Brahma

Kumbhakarna knew Ravanas cause was unjust but fought for family loyalty anyway. His tragic death illustrates blind loyalty over dharma.

Ajamila, a fallen brahmin who lived 88 years of sinful life, called out to his son named Narayana at death. This inadvertent chanting of the Lord's name summoned Vishnu's messengers who rescued him from Yamaraja's servants.

Satyakama honestly admits to sage Gautama that he doesn't know his father. Impressed by his truthfulness, Gautama accepts him, declaring only a true Brahmin would speak such truth. While tending cows, Satyakama receives teachings about Brahman from a bull, fire, swan, and bird.

When Yajnavalkya prepares to renounce worldly life, wife Maitreyi rejects wealth, asking instead for immortality. Yajnavalkya teaches that all love is really love for one's own Self, and immortality comes through knowing the Self, described as 'neti neti' - beyond all descriptions.

King Rantideva fasted 48 days. When food arrived, successive guests came - a brahmana, laborer, man with dogs, and outcaste. Seeing Krishna in all beings, he gave away everything including his last drop of water. The guests revealed themselves as Brahma, Shiva, and other demigods.

After winning a battle, the vain gods encounter a mysterious Yaksha (Brahman). Agni and Vayu fail to burn or move a blade of grass. When Indra approaches, goddess Uma appears to reveal that Brahman, not the gods, is the true source of all power.

When demon Bhandasura arises from Kama's ashes and terrorizes the universe, Goddess Lalita Tripurasundari emerges from a great sacrifice. After a four-day cosmic battle, she destroys his army and slays him with the Kameshwarastra weapon.

When Ravana mocked Nandis monkey-like face, the bull-deity cursed that monkeys would destroy his empire. This prophecy came true through Hanuman and the Vanara army.

A celestial being cursed to become a headless demon with his face in his torso. Rama and Lakshmana liberated him by cremating his body, and he guided them toward finding Sita.

When the Kashmiri Pandits sought help, Guru Tegh Bahadur said such persecution could only be stopped by the sacrifice of a great person. His eight-year-old son Gobind Rai arrived and said: Who else is greater than you, O father? This prompted the Guru to sacrifice his life for the cause.

As Brahmacharini, Parvati underwent extreme penance - surviving first on fruits, then leaves, then air alone, enduring all weather while living under open skies. Unlike warrior goddesses who destroy with weapons, Brahmacharini teaches that true conquest lies in mastering oneself.

Demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha had a boon that no male could kill them. They conquered heaven until Parvati created Kaushiki, becoming dark Kalaratri. She destroyed both demons - Shumbha representing ego, Nishumbha representing greed - the inner demons everyone must confront.

Brahma created Shitala to address smallpox. Her lentils became infected with disease germs. When King Birat refused her full authority, she unleashed 75 types of pox. Only complete surrender healed his people - she is both cause and cure of epidemic disease.

Blind men touch different parts of an elephant and conclude its a snake, fan, pillar, wall, rope, or spear. Each argues only he knows truth. We each perceive only part of reality; humility leads to understanding.

A monkey king leading 80000 monkeys uses his own body as a bridge when archers attack, letting his troop escape by walking across his back. Though trampled and mortally wounded, he saves everyone. True leadership means self-sacrifice.

When Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva tested Anasuyas virtue by demanding she serve them nude, she sprinkled water transforming them into infants, then nursed them. Pleased, they were born as her children: Dattatreya, Durvasa, and Chandra.

King Kaushika tried to seize Vasishthas divine cow by force but was defeated. Realizing spiritual power exceeds military might, he renounced kingship. After centuries of penance and overcoming Menakas temptation, he attained Brahmarishi status.

Three demon brothers receive invincible cities of gold, silver, and steel from Brahma. When they become proud and reject Shiva worship, Shiva destroys all three cities with a single Pashupata arrow when they align at a rare cosmic moment.

King Indradyumna sought the Blue Jewel once worshipped by tribal chief Viswavasu. Vishnu instructed him to find a floating log on Puri seashore. From this sacred neem wood, the unique wooden forms of Jagannath were carved.

When the demon Hayagriva steals the Vedas from a drowsy Brahma, Vishnu incarnates as a tiny fish that appears to King Satyavrata. The fish grows progressively larger, revealing its divine nature and warning of an impending deluge, instructing the king to gather all life forms onto a boat which Matsya guides to safety using the serpent Vasuki as a rope.