Kaal
(1) Time.  (2) Death.

Kaal Bhairav    see also   Aghoree
Aghor is a state of attainment by a person and Lord Dattaatreya is correlated on positive side and Lord Kaal Bhairav is correlated on negative side.

Kaal Purush

Kaalaa Jaadoo

Kaaldarsh Varsh    see   Time

Kaalee    see also  Mahaa Kaalee
Kaalee is a form of Paarvatee by which she killed demons. She is known  by several names - Annapoornaa, Lalitaa, Meenaakshee, Kalikaa, Kaatyaayinee, Satee, Bhavaanee, Maaheshwaree etc etc.

Kaalee Haldee

Kaalikaa
Kaalee Devee

Kaalindee
Yamunaa River

Kaaliya Daman
Kaaliya was a Naag (serpent) who lived in Yamunaa River and made its water poisonous which killed many people and animals in Mathuraa. Krishn forced him to leave the River and go to the ocean. This activity of Krishn was called "Kaaliya Daman".

Kaam
(1) Desire.  (2) Sexual desire.
There are 10 phases (Avasthaa) of Kaam - The 6th one is "Manmad" Avasthaa, means (Pangs of love), called a+rati (non-indulgence).

Kaam Dev   see also   Kaam Shaastra
Cupid, the God of love. Shiv burnt Kaam Dev when he came to disturb his Tap. He is known as Manmath, Madan, Kandarp, Makarketu, Makardhwaj etc names also.

Kaam Roop Mani

Kaam Shaastra

Kaamaakhyaa
One of the 51 Shakti Peeth in Kaamroop District in Assam, where, it is believed, the vulva part of Satee fell while Shankar Jee was wandering around carrying her lifeless body

Kaamaakshee
Another name of Devee.

Kaamanaa
Desire.

Kaamdhenu   see also    Kaamdhenu Cow
This is combined word by joining Kaam and Dhenu. Kaam means desires, and Dhenu means cow. So Kaamdhenu means the cow which fulfills desires. This cow appeared from Samudra at the time of Saagar Manthan and Rishi took her. Bhavishya Puraan, 1/21 says that five cows came out the Saagar Manthan - Nandaa, Subhadraa, Surabhi, Sumanaa and Shobhanaavatee. In Bhavishya Puraan, 4/23, Krishn says that the five Divine cows' names were - Nandaa, Subhadraa, Surabhi, Susheelaa and Bahulaa; among whom Nandaa (or Nandinee) was given to Maharshi Vashishth, Susheelaa was given to Maharshi Jamadagni, and other cows were given to Bharadwaaj, Asit and Gautam Rishi.

According to other mythological accounts, Brahmaa created the Braahman and the Cow at the same time, the Braahman were to recite Ved and scriptures while the cow was to afford ghee (clarified butter) for burnt-offerings in religious sacrifices. The cow is deemed to be the mother of gods and is declared by Brahmaa to be a proper object of worship. No Griha Pravesh is complete with out cow and calf entering it at Muhoort time.

Kaamee
Covetous,  Lusty.  Its root is Kaam - Kaamee means who is lusty or who always after women.

Kaaminee
Its root is also Kaam and it is feminine. The woman who is passionate one.

Kaanch
(1) Crystal.  (2) Glass.  (3) Quartz.

Kaand
(1) Section.  (2) Chapter.  (3) Happening

Kaantaa
Thorn.

Kaantimatee
It is the name of Brahmaa's court in his Vairaaj named palace, in Shreenidhaan named city on Meru Parvat.
(Padm Puraan, p 43)

Kaaran
(1) Reason.   (2) Cause. There are two Kaaran - Upaadaan and Naimittik. Upaadaan Kaaran is Material cause and Naimitt Kaaran is Instrumental or Efficient cause, as opposed to Upaadaan or Material Cause. Prakriti is the Upaadaan Kaaran or Material Cause whilst Purush is the Naimittik Kaaran or Instrumental Cause. The proximity of Prakriti affects the Raj Gun or stirring passionate quality in Prakriti and with this stirring the Evolution of matter begins. Under the influence of gaze of Purush, Prakriti makes the world dance.

Kaarttik
The 8th month of Hindu Lunar year. It is very dear to Vishnu and good for Snaan, Daan, especially Deep Daan, fasting, Bheeshm Panchak Vrat etc. It is said that one who avoids luxurious foods in the month of Kaartik will daily attain the fruit of great austerities. The vows of the month of Kaartik are - (1) Hari Jaagaran - Keeping an all-night vigil for Hari; (2) Praatah Snaan - Bathing early in the morning; (3) Tulasee Sevan - Serving Tulasee; (4) Udyaapan - Concluding the Vrat; and (5) Deep Daan - Offering lamps. Then, options are given for those, who for some unfortunate reason cannot complete certain vows. If one cannot bathe in water, he should bathe with the names of Vishnu. If one cannot follow the directions for completing a vow, one may complete it by feeding Braahmans. If one cannot offer a lamp of his own, he should light the lamps of others or protect their lamps from the wind and so forth. If no Tulasee is available, one should worship a twice-born Vaishnav. In his absence, one should serve Braahmans, cows, bodhi-trees and banyan trees.

Kaashyap
Descendants of Maharshi Kashyap.

Kaatyaayanee
6th form of Durgaa Devee.

Kaatyaayanee Tantra

Kaatyanee Tantra

Kaavya
Poem.

Kaaya
Body

Kachchhap    see also    Koorm Avataar
Tortoise.    Kashchap.

Kaivalya

Kalaa

Kalaavaa
Sacred thread. It is bunch of strands of cotton threads of red and yellow color. Before worship, at the start of major ceremonies, the priest asks God to purify the body and mind. In order to symbolize this purification, this thread is tied on the right wrst of male and left wrist of the female accompanied with chanting the purification Mantra. Either the priest or any other person can help tie this Kalaavaa. On Rakshaabandhan day (Shraavan Poornimaa) also sisters and Braahman tie this Kalaavaa (or Raakhee) on the wrists of their brothers and Yajamaan respectively asking God to shower blessings to them.

Kalash
Pitcher. Ghat.  It can be made of anything, but normally it is made of clay or brass or copper. Till recently, it was an integral part of a Hindu family. It was used to store things, especially water to keep it cool or to draw water from a river or stream or elsewhere. Villagers still use it for these purposes. It is used in worship also. When it is used in worship, it is filled with water and covered with mango leaves or a coconut fruit wrapped in red cloth. At some places it itself is worshipped.

Kali Yug     see    Yug
The fourth of the four divisions of time - Sat Yug, Tretaa Yug, Dwaapar Yug, and Kali Yug.

Kalki
The 10th Avataar of Vishnu, appearing at the end of the Kali Yug.

Kalp  (Time period)

Kalp Sootra   see   Sootra

Kalp Taru
Kalp is a name and Taru means tree.    see    Kalp Vriksh below

Kalp Vriksh    see also    Trees for other trees' names
A special Tree that fulfills all wishes. This tree came out of Ksheer Saagar when it was churned for Amrit. It was planted in Nandan Van of Indra Puree. Once Krishn went to Swarg Lok and brought it to Dwaarakaa to please His wife Satyabhaamaa. It remained there until Krishn was present on Prithvi. It came again to Swarg Lok when Krishn left earth for His Lok. It is called Paarijaat tree also.

Kamal
Lotus, Aravind, Pankaj

Kamalaa
Another name of Lakshmee whose Beej Mantra is Shreeng.

Kamp
(1) Tremble.  (2) Tremor.  (3) Quake.  Bhoo-kamp means earthquake.

Kampan
Vibration

Kanakbhadra    see also    Trees  for other trees' names
A kind of tree - Devadaar tree.

Kanchan
Gold.

Kanyaa
(1) Girl.
(2) Maiden. Virgin girl - normally under 10 years of age.
(3) According to Bhavishya Puraan, p 198, a girl is of four type - Gauree (up to 7-years of age), Nagnikaa (10-year old girl), Dev Kanyaa (a 12-year old girl) and Rohinee (above 12-years of age).
(4) Five Kanyaa or Panch Kanyaa are famous in Hindu mythology. They are not below 10 years of age, as the definition says, but they used to become below 10 years of age every morning. They, according to Mahaabhaarat, are Ahalyaa (Maharshi Gautam's wife), Kuntee (Paandu's wife), Draupadee (Paandav's wife), Taaraa (Vaanar Raaj Baali's wife), and Mandodaree (Raavan's wife).

Kapaat
Panel of the door.

Kapil
(1) Avataar of Vishnu. (2) Red color.

Kapilaa
(1) Red color. (2) Wish cow - a cow that fulfills the wishes and desires.

Kapitth
Wood-apple.

Kapoor
Camphor.

Karan
(1) Used in Hindi grammar, a part of sentence, such as Kartaa (subject) Kriyaa (action) etc parts.
(2) In astrology half a Tithi, or half lunar day is called Karan. For its details see it under Panchaang

Karm

Karm Bhoomi
Where people perform actions. Prithvi or Earth is said to be the Karm Bhoomi for people, as people do Karm here.

Karm Kaand
Pure ritualistic activities.  Rituals.  Whoever does these, is called Karm-kaandee.

Karm Kshetra     see     Karm Bhoomi

Karm Indriyaan    see    Indriyaan

Karm Yog     see    Yog

Kartaa and Karan
Kartaa means doer of the Karm, and Karan means means to do the Karm.

Kashchap    see also    Avataar,   Koorm Avataar
Tortoise.    Kachchhap

Kastooree
Musk. Animal perfume - there is a kind of deer in whose navel this Kastooree is found. It is said that the deer smells the fragrance of the Kastooree but doesn't know that the fragrance is coming from him only, and he runs here and there in search of the source of that smell.

Kath Upanishad
One of the 14 main Upanishad.

Kathaa Saritsaagar
Literally means the "ocean of stories". It is a collection of popular stories written by Somdev Bhatt of Kaashmeer about 12th century AD. His collection of these stories is famous with the name of " Panchtantra" stories.

Kathputalee
Puppet.

Kaumodakee
It is the name of Krishn's Gadaa (mace).

Kaustubh
A Mani (Ratn or gem) obtained from Saagar Manthan and taken by Vishnu. He wears it on His chest.

Kavach

Kavi
Poet.

Kedaarnaath
(1) Another name of Shiv.  (2) The place in Himaalaya where one of the 12 Shiv Jyotirling is there.

Keelak

Keertan
Singing praise of Bhagavaan (God). Repeating the name of God aloud, with or without music.

Ken Upanishad
Ken Upanishad is one of the main 18 Upanishad. It is a genuine Upanishad which starts with a question.

Kesar

Keshee
Keshee was a Daitya who was killed by Krishn.

Ketu
(1) Tail,  (2) Bright appearance.  (3) Name of an imaginary planet.

Khand
(1) Division.  (2) Portion.  (3) Chapter.  (4) A term in mathematics.  (5) A type of sweets in India.

Khand Kaavya
A section of long poem dealing only with one topic.

Kharal
Mortar.

Kheer
A kind of rice pudding. An Indian sweet dish made of rice and milk. Rice is cooked in milk and later sugar is added to it.

Khichadee
A kind of semi-liquid salty dish. Moong Daal (split Moong beans) and rice, taken equal portion of each, cooked in water with salt until it is cooked so soft that one should not chew it. This dish is made with Urad Daal also. Both are eaten in winter season by healthy people with enough Ghee. But the Moong Khichadee is good for a dysentery patient. It is very popular also in UP and Panjaab regions. The patient eats it without Ghee or very little Ghee.

Kimpurush
Kimpurush is a species that look like man but they are not man, For example: Hanumaan Jee, Riksh Jaambvaan.

Kingdom
A limited geographical area on which a ruler rules. A kingdom has eight limbs - (1) law, (2) judge, (3) the assessors, (4) the scribe, (5) the astrologer, (6) gold, (7) fire and (8) water.

Kinnar
(1) Celestial musician.
(2) The word is a joint word of "Kim" and "Nar", which means "Is this human?"; and the answer "No" is inherent in the question. Kinnars are mythical beings with human body and the head of a horse or vice versa.

Kiraat
It is tribe of India which lives in forest and subsists on hunting.

Kivaad
Panel of the door.

Klesh
Sorrows.  Afflictions.  According to Yog Darshan, 1-30, there are five types of Klesh - (1) A-Vidyaa - Ignorance, (2) Asmitaa - Ahankaar or pride, (3) Raag - Too much attachment, (4) Dwesh - Jealousy, and (5) Abhinivesh - Death pain.

Knowledge   see    Gyaan

Koorm Puraan
One of the 18 Puraan. Gives the description of Koorm (Kashchap or tortoise) Avataar taken by Vishnu at the time of Saagar Manthan.

Koop
Well.

Koorm
Tortoise. Kashchp, or Kachchhap. 

Koorm Avataar    see also    Koorm Puraan
Vishnu incarnated as a tortoise when Saagar Manthan took place. He supported Mandaraachal Parvat on His back so that it should not shake while Devtaa and Daitya were churning it. That Avataar is famous as Kashchap or Koorm Avataar.

Koorm Puraan    see also   Puraan

Kop Bhavan
Kop means anger, Krodh and Bhavan means room. In olden times when queens used to be angry with their king, they used to wear torn and dirty clothes, take off their jewelry and lie down on the floor in this special room - Kop Bhavan. When Raajaa used to come to his queen's palace and did not see her there, he used to ask her maids and they would point him out to that Bhavan. When he saw his queen lying in such condition, naturally he could not tolerate it and asked her what she wished. Normally, in such condition, those queens could fulfill their wishes.

Kos
Ancient measurement of distance. 1 Kos = 3 Kms = 2.25 miles
1 Yojan = 4 Kos = 12 Kms = approx 9 miles

Kosh
(1) Treasury.    (2) Dictionary.
(3) Sheath or coverings - The Kosh are often compared to the layers of an onion, which veil the truth that the Divine resides within us, the Bindu and without. These coverings are five in numbers - (1) Anna-maya Kosh is the sheath "composed of food" and represents the physical body. (food and that is this gross body), (2) Praan-maya Kosh (life force) is the sheath "composed of the life force" and is the energy field associated with sustaining the gross physical body. It connects the physical body to the mind, (3) Mano-maya Kosh (mental or feelings) is the sheath "composed of the mind", which refers to the function of the lower mind (Manas) that processes the input of the senses. Manas is driven by doubt and desire, (4) Vigyaan-maya Kosh (intellectual or Buddhi) is the sheath "composed of intelligence" and refers to the higher mind in it's function of discerning that which is real and unreal. It is the seat of wisdom. Where the lower mind causes doubt and uncertainty, the higher mind or Buddhi brings certainty and faith or Shraddhaa, and (5) Aanand-maya Kosh (happiness) is the sheath "composed of bliss" and is equated with the transcendental Self or the atman. It is considered to be the final veil surrounding the ultimate Reality. Aatmaa (soul) is beyond all these Kosh. According to Ved the manifested soul dwells in the fifth Kosh (sheath) near the heart.

Koti
(1) Crore - see the table on Numbers page Koti representing a Crore.
(2) Type or category or class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteritics, for example, Uchch Koti.

Koti Rudram   see a Description of Koti Rudram
Koti means Crore (10,000,000) an Rudram is a prayer to Shiv. So in this this special prayer is recited 10 million times. One of the highest mode of worshipping of Shiv as narrated in Yajur Ved is called Rudra Prashnam. 180 Ritwik arrived at Gokarn (Karnaatak State) on February 14, 2011 and were able to chant 55,000 Rudram till February 26, 2011.

Kripaa
(1) Grace. (2) Kindness.  (3) Name of the Kul Guru of Kaurav.

Krish
Noun - (1) Very thin. [use - His body is very Krish]. Verb - (1) To do fasting opposite to Shaastra, drying one's body by doing severe activities, afflicting Bhagavaan's part Jeev, is to Krish Bhoot (five Bhoot) and Paramaatmaa.

Krishn   see also   Krishn Avataar

Krishn Paksh    see also    Shukla Paksh
Dark fortnight of the Lunar Calendar in which Moon wanes. According to Indian calendar, a month is divided into two parts - the first 15 days, from the 1st day to 15th day, when Moon wanes, up to Amaavasyaa (New Moon), is called Krishn Paksh; while the other half, from 16th day to 30th day, when Moon waxes, up to Poornimaa (Full Moon), is called Shukla Paksh.

Krishn Yajur Ved     see    Ved 

Krit Yug    see   Yug
Another name of Sat Yug, or Satya Yug - the first of the four divisions of time - Sat Yug, Tretaa Yug, Dwaapar Yug, and Kali Yug.

Krityaa
Krityaa is a man or woman produced through fire or anything else to kill somebody. If he or she fails to kill that person for whom he or she is produced to kill,  then, he or she may kill the person who has produced him or her. There are some Krityaa in HIndoo religious literature - (1) Twashtaa produced a Krityaa (Vritraasur) to kill Indra when he killed his son Vishwaroop. (2) There was a king of Kaashee named Paundrak who said himself as Krishn, but Krishn killed him. Paundrak's son produced a Krityaa to kill Krishn after Krishn had killed Paundrak; but unfortunately that Krityaa couldn't harm Krishn.

Kriyaa   see also   Charyaa
(1)  Doing something is called Kriyaa or action.  (2)  Rite. In this sense it is mostly used for last rites of a person - "We have to do his Kriyaa."

Kriyaa Yog    see   Yog

Krodh

Kshamaa
Forgiveness. Glory of Kshamaa has been written great, not only in Hindu scriptures, but also in other religions. There is nothing greater than Kshamaa. Following Kshamaa is even difficult for Devtaa. Kshamaa is grace, Kshmaa is Dharm, Kshamaa is Yagya, Kshamaa is charity, Kshamaa is truth, Kshamaa is virtue, Kshamaa is glory,  and on Kshamaa alone this whole universe is abiding.

Kshar
(1) Destructible. (2) The material case, that is this body. That, which is seen, is said to be destructible and is called Kshar. (Antonym: A-Kshar)

Kshatriya
The second Varn among four Varn. This is warrior race. According to Bhaagvat Puraan, 11/14 a Kshatriya's 10 characteristics are - (1) Tej, (2) Bal (strength), (3) patience, (4) bravery, (5) tolerance, (6) giving any thing, (7) hardworking, (8) stabilization, (9) Braahman Bhakti, and (10) wealth.

Kshaya
(1) Mortal. (2) Which is decayed over the period. (Antonym: A-Kshaya)

Kshaya Maas   see   Adhik Maas

Ksheer Saagar    see   Vishnu's Lok

Kshem    see also   Yog
(1) To protect the means to attain Bhagavaan is called Kshem.
(2) Welfare.

Kshetra    see also    Kshetragya
(1) An area of land   see also  Kshetra.  (2) Human being.  (3) This physical body.  (4) Aatmaa (soul).

Kshetragya
(1) Who understands the Truth. (2) Bhagavaan. Brahm.

Kshobh
Agitation.

Kuber
The treasurer of Devtaa. It is believed that his treasury is never empty. At the same time it is also said that "if you don't put anything in the treasury, then even Kuber's treasury is also empty." He lives in Alakaa Puree.

Kudavaa    see   Weight Measurement

Kujaa
(1) Mars. (2) It is known as Bhaum, Mangal, Rakt, Veer, and Angaarak also.

Kul
Family

Kul Devata
Family-deity.

Kumaaree   See also   Kanyaa above
Unmarried girls of normally up to 10 years of age.

Kumbh

Kumbhak    see also   Praanaayaam
One of Praanaayaam's four processes - others are Rechak, Poorak, and Shoonyak. In this situation the breath air is locked inside, like a filled pitcher, and is not released.

Kumkum
A red colored powder used by women to put it on their forehead as a dot and draw a line parting their hair. Normally this is used by married women whose husbands are alive. It is made either from turmeric or saffron (Kesar). Kumkum is different from Sindoor which is made from a different process. Kumkum is waterproof while Sindoor is not.

Kumud
Water lily.

Kumudinee
A kind of water lily which blooms in night along with the rising of Moon. On the contrary Kamal (Lotus) blooms in day time along with the rising of Sun and closes its petals as the Sun sets.

Kund
D pronounced as in Devtaa. A flower.  Belaa or Mongaraa flower. It s white in color, small in size and scatters sweet smell around.

Kund
D pronounced a in God. (1) Basin.  (2) Bowl of water.  (3) Pond or Tank. A water filled place surrounded by a low wall. This may be of any size, say from 6'-7' square to 50-70 or 100' square, or even larger than that.  (4) Vedee. A lower level place surrounded by a low wall, for example Havan Kund, Agni Kund. Kund can be of any size. These types of Kund are normally of smaller sizes, maybe from 8" square place to 4-5', or even 8" square place as they are meant to do Hom or Yagya, so fire can be lit in these Kund.

Kundal
Earring

Kundalinee

Kush

Kusumit
Blooming

Kutee or Kutiyaa
Small hut made of grass, leaves and branches of a tree etc material.