Sanatan Dharma

A powerful king who transforms into a Brahmarishi through intense penance despite conflicts with Sage Vasishtha. His journey from warrior to sage demonstrates the power of spiritual discipline and determination.

The celestial dancer Urvashi falls in love with mortal King Pururavas after he rescues her from demons. Banished from heaven by a curse, she lives with him under a condition that leads to their eventual separation.

A cruel hunter named Rurudruha unknowingly observes Shivratri while hiding in a Bilva tree. His dropped leaves fell on a Shiva Linga below, and his involuntary fasting completed the vrat. Lord Shiva appeared, removed his evil thoughts, and blessed him.

Maharishi Ved Vyasa, born to Sage Parashar and Satyavati, is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He divided the single eternal Veda into four parts, authored the Mahabharata with Lord Ganesha as scribe, and composed the eighteen Puranas.

Goddess Parvati performed intense penance to marry Lord Shiva. When her father arranged her marriage to Lord Vishnu, her friend abducted her to a forest. There, Parvati made a Shivalinga from clay and worshipped it. Lord Shiva appeared and granted her wish.

A merchants son was predicted to die from snakebite in his sixteenth year. After marriage, his wife observes Mangala Gauri fast as advised by her mother. The wife receives the blessing of eternal wifehood and her husbands destined death is averted.

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati herself observed the 16 Monday fast to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. Following her example, devotees, especially unmarried women seeking an ideal partner, observe this Vrat for 16 consecutive Mondays.

A wealthy but childless merchant observes Monday fasts devotedly. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva grants him a son who will live only twelve years. Through observing Somvar Vrat, the boy dies but is blessed with new life by Lord Shiva.

A Brahmin widow found orphaned Prince Dharmagupta of Vidarbha. Rishi Shandilya advised them to perform Pradosh fast. Through its merit, Dharmagupta met a Gandharva princess, gained their armys help, and recovered his kingdom.

A woman named Sheela suffering in her marriage learns about the Vaibhav Lakshmi vrat from an old lady who was actually Goddess Lakshmi herself. After observing the Friday fast with devotion, her husbands nature transforms completely and their household prospers.

Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Narad Muni visited a forest where women came to offer food. Low-class women came first with simple offerings and received Parvatis blessings for marital bliss. This established that sincere early devotion is most precious to the Goddess.

Sushila escaped her cruel stepmother by marrying Kaundinya. She learned the Anant Vrat from women at the river and prospered. When Kaundinya mocked and discarded the sacred thread, poverty returned. After fourteen years of fasting, Lord Vishnu restored their happiness.

Sixteen-year-old Abhimanyu knew how to enter but not exit the Chakravyuha. He fought valiantly but was trapped and killed, teaching that incomplete knowledge can be fatal.

Demon brothers Vatapi and Ilvala killed Brahmins - Vatapi became a goat, was served as food, then burst from stomachs. When Agastya ate, he declared Vatapi Jeernobhava (be digested) and completely absorbed the demon.

Hanuman assumed five-faced form to rescue Rama and Lakshmana from the underworld demon Ahiravan. Devotion overcomes impossible obstacles.

When Shiva declared food was mere illusion, Parvati disappeared from the cosmos. Without her, the earth became barren and famine spread. Humbled, Shiva traveled to Kashi with a begging bowl where Parvati as Annapurna filled it, proving food cannot be dismissed as illusion.

The story of the immortal Mahavatar Babaji, who has retained his physical form for centuries in the Himalayan crags. He initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga and works in constant communion with Christ to send vibrations of redemption to humanity.

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.

Alambusha was a fearsome Rakshasa warrior who fought for Kauravas, possessing dark magical powers and ability to summon illusions. He killed Iravan, Arjunas son by Naga princess Ulupi. On the 14th day, he destroyed over four hundred chariots but was finally slain by Ghatotkacha in an epic battle of illusions.

When prideful Vindhyachal mountain grew so tall it blocked the sun's path, Sage Agastya commanded it to bow. Sacrificing his beloved residence in Kashi, Agastya restored cosmic balance - and Vindhyachal remains bowed to this day.