also one of Dasharatha's priest.
Vamana
The fifth Avatara of Vishnu as that of a dwarf brahmin.
Vanasur
Same as Banasur, was a thousand-armed asura and very powerful. He was son of Bali. Bana was a follower of Siva. Banasura had a beautiful daughter named Usha.
Vandi
Court poet of Mithila who on being defeated by Sage Ashtavakra in a debate drowned himself in the ocean and went to the abode of Varuna.
Varaha
The third avatar of Vishnu, who came in the form of a boar.
Varna
Means colour, Varna also refers to the four classification in Hindu tradition as per their occupation as Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Varavata
A forest in which the Pandavas were asked to stay in a wax-house which was to be set on fire at midnight in order to kill the Pandavas while they were asleep.
Vareya
The charioteer of Rituparna, King of Ayodhya, who accompanied with Bahuka.
Varuna
God of the sky, of rain and of the celestial ocean.
Vasava
The name of arrow given by Indra to Karna.
Vasishta
Vasishta was chief of the seven sages (Saptarishis) and the Rajaguru of the Suryavamsha. He was Brahma's son. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and her child Nandini, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhati was his wife.
Vasudhana
Another warrior who perished in the battle on the Twelfth Day.
Vasudeva
Descendant of Yadu, husband of Rohini and Devaki. Father of Krishna. A name of Krishna. It means both son of Vasudeva and the supreme spirit that pervades the universe.
Vasuki
King of the Nagas or serpents who live in Patala. He was used by the Gods and Asuras as a coil round the mountain Mandara at the churning of the ocean.
Vatapi
Vatapi and Ilvala are two Rakshasas who are mentioned in the Ramayana as dwelling in the Dandaka forest.
Vayu
The god of air and wind who is also father of Bhima and Hanuman.
Veda
Vedas form the earliest record of the Hindu scriptures. There are four Vedas called Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva
Veda Vyasa
Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata.
Vibhandaka
A hermit who retired from the world and lived in the forest with his infant son Rishyasringa.
Vibhishana
Vibhishana was brother of Ravana. He was a noble character and advised Ravana, who abducted Sita, to return her to Rama.
Vichitravirya
Vichitravirya was Bhishma's half brother, the younger son of Queen Satyavati and King Santanu. Chitrangada, the elder brother of Vichitravirya, succeeded Santanu to the throne of Hastinapura. When he died childless, Vichitravirya, became King. He had two sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu.
Vidarbha
Vidarbha has been mentioned in Mahabharata as the capital city.
Vidura
Vidura was a son of a maid-servant who served the Queens of Hastinapura, Queen Ambika and Ambalika. A friend of pandavas. After Krishna, he was the most trusted advisor to the Pandavas and had warned them repeatedly about Duryodhana's plots.
Vijaya
Name of Karna's bow.
Vikarna
A son of Dhritarashtra who declared the staking of Draupadi is illegal, as Yudhishthira himself was a slave and had lost all his rights.
Vikramaditya
Vikramaditya is the name of a legendary King of Ujjain, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" has also been assumed by many Kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II. Hero of Vikram and Vetal tales.
Vikukshi
A King of the Surya vansh, who succeeded his father, Ikshwaku. He received the name of Sasada, 'hare-eater.' He was sent by his father to hunt and obtain flesh suitable for offerings. Being weary and hungry he ate a hare, and Vasishtha, the priest, declared that this act had polluted the food..
Vinda, Anuvinda
Two brothers Kings of Avanti, great soldiers whom were on the Kaurava side, they suffered defeat at the hands of Yudhamanyu.
Vindhyas
Vindhyas is a range of hills in central India , which geographically separates the Indian subcontinent into northern India and Southern India.
Virata
King of Matsya, the country which was suggested by Bhima to live in disguise during the thirteenth year of their exile.
Virabhadra
Virabhadra was a demon that sprang from Shiva's lock of hair out of anger during Daksha yaga when Sati devi gave up her life.
Viradha
A fierce rakshasa who seizes Sita.
Virasen
Father of Raja Nala, King of Nishadha.
Virochana
An asura, son of Prahlada, and father of Bali. He is also called Drisana. When the earth was milked, Virochana acted as the calf of the Asuras.
Vishnu
One of the Trimurtis (Hindu Trinity), along with Brahma and Shiva. Known as the Preserver, He is most famously identified with His avatars, especially Krishna and Rama.
Vishvakarma
Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine craftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods' palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons.
Visvamitra
Vishvamitra was one of the most venerated rishi or sages of since ancient times. He was originally a Kshatriya but by austerities earned the title of Brahmarishi. He is also credited as the author some parts of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.
Visoka
Bhima's charioteer.
Visvarupa
Name of Twashta's son who became the preceptor of the gods.
Vivimsati
A Kaurava hero.
Vriddhakshatra
King of the Sindhus, father of Jayadratha into whose lap his son's head was fell by Arjuna.
Vrika
A Panchala prince who fell in battle.
Vrindavana
A garden in Mathura where Krishna passed his youth, under the name of Gopala, among the cowherds.
Vrisha, Achala
Sakuni's brothers.
Vrishdarbha
A King of Varanasi, associated with the story of "The King, the Pigeon, and Hawk".
Vrishni
A descendent of Yadu, from whom Krishna got the name Varshneya.
Vrishasena
Son of Karna, A warrior on the Kaurava side, slain by Arjuna.
Vrishni
The people of Dwaraka to which belonged Krishna. After the death of Duryodhana, his mother Gandhari cursed that after 36 years Krishna should persish alone miserably and his people, the Vrishnis, should be destroyed.
Vritra
Means "the enveloper". Vritra, was an Asura and also a serpent or dragon. He was son of Twashta who was defeated by Indra's weapons Vajrayudha. He was born out of his father's sacrificial flames and became Indra's mortal enemy.
Vrikodara
Wolf-bellied, an epithet of Bhima, denoting his slimness of waist and insatiable hunger.
Vyasa
Compiler of the Vedas, son of sage Parashara.