Sanatan Dharma

Born destined to die at 16, Markandeya clung to the Shiva Lingam chanting Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. When Yamas noose accidentally caught the lingam, Shiva emerged in fury, defeated Death, and granted Markandeya eternal youth.

Before the universe, there was only darkness. A divine light took shape as Goddess Kushmanda. When she smiled, her radiance formed the cosmic egg from which all creation emerged. From her eyes, she created Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

The demon Raktabija had a boon that every drop of his blood spawned a clone. When even Durga could not defeat him, Kali emerged from her forehead in rage and spread her enormous tongue across the battlefield, drinking all his blood before it touched ground while the other deities killed the clones.

Shukracharya's desperate attempt to prevent Bali from giving to Vamana, and Bali's profound response that receiving from God is the greatest honor a giver can have.

As Brahmacharini, Parvati underwent extreme penance - surviving first on fruits, then leaves, then air alone, enduring all weather while living under open skies. Unlike warrior goddesses who destroy with weapons, Brahmacharini teaches that true conquest lies in mastering oneself.

Sage Katyayana devoted his life to Shakti worship. When Mahishasura terrorized the universe, divine rage manifested in his hermitage as Katyayani with eighteen arms. The gopis of Vrindavan later worshipped her to obtain Krishna as their husband.

When ash-smeared Shiva arrived for his wedding with ghosts and serpents, Parvatis mother fainted. To calm her parents and harmonize the union, Parvati transformed into Chandraghanta, adorning a crescent moon bell on her forehead whose soothing resonance reassured everyone present.

During her tapasya, Parvatis body darkened from dust and elements. Shiva bathed her in Ganga waters, restoring her radiant beauty - white as conch shell. An alternate version says her dark skin separated to become Kaushiki while Parvati became luminous Mahagauri.

Renukas purity wavered momentarily. Her husband Jamadagni ordered sons to behead her; only Parashurama obeyed. During resurrection, heads were switched with a pariah woman - creating Yellamma, deity of the marginalized and transgender Jogappa community.

After leaving Vaikuntha, Lakshmi took refuge in Kolhapur. Meanwhile, King Akasha Raja found baby Padmavati in a golden lotus - Lakshmi reborn. Vishnu descended as Srinivasa and married her. The massive wedding debt is why devotees make offerings at Tirupati.

Demon brothers Shumbha and Nishumbha had a boon that no male could kill them. They conquered heaven until Parvati created Kaushiki, becoming dark Kalaratri. She destroyed both demons - Shumbha representing ego, Nishumbha representing greed - the inner demons everyone must confront.

When Sage Durvasas curse made gods lose their strength, they churned the cosmic ocean. Among the treasures that emerged was Lakshmi, seated on a lotus, radiant and showering gold coins - the birth of prosperity and abundance itself.

After emerging from the ocean, Lakshmi held a swayamvara. All gods and demons vied for her attention, but she garlanded Vishnu alone - choosing him because he was free of flaws and embodied righteousness rather than seeking power for its own sake.

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.

Parvati bathed in Mandakini river when her hungry attendants begged for food. The compassionate goddess severed her own head, and three blood streams emerged - one feeding each attendant and one feeding her own severed head. Supreme self-sacrifice as life-giver.

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.