Dharma & Duty

After slaying Tarakasura, Kartikeya faced his brother Surapadma who transformed into a mango tree. Kartikeya split the tree with his vel (spear), transforming each half into a peacock and rooster. The peacock became his vahana (mount) and the rooster his battle pennant, symbolizing the transformation of evil into divine service.

During the Kurukshetra war, Balarama chose to support neither side due to conflicting loyalties, going on pilgrimage instead - a profound statement on dharma's complexities.

The significance of Devadatta, the divine white horse given to Kalki by Lord Shiva - symbolizing the swift, unstoppable restoration of dharma when divine purpose is mounted.

Prince Siddhartha renounces his kingdom, wife, and newborn son to seek truth about suffering. His radical tyaga—leaving not burdens but treasures—leads to enlightenment. He returns as the Buddha, offering wisdom more valuable than kingdoms. Sometimes you must empty your hands to give anything.

A visitor watched Chanakya switch lamps after finishing official work. Chanakya explained the first lamp contained kingdoms oil for official duties, now he must use personal oil for private conversation. Public resources must never be misused.

During a journey to Varanasi, Madhvacharya noticed his fifteen disciples becoming arrogant about their physical strength. He challenged them all to attack him simultaneously. When all fifteen rushed at him together, he felled them all with effortless ease, reminding them that true strength comes from divine grace, not mere physical prowess.

Great yogi Changadeva Maharaja, proud of his siddhis, came to meet young Jnaneshwar riding a tiger with a live snake. Jnaneshwar decided to meet him at the village boundary while seated on a wall. He commanded the wall to move, and it did, carrying him forward. Changadeva, humbled by this greater display of power, prostrated and became his disciple.

A mother asked Kabir to advise her son to stop eating jaggery. Kabir waited a week - first giving it up himself. Practice what you preach; live your teachings before advising others.

King Narasimha Deva I commissioned 1,200 craftsmen under master architect Bishu Maharana to build the Sun Temple in 12 years. When they couldnt solve how to place the crown stone, Bishus 12-year-old son Dharmapada arrived and brilliantly solved it overnight. To protect the craftsmens honor, young Dharmapada climbed to the summit and leaped to his death.

Seeking relief from Bhandasuras tyranny, the gods performed Maha Yagna (great sacrifice). From the sacrificial fire emerged Maha Tripura Sundari on a radiant disc. She split herself into Kameshwara (Purusha) and Kameshwari (Prakriti), married Shiva-Kameshwara, and recreated the universe while preparing to battle Bhandasura.

Ramakrishnas guru Totapuri wanted to give him nirvikalpa samadhi - complete absorption in the impersonal Absolute. But every time Ramakrishna reached the threshold, he would see Divine Mother Kali. Finally, Totapuri asked him to imagine cutting the Mothers form with a sword of discrimination. Only then did Ramakrishna cross into formless consciousness, remaining absorbed for three days.

Child Prahlad speaks truth about Vishnu despite his demon-father's threats, torture, and murder attempts. He speaks not for outcome but because truth must be spoken. When Vishnu emerges from the pillar, it confirms what Prahlad knew: truth cannot be suppressed by any power.

The story of Bali Chakravarti's righteousness - how a demon king ruled more justly than gods, and why his 'defeat' by Vamana was actually his elevation to eternal grace.

The tragic story of how Parashurama obeyed his father's terrible command to kill his mother Renuka, then used his boons to restore her, revealing his capacity for impossible duties.