Sanatan Dharma

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.

A monkey befriends a crocodile who visits daily. The crocodiles jealous wife demands the monkeys heart. When the crocodile reveals his plan mid-river, the clever monkey claims he left his heart in the tree, convincing the crocodile to turn back and escaping to safety.

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.

An old crane tricks fish by offering to carry them to a larger lake but eats them instead. A clever crab sees fish bones, grips the cranes neck with his claws, and kills him. Presence of mind defeats deceivers.

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.

When Maha Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati unified, a girl named Trikuta was born. The demon Bhairon Nath pursued her. She fled to Trikuta caves where she slew him. Seeking forgiveness, he was granted that no pilgrimage to her would be complete without visiting his temple.

Young Krishna sneaks into homes to steal butter, forming human pyramids with friends to reach pots hung from ceilings. When caught, he looks up with innocent eyes and blames the monkeys. Divine mischief as spiritual play.

Elephants accidentally crush mice on their path to water. The mice request a detour, promising future help. Later, when hunters trap elephants in nets, mice gnaw through the ropes. Even the smallest friends can provide great help.

Four unlikely friends - deer, crow, mouse, tortoise - live in harmony. When a hunter traps the deer, the mouse gnaws the net while the crow scouts. They nearly lose the slow tortoise but teamwork saves everyone. True friendship means standing together.

Crows suffer owl attacks at night. A wise crow pretends to be banished and gains owls trust, learning their caves location. The crows pile logs and set fire during daytime when owls are blind. Cleverness defeats strength.

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.

When Duryodhana planned to burn Pandavas in a lac house, Vidura warned Yudhishthira in coded Mleccha language about fire that doesnt burn those who dwell underground. He sent a miner to build an escape tunnel, saving the Pandavas.

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.