Dharma & Duty

In 1861, government accountant Lahiri Mahasaya was transferred to remote Ranikhet - divinely orchestrated. Wandering the hills, he heard a voice calling his name and encountered Mahavatar Babaji. With one awakening touch, Lahiri was engulfed in realization. Babaji said: Your role must be played before men as an example of the ideal yogi-householder. This was the first time Kriya Yoga was offered to householders.

At sixteen, young Venkataraman was suddenly gripped by intense fear of death. He lay down like a corpse and inquired: With the death of this body, am I dead? In that moment, he realized: I am a spirit transcending the body. The material body dies, but the spirit cannot be touched by death. Fear vanished forever, leading him to Arunachala where he remained until death.

Ramakrishna declared: I see that God is walking in every human form, manifesting through the sage and the sinner, the virtuous and the vicious. When meeting different people, he would say: God in the form of the saint, God in the form of the sinner. This vision of unity transcended all distinctions and became central to his teaching that all religions lead to the same goal.

Babaji explained to Lahiri Mahasaya why he was destined to remain a householder: The millions who are encumbered by family ties will take new heart from you. You should guide them to understand that the highest yogic attainments are not barred to the family man. Lahiri taught Kriya Yoga while working as an accountant, proving liberation is accessible to all.

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.

Tvastris three-headed son Vishvarupa secretly aided the Asuras while serving as priest to the gods. Indra discovered this betrayal and slew him. In revenge, Tvashtri created Vritra, leading to the great battle between Indra and the serpent demon.

A dialogue between the twin siblings Yama and Yami, the first mortals. Yami proposes they unite to continue the mortal line, but Yama refuses, citing divine law and the watchful ordinances of Mitra-Varuna. Yama later becomes the god of death.

Born into a low caste as a cobblers son, Ravidas faced discrimination but spread messages of equality and social justice. He attained union with God while continuing his worldly duties, never living on alms.

Sixteen-year-old Abhimanyu knew how to enter but not exit the Chakravyuha. He fought valiantly but was trapped and killed, teaching that incomplete knowledge can be fatal.

When prideful Vindhyachal mountain grew so tall it blocked the sun's path, Sage Agastya commanded it to bow. Sacrificing his beloved residence in Kashi, Agastya restored cosmic balance - and Vindhyachal remains bowed to this day.

A bodyguard sacrifices himself and family for the king. The devastated king wants to sacrifice himself in return. Betal asks whose sacrifice was greater. Vikram: the Kings, because he had no obligation - his willingness came from pure love.

When Vishnu plans his incarnation as Krishna, the cosmic serpent Shesha is born as his elder brother Balarama. Armed with his plough and mace, Balarama assists Krishna in numerous adventures, once diverting the Yamuna river to Vrindavan and later dragging Hastinapura toward the Ganga in anger, before departing as a great white serpent returning to the ocean.

At the end of Kali Yuga when dharma has almost vanished, Vishnu will be born as Kalki in Shambhala village. Trained by Parashurama and blessed by Shiva with a divine white horse Devadatta and celestial sword, Kalki will ride across earth slaying millions of corrupted rulers, destroying the demon Kali, before inaugurating the new Satya Yuga.

A jealous barber convinces Akbar to send Birbal to heaven for the kings deceased father. Birbal digs escape tunnel and returns after six months saying there are no barbers in heaven - the kings father needs his own barber sent.

The three sons of slain Asura Taraka performed extreme penance for thousands of years. Brahma granted them three magnificent cities rather than immortality. Maya constructed a golden city for Tarakaksha, silver for Kamalaksha, and steel for Vidyunmali, positioned in heaven, sky, and earth, aligning only during specific cosmic conditions.

After the brutal execution of the young Sahibzade at Sirhind, Jain banker Diwan Todarmal stepped forward to give them proper cremation. He purchased land for their funeral by covering the ground with gold coins laid edge to edge. This act of interfaith compassion is remembered as an example of moral courage against tyranny.

Yudhishthira answered 125 philosophical questions from a Yaksha and chose to revive his stepbrother Nakula so both mothers would have a living son.

When Rama needed a learned priest for a ritual, only Ravana had the required knowledge. Despite being enemies, Ravana performed the ceremony perfectly - duty transcends personal enmity.

King Harishchandra surrenders his entire kingdom as dakshina to Vishwamitra, sells his wife and son, and works as a cremator. Despite unbearable suffering, he never deviates from truth, ultimately being restored by the gods moved by his unwavering dharma.

At the dawn of Kali Yuga, Vishnu incarnates as Buddha to lead the asuras away from Vedic rituals they had been misusing. Through teachings of non-violence and compassion, he redirects corrupted beings toward paths that would weaken their demonic power while preserving cosmic balance.