Jnana Yoga

Young Mukunda visits Gandha Baba (Vishudhananda), a yogi who could produce any fragrance from flowers or human skin at will. Despite witnessing miraculous perfume manifestations, Yogananda decides not to follow him, concluding that such miracles are spiritually useless entertainment.

Mukunda visits Ram Gopal Muzumdar, a saint who remained awake in ecstatic God-consciousness for over 25 years without needing sleep. The saint teaches Yogananda that his guru Sri Yukteswar has everything he needs and that the kingdom of God is found within.

King Bhartrihari of Ujjain was disillusioned when he discovered his beloved wifes infidelity - revealed by Gorakhnath through illusions of multiplying queens. Shattered, the king sought Gorakhnaths guidance, who initiated him into the Nath tradition. Bhartrihari renounced his kingdom and became one of the most famous yogi-poets of India.

As an infant, Nimai would cry constantly until the ladies around him chanted Hari Hari - only then would He smile radiantly. This pastime taught everyone to always chant the Lords holy names.

On the banks of the Godavari River, Chaitanya met Ramananda Raya and engaged in profound spiritual discussions for ten days. The Lord posed questions while Ramananda explained progressive stages of devotion, culminating in the supreme love of Radha for Krishna.

At Benares, the Mayavadi sannyasis led by Prakashananda Saraswati criticized Chaitanya for singing and dancing instead of studying Vedanta. In a great assembly, Mahaprabhu brilliantly explained the true meaning of Vedanta, converting all the sannyasis to devotional service.

The champion scholar Kesava Kashmiri, who had defeated pandits across India, was challenged by young Nimai Pandit. Nimai found faults in his spontaneously composed verses, defeating him. Goddess Saraswati later revealed to Kesava that Nimai was the Supreme Lord.

The great scholar Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya lectured on Vedanta to Chaitanya for seven days. When he finished, the Lord brilliantly refuted Shankaracharyas impersonal interpretations and established devotional service as the true meaning. Sarvabhauma surrendered and became one of the greatest Vaishnavas.

The 16th-century Marathi poet-saint practiced social equality by sharing meals with the untouchables. His commentaries on Hindu scriptures and abhangas made spiritual wisdom accessible to common people.

The legendary Saptarishi Agastya humbles the proud Vindhya mountain and drinks the entire ocean to expose the hiding Kalkeyas demons. He also defeats the rakshasa brothers Ilvala and Vatapi through his divine powers.

The celestial sage Narada travels between worlds spreading devotion and sometimes mischief. His interventions often lead to important divine events and teach lessons about ego, devotion, and cosmic order.

A hungry jackal discovers a wardrum making loud sounds in the forest and fears a monster. Upon investigation, he finds the drum filled with food, teaching that things are not always as fearsome as they seem.

A monkey befriends a crocodile who eventually tries to betray him for his wife. The clever monkey escapes by claiming his heart is in a tree, teaching that quick thinking can overcome treachery.

The poet-saint who composed the Ramcharitmanas (Ramayana in Awadhi Hindi) transformed how millions connect with Lord Rama. His devotional works like Hanuman Chalisa remain widely recited today.

Maharishi Ved Vyasa, born to Sage Parashar and Satyavati, is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He divided the single eternal Veda into four parts, authored the Mahabharata with Lord Ganesha as scribe, and composed the eighteen Puranas.

Bhakti Devi (personified Devotion) travels with her aged sons Jnana (Knowledge) and Vairagya (Detachment). Upon reaching Gokula, devotion becomes young again, teaching that knowledge and detachment are renewed and rejuvenated through pure devotion to the divine.

Demon Bhasmasura gains boon to turn anyone to ash by touching their head. He tries to use it on Shiva. Vishnu as Mohini tricks him into touching his own head. Evil destroys itself.

Bhrigu asks his father Varuna to teach him Brahman. Through repeated meditation, Bhrigu progressively discovers five sheaths: Food, Life Force, Mind, Intellect, and finally Bliss. Each time he thinks he found Brahman, Varuna sends him back until he realizes Ananda (Bliss) as ultimate reality.

Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Adi Granth to preserve authentic hymns. He personally visited Mohan at Goindwal, composing three beautiful stanzas to convince him to surrender manuscripts of the first three Gurus. With Bhai Gurdas as scribe, the work was completed on August 30, 1604, and installed in Harmandir Sahib.

A deer and a crow share a strong friendship until a cunning jackal manipulates them apart through deceit. The tale highlights the dangers of allowing outsiders to interfere in trusted relationships.