Bhakti Yoga

The magnificent transformation of the dwarf Vamana into Trivikrama, the cosmic form covering all three worlds, and the origin of the Ganges from Brahma washing His feet.

The origin of Parashurama - how the son of sage Jamadagni received the divine axe from Lord Shiva and became the avatar of righteous anger against corrupt warriors.

How Kartavirya Arjuna's theft of the sacred cow led to his death at Parashurama's hands, and how his sons' revenge killing of Jamadagni ignited Parashurama's apocalyptic vow.

Ramakrishna taught: The cat catches her kitten with her teeth and they are not hurt; but when a mouse is so caught, it dies. This illustrated how Maya destroys ordinary beings trapped in worldly attachments, but gently carries true devotees who have surrendered to God. For them, even Maya becomes a nurturing mother rather than a destroyer.

Parashurama's vow to cleanse the earth of corrupt warriors twenty-one times, and how he created Kerala by throwing his axe into the sea after giving away all his conquered lands.

Despite torture, child Prahlad remained devoted to Vishnu. His aunt Holika, immune to fire, placed him on her lap in flames. Through divine grace, Prahlad emerged unharmed while Holika burned - her boon only worked when entering fire alone.

Krishna and queen Satyabhama attack the demon Narakasura, who has stolen from the gods and imprisoned 16,000 princesses. After Krishna weakens the demon, Satyabhama delivers the killing blow. Krishna then marries all the freed princesses to protect them from social stigma, giving each her own palace in Dwaraka.

The emergence of Lord Dhanvantari from the Ocean of Milk during the cosmic churning, bearing the nectar of immortality and divine knowledge of healing.

Dhanvantari teaches the sages about sacred healing herbs - Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Brahmi, and others - revealing that the greatest medicine is proper living itself.

The mystical village of Shambhala, where Kalki will be born - a preserved enclave of dharmic living that survives Kali Yuga's degradation to seed the coming golden age.

The prophesied signs of Kali Yuga's end that will precede Kalki's arrival, and how sincere devotees can prepare themselves through simple practices of remembrance and chanting.

The prophecy of Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu, who will appear at the end of Kali Yuga to destroy adharma and usher in a new golden age of truth and righteousness.

Savitri followed Yama and through clever discourse obtained boons that forced him to restore her dead husband to life. Her devotion conquered death itself.

After eating many modaks, Ganesha fell off his mouse when the Moon laughed at him. Enraged, Ganesha cursed the Moon to disappear forever. Later, moved by apology, he softened it to waxing and waning - the origin of lunar phases.

The massive bull demon Arishtasura attacks Vrindavan, intent on killing Krishna. After playfully dodging several charges, Krishna grabs the demon's horns, tears one off, and uses it to stab Arishtasura through the heart. The victory prompts Krishna to think about eventually confronting Kansa directly.

At age 24, Chaitanya took sannyasa (renunciation) from Keshava Bharati at Katwa. The barber wept at having to shave His beautiful hair. He received the name Sri Krishna Chaitanya and devoted His life to spreading the holy name.

Demoness Putana, sent by Kamsa, disguises herself as a beautiful woman and tries to poison Krishna through breastfeeding. The divine infant sucks out not only poison but her life force, killing her while lying playfully on her body.

The remarkable story of Balarama's marriage to Revati, who traveled to Brahmaloka and returned to find millions of years had passed - a tale exploring the relativity of cosmic time.

When the Yamuna river ignored Balarama's call, he dragged her from her course with his plough, permanently changing her path and teaching that all creation must honor the Divine.

Two sages, Patanjali (with serpent body) and Vyaghrapada (with tiger feet), performed intense penance in Thillai forest to witness Shivas cosmic dance. Sage Madhyandina had taught that Thillai was the only place stable enough for the divine Ananda Tandava. Shiva appeared on an auspicious Thursday and performed his cosmic dance in the Chit Sabha.