All Stories

After emerging from the ocean, Lakshmi held a swayamvara. All gods and demons vied for her attention, but she garlanded Vishnu alone - choosing him because he was free of flaws and embodied righteousness rather than seeking power for its own sake.

When Vishnu dismembered Satis corpse, her yoni fell at Nilachal hill in Assam - the most sacred Shakti Peetha. The demon Narakasura tried to marry her; she challenged him to build a staircase before dawn and tricked him by making a cock crow early.

Ganeshas sons Kshema and Labha wanted a sister. From divine light, a young girl emerged who, receiving simple chickpeas and jaggery, was content rather than asking for riches - thus earning the name Santoshi (satisfied one).

Lakshmi (wealth) and Saraswati (knowledge) were in constant conflict. The philosophical teaching: homes focusing only on wealth while neglecting education invite misfortune. Only through balance can both goddesses coexist.

Manasa, rejected serpent goddess, sought worship from merchant Chand Saudagar. She killed his six sons; still he refused. When his seventh son Lakhindar died, bride Behula undertook an epic river journey with his corpse, convincing Manasa to restore all seven sons.

Parvati bathed in Mandakini river when her hungry attendants begged for food. The compassionate goddess severed her own head, and three blood streams emerged - one feeding each attendant and one feeding her own severed head. Supreme self-sacrifice as life-giver.

On Krishnas birth night, Yogamaya was born as Yashodas daughter. When babies were switched and Kamsa tried to smash the infant, she transformed into her divine form, warned him of his doom, and vanished to reside in the Vindhya mountains.

A jackal falls into blue dye and convinces forest animals hes divine, becoming their king. But one night he cannot resist howling at the moon, revealing his true nature. The animals chase him away - false pride cannot last forever.

A mongoose guards a sleeping infant. When a snake attacks, the mongoose kills it. The returning mother sees blood on the mongoose and kills it in anger, only to discover the dead snake. Her hasty judgment destroyed a loyal protector.

When Sati wanted to attend Dakshas yajna against Shivas wishes, she revealed her cosmic nature. As Shiva tried to flee in different directions, she multiplied into ten terrifying forms blocking all ten cardinal directions, compelling him to yield.

A talkative tortoise asks geese friends to carry him by stick during a drought, warned to keep his mouth shut. When villagers mock the sight, he opens his mouth to respond and falls to his death. Self-control saves lives.

A monkey befriends a crocodile who visits daily. The crocodiles jealous wife demands the monkeys heart. When the crocodile reveals his plan mid-river, the clever monkey claims he left his heart in the tree, convincing the crocodile to turn back and escaping to safety.

Sati became so hungry she swallowed Shiva. When she disgorged him, he cursed her to become a widow. Another version: Dhumavati rose from the smoke of Satis burning body - all that remains after destruction, representing the void before creation.

Brahma created Shitala to address smallpox. Her lentils became infected with disease germs. When King Birat refused her full authority, she unleashed 75 types of pox. Only complete surrender healed his people - she is both cause and cure of epidemic disease.

Sage Matang, an outcaste chandala, worshipped Shakti devotedly. She blessed him with a divine daughter, but society rejected her due to his low status. Despite marginalization, she attained divine powers and became the ninth Mahavidya - proving spiritual equality.

When demons Chanda and Munda attacked goddess Kaushiki, a fearsome dark form emerged from her forehead - gaunt, wearing skulls. This terrible form devoured demon armies and beheaded both generals, earning the name Chamunda from their combined names.

An old crane tricks fish by offering to carry them to a larger lake but eats them instead. A clever crab sees fish bones, grips the cranes neck with his claws, and kills him. Presence of mind defeats deceivers.

Blind men touch different parts of an elephant and conclude its a snake, fan, pillar, wall, rope, or spear. Each argues only he knows truth. We each perceive only part of reality; humility leads to understanding.

Hungry infant Hanuman mistook the rising sun for fruit and leapt to catch it. When Indra struck him with a thunderbolt, his father Vayu withdrew all air until gods apologized and blessed Hanuman with immortality.

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.