Sanatan Dharma

Ravana was cursed that touching a woman without consent would burst his head. This protected Sita during captivity. Past karma shapes future protection.

The story behind Onam - how Kerala celebrates the annual return of King Bali, honoring a ruler so righteous that his 'defeat' became the occasion for eternal devotion.

During a journey to Varanasi, Madhvacharya noticed his fifteen disciples becoming arrogant about their physical strength. He challenged them all to attack him simultaneously. When all fifteen rushed at him together, he felled them all with effortless ease, reminding them that true strength comes from divine grace, not mere physical prowess.

Sampati lost his wings shielding young Jatayu from the sun. Millennia later, helping find Sita restored his wings. Brotherly sacrifice and redemption through service.

To win grief-stricken Shiva, Parvati spent a thousand years on fruits, then vegetables, then surviving on fallen leaves (earning the name Aparna), then only air. Shiva tested her by mocking himself in disguise, but her unwavering devotion convinced him.

A boastful scholar defeated all ministers. Tenali challenged him to debate from Thilakashta Mahisha Bandhanam. The scholar fled, not knowing it was a fake title made from Sanskrit words for sesame sticks, sheep dung, and rope.

Great yogi Changadeva Maharaja, proud of his siddhis, came to meet young Jnaneshwar riding a tiger with a live snake. Jnaneshwar decided to meet him at the village boundary while seated on a wall. He commanded the wall to move, and it did, carrying him forward. Changadeva, humbled by this greater display of power, prostrated and became his disciple.

Prince Jimutavahana takes the place of a snake about to be sacrificed to Garuda. Moved by this selfless act, Garuda vows to end snake sacrifices forever. True heroism means breaking cycles of violence.

Svetaketu returns after 12 years of study, proud and arrogant. His father Uddalaka humbles him through examples - salt dissolving in water, essence within a seed. The teaching culminates in 'Tat tvam asi' (That thou art), revealing the individual self is identical with the universal Self.

Young Prahlad faces countless attempts on his life by his father Hiranyakashipu, surviving each through unwavering devotion, culminating in the famous Holika incident.

Young Nachiketa went to Yama after his angry father said he would give him to Death. After waiting three days, he refused all worldly pleasures, asking only about what happens after death. Yama taught him the nature of the eternal Self.

King Narasimha Deva I commissioned 1,200 craftsmen under master architect Bishu Maharana to build the Sun Temple in 12 years. When they couldnt solve how to place the crown stone, Bishus 12-year-old son Dharmapada arrived and brilliantly solved it overnight. To protect the craftsmens honor, young Dharmapada climbed to the summit and leaped to his death.

Demon Madan acquired Vak-siddhi - whatever he spoke became true. He misused this to murder indiscriminately. Bagalamukhi manifested from a turmeric lake, seized his tongue, and paralyzed his speech. He begged to be worshipped alongside her before being slain.

Ambas story begins as the princess abducted by Bhishma but rejected by both him and her intended Shalva. After failed vengeance attempts, Shiva blessed her to be reborn as Bhishmas killer. Reborn as Shikhandi and later exchanging sex with a yaksha, Shikhandi rode with Arjuna against Bhishma, who refused to fight anyone who was or had been a woman, enabling Arjunas fatal arrows.

Seeking relief from Bhandasuras tyranny, the gods performed Maha Yagna (great sacrifice). From the sacrificial fire emerged Maha Tripura Sundari on a radiant disc. She split herself into Kameshwara (Purusha) and Kameshwari (Prakriti), married Shiva-Kameshwara, and recreated the universe while preparing to battle Bhandasura.

Woman sage Gargi challenges philosopher Yajnavalkya at King Janakas court, asking about the ultimate warp upon which reality is woven. Her questions push through metaphysical layers until Yajnavalkya explains the imperishable Brahman.

King Harishchandra promised his son Rohita to Varuna as a sacrifice, but Rohita fled. A substitute, Shunahshepa, was bought from his impoverished father. Bound to the sacrificial post, Shunahshepa prayed to the Vedic gods and was miraculously freed when Ushas loosened his bonds.

When demon Ahiravana kidnaps Rama and Lakshmana to the underworld, Hanuman follows—defeating his own son Makardhwaja at the gate. To kill Ahiravana, whose life is in five lamps, Hanuman takes his Panchmukhi (five-faced) form and extinguishes all simultaneously. Devotion creates whatever form is needed.

Ramakrishnas guru Totapuri wanted to give him nirvikalpa samadhi - complete absorption in the impersonal Absolute. But every time Ramakrishna reached the threshold, he would see Divine Mother Kali. Finally, Totapuri asked him to imagine cutting the Mothers form with a sword of discrimination. Only then did Ramakrishna cross into formless consciousness, remaining absorbed for three days.

Child Prahlad speaks truth about Vishnu despite his demon-father's threats, torture, and murder attempts. He speaks not for outcome but because truth must be spoken. When Vishnu emerges from the pillar, it confirms what Prahlad knew: truth cannot be suppressed by any power.