Stories for when you feel Struggling with Pride

Bhima encountered an old monkey blocking his path and could not lift its tail. The monkey revealed himself as Hanuman, teaching Bhima humility.

Despite being a scholar and devotee, Ravanas arrogance and uncontrolled desires led to destruction. Knowledge without wisdom leads to ruin.

Kevat washed Ramas feet before ferrying him, fearing the dust might transform his boat. Rama embraced him as a fourth brother. Humble service earns divine grace.

Angada challenged all of Ravanas warriors to move his foot. None could. Faith in the divine makes one unshakeable.

Mandodari repeatedly warned Ravana to return Sita. Her wisdom went unheeded. Speaking truth to power matters even when ignored.

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.

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.

Viduras wife Vidurani became famous when Krishna visited Hastinapura and chose to stay at their humble home rather than Duryodhanas palace. Overwhelmed by devotion, Vidurani mistakenly offered Krishna banana peels instead of fruit, which Krishna lovingly accepted, valuing her devotion over material perfection.

The legendary Saptarishi Agastya humbles the proud Vindhya mountain and drinks the entire ocean to expose the hiding Kalkeyas demons. He also defeats the rakshasa brothers Ilvala and Vatapi through his divine powers.

A wealthy boy whose parents provided servants for every need volunteered to bring water for the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh refused the water, saying his soft hands were dirty from lack of service. The boy transformed by serving in the kitchen until his rough, stained hands made him worthy.

When the Sikhs needed to accept the title of Nawab in 1733, they chose Kapur Singh who was fanning the congregation despite having a fresh war wound. Upon receiving the title, he requested only to continue cleaning horse stables and washing dishes in the langar hall.

When Ravana challenged Bali, the monkey king caught him and held him under his arm for six months. Even the mighty Ravana had to acknowledge greater powers.

Datu, son of Guru Angad, refused to accept Guru Amar Das as successor. He kicked the Guru off his platform and proclaimed himself Guru. Guru Amar Das responded: Pardon me, my hard bones might have hurt your tender feet. He left quietly and only returned when the Sangat pleaded.

When Rama needed a learned priest for a ritual, only Ravana had the required knowledge. Despite being enemies, Ravana performed the ceremony perfectly - duty transcends personal enmity.

While the gopis bathe in the Yamuna as part of a vow to win Krishna as husband, he steals their clothes and sits in a tree. He refuses to return them until they come to him without covering themselves. Through this seemingly mischievous act, he teaches them that true devotion requires complete surrender—stripping away the ego's protections.

Hanuman serves Rama not for recognition but because service IS the reward. From building the bridge to Lanka to carrying a mountain for healing herbs, his every action is pure offering. Asked for any boon, he requests only to continue serving forever. Seva is devotion made physical.

Captured and brought before Ravana, Hanuman delivers Rama's warning fearlessly. When they set his tail on fire as punishment, he grows huge and runs across Lanka, burning the city with the same tail. What was meant to humiliate him became the torch that showed Lanka's vulnerability.

When Rama returns to Vaikuntha, Hanuman refuses to follow. He chooses to remain on earth wherever Rama's name is sung, protecting devotees and keeping the story alive. While others seek liberation, Hanuman seeks eternal service—because for true love, service is not burden but joy.

A boastful scholar defeated all ministers. Tenali challenged him to debate from Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam. The scholar fled, not knowing it was a fake title made from Sanskrit words for sesame sticks, sheep dung, and rope.

Arjuna boasts he could have built Rama's bridge with arrows. A small monkey collapses every bridge Arjuna builds, then reveals himself as Hanuman. The lesson: Rama's bridge held through devotion, not engineering. Skill without devotion has no strength. Hanuman promises to ride Arjuna's flag in the coming war—adding divine support to the instrument.