poet-saints. Asked by him to help him
compose a large number of abhaögas
she excelled in this task. According to
legend she was blessed by the company
of Viflhobä, who often came and took
his meals with her.Janaka
Major figure in the RÄMÄYAŒA,King of
Videha. He was the father of Sïtä,
famous for knowledge and good works.Jänakï
Patronymic of SÏTÄ, the heroine of the
RÄMÄYAŒA.Jana-loka
The abode of BRAHMÄ.Janamejaya
The king to whom the Mahäbhärata
was recited by Kø•æa VAIŸAMPÄYANA.
He was the great-grandson of ARJUNA,
and was also known as Sarpasattrin
(serpent-sacrificer). After his father
PARIKÆITdied from a snake-bite, Jana-
mejaya was determined to exterminate
all snakes in a great sacrifice, but was
persuaded by the sage Astika to desist
when all snakes but one (Tak•aka) had
been burnt.Jänatä Party
Formed in 1977 from a variety of
Hindu parties to succeed Indira
Gandhi’s Congress government which
was defeated in elections after the so-
called ‘emergency’. It fell apart, largely
over the question of connections
between some of its leaders and the
Rä•tøïya Svayamsevak Sangh, and the
former JANA SANGH formed the
BHÄRATÏYAJÄNATÄPARTY.Janar-dana (‘giver of rewards’)
Epithet of VIÆŒU.Janärdana Sw–ami (1504–75)
Militant sage from Mahärä•flra, the
teacher of EKANÄfiHA.janëu
The holy thread which members of the
three upper CASTESreceive at the time of
upanayana (initiation) and which they
have to wear throughout their lives as a
mark of distinction. It is made out of three
times three strands of cotton fibre and is
worn at all times directly on the body.japa
Repetition of a sacred name or MANTRA
(3), one of the most popular religious
practices of Hindus. It is often done with
the help of a MÄLÄ, a rosary consisting of
beads made from the wood of the TULASÏ
plant. It can be performed audibly,
inaudibly or mentally. It is supposed to
bring about a union of the devotee’s
mind with God, revealed in the name.jafla
Matted hair, a sign of mourning and of
renunciation.Jafla-dhära (‘the one with a crown
of matted hair’)
An epithet of ŸIVA.jäta-karma
Ritual performed by a father immedi-
ately after the birth of a child, before the
severing of the umbilical cord, to guar-
antee long life and health.Jafläyu
King of the vultures, son of GARU¥A,
Vi•æu’s VAHANA. As an ally of RÄMAhe
attacked RÄVAŒA, when he carried away
Sïtä. Although mortally wounded, he was
able to tell Räma about the incident. Räma
and LAKÆMANAperformed his funeral rites
and he rose to heaven in a chariot of fire.89 JafläyuEncyclo - Letter J 10/2/03 9:44 am Page 89