Wisdom & Insight

When Vishnu dismembered Satis corpse, her yoni fell at Nilachal hill in Assam - the most sacred Shakti Peetha. The demon Narakasura tried to marry her; she challenged him to build a staircase before dawn and tricked him by making a cock crow early.

Ganeshas sons Kshema and Labha wanted a sister. From divine light, a young girl emerged who, receiving simple chickpeas and jaggery, was content rather than asking for riches - thus earning the name Santoshi (satisfied one).

Lakshmi (wealth) and Saraswati (knowledge) were in constant conflict. The philosophical teaching: homes focusing only on wealth while neglecting education invite misfortune. Only through balance can both goddesses coexist.

Manasa, rejected serpent goddess, sought worship from merchant Chand Saudagar. She killed his six sons; still he refused. When his seventh son Lakhindar died, bride Behula undertook an epic river journey with his corpse, convincing Manasa to restore all seven sons.

On Krishnas birth night, Yogamaya was born as Yashodas daughter. When babies were switched and Kamsa tried to smash the infant, she transformed into her divine form, warned him of his doom, and vanished to reside in the Vindhya mountains.

A jackal falls into blue dye and convinces forest animals hes divine, becoming their king. But one night he cannot resist howling at the moon, revealing his true nature. The animals chase him away - false pride cannot last forever.

A mongoose guards a sleeping infant. When a snake attacks, the mongoose kills it. The returning mother sees blood on the mongoose and kills it in anger, only to discover the dead snake. Her hasty judgment destroyed a loyal protector.

When Sati wanted to attend Dakshas yajna against Shivas wishes, she revealed her cosmic nature. As Shiva tried to flee in different directions, she multiplied into ten terrifying forms blocking all ten cardinal directions, compelling him to yield.

A talkative tortoise asks geese friends to carry him by stick during a drought, warned to keep his mouth shut. When villagers mock the sight, he opens his mouth to respond and falls to his death. Self-control saves lives.

Sati became so hungry she swallowed Shiva. When she disgorged him, he cursed her to become a widow. Another version: Dhumavati rose from the smoke of Satis burning body - all that remains after destruction, representing the void before creation.

Brahma created Shitala to address smallpox. Her lentils became infected with disease germs. When King Birat refused her full authority, she unleashed 75 types of pox. Only complete surrender healed his people - she is both cause and cure of epidemic disease.

Sage Matang, an outcaste chandala, worshipped Shakti devotedly. She blessed him with a divine daughter, but society rejected her due to his low status. Despite marginalization, she attained divine powers and became the ninth Mahavidya - proving spiritual equality.

When demons Chanda and Munda attacked goddess Kaushiki, a fearsome dark form emerged from her forehead - gaunt, wearing skulls. This terrible form devoured demon armies and beheaded both generals, earning the name Chamunda from their combined names.

Blind men touch different parts of an elephant and conclude its a snake, fan, pillar, wall, rope, or spear. Each argues only he knows truth. We each perceive only part of reality; humility leads to understanding.

Hungry infant Hanuman mistook the rising sun for fruit and leapt to catch it. When Indra struck him with a thunderbolt, his father Vayu withdrew all air until gods apologized and blessed Hanuman with immortality.

A man reborn as a golden swan gives his poor widow family one golden feather at a time. But the greedy mother grabs all feathers at once - they instantly turn white, ordinary. The swan never returns. Greed destroys blessings.

Shiva offers a divine fruit to whichever son circles the world first. Kartikeya races around the globe. Ganesha simply circles his parents, declaring them his whole world. Wisdom wins over speed.

Chanakya secretly added poison to Chandraguptas food to build immunity. When pregnant Queen Durdhara unknowingly ate the poisoned meal, she died instantly. Chanakya cut open her womb to save the baby, who was named Bindusara.

A weaver meets a tree fairy who offers one wish. His wife suggests becoming king, a jealous friend suggests extra limbs for more weaving. Following bad advice, he wishes for two heads and four arms - villagers mistake him for a demon and kill him.

A young man hears that a clever person could make fortune from a dead mouse. He sells it as cat food, trades up through woodcutters and potters, eventually becoming wealthy. He returns to thank his inspirer with 100000 gold coins.