Karma Yoga

When Vishnu plans his incarnation as Krishna, the cosmic serpent Shesha is born as his elder brother Balarama. Armed with his plough and mace, Balarama assists Krishna in numerous adventures, once diverting the Yamuna river to Vrindavan and later dragging Hastinapura toward the Ganga in anger, before departing as a great white serpent returning to the ocean.

After Rishabhadeva divided his kingdom, Bharata sought submission from brother Bahubali. Though Bahubali won all three contests, he gently placed his brother down instead of harming him. Struck by the futility of conflict, he used his raised hand not to strike but to pull out his hair in renunciation, standing in meditation so long that creepers grew around his legs.

When Ravana challenged Bali, the monkey king caught him and held him under his arm for six months. Even the mighty Ravana had to acknowledge greater powers.

During battle, Bhai Kanhaiya gave water to wounded enemy soldiers. Sikhs complained to Guru Gobind Singh that he was helping the enemy. When questioned, Bhai Kanhaiya said he saw the Gurus face in every wounded soldier. The Guru embraced him and gave him medical supplies, saying he alone understood the true message. This became the foundation for Sikh humanitarian service.

Princess Vasumati, sold as slave Chandanbala, was starved by her jealous mistress. Mahavira had vowed to only accept food from someone meeting impossible conditions. After five months, he came to Chandanbala - when she wept with heartbreak at his turning away, her tears completed the conditions. Upon accepting her offering, divine powers restored her hair and royal attire.

At the end of Kali Yuga when dharma has almost vanished, Vishnu will be born as Kalki in Shambhala village. Trained by Parashurama and blessed by Shiva with a divine white horse Devadatta and celestial sword, Kalki will ride across earth slaying millions of corrupted rulers, destroying the demon Kali, before inaugurating the new Satya Yuga.

During a severe epidemic of cholera and smallpox in Delhi in 1663, the seven-year-old Guru selflessly served all suffering people regardless of caste or creed. When others isolated the sick, he went to each person to cure and bless them. Muslims gave him the title Bala Pir (child prophet).

When lots determine which deer dies daily, a pregnant does turn comes. The Banyan Deer King offers himself instead, laying his head on the executioners block. The human king, witnessing this compassion, grants protection to all deer.

At age 12, Guru Nanaks father gave him 20 rupees to start a business. Instead, Guru Nanak bought food and distributed it to hungry sadhus who had not eaten for days. When his father asked about the investment, Guru Nanak replied it was a Sacha Sauda (true business).

King Citraketu had ten million wives but no son until sage Angira blessed him. When jealous co-wives poisoned the child, Narada showed Citraketu his dead son's soul teaching about the eternal nature of the spirit and illusory material relationships.

Mata Khivi, wife of Guru Angad Dev, devoted her life to serving pilgrims through the community kitchen (langar). She is the only wife of a Guru mentioned by name in the Guru Granth Sahib, praised for providing comfort to pilgrims like a tree with leafy shade.

The three sons of slain Asura Taraka performed extreme penance for thousands of years. Brahma granted them three magnificent cities rather than immortality. Maya constructed a golden city for Tarakaksha, silver for Kamalaksha, and steel for Vidyunmali, positioned in heaven, sky, and earth, aligning only during specific cosmic conditions.

For twelve years, Guru Amar Das woke before dawn to fetch water from the Beas River for Guru Angads bath, carrying the heavy pot 14 miles on his head. During a storm in his twelfth year, he fell into a weavers pit but still delivered the water. This devotion earned him the succession.

Guru Ram Das initiated the construction of the sacred pool at Amritsar, inviting all Sikhs to participate in the digging work as seva. Pilgrims came in growing numbers to help excavate the tank, embodying the collective spirit of selfless service.

Mechanical engineer Verghese Kurien reluctantly joined a milk cooperative. Over 50 years, he transformed Indian dairy farming, refusing wealth and honors, insisting the work belonged to the farmers—embodying karma yoga through practical service.

Young Guru Nanak was given money by his father to start a business. Instead, he spent it feeding hungry saints, declaring this was the true bargain. This act became the foundation for Langar (free community kitchen).

Lord Neminatha was proceeding in a grand wedding procession to marry Princess Rajimati when he heard cries of animals being held for slaughter for the feast. Overcome with compassion, he immediately freed all animals, abandoned his wedding chariot, and walked to Mount Girnar to become a monk, embodying the supreme principle of ahimsa.

To terrorize Guru Tegh Bahadur into converting, Aurangzeb ordered the torture and execution of his three devoted companions before his eyes: Bhai Mati Das was sawn alive, Bhai Dyal Das was boiled, and Bhai Sati Das was roasted. Witnessing this, the Guru said: Dhan Sikhi, Dhan Sikhi (Great is Sikhi).

Guru Arjan Dev became the first Sikh Guru to be martyred. Arrested in Lahore, he was ordered to remove references from the Adi Granth and pay a fine. He refused. He was tortured by being made to sit on a burning hot plate while red hot sand was poured on his body. After five days, he entered the river Ravi and attained martyrdom on May 30, 1606.

At the dawn of Kali Yuga, Vishnu incarnates as Buddha to lead the asuras away from Vedic rituals they had been misusing. Through teachings of non-violence and compassion, he redirects corrupted beings toward paths that would weaken their demonic power while preserving cosmic balance.