Indian
Deities, heroes, and cosmic beings from the Vedas, epics, and later Indian traditions.
Verified modern retellings
These figures include at least one verified connection to a modern work.
59 figures
Agni1 myth
Ahalya1 myth
Arjuna9 myths · 19 in media
Astika1 myth
Balarama1 myth
Bharata1 myth
Bhima4 myths
Bhishma (Devavrata)2 myths
Brahma2 myths
Dasharatha1 myth
Devayani1 myth
Draupadi10 myths · 21 in media
Drona2 myths
Ekalavya1 myth
HanumanRegarded as Rama's foremost devotee, a status tradition ties to the boon of undying life.9 myths · 50 in media
Harishchandra1 myth
IndraRain and the rivers answer to him: when guilt over a brahmin's death destroys him, the rains fail and the rivers stop until he is found again. · He leads the gods in war, riding the elephant Airavata into battle against Ravana's forces at Lanka.6 myths · 17 in media
Jarasandha2 myths
Jaratkaru, the Sage1 myth
Jarita1 myth
Jatayu1 myth
Kacha1 myth
Kadru1 myth
Kaikeyi1 myth
KarnaKing of Anga, crowned on the strength of a single tournament rather than birth. · Commander who conquered the earth alone for Duryodhana in a single year's campaign.10 myths · 18 in media
KrishnaRaised among cowherds at Vrindavana and remembered, by his own account, as one of them: he played the flute and the gourd drum and grew up free of any court. · Protector of the Pandava line against annihilation, shielding the unborn Parikshit from the Brahmastra and reviving him after a stillbirth. · Teacher of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield at Kurukshetra, revealing his universal form as part of the teaching.9 myths · 55 in media
Lopamudra1 myth
Madhavi, Daughter of Yayati1 myth
Mankanaka1 myth
Manthara1 myth
Manu Vaivasvata1 myth
Maya, the Asura Builder1 myth
Mudgala1 myth
Nala1 myth
Prahlada1 myth
RamaPrince and later king of Ayodhya, of the Raghu and Ikshvaku royal line · An archer able to wield weapons no other suitor or warrior in the story could use, including Shiva's bow and the brahmastra9 myths · 25 in media
RavanaKing of Lanka and lord of the rakshasas · Owner of the Pushpaka, the flying palace he took from Kubera10 myths · 22 in media
Rishyashringa1 myth
Ruru1 myth
Sarasvati1 myth
Savitri1 myth
Shakuntala1 myth
Shesha (Ananta)The earth1 myth
ShivaShaivas practise devotion to Shiva as a principal manifestation of ultimate divinity. · Shiva is Nataraja, lord of the dance, whose dance represents the process of the universe. · In Shaiva devotion, Shiva grants moksha, or liberation.7 myths · 27 in media
Shurpanakha1 myth
SitaHeld up, in her own words and by others, as an embodiment of wifely devotion and chastity, a status the fire ordeal is made to test.7 myths · 29 in media
Soma (Chandra)1 myth
Sugriva1 myth
Surabhi (Kamadhenu)1 myth
Urvashi2 myths
Ushinara1 myth
Utanka1 myth
Vasishtha1 myth
Vasus1 myth
Vibhishana1 myth
Vishnu1 myth
Vishvamitra1 myth
Vyasa1 myth
Yudhishthira1 myth