Encyclopaedia on India

In Buddhist and Jain cosmology, the idea of Trailokya literally meaning “three worlds” serves as a framework for understanding existence. While both traditions share the notion of multiple realms, their interpretations differ significantly, reflecting unique Philosophical Perspectives on Life , karma, and liberation. Trailokya in Buddhism Early Buddhism, drawing from the Pali Canon and related Agamas, describes three distinct realms of existence: 1.      Kama Loka (World of Sensuality): o     This realm includes humans, animals, and certain celestial beings. o     It is dominated by desire, attachment, and sensory pleasures. o     Beings here experience both joy and suffering, making it a central realm for spiritual practice. 2.      Rupadhatu Loka (Realm of Form): o     Inhabited by beings who have attained mastery in meditative states. o     These being...

Introduction The Mahabharata, one of the greatest epics of ancient India, narrates the fierce rivalry between two branches of the Kuru dynasty the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Though both descended from King Kuru, they embodied opposing values. The Pandavas , guided by virtue and justice, represented dharma (righteousness), while the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, symbolized envy, greed, and ambition, aligning with adharma (unrighteousness). Their conflict culminated in the legendary Battle of Kurukshetra, a war that forever reshaped the destiny of Bharatavarsha (India). Etymology of Kaurava The term Kaurava broadly refers to all descendants of King Kuru, which technically includes both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. However, in common usage, it specifically denotes the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari, excluding the Pandavas, who were the sons of Pandu. Birth of the Kauravas Dhritarashtra, blind from birth, married Gandhari, the princess of Gandhara. Gandhar...