Karma Yoga

In Pancharatra theology, the supreme Para-Vasudeva progressively emanates into four forms for cosmic administration: Vasudeva governs the soul; Sankarshana separates individual souls from matter; Pradyumna upholds dharma and governs the mind; and Aniruddha sustains the material world and facilitates liberation.

When asuras seize the pot of Amrita after ocean churning and fight among themselves, Vishnu assumes the form of Mohini - a woman of extraordinary beauty. Through charm and clever strategy, she distributes the nectar exclusively to devas, beheading demon Rahu with Sudarshana Chakra when Sun and Moon expose his disguise.

Vishnu appears as a dwarf brahmin during Balis great sacrifice. Despite guru Shukracharyas warnings, Balis generosity compels him to grant Vamanas request for three steps of land. The dwarf assumes cosmic form covering earth and heaven in two strides, placing his third step on Balis head - rewarding his surrender by making him lord of the netherworld.

Demons Madhu and Kaitabha steal the Vedas from Brahma and receive a boon from Mahadevi that they can only die by their own consent. When Vishnu praises their power and offers boons, they mockingly offer to grant him one instead - whereupon the clever Vishnu, as horse-headed Hayagriva, asks for the boon of slaying them, which they cannot refuse.

When Sage Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on the chest, Lakshmi left in anger. Vishnu incarnated as Venkateswara to find her as Princess Padmavati. To marry her, he borrowed 1.14 crore gold coins from Kubera with a promise to repay by Kali Yugas end. Devotees believe their offerings help repay this divine debt.

After defeating Ravana, Rama sought to atone for killing a Brahmin (Ravana was learned in Vedas). When Hanuman, sent to Mount Kailash for a Shiva lingam, was delayed past the auspicious hour, Sita made a lingam from sand. When Hanuman returned disappointed, Rama decreed his lingam would be worshipped first. The temple houses both lingams.

Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, taught humanity the foundations of civilized life including agriculture, writing (Brahmi script), arithmetic, pottery, and weaving. He instituted marriage, almsgiving, and funeral rites, transforming primitive society into organized civilization before renouncing worldly life to become a monk.

Prince Parshvanatha through divine perception saw a snake couple trapped inside burning wood during a Brahmins fire sacrifice. Despite protests, he had the wood split open, revealing the dying snake. He recited the Namokar Mantra for the snake, who was reborn as divine serpent-god Dharanendra. This act created a karmic bond that would later save Parshvanathas life.

During Parshvanathas intense meditation, his enemy Kamath (reborn as rain-god Meghmali) attacked with storms and floods seeking revenge from nine previous lives. Dharanendra, whom Parshvanatha had saved in the fire, appeared and placed a lotus beneath the meditating saint, then spread his many hoods to shelter him. Parshvanatha remained in perfect equanimity.

At age 30, Prince Vardhamana left his palace, removed his royal finery, and plucked out his hair in five handfuls under an ashoka tree. For twelve and a half years, he wandered as a naked ascetic, practicing severe austerities, never harming even the smallest creature. On Diwali night, he attained Kevala Jnana and became Mahavira, the Great Hero.

A devotee of Shiva received sacred ashes from Shivas dhuni fire through Parvatis blessing. However, his wife threw them upon a dung heap instead of swallowing them. Years later, a divine child was discovered there and brought to Lord Shiva, who named him Gorakhnath - one who would transform spiritual waste into liberation.

Sthulabhadra, consumed by infatuation with dancer Kosha, renounced everything after his fathers death revealed lifes impermanence. Years later, to test his detachment, he spent the monsoon retreat in Koshas gallery. She tried every seduction, but he remained unmoved. Recognizing his transformation, Kosha asked for spiritual instruction and became a devoted follower.

Princess Malli was born with extraordinary beauty due to past-life karma. Contemplating the fleeting nature of worldly life and beauty, she developed acute detachment. Renouncing her royal status, she took self-initiation as an ascetic. Through intense spiritual practice, she attained Kevala Jnana, becoming the 19th Tirthankara, proving liberation transcends gender.

When Matsyendranath became entrapped in worldly pleasures in a kingdom of women, his disciple Gorakhnath sensed his gurus peril. He transformed into a dancing girl and entered the palace. Playing a mridangam drum, he embedded the message Chalo Machhindar, Gorakh Aaya into its rhythm. Hearing these words, Matsyendranath awakened from his delusion.

Born under inauspicious stars, a baby was thrown into the ocean by his parents. Swallowed by a fish, he drifted to the ocean floor where Lord Shiva was secretly teaching yoga to Parvati. For twelve years, he practiced yoga inside the fishs belly. When he finally emerged, he was an enlightened Siddha - Matsyendranath, Lord of the Fishes.

Ramanuja traveled eighteen times to receive the sacred eight-syllable mantra from his guru who extracted promises of secrecy. Upon receiving it, Ramanuja immediately climbed to the temple tower and shouted the mantra to all people below. When confronted, he replied: I will gladly suffer hell if millions can be saved. His guru, moved by such compassion, blessed him.

Walking to Vishwanath Temple in Kashi, Shankaracharya asked an untouchable blocking his path to move. The Chandala challenged: Were those words to the body or soul? How can you who teaches oneness see difference between Brahmin and Chandala? Stunned, Shankara realized Lord Shiva himself had appeared to test him. He composed Manisha Panchakam, declaring whoever possesses true knowledge is his guru.

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.

Gorakhnath demonstrated mastery over life and death multiple times. He once destroyed and then restored the two sons of Matsyendranath to prove a spiritual point. In another instance, a disciple who had taken the form of a stag was shot by King Bhartari. Gorakhnath simply cast earth upon the body, and the disciple returned to life.

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.