Vishnu

Both matriarchs faced impossible choices where maternal love conflicted with dharma, ultimately seeking spiritual atonement through forest exile.

Shakunis villainy stemmed from his familys imprisonment and starvation after Gandharis marriage. He sought vengeance but confessed with remorse before death.

Gandhari cursed Krishna that his Yadu clan would destroy itself just as her Kauravas were destroyed. Krishna accepted with a smile, and the curse later came true.

King Ambarisha's devotion was tested when sage Durvasa took offense at him breaking his Ekadashi fast. Durvasa created a demon to kill the king, but Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra destroyed it and chased Durvasa across the universe until he sought Ambarisha's forgiveness.

King Indradyumna, cursed to become elephant Gajendra, was seized by a crocodile while drinking from a lake. After struggling for years and being abandoned by his herd, Gajendra surrendered completely to Lord Vishnu, who immediately appeared on Garuda to liberate him.

Five-year-old prince Dhruva, humiliated by his stepmother, performed intense austerities guided by sage Narada. His meditation with the mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' was so powerful that Vishnu appeared and granted him an eternal position as the Pole Star.

Young Nachiketa, sent to Death by his angry father, waits three days at Yama's abode. Granted three boons, he refuses wealth and pleasures, persisting in asking about death's mystery. Yama reveals the eternal Self (Atman) is unborn and undying - immortality comes through Self-knowledge, not rituals.

Though appearing as a fearsome demon fighting Indra, Vritrasura was actually a great devotee (previously King Citraketu). His famous prayers reveal pure devotion - he desired only eternal service to the Lord's servants and welcomed death as union with Krishna.

At King Janaka's philosophical debate, Yajnavalkya defeats all challengers including Gargi. He explains consciousness as the unchanging witness of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. When external lights are absent, 'the Self indeed is his light' - culminating in non-dual vision.

Gods and demons churn the cosmic ocean using Mount Mandara and serpent Vasuki. The churning produces fourteen treasures including the deadly Halahala poison, goddess Lakshmi, and the nectar of immortality. Vishnu ensures demons are deceived from obtaining amrita.

King Janashruti learns from passing swans about a humble sage named Raikva with greater knowledge. Despite offering wealth, Raikva initially dismisses him. Only when the king approaches with humility does Raikva teach the Samvarga Vidya - that Air and Prana are the ultimate absorbers.

Vishnu's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the Four Kumaras to be born as demons three times. As Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, they were slain by Vishnu's Varaha and Narasimha avatars. The curse was actually a blessing - faster return to Vaikuntha.

The only Kaurava brother who stood up against Draupadi disrobing, questioning the legality of the bet. Despite being on the losing side, he chose dharma over family loyalty.

Garuda undertakes a dangerous quest to steal amrita from the gods to free his mother Vinata from slavery imposed by her sister Kadru. His devotion to his mother and courage earns him a place as Vishnu's vehicle (vahana).

Lord Kapila, an avatar of Vishnu, teaches his mother Devahuti the Sankhya philosophy and path to liberation. A rare story of a son becoming the guru to his mother.

A forest hunter believed he could catch Krishna in his net. A learned saint mocked his simple faith. Krishna was pleased by the hunters innocent belief more than the saints practiced worship.

Born to Dhritarashtra and a maidservant, Yuyutsu was the only son of Dhritarashtra who fought for the Pandavas. He recognized dharma over blood loyalty and survived the war.

The Second Siege of Anandpur lasted eight months in 1704, as approximately one million Mughal soldiers besieged 10,000 Sikhs. After provisions were exhausted and Sikhs reduced to eating leaves, Emperor Aurangzeb offered safe passage sworn on the Quran. This oath was broken when the evacuating Sikhs were attacked.

Shukracharya's desperate attempt to prevent Bali from giving to Vamana, and Bali's profound response that receiving from God is the greatest honor a giver can have.

Hari Singh Nalwa was so feared that Afghan mothers would quiet children by invoking his name. He killed a lion with his bare hands, earning the title Nalwa (clawed). He conquered territories to the Khyber Pass, places no Indian ruler had controlled for centuries. Even after his death at Jamrud, his body was displayed on walls to maintain morale, showing his legend outlived him.