Sanatan Dharma

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.