Araja

Araja, in Hindu mythology, was daughter of sage Shukracharya. She had two younger sisters Devi and Devayani.

Once, on seeing her, King Dand fell in love with her. She revealed who she was and warned him of her father's wrath. However, she was ravished by him.

She returned to her father's hermitage and was weeping outside.

When Shukracharya came to know what happened to her, he became angry and cursed Dand that he along with his kingdom would be destroyed within seven days.

He then instructed his disciples to take up their abode beyond the borders of Dand's kingdom, and his daughter to give herself up to meditation near the lake located there. He said that at the time of destruction of Dand's kingdom, her abode around the lake would be harmless along with all the creatures who happen to take refuse there.

It is the area which was destroyed came to be known as Dandakaranya.

Nearby pages
Arakan, Arakh, Araku Valley, Aral Sea, Aralia, Aramaea