Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 16,188
Date uploaded in London – 11 September 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
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tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
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Urmila
She was the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila and Queen Sunaina. She married Lakshmana on the exact same day that Rama married Sita. Children: Traditional texts state that Urmila and Lakshmana had two sons named Angada and Chandraketu. When Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana left for a 14-year forest exile, Urmila wished to accompany them. Lakshmana asked her to stay in Ayodhya to comfort and look after his aging parents and the grieving kingdom. According to regional folk Ramayanas and Ram-kathas (though absent in Valmiki’s original Sanskrit text), Lakshmana refused to sleep for 14 years so he could continuously guard Rama and Sita. When the Goddess of Sleep (Nidra) approached him, Urmila selflessly volunteered to sleep on his behalf so he could remain awake and fulfil his duty. This quiet act of devotion earned her immense respect as an unsung heroine of the epic. While folk tales vividly celebrate her 14-year slumber and sacrifice, foundational texts like Valmiki’s Ramayana focus more broadly on her quiet endurance and palace duties at home.
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Urvashi
Urvashi is an Apsara (nymph) in Hindu legend. She was a celestial maiden in Indra’s court and was considered the most beautiful of all the Apsaras. She became the wife of king Pururavas (Purūrávas, from purū+rávas “crying much or loudly”), an ancient chief of the lunar race. ShBr 11.5.1, and treated in Kalidasa’s drama Vikramōrvaśīyam.
Birth: There are many legends about the birth of Urvashi but the following one is most prevalent. Once the revered sages Nara-narayana was meditating in the holy shrine of Badrinath Temple situated in the Himalayas. Indra, the king of the Gods, did not want the sage to acquire divine powers through meditation and sent two apsaras to distract him. The sage struck his thigh and created a woman so beautiful that Indra’s apsaras were left matchless. This was Urvashi, named from ur, the Sanskrit word for thigh. After his meditation was complete the sage gifted Urvashi to Indra, and she occupied the pride of place in Indra’s court. Heard of the beauty of Purūravas from Nārada, when she came to the earth due to a curse of Mitra and Varuṇa, and gave enjoyment to him so long as he satisfied her two conditions—keeping her two sheep safe, and not showing himself naked before her except in sexual intercourse. When after 64 years she saw him naked one day, she left him. He looked for her and saw her at the R. Sarasvati playing with her friends. At his request she promised a day’s enjoyment with him every year. On her advice he prayed to Gandharvas, and got an Agnisthāli. Mother of six sons by Purūravas.4 Returned to Heaven.5 The Goddess enshrined at Badari.6 When she danced before Indra, she forgot her abhinaya and was cursed by Bharata to become an invisible creeper for 55 years on the earth.
Urvaśī (उर्वशी).—One of the heavenly Apsarās. She tried to seduce Arjuna when he was in the heavenly kingdom. Arjuna refused to satisfy her because he considered her the mother of the Kuru dynasty having taken Puru for her husband. Because of Arjuna’s refusal, Urvaśī cursed Arjuna to become a eunuch for one year. This curse took its effect during last year of exile of the Pāṇḍavas in the kingdom of Virāṭa; a woman from the heavenly planets who became enamoured of King Purūravā.
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Usanas kavi
वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जय: ।
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यास: कवीनामुशना कवि: ॥ ३७ ॥
vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo ’smi
pāṇḍavānāṁ dhanañ-jayaḥ
munīnām apy ahaṁ vyāsaḥ
kavīnām uśanā kaviḥ
“Of the Vrsnis I am Vasudeva; of the Pandavas I am Dhananjaya (winner of wealth); of the sages I am Vyasa and of the poets I am Usana”.
– Bhagavad Gita 10-37
Kavi means seers, that is, one who could see or tell what is going to happen next.
Why did Krishna say that he was Usana Kavi, an ancient poet whom we did not know much? We know a lot of other Vedic seer poets, but not Usanas.
First of all let me give you some basic information:
1.Until this day we use the word ‘Kavi’ for a poet in all the major Indian languages including Tamil (Pulavar was old and Kavinjar is current). This shows that the Rig Vedic Sanskrit lives in all our hearts. Kavi is a poet and Kavitha is a poem in all Indian languages. ‘Kavi’ is in the Veda and in the Gita!
2.Usanas belonged to Kavya Gotra and in Tamil, the oldest poet Tolkappiyan is believed to be from this Gotra. And there is another poet Kappiyatru Kappiyanar of Patitru Pathu (Ten Decads) from the same Gotra.
3. This shows the antiquity of the Gita as well. Krishna mentioned one of the oldest poets of the Rig Veda! AA Macdonell and A B Keith say in their Vedic Index of Names and Subjects, “ Usanas Kavya is an ancient seer, already a half mythical figure in the Rig Veda where he is often mentioned, especially as associated with Kutsa and Indra”. Rig Veda itself is old; in fact the oldest book we know of. Usanas had become ancient to the seers of Rig Veda! But Krishna was able to appreciate it. That means Krishna lived before the collection of Rig Vedic hymns by Vyasa.
4.”Later on Usanas becomes the Purohita/Priest of the Asuras in their contests with the Gods. A Variant of his name is Kavi Usanas. He appears in the Brahmanas as a teacher also”, say the authors. This shows that there were more poets with the same name in later days. We know that Shukracharya was the Guru of Asuras. This reveals another fact that both Asuras and Suras had Brahmin teachers. Both Devas and Asuras were sons of the soil. In Tamil also we have famous names of Sangam period, Kapila, Parana, Nakkirar and Avvaiyar at various ages. All these poets have done some works in later ages in Tamil as well. So it is possible that we had other poets with the name of Usanas. But even their works are not available!!
5.Usana’s name figured as an author of Artha sastras (Books on Economics) earlier than Kautilya alias Chanakya.
References to Usanas in the Rig Veda
His name occurs in seven out of ten Mandalas of the Rig Veda. His name is missing in Mandalas 2,3 and 7. We are unfortunate to lose the poems of such a popular poet. This shows how much of old Sanskrit literature was lost.
The way all the people praise him give the impression that the words Kavi and Kavya (poet and classics)– all originated from Usanas Kavya!
The following references are considered important (from Vedic Index):
Rig Veda 1-51-10, 1-83-5, 1-121-12;
R V 4-16-2, 6-2011, 8-23-17
R V 9-87-3, 9-97-7, 10-40-7
Probably also 1-130-9, 5-31-8, 5-34-2
Also in A V 4-29-6 (A V = Atharva Veda)
Taittriya samhita, Panchavimsa Brahmana, Sakyayana Srauta Sutra mention the Purohit/priest Usanas (Sukracharya).
Kavi Usanas is found in RV 4-26-1.
He appears as a teacher in two of the Brahmanas.
Yajur Veda and Sama Veda also praise him as a great poet.
Usanas’ few compositions are available in the Rig Veda: 9-87 to 89 and 8-84. As usual, the foot notes say that it is difficult to understand certain lines. Ninth Mandala of Rig Veda deals with Soma Pavamana (Soma Plant and Juice).
Usana, the son of Kavi is well known for making Agni the ministrant priest and offerer of the sacrifice for Manu ( RV. 8-23-17)
He is referred to as a seer and leader of the people. By his poetic gift he is said to have discovered the secret milk of cows of Indra which was concealed ( RV. 9-87-3)
Usana is said to have increased the vigour of Indra ( RV. 1-51-10) and fashioned the thunderbolt for him for slaying Vritra( RV. 1-121-12; 5-34-2).
He is characteristically wise and soma is compared with him due to his wisdom ( RV. 9-97-7)
Indu, the well armed god, is flowing onward, who quells the curse and guards from treacherous onslaught,
Father, begetter of the gods, most skilful, the buttress of the heavens and earth’s supporter
Rsi and sage, the champion of the people, deft and sagacious, Usana in wisdom
He had discovered even their hidden nature, the cows concealed and most mysterious title (RV 9-87-2/3)
Source books : Vedic Index of Names and Subjects Volume 1 and Bhrgus – A Syudy by Jayanti Panda, Delhi, 1984; The Rig Veda, Translated by Ralph T H Griffith.
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Usha
Ūṣā (ऊषा).—(also uṣā) Daughter of Bāṇa. Her companion was Citralekhā. Dreamt one night that she was sleeping with Aniruddha. Informed her friend of the dream but could not give Aniruddha’s name. Citralekhā drew pencil sketches of all gods and men and showed them to her one by one. Seeing Aniruddha’s she identified him. At this, Citralekhā flew through air and brought Aniruddha to her room unnoticed by others. Ūṣā was enjoying his company. The guards who got scent of this reported to Bāṇa who imprisoned Aniruddha. In course of time she married Aniruddha and went to his home with the approval of Bāṇa.*
Aniruddha (अनिरुद्ध), grandson of Kṛiṣhṇa, son of Pradhyumna was born in the race of Yadu in Dvāravatī, and became the lover of Uṣā: daughter of the Asura Bāṇa.
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Ushas
Ushas:–Goddess of the dawn in the Vedas. She is the all seeing eye of the gods. An auspicious deity heralding Surya and drives away darkness. Rig Veda describes her as a beautiful virginal figure who rides in a hundred chariots. She inspired the finest lyrical hymns in the Rig Veda. Ushas is beautiful, fresh and ever young, dressed in a red garment awakens creatures and send them off to their respective duties.
Ushas is the goddess of dawn in the Rig Veda, daughter of Dyaus Pita (Sky), and sister of Ratri (Night). She rides a golden chariot drawn by red horses or cows, banishes darkness, and wakes all life. Equivalent to Roman Aurora or Greek Eos. Most beautiful poems are found in the Vedas describing her beauty.
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Uttara
Uttarā (उत्तरा).—The daughter of King Virāṭa and the wife of Abhimanyu. Virāṭa first want Arjuna to marry his daughter, but Arjuna declined and said that his son, Abhimanyu, should marry her. Uttarā became the mother of King Parīkṣit. She prayed to Śrī Krishna to save her son, who was being attacked within her womb, and Kirshna saved him.
Also the name of a star in the sky.
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Uttara kanda
Uttara Kanda is the last Book of the great epic Ramayana and it deals with the return of Rama to Ayodhya and his coronation to the throne. The reign of Rama in Ayodhya has also been narrated in this Book along with the second ordeal of Sita. This Kanda or Book also gives a description of the birth of Lav and Kush, the two sons of Rama in the hermitage of Valmiki and the episode ends with the description of the last days of Rama in the world. After the furious war between Rama and Ravana, Ravana was ultimately killed by Rama and Vibhishana was made the king of Lanka. Then Rama met with Sita and Sita had to give an Agnipariksha before Rama could accept her since she stayed for long in another man’s home. Sita went into the burning pyre but was left unhurt and thus her faithfulness to Rama was proved. Then Rama, along with Lakshmana and Sita return to Ayodhya.
With the rising Sun, Rama taking the car Pushpaka, which was given to him by Vibhishana, stood ready to depart. Self-moving was that car, and it was very fairly painted and large; two stories it had, and windows and flags and banners and many chambers, and it also gave a melodious sound as it coursed along the airy way. Then Vibhishana asked Rama if he could do anything else for him and Rama then told him to content the monkeys and bears who have accomplished his affair with jewels and wealth, so that they could fare to their homes. He also advised him to rule as a righteous, self-controlled, and compassionate and a just collector of revenues, so that all may be attached to him. Vibhishana bestowed wealth on all the host, and Rama was taking leave of all the bears and monkeys and of Vibhishana and at that time all of them cried out in a single voice that they also would like to go with him to Ayodhya. Thus, Rama invited them gladly, and Sugriva and Vibhishana and the entire host mounted the mighty car; and the car rose up into the sky, drawn by golden geese, and sailed on its airy way, while the monkeys, bears, and rakshasas took their ease.
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Hanuman is Rewarded
The monkeys stayed in the kingdom of Ayodhya more than a month, feasting on honey and well-cooked fruits and meats and roots, though it seemed to them but a moment, because of their devotion toward Rama. The time then came for them to go to their own city, and Rama embraced every one with affection and gave them goodly gifts. But Hanuman bowed and begged this boon, that he might ever be devoted to Rama alone, and that he might live on earth so long as the story of the deeds of Rama was told of amongst men. Hearing this request from Hanuman, Rama granted it and took from his own neck a jeweled chain and put it upon Hanuman. One by one the monkeys came and touched the feet of Rama,and then went their way; but they wept for sorrow of leaving him.
Ordeal of Sita
Then Rama governed Ayodhya for ten thousand years; and the news once came out that Sita had conceived. Then Rama asked her if she had any longing, and she replied that she would like to visit the hermitages of the sages by the River Ganga. Rama thus granted her wish and the visit was scheduled for the next day. That very night Rama came to know from his ministers that his subjects were happy since he killed Ravana but were somewhat not pleased for he brought back Sita with him who stayed for long in the house of a different person other than her husband. At this, Rama got utterly shocked and ordered his brothers and told Lakshmana to leave Sita in the jungle and return to Ayodhya. Lakshmana thus left Sita in the hermitage of Valmiki and returned to Ayodhya.
Lava and Kusha
Rama ruled his kingdom well and by that time Sita, dwelling at the hermitage of Valmiki, gave birth to two sons, and they were named Kusha and Lava; and they grew up in the forest hermitage, and Valmiki trained them with great wisdom, and he made the book of Ramayana in slokas, and gave them skill in recitation.
Sita taken home by Earth
After Rama came to know that Lava and Kusha were his sons and that Sita was living in the hermitage of Valmiki, he send message to the saint enquiring about Sita. Rama asked if Sita would like to return to Ayodhya. Then Valmiki accompanied Sita to Ayodhya and then Rama again asked Sita to prove her faithfulness towards him again. With this Sita prayed to Vasundhara to accept her since he was ever faithful to Rama. Thus a heavenly throne rose up from within the earth, borne on the heads of mighty nagas, decked in shining jewels; and the Earth stretched out her arms and welcomed Sita and placed her on the throne, and the throne sank down again.
Last Days of Rama
Rama became heavy-hearted with the disappearance of Sita inside the earth before his very eyes, and the whole world seemed empty without her.. Bharata reigned in Kekaya, and Shatrughna was king of Madhu, while the sons of Lakshmana founded kingdoms of their own. Once came a yogi who called himself Time and told Rama that he was the avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu and that he had accomplished his goal by killing Ravana and reigning in the earth for eleven thousand years. Then he advised Rama that the time has come for his return to heaven. Rama accepted his advice and along with his brothers and several rakshasas and monkeys he went to the river Sarayu, from where Rama reached the heaven.
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Uttara kuru
Uttarakuru (उत्तरकुरु) play a mythical part in the Epic and later literature, are still a historical people in the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa, where they are located beyond the Himālaya (pareṇa Himavantam). In another passage, however, the country of the Uttara Kurus is stated by Vāsiṣṭha Sātyahavya to be a land of the gods (deva-kṣetra), but Jānaṃ-tapi Atyarāti was anxious to conquer it, so that it is still not wholly mythical.
Uttarakuru (उत्तरकुरु).—A part of the Jambūdvīpa (Island of Jambū). Mention is made in the Mahābhārata that during his conquest Arjuna had gone up to this place and carried away from there plenty of wealth. It is believed by common people that this place is inaccessible to human beings. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 28, Stanzas 7 to 20). The southern end of this place is the Nīlagiri and the Northern end Mount Meru. The inhabitants are gifted people, with trees bearing flowers and fruits, the flowers fragrant and the fruits sweet.
A particular type of tree known as Kṣīrī (milky) grows here from which milk will flow. There are also trees which will give you whatever you ask. It was the belief of ancient people that with the fruits of Kṣīrī, you could make garments and ornaments. The soil of this place contains gems and in the sand there is gold. Those who fall down from heaven live in this region. The average age of the inhabitants of this place is said to have been eleven thousand years. There is a kind of bird in this place called Bhāruṇḍa. These birds drag dead bodies away to caves. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 8, Stanzas 2 to 13).
to be continued…………………….
Tags- Uttarakuru, Urvashi, Uttara Kanda, Usana Kavi, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 111; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-111
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Tamil and Vedas 