Glossary: I

Ikshvaku

The first ruler of the earth. He was a son of Vaivasvata Manu.

Ilavrita-varsha

The central division of Jambudvipa, which in turn is the central part of the earthly planetary system. In the center of Ilavrita-varsha stands the great mountain Sumeru. Lord Siva resides in Ilavrita-varsha with his consort Durga. Ilavrita-varsha was also the ancient name of India before it was renamed after King Bharata, the son of Lord Rishabhadeva.

indivara lotus

a blue lotus.

Indra (Mahendra)

The king of the demigods, ruler of Svargaloka. In each manvantara there is a different Indra. The name of the current Indra is Purandara.

indranila

sapphire.

Ishopanishad

one of the 108 principal Vedic scriptures known as the Upanishads.

Ishta-goshthi

discussions on the teachings of the spiritual master among his disciples.

ishvara

a controller. Krishna is parameshvara, the supreme controller.

Ishvara Puri

Lord Chaitanya’s spiritual master.

ISKCON

acronym for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Itihasas

Epic histories, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana. In contrast to the more encyclopedic Puranas, each Itihasa usually tells one heroic story.