Stories
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Renuka and Jamadagni
Renuka and JamadagniBhishma was lying on the bed of arrows. Having been defeated by Arjuna, Bhishma fell but did not die. He had a boon that he could choose his time of death. He was waiting for Uttararyana Punyakaalam when the sun starts its northern movement towards the northern hemisphere. Yudhishtira being the knowledge seeker, used this period to get the knowledge and wisdom of Bhishma. This ...
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Arjuna and the crocodiles
Arjuna and the CrocodilesArjuna was roaming in the forest. That had become the plight of him and his brothers. Powerful princes, born of a great dynasty, they had been reduced to wandering nomads thanks to losing a wager in gambling match to their cousins.This day was particularly difficult. The five brothers – Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva – had gone in various directions l...
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The Shiva Run
It is a practice to visit many Shiva temples on the night of Shivarathri. This practice perhaps helps us in keeping awake while at the same time. There is an interesting story in the Mahabharata that is related to this.The Kurukshetra war was over. The Pandavas after the initial period of depression and gloom over the death and destruction, started to enjoy the kingdom and the riches. Even though ...
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Sage Dhaumya and his disc...
Sage Dhaumya and his disciples Part 2We saw how Sage Dhaumya had (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2025/01/sage-dhaumya-and-his-disciples-part-1.html) tested one of his disciples Aruni by tasking him to arrest the flow of water from the broken dyke.Now it was the turn of the other two disciples – Upamanyu and Ved. Let us see what happened. One day Dhaumya called Upamanyu and said, “Upaman...
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Sage Dhaumya and his disc...
Sage Dhaumya and his disciples Part 1 The position of a Guru is kept at a very high level in the Sanatana philosophy. A Guru is more than just a teacher. Guru is someone who shows a path, while perhaps a teacher is more like someone who educates you or gives you a skill.Our Puranas and Ithihasas are full of Gurus who are exemplary in their knowledge, powers, thoughts and words. It is be...
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Snake Sacrifices and Last...
Of Mixed up Potions and Rajarishis We saw in the last episode about Takshak and his deceit that led to the death of Maharaja Parikshit. Uthanka, who also suffered at the hand of Takshak instigates King Jayamejaya, son of Parikshit to take revenge against Takshak. (An interestingand detailed account is available in the link above.)Janamejaya after being repeatedly being told that it was his duty as...
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Sibling Rivalry and Giant...
Of Sibling Rivalry, Giant Birds and Scheming Reptiles Sage Kashyapa had two wives – Kadru and Vinata. Once while retreating to the forests for tapasya, he asked his wives what they wanted. Each of them asked for a boon from Kashyapa. Kadru asked for 1000 sons. Vinata asked for two children who were valorous. As per the blessing, Kadru’s eggs hatched after 500 years and her thousand naga sons ...
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Miracle Jewels and Fighti...
Of Dazzling Jewels and Fighting BearsLord Krishna was the king of Dwaravati (Dwaraka) in the western part of Bharata. The Yadava clan to which Kirshna belonged resided there with him.In Dwaravati there lived a man called Satrajit. He was an ardent devotee of the Sun God Surya. Everyday he used to stand in the seashore and say his prayers at dawn. One day Satrajit was praying as usual at dawn. Sud...
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Yudishtra and the Yaksha
We have seen earlier the story of Sukeshi who went to the ashram of the sages in the Magadh forest and learnt many dharmic concepts. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/pious-asuras-and-worried-gods). Amongst the many things he learnt from the sages, he also got the knowledge of the ten basic principles of Dharma that is common to all people irrespective of their occupation (varnas). We...
