Stories for when you feel Feeling Sad

All of Karnas curses converged on the battlefield - his chariot wheel stuck, he forgot mantras, and had already used his divine weapon.

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.

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

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.

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.

Chanakya secretly added poison to Chandraguptas food to build immunity. When pregnant Queen Durdhara unknowingly ate the poisoned meal, she died instantly. Chanakya cut open her womb to save the baby, who was named Bindusara.

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.

After the Battle of Chamkaur, elderly Mata Gujri was captured with her younger grandsons. In the cold tower of Sirhind, she kept the boys spirits high with stories of their heritage. When told her grandsons were bricked alive, she died of shock. Her courage in comforting the young Sahibzade in their final days exemplifies strength in tragedy.

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.

As an infant, Nimai would cry constantly until the ladies around him chanted Hari Hari - only then would He smile radiantly. This pastime taught everyone to always chant the Lords holy names.

Princess Vasumati, sold as slave Chandanbala, was starved by her jealous mistress. Mahavira had vowed to only accept food from someone meeting impossible conditions. After five months, he came to Chandanbala - when she wept with heartbreak at his turning away, her tears completed the conditions. Upon accepting her offering, divine powers restored her hair and royal attire.

King Citraketu had ten million wives but no son until sage Angira blessed him. When jealous co-wives poisoned the child, Narada showed Citraketu his dead son's soul teaching about the eternal nature of the spirit and illusory material relationships.

When Haridas Thakur was about to leave his body, all the devotees performed kirtan around him. He fixed his eyes on Chaitanyas face, clasped His feet to his heart, and departed while chanting Sri Krishna Chaitanya. The Lord personally carried his body and buried him in the sand.

Karva, an extremely devoted wife, uses her sheer will and prayers to protect her husband from death by a crocodile. She binds Yama (God of death) with cotton yarn and threatens to curse him, compelling him to restore her husbands life.

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.

Nachiketa renounces life itself (accepting his father's curse), then comfort (waiting three days at Death's door), then every substitute Yama offers—wealth, pleasure, long life—for the one thing worth knowing: what happens after death. Each renunciation opens a door to deeper truth.

Prince Siddhartha renounces his kingdom, wife, and newborn son to seek truth about suffering. His radical tyaga—leaving not burdens but treasures—leads to enlightenment. He returns as the Buddha, offering wisdom more valuable than kingdoms. Sometimes you must empty your hands to give anything.

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.