Sanatan Dharma

Surpanakhas rejected advances and wounded pride led her to trigger the great war. Uncontrolled desire sets catastrophic events in motion.

Poor brahmin Sudama visited his childhood friend Krishna in Dvaraka, bringing only humble beaten rice. Krishna received him with great love and washed his feet personally. Though Sudama never asked for anything, upon returning home he found his hut transformed into a palace.

King Indradyumna, cursed to become elephant Gajendra, was seized by a crocodile while drinking from a lake. After struggling for years and being abandoned by his herd, Gajendra surrendered completely to Lord Vishnu, who immediately appeared on Garuda to liberate him.

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.

Sitas twin sons captured Ramas horse and sang the Ramayana in his court, leading to recognition. Virtue persists despite circumstances.

Prahlada, son of demon king Hiranyakashipu, remained an unwavering devotee of Lord Vishnu despite his father's repeated attempts to kill him. Enlightened by sage Narada while still in his mother's womb, Prahlada survived all trials through steadfast devotion. Lord Narasimha appeared to slay Hiranyakashipu and protect his devotee.

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.

Young Nachiketa, sent to Death by his angry father, waits three days at Yama's abode. Granted three boons, he refuses wealth and pleasures, persisting in asking about death's mystery. Yama reveals the eternal Self (Atman) is unborn and undying - immortality comes through Self-knowledge, not rituals.

Aruni was asked by his guru to repair a breach in a watercourse. Unable to fix it otherwise, he lay down in the breach using his body as an embankment all night. His supreme dedication earned him the title 'Uddalaka' and he became one of the greatest Upanishadic teachers.

Satyakama honestly admits to sage Gautama that he doesn't know his father. Impressed by his truthfulness, Gautama accepts him, declaring only a true Brahmin would speak such truth. While tending cows, Satyakama receives teachings about Brahman from a bull, fire, swan, and bird.

When Yajnavalkya prepares to renounce worldly life, wife Maitreyi rejects wealth, asking instead for immortality. Yajnavalkya teaches that all love is really love for one's own Self, and immortality comes through knowing the Self, described as 'neti neti' - beyond all descriptions.

Though appearing as a fearsome demon fighting Indra, Vritrasura was actually a great devotee (previously King Citraketu). His famous prayers reveal pure devotion - he desired only eternal service to the Lord's servants and welcomed death as union with Krishna.

Destined to die at 16, young Markandeya clings to Shiva lingam as Yama approaches. Shiva emerges and defeats death itself, granting eternal youth. Devotion conquers destiny.

Prajapati teaches the same syllable 'Da' to gods, humans, and demons. Each interprets according to their nature: gods hear 'Damyata' (self-control), humans hear 'Datta' (charity), demons hear 'Dayadhvam' (compassion). Wisdom is tailored to the listener's disposition.

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.

At King Janaka's philosophical debate, Yajnavalkya defeats all challengers including Gargi. He explains consciousness as the unchanging witness of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. When external lights are absent, 'the Self indeed is his light' - culminating in non-dual vision.

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.

King Janashruti learns from passing swans about a humble sage named Raikva with greater knowledge. Despite offering wealth, Raikva initially dismisses him. Only when the king approaches with humility does Raikva teach the Samvarga Vidya - that Air and Prana are the ultimate absorbers.

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.