Karma Yoga

When gods needed a weapon to defeat Vritra, sage Dadhichi gave up his body so his bones could be fashioned into Indra vajra thunderbolt. Supreme sacrifice for cosmic good.

Ajamila, a fallen brahmin who lived 88 years of sinful life, called out to his son named Narayana at death. This inadvertent chanting of the Lord's name summoned Vishnu's messengers who rescued him from Yamaraja's servants.

Five-year-old prince Dhruva, humiliated by his stepmother, performed intense austerities guided by sage Narada. His meditation with the mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' was so powerful that Vishnu appeared and granted him an eternal position as the Pole Star.

King Bharata renounced his kingdom but became attached to an orphaned deer, causing rebirth as a deer. In his final birth, he pretended to be dull to avoid worldly entanglements. When robbers tried to sacrifice him, goddess Kali emerged and destroyed them.

King Muchukunda helped demigods fight demons so long that yugas passed. Given the boon of sleep (anyone disturbing him would burn), he slept in a cave. Krishna led warrior Kalayavana there to be burned. Upon waking to see Krishna, Muchukunda asked only for shelter at the Lord's feet.

King Rantideva fasted 48 days. When food arrived, successive guests came - a brahmana, laborer, man with dogs, and outcaste. Seeing Krishna in all beings, he gave away everything including his last drop of water. The guests revealed themselves as Brahma, Shiva, and other demigods.

Gods and demons churn the cosmic ocean using Mount Mandara and serpent Vasuki. The churning produces fourteen treasures including the deadly Halahala poison, goddess Lakshmi, and the nectar of immortality. Vishnu ensures demons are deceived from obtaining amrita.

During ocean churning, deadly Halahala poison emerges, terrifying gods and demons. Shiva agrees to drink it for the welfare of all worlds. Parvati presses his throat to prevent the poison from descending, turning his throat blue - earning him the name Nilakantha.

Sati marries Shiva despite father Daksha's disapproval. When Daksha insults Shiva at his yajna, Sati immolates herself through yogic fire. Her death triggers cosmic chaos as Shiva's attendants attack, leading to Daksha's punishment and establishing Shakti Peethas.

Vishnu's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the Four Kumaras to be born as demons three times. As Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, they were slain by Vishnu's Varaha and Narasimha avatars. The curse was actually a blessing - faster return to Vaikuntha.

Demon Tarakasura receives a boon that only Shiva's son can slay him. Six divine sparks from Shiva form six babies raised by the Krittikas. Parvati merges them into six-headed Kartikeya, who leads the gods' army and defeats Tarakasura, restoring cosmic order.

Garuda undertakes a dangerous quest to steal amrita from the gods to free his mother Vinata from slavery imposed by her sister Kadru. His devotion to his mother and courage earns him a place as Vishnu's vehicle (vahana).

When demon Bhandasura arises from Kama's ashes and terrorizes the universe, Goddess Lalita Tripurasundari emerges from a great sacrifice. After a four-day cosmic battle, she destroys his army and slays him with the Kameshwarastra weapon.

King Nala, possessed by demon Kali, loses everything through gambling and abandons his devoted wife Damayanti. Through suffering and self-improvement, he overcomes his weaknesses, learns new skills, and eventually reunites with his family.

The King of Udupi chose not to fight in the Kurukshetra war. Instead, he served food to both armies throughout the 18 days, maintaining complete neutrality while serving dharma through seva.

King Bhagiratha performs intense penance to bring the river Ganga to earth to liberate his ancestors. Shiva catches Ganga in his matted locks to prevent her from destroying the earth.

Bhishma enchanted five arrows to kill the five Pandavas. Duryodhana kept them safe. Krishna reminded Arjuna to collect a debt - Duryodhana once owed Arjuna a boon and had to surrender the arrows to honor his Kshatriya word.

The demon Jalandhara, born from Shivas anger, becomes invincible because his wife Vrindas chastity protects him. Vishnu breaks her chastity in disguise, allowing Shiva to finally defeat the demon.

Banasuras daughter Usha falls in love with Krishnas grandson Aniruddha through a dream. When Banasura imprisons Aniruddha, Krishna and Shiva battle each other as Shiva protects his devotee Banasura.

Sajjan appeared holy but murdered travelers for wealth. Guru Nanaks hymn revealed that God sees the heart, not appearances. Sajjan confessed, distributed his wealth, and became a true saint. No one is beyond redemption.