Wisdom & Insight

When Krishna saved blind Surdas from a well and granted him vision, Surdas asked to be made blind again. After seeing his Lord, nothing else was worth seeing. True devotion values divine vision above all worldly sight.

Guru Amar Das constructed a sacred well (Baoli) at Goindwal with 84 steps. He explained that Sikhs who recited Japji Sahib on each step with firm faith would achieve liberation and escape the cycle of birth and death. This became the first Sikh pilgrimage center.

Workers leave a half-split log with a wedge during lunch. A curious monkey pulls the wedge out - the log snaps shut, trapping him painfully. Avoid meddling in matters you do not understand.

Guru Amar Das asked Bhai Jetha to establish a new Sikh colony. He found the location where Guru Nanak had meditated by a natural lake. The land was acquired and Guru Ram Das invited 52 traders and artisans from various professions to settle there, laying the foundation for the holy city of Amritsar.

Shishupala, born with three eyes and four arms, was destined to be killed by Krishna. His mother secured a promise that Krishna would forgive 100 offenses first. At Yudhishthira's Rajasuya, Shishupala publicly insults Krishna repeatedly until he reaches the hundredth offense. Krishna beheads him with his discus, but Shishupala's soul merges with Krishna—liberated through his obsessive hatred.

In 1675, around 500 Kashmiri Pandits led by Kirpa Ram Dutt came to Anandpur Sahib seeking help. Emperor Aurangzeb had given them a deadline to convert to Islam or face death. They sought refuge with the ninth Sikh Guru.

After administering amrit to the five beloved ones, Guru Gobind Singh knelt before them with folded hands and requested they baptize him in the same manner. Through this remarkable act of humility, the Guru became the sixth Khalsa, his name changing from Gobind Rai to Gobind Singh.

When the Kashmiri Pandits sought help, Guru Tegh Bahadur said such persecution could only be stopped by the sacrifice of a great person. His eight-year-old son Gobind Rai arrived and said: Who else is greater than you, O father? This prompted the Guru to sacrifice his life for the cause.

Before his death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh declared that no human would succeed him. Instead, he installed the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal living Guru. He bowed before the scripture and proclaimed that Sikhs should henceforth look to the Granth for guidance. This revolutionary act established the unique Sikh concept of scripture as Guru.

At Paonta Sahib (1685-1688), Guru Gobind Singh established the Kavi Darbar with 52 poets who translated Hindu epics and Sanskrit classics into Punjabi and Braj. Every full moon night, poets gathered to write and recite poetry. The Guru composed Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Savaiye, and Chandi Di Var during this period.

After Guru Gobind Singhs passing, Mata Sundri guided the Sikh community for decades. She issued hukamnamas, settled disputes, and maintained unity. When Banda Singh Bahadur showed signs of claiming Guruship, she reminded the community that Guru Granth Sahib was the eternal Guru. Her leadership preserved the Panths direction during its most vulnerable period.

Born destined to die at 16, Markandeya clung to the Shiva Lingam chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. When Yamas noose accidentally caught the lingam, Shiva emerged in fury, defeated Death, and granted Markandeya eternal youth.

Before the universe, there was only darkness. A divine light took shape as Goddess Kushmanda. When she smiled, her radiance formed the cosmic egg from which all creation emerged. From her eyes, she created Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

The demon Raktabija had a boon that every drop of his blood spawned a clone. When even Durga could not defeat him, Kali emerged from her forehead in rage and spread her enormous tongue across the battlefield, drinking all his blood before it touched ground while the other deities killed the clones.

Shukracharya's desperate attempt to prevent Bali from giving to Vamana, and Bali's profound response that receiving from God is the greatest honor a giver can have.

Sage Katyayana devoted his life to Shakti worship. When Mahishasura terrorized the universe, divine rage manifested in his hermitage as Katyayani with eighteen arms. The gopis of Vrindavan later worshipped her to obtain Krishna as their husband.

During her tapasya, Parvatis body darkened from dust and elements. Shiva bathed her in Ganga waters, restoring her radiant beauty - white as conch shell. An alternate version says her dark skin separated to become Kaushiki while Parvati became luminous Mahagauri.

Renukas purity wavered momentarily. Her husband Jamadagni ordered sons to behead her; only Parashurama obeyed. During resurrection, heads were switched with a pariah woman - creating Yellamma, deity of the marginalized and transgender Jogappa community.

Demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha had a boon that no male could kill them. They conquered heaven until Parvati created Kaushiki, becoming dark Kalaratri. She destroyed both demons - Shumbha representing ego, Nishumbha representing greed - the inner demons everyone must confront.

When Sage Durvasas curse made gods lose their strength, they churned the cosmic ocean. Among the treasures that emerged was Lakshmi, seated on a lotus, radiant and showering gold coins - the birth of prosperity and abundance itself.