Sanatan Dharma

Lord Ganesha broke his own tusk to continue writing the Mahabharata as dictated by sage Vyasa without interruption. When Vyasas stylus broke mid-dictation, Ganesha sacrificed his tusk to ensure no pause in the sacred work, demonstrating his dedication to duty and the preservation of knowledge.

The Kashi Khanda describes the sacred geography of Varanasi, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat. It details 56 forms of Ganesha arranged in a seven-layered spiral and the spiritual benefits of pilgrimage there, promising prosperity, longevity, and liberation to devotees.

When the demon Hayagriva steals the Vedas from a drowsy Brahma, Vishnu incarnates as a tiny fish that appears to King Satyavrata. The fish grows progressively larger, revealing its divine nature and warning of an impending deluge, instructing the king to gather all life forms onto a boat which Matsya guides to safety using the serpent Vasuki as a rope.

When Parashuramas mother Renuka momentarily entertains impure thoughts, her husband Jamadagni orders his sons to behead her. While elder brothers refuse, Parashurama obeys without hesitation, impressing his father who grants him a boon - he requests and receives his mothers restoration to life.

When King Kartavirya Arjuna forcibly seizes the divine cow Surabhi from sage Jamadagni and murders him, his son Parashurama receives divine weapons from Vishnu including his legendary axe. He then wages a relentless campaign, severing Kartaviryas thousand arms and eliminating the corrupt kshatriya class twenty-one times.

In Pancharatra theology, the supreme Para-Vasudeva progressively emanates into four forms for cosmic administration: Vasudeva governs the soul; Sankarshana separates individual souls from matter; Pradyumna upholds dharma and governs the mind; and Aniruddha sustains the material world and facilitates liberation.

Krishna is born in Kansa's prison at midnight. Vasudeva carries the divine infant across the flooding Yamuna to Gokul, exchanges him with Yashoda's newborn daughter, and returns. When Kansa tries to kill the baby, she transforms into goddess Yogamaya and warns that his destroyer has already escaped.

When asuras seize the pot of Amrita after ocean churning and fight among themselves, Vishnu assumes the form of Mohini - a woman of extraordinary beauty. Through charm and clever strategy, she distributes the nectar exclusively to devas, beheading demon Rahu with Sudarshana Chakra when Sun and Moon expose his disguise.

Vishnu appears as a dwarf brahmin during Balis great sacrifice. Despite guru Shukracharyas warnings, Balis generosity compels him to grant Vamanas request for three steps of land. The dwarf assumes cosmic form covering earth and heaven in two strides, placing his third step on Balis head - rewarding his surrender by making him lord of the netherworld.

Demons Madhu and Kaitabha steal the Vedas from Brahma and receive a boon from Mahadevi that they can only die by their own consent. When Vishnu praises their power and offers boons, they mockingly offer to grant him one instead - whereupon the clever Vishnu, as horse-headed Hayagriva, asks for the boon of slaying them, which they cannot refuse.

Shrutakarma, son of Arjuna and Draupadi and youngest Upapandava, was a capable archer who defeated Kamboja ruler Sudakshina on the first day, fought Dushasana and Ashwatthama, and killed King Chitrasena on the 16th day. He was murdered along with his brothers by Ashwatthama in the night massacre.

Parikshit was saved in the womb when Krishna protected him from Ashwatthamas Brahmastra aimed at destroying the Pandava lineage. Crowned by Yudhishthira, he allowed Kali to reside in places of vice, marking Kali Yugas beginning. Cursed to die by snakebite, he spent his last seven days hearing Bhagavata Purana from sage Shuka, attaining liberation.

A Brahmin receives a goat. Three thieves each approach separately, calling it a dog, then calf, then donkey. Confused by three people seeing three animals, he believes its a shape-shifting goblin and drops it - the thieves feast.

Uluka, son of Shakuni, served as Duryodhanas final messenger before war, delivering deliberately provocative insults to ensure peace negotiations would fail. His name means owl and his fathers epithet Kaitavya suggests his low status made the embassy itself an insult. On the 18th day, Sahadeva decapitated him just before killing Shakuni.

Babhruvahana, son of Arjuna and Chitrangada, became king of Manipur. When Yudhishthiras sacrificial horse entered his kingdom, Ulupi urged him to challenge his father. In the ensuing battle, Babhruvahana killed Arjuna, fulfilling a curse by the Vasus. Ulupi then retrieved the Mritasanjivani gem from the Naga realm to revive Arjuna.

Janamejaya performed Sarpa Satra to avenge his fathers death by serpent king Takshaka, drawing snakes from everywhere into the sacrificial fire. The sacrifice was stopped by young sage Astika, whose mother was Vasukis sister, who convinced Janamejaya to spare remaining serpents. It was during this sacrifice that Vaishampayana narrated the entire Mahabharata.

Kritavarma was a Yadava chieftain who led Narayani Sena for Kauravas despite being Krishnas kinsman. He survived the war as one of only three Kaurava warriors and participated in Ashwatthamas night massacre. His conflict with Satyaki at a feast later triggered the destruction of the entire Yadava race at Prabhasa.

Alayudha was a Rakshasa prince seeking revenge for his kinsmen slain by Bhima. He approached Duryodhana offering to kill the Pandavas, leading a cannibal force with a blazing chariot. He was killed by Ghatotkacha on the 14th night, whose triumphant roars made Kaurava elephants tremble.

The complete pattern of Vishnu's avatars from Matsya to Kalki - showing how each incarnation represents a stage in the evolution of consciousness and the cycles of cosmic time.

Emperor Raja Raja Chola I was inspired to build a grand monument celebrating both military victories and devotion to Lord Shiva. Constructed between 1003-1010 CE by architect Kunjara Mallan, the king called it Dakshina Meru (Southern Kailash). The temple represents the pinnacle of Chola architecture and the might of the Chola Empire.