All Stories
666 stories
Raikva the Cart-Driver
Chandogya Upanishad 4.1-4.3
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.
Shiva Drinks Halahala Poison
Brahmanda Purana, Chapter 25; Bhagavata Purana
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.
Sanatkumara Teaching Narada
Chandogya Upanishad, Chapter 7
Despite mastering all sciences, sage Narada lacks inner peace. Sanatkumara guides him through 15 progressive stages - from Name through Speech, Mind, to Space and beyond - culminating in Bhuma (the Infinite). Happiness exists only in the Infinite, not in finite things.
Madalasa - Spiritual Lullabies
Markandeya Purana, Chapters 16-36
Queen Madalasa, a Self-Realized soul, teaches her infant sons profound wisdom through lullabies: 'You are pure, awakened, spotless.' Her first three sons renounce the world. At her husband's request, she raises the fourth, Alarka, to be a righteous king.
The Two Birds Parable
Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.1-2
Two birds sit on the same tree (body). One bird (individual self) eats sweet and bitter fruits (karma). The other bird (witness consciousness) simply watches. Liberation comes when the lower bird realizes its true identity as the watching self, free from pleasure and pain.
The Devas and Yaksha - Uma's Teaching
Kena Upanishad, Chapters 3-4
After winning a battle, the vain gods encounter a mysterious Yaksha (Brahman). Agni and Vayu fail to burn or move a blade of grass. When Indra approaches, goddess Uma appears to reveal that Brahman, not the gods, is the true source of all power.
Devi Mahatmya - Durga Slays Mahishasura
Markandeya Purana, Chapters 81-84
The buffalo demon Mahishasura, who can only be defeated by a woman, conquers heaven. The combined energies of all gods manifest as Goddess Durga, armed with divine weapons. After an epic battle, she slays Mahishasura and restores cosmic order.
Shiva and Sati - Love and Sacrifice
Shiva Purana, Rudra-samhita, Sati-khanda
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.
Dattatreya Teaches Alarka
Markandeya Purana, Chapters 39-43
King Alarka, facing adversity, seeks guidance from Sage Dattatreya who teaches Jnana Yoga - attachment is the root of suffering, ego obscures liberation. Alarka attains enlightenment, renounces his kingdom, and departs for the forest.
Upamanyu Devotion to Shiva
Shiva Purana
Young disciple Upamanyu undergoes extreme penance for Shiva. When tested with offers of worldly boons, he refuses everything except direct vision of Shiva. Pure devotion without material desires.
Vikram and Betal - 25 Tales
Vetala Panchavimshati
King Vikramaditya must carry a corpse possessed by a Vetala who tells riddles. Each tale presents a moral dilemma the king must solve. Classic framework teaching discernment.
Curse of Jaya and Vijaya
Varaha Purana, Bhagavata Purana
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.
Shakuntala and Dushyanta
Mahabharata, Adi Parva
Forest-raised Shakuntala marries King Dushyanta. A curse makes him forget her. She raises their son Bharata alone until the truth is revealed. Story of love, memory, and perseverance.
Vikarna Lone Protest
Mahabharata
The only Kaurava brother who stood up against Draupadi disrobing, questioning the legality of the bet. Despite being on the losing side, he chose dharma over family loyalty.
Kartikeya Slays Tarakasura
Skanda Purana, Maheswara Khandam
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 Frees His Mother Vinata
Brahmanda Purana, Mahabharata Adi Parva
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).
Kacha and Devayani
Mahabharata, Adi Parva
Kacha becomes disciple of demon guru Shukracharya to learn the Sanjivani mantra. Devayani falls for him but he refuses her love to protect the sacred knowledge, choosing duty over desire.
Pururava and Urvashi
Mahabharata, Adi Parva
Mortal king Pururava falls deeply in love with celestial nymph Urvashi. When she must return to heaven, he goes mad with grief. The story explores attachment and impermanence.
Lingodbhava - Infinite Pillar of Light
Shiva Purana
When Brahma and Vishnu argue over who is supreme, a blazing pillar of light appears. Brahma flies up as a swan, Vishnu digs down as a boar - neither finds the end. Shiva reveals himself as the infinite reality beyond all forms.
Lalita Tripurasundari Defeats Bhandasura
Brahmanda Purana, Lalitopakhyana
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.