Stories for when you feel Dealing with Loss

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.

Bhishma advised grief-stricken Yudhishthira that engaging in meaningful activities naturally replaces painful memories.

Rama accepted 14 years exile without protest to honor his fathers word. Duty and parental respect supersede personal desires.

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.

Destined to die at 16, young Markandeya clings to Shiva lingam as Yama approaches. Shiva emerges and defeats death itself, granting eternal youth. Devotion conquers destiny.

Bibi Rajni was married to a leper as punishment for crediting God rather than her father for her sustenance. While she gathered food, her husband observed crows emerging white from the pool after entering black. He bathed in the water and was healed. The ber tree became known as Dukh Bhanjani Beri (tree that relieves afflictions).

Before his death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh declared that no human would succeed him. Instead, he installed the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal living Guru. He bowed before the scripture and proclaimed that Sikhs should henceforth look to the Granth for guidance. This revolutionary act established the unique Sikh concept of scripture as Guru.

Born destined to die at 16, Markandeya clung to the Shiva Lingam chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. When Yamas noose accidentally caught the lingam, Shiva emerged in fury, defeated Death, and granted Markandeya eternal youth.

Dhanvantari, who emerged from the churning with the nectar of immortality, teaches Ayurveda to Sushruta - covering the three doshas, seven bodily tissues, pathology, diagnosis, and the four components of healing.

After death, the soul (Atman) undergoes a 49-day journey where it is judged based on its karma. It passes through the Preta state, crosses the Vaitarani River, and travels to Yamaloka where Chitragupta reads the karmic record and Yama decides the souls fate - either rebirth, heaven, or hell.

At sixteen, young Venkataraman was suddenly gripped by intense fear of death. He lay down like a corpse and inquired: With the death of this body, am I dead? In that moment, he realized: I am a spirit transcending the body. The material body dies, but the spirit cannot be touched by death. Fear vanished forever, leading him to Arunachala where he remained until death.

The leper Vasudeva, whose body was covered with worms, would carefully replace any worm that fell. When he missed meeting the Lord, he fainted in grief. Mahaprabhu returned and embraced him, instantly curing his leprosy and transforming him into a beautiful devotee.

Guru Arjan Dev founded Indias first dedicated home for lepers near the sacred pool of Tarn Taran Sahib. He personally cared for the lepers by providing them medicines, clothing, food, and encouraging them to bathe in the healing waters.

Both Indra and Virochana approach Prajapati to learn about the Self. Virochana leaves satisfied with superficial understanding that the body is the Self. Indra persists for 101 years through multiple teachings until he realizes the true Atman is the eternal witness beyond all states.

Prince Dara Shikoh was poisoned by his brother Aurangzeb. Despite Mughal enmity toward Sikhs, Guru Har Rai provided rare medicines needed. When Sikhs questioned why he helped an enemy, the Guru replied: With one hand man breaks flowers and with one hand offers them, but the flowers perfume both hands alike.

Young Nachiketa waits three days at Death's door and wins three boons. He uses the third to ask what happens after death—refusing all worldly substitutes. Yama, impressed by his discrimination between pleasant and good, teaches him the nature of the eternal Self.

The emergence of Lord Dhanvantari from the Ocean of Milk during the cosmic churning, bearing the nectar of immortality and divine knowledge of healing.

Dhanvantari teaches the sages about sacred healing herbs - Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Brahmi, and others - revealing that the greatest medicine is proper living itself.

How Dhanvantari organized healing knowledge into the eight branches of Ayurveda and incarnated as King Divodasa of Kashi to teach medicine directly to humanity.

Young Nachiketa went to Yama after his angry father said he would give him to Death. After waiting three days, he refused all worldly pleasures, asking only about what happens after death. Yama taught him the nature of the eternal Self.