Stories for when you feel Feeling Guilty

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

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.

When Wazir Khan ordered the young Sahibzade executed, Sher Mohammad Khan (Nawab of Malerkotla) argued that Islamic law prohibited killing children. His moral stand was overruled, but Guru Gobind Singh blessed Malerkotla, exempting it from Sikh retribution. To this day, Malerkotla has never faced communal violence - a unique testament to this blessing.

Forest-raised Shakuntala marries King Dushyanta. A curse makes him forget her. She raises their son Bharata alone until the truth is revealed. Story of love, memory, and perseverance.

Sajjan appeared holy but murdered travelers for wealth. Guru Nanaks hymn revealed that God sees the heart, not appearances. Sajjan confessed, distributed his wealth, and became a true saint. No one is beyond redemption.

When Emperor Humayun visited seeking blessings to restore his kingdom, Guru Angad was busy teaching students. Angered by this perceived disrespect, Humayun reached for his sword. The Guru told him he was quick to attack men of God but could not defend his own kingdom. Humayun bowed, asked forgiveness, and received blessings.

When 40 Sikhs deserted Guru Gobind Singh during the siege of Anandpur, Mai Bhago - a brave Sikh woman - shamed them and led them back to fight. On December 29, 1705, all 40 attained martyrdom at Khidrana. With his dying breath, leader Mahan Singh requested the Guru tear up their disclaimer. The Guru blessed them as Chali Mukte (40 Liberated Ones).

When Sikhs were being hunted with bounties on their heads, two Sikhs - Bota Singh and Garja Singh - defied the persecution by setting up a toll booth on a busy road. They announced themselves as Sikhs and collected tolls from travelers to prove Sikhs still lived. When a Mughal army came, these two Sikhs fought hundreds, dying gloriously rather than living in hiding.

Banda Singh Bahadur was appointed by Guru Gobind Singh to avenge the execution of the Gurus younger sons at Sirhind. On May 24, 1710, at the Battle of Chappar Chiri, his forces defeated Wazir Khan, who was killed by Bandas arrow. This established the first Sikh territorial rule.

The elderly Bhai Mani Singh, custodian of Harmandir Sahib, was arrested for organizing Diwali celebrations. When he refused to convert, the executioner was ordered to cut his body joint by joint. As each joint was severed, Bhai Mani Singh recited Gurbani. When his hands were cut, he continued from memory. He blessed even his executioners, showing divine grace in his final moments.

During the siege of Lohgarh Fort, Mughals sent a drunken war elephant with iron plates to break down the gates. Bhai Bachittar Singh charged alone, his nagni spear piercing the elephants forehead. The elephant retreated in pain, trampling Mughal soldiers. This single act of courage saved the fort and became legendary for one mans valor against impossible odds.

When Maha Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati unified, a girl named Trikuta was born. The demon Bhairon Nath pursued her. She fled to Trikuta caves where she slew him. Seeking forgiveness, he was granted that no pilgrimage to her would be complete without visiting his temple.

After defeating Ravana, Rama sought to atone for killing a Brahmin (Ravana was learned in Vedas). When Hanuman, sent to Mount Kailash for a Shiva lingam, was delayed past the auspicious hour, Sita made a lingam from sand. When Hanuman returned disappointed, Rama decreed his lingam would be worshipped first. The temple houses both lingams.

Daksha Prajapati gave his 27 daughters (the Nakshatras) to Chandra, who favored only Rohini and neglected the others. Enraged, Daksha cursed Chandra to lose his radiance. Chandra performed intense penance using the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Shiva modified the curse: Chandra would wax and wane for 15 days perpetually. Grateful, Chandra built the first Jyotirlinga temple here.

The notorious criminals Jagai and Madhai had committed every sin. When Madhai struck Nityananda Prabhu with a pot, drawing blood, Chaitanya summoned His Sudarshana chakra. But Nityananda intervened, reminding the Lord of His mission to deliver sinners through love. Both brothers became great devotees.

A mother of seven sons accidentally killed a mongooses cubs while digging soil. The mongoose cursed her, causing all seven sons to die. An elderly neighbor advised her to worship Ahoi Mata on Ashtami. The goddess blessed her and all her sons returned alive.

After Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Shivas forgiveness for killing kinsmen. Shiva disguised himself as a bull and hid. When Bhima grabbed the bull, Shiva dove into earth, his body emerging in five parts at five locations (Panch Kedar): hump at Kedarnath, arms at Tunganath, navel at Madhyamaheshwar, face at Rudranath, and hair at Kalpeshwar.

Child devotee Prahlad refuses to stop worshipping Vishnu despite his demon-king father's persecution. His faith survives every torture, and Vishnu finally manifests as Narasimha to destroy Hiranyakashipu. Prahlad's devotion is so pure he asks forgiveness for his murderous father.

Ahalya was cursed to become stone. Ramas touch liberated her, showing divine grace can redeem even the fallen.

Bhai Taru Singh was a young farmer who sheltered Sikh fighters during Mughal persecution. When his hair could not be cut by barbers (said to have become hard as iron), Governor Zakariya Khan ordered a cobbler to scrape off his scalp with an axe. Before dying, he cursed Khan saying he would be killed by his own shoes.