She was only a child of five and he a mere image of the Lord Krishna, but little Mira loved him with all her heart. So strong was her devotion that it rendered even irate kings and murderous relatives powerless. Mirabai became a queen, but she continued to serenade her lord through the ups and downs of her eventful life. Her hymns to Krishna, which are sung to this day, left even the great Mughal emperor Akbar spellbound.
The heroes of these tales value their friends, their families and their honor. They are brave and selfless. Though each one of them is a bird they are almost always exceptionally wise, at times cunning and often blessed with a sense of humor, just the sort of role models people need to survive the workaday world.
Hitopadesha (Good Counsel) is an 11-12th century Sanskrit collection of stories in four chapters instead of five in the Panchatantra on which it is based. Each chapter contains a string of stories, one emerging from the other, with each designed to render counsel on ethical worldly-wise conduct. The characters are living beings including humans and animals in the wild. The latter too are endowed with the reason and emotions of human beings. Thereby they come to represent types of human nature and behavior and one can draw morals from the stories. In this collection, a tiger finds a gold bangle with which he allures a traveler to cross the river; stuck in mire, the greedy man falls easy prey to the tiger. In another story, a jackal feigns friendship with a deer who despite warnings from a wise crow joins the jackal and meets with a tragedy. An old blind vulture is offered shelter by birds in the hollow of a tree. He protects their fledglings. A cat pleads for living with them and the vulture agrees. The cat finishes the fledglings one by one and goes away. The birds suspecting the vulture kill him. Moral: Do not give shelter to the unknown. This collection is treasure house of such stories.
Urvashi's beauty takes King Pururavas' breath away. He is besotted. He forgets his duties as a king and is absent-minded with his wife, Aushinari. Both gods and humans are involved in the dramatic twists and turns of his romance with the charming apsara, who dances for Lord Indra himself. Eventually, stumbling through their highs and lows, King Pururavas and Urvashi finally find their way to everlasting joy.
When the king saw a strapping lad astride the aged shoulders of his guru, he knew something was amiss. Soon he realised that, if young Raman was around, it was best to expect the unexpected. This village bumpkin was no fool-even the fiery goddess Kali had given in to his wiles. wheeding his way into the mighty vijayanagaa court, it was but a short step into the heart of King Krishnadeva Raya, who welcomed a laugh or to to lighten his busy day
In Puranic lore, Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and the cosmic order. The Dasha Avatar is the Puranic story of the ten incarnations of Vishnu who descends to the terrestrial world to establish stability and order, time and again. The avatars occur in a sequence – the first was matsya or fish representing life in water, followed by kurma or turtle signifying life in water and on land, then varaha or boar alluding to terrestrial life and so on. The sequence of the avatars could be taken to symbolise various stages in the evolution of life culminating in the advent of the perfect being.
This dark beauty was no ordinary woman. Born from the pure flames of a sacred fire, Draupadi was devoted wife to the five famously talented and virtuous Pandava brothers. The evil Kauravas wanted her for themselves, and eyed the Pandava kingdom as well. Raging at their impertinence, and ranting at her husbands’ helplessness, Draupadi inspired a deadly war which wiped out the Kaurava scourge for ever.
Dashratha, the prince of Ayodhya, was out hunting when he heard the sound of an elephant drinking water. Aiming his bow the prince shot in the direction of the sound. Tragically, the arrow killed a youth who was filling water in a pitcher for his old and blind parents. The anguished father cursed Dashratha that one day he would die grieving for his son. Dashratha's son was the valiant and unparalleled, Rama.
Both are known for their extraordinary strength and valour. Both are the sons of Vayu, the wind god. Hanuman lived in the Tretayug serving Sri Rama while Bheema, a contemporary of Krishna, lived in the Dwaparyug. The Mahabharata narrates the story of an encounter between the two mighty brothers.
Paundraka Vaasudeva had his name common with that of Krishna Vaasudeva. His sycophants led him to believe that he was as strong and powerful as Krishna. How he fell into disgrace and disaster is told in this story based on the Bhagawat Purana.
Rich or poor, old or young, Maryada Rama was fair to all. Though it wasn't always easy to figure who was right and who was wrong, Maryada Rama always found a way. No wonder the king bestowed on the young man the title of City Judge and yet Maryada Rama had had the courage to criticize his king face to face.
Ganesha revered in India as the remover of obstacles is first and foremost an obedient son. Standing guard at his mother's door, this son of Parvati refuses to let anyone through. Even Lord Shiva is denied entry! This confrontation between father and son has one beneficial outcome - the emergence of Ganesha, the elephant headed god of wisdom.
Balarama is sure that Duryodhana, the Kaurava prince, with his skill in wielding the mace will be the ideal husband for his sister, Subhadra. The princess , however, loses her heart to a handsome recluse who visits their palace. Little does she know that he is none other than the Pandava prince, Arjuna, and that he reciprocates her feelings. It is left to her other brother,Krishna, to understand the situation and solve the dilemma.
When Drona went to his childhood friend, Drupada, to remind him of his promise of eternal friendship made long ago, Drupada rebuked him and spurned him. Burning with anger and humiliation, Drona was filled with a desire for revenge. That was the only tragic flaw in a brave and supremely talented archer who taught the use of arms to the Kaurava and the Pandava princes.
Is there any end to want? Kesari, the flying thief, was delighted when he found a pair of flying shoes that would help him steal. Vasudeva was in a quandary as to how much money would satisfy all his needs. And Jinadatta hoped that his father-in-law would help him out of bankruptcy. These tales told by Jain monks in ancient times are as relevant today as they were long ago.
It is tough to be a famous junior, and more so when the senior happens to be Akbar, the Mughal-e-Azam. This was the tragedy of Jahangir. It was a personal tragedy in which neither Anarkali not Noor Jahan had any role, though popular stories associate thes
Aruni was willing to give up his life for his Guru; Uttanka cast aside his dreams fo rhis teacher. Young or old, their devotion and obedience were almost superhuman. Luckily, as described in the Mahabharata, the gods looked kindly on them. After all, thes
Chokha was a young boy when he first heard the call of the Lord. But all attempts to enter temples were thwarted by those who only saw him as a Mahar, an untouchable. However, Chokha's devotion was such that his heart became a temple and he sang with purity and complete faith. Chokha Mela's Abhangs or verses echo to this day around the temples of Maharashtra.
The demon, Vajranabha, performs severe penance. Pleased, Brahma grants him the city of Vajra, and says that not even air will enter the city, unless Vajranabha wants it to. Now, powerful in his impregnable city, Vajranabha turns his sights on Indra's kingdom. Indra goes to Krishna for help. What Vajranabha does not realise is that his daughter, Prabhavati, has set her heart on marrying Pradyumna, the son of Krishna.
Bhanumati is the granddaughter of Krishna. One day, wandering in the forest, she runs into Sage Durvasa. Known for his short temper, Durvasa curses her to be abducted by a demon. Though Durvasa regrets his words, a curse once made cannot be taken back. Wh
Birbal, a real person with the name 'Maheshdas', was one of the 'nine gems' of court advisers of Akbar the Great. He also composed poetry by the pen name 'Brahma'. Birbal's fame had spread far and wide. As Akbar's favourite minister, he had an answer to every question and a solution to every problem. In fair tribute to his shrewdness, even the mighty Shah of Persia addressed Birbal as the "Ocean of Intelligence". Combining tact and common sense with a fair pinch of humour, he won his master's heart.
The jackal has a bad reputation in the animal world. Devious, selfish, dishonest and boastful, his aspirations are high, but his talents few. He seldom repays a favour. Should such a creature be tolerated? Only so long as he uses his cunning for the good of the community, says the wisdom of these Jataka tales which were written as early as the period between 3rd century BC and 5th century AD.
When Kama, the god of love, dares to disturb Shiva, he is burnt to ashes by the angry god in the presence of his horrified wife, Rati. Desperate in her sorrow, Rati prepares to immolate herself when she is stopped by a voice that tells her that Kama will be restored to her when he is reborn. Kama is reborn as Pradyumna, the son of Krishna and Rukmini, who is prophesied to destroy the demon, Shambara. Aware of the prophecy, Shambara decides to steal the baby from Krishna's palace and kill him while he is still helpless. But he has not counted on the fact that Rati, warned by Narada, is watching over Pradyumna as a maid in the demon's own palace.
Only Sati could fulfill Shiva's exacting demands. As his companion she could match his ascetic ways as well as be a loving wife. Unfortunately, her happiness was overshadowed by an arrogant father. Sati countered Daksha's insensitivity with an immense, horrific sacrifice, which threw the universe into chaos and turmoil. As the heroine of this primeval romantic story she embodies the essence of a perfect spouse
When Usha, daughter of the asura king, Bana, dreamt of a handsome youth, she lost her heart to him completely. Little did she know that he was Aniruddha, grandson of Krishna. Nor did she ever imagine that their love would lead to a fierce battle between t
Son of the beautiful goddess Ganga, the giver of life, the lad was born to greatness. Not only was he handsome and wise, he was also equally adept on the battlefield or in a regal court. As this tale reveals, Bheeshma is best remembered for his exceptional honesty and kindness. Who else would have uncomplainingly suffered the trials of kingship without its comforts? Who else would have chosen long years of loneliness just to pander to a father’s whim?
It is tough to be a famous junior, and more so when the senior happens to be Akbar, the Mughal-e-Azam. This was the tragedy of Jahangir. It was a personal tragedy in which neither Anarkali not Noor Jahan had any role, though popular stories associate these two women, more than anyone else with Jahangir. Jahangir's love for his father was deep and his admiration vast. The events described in this book are based on the memoirs of Akbar and Jahangir and other historical records.
Superbly skilled, speedy and strong, Arjuna boasted that he was the world’s greatest warrior. But, despite his unquestionable courage, this honourable Pandava prince realised he could not confront Lord Indra’s power – or even the wiles of a cheeky monkey – without help. He needed divine weapons, such as the Gandiva bow, with its inexhaustible supply of arrows, and a special war chariot. Most importantly, he needed the blessings of the gods, especially Lord Vishnu.
Shishupala's mother was shocked when she came to know that her child was destined to be killed by Krishna. She extracted a promise from him that he would forgive Shishupala a hundred offences. As he grew up Shishupala had enough reasons to be angry with Krishna. Especially after he was jilted by Princess Rukmini, in favour of the merry-eyed cowherd. He provoked Krishna repeatedly and was forgiven a hundred times. And then one day Shishupala committed his hundred and first offence.
The Kauravas had made a fateful error. Lusting after their cousin's kingdom, they underestimated young Abhimanyu's determination and ability to defend it. Brilliantly distilled in this handsome and much-loved Pandava prince were his father Arjuna's courage, Lord Krishna's wisdom and the patience and the strength and gentle humility of his uncles. Even as he thwarted his enemies' ambitions' Abhimanyu earned their grudging admiration and a very special place in the saga of the Mahabharata.
The world saw him as the son of a lowly charioteer, but Karna had the bearing of a prince. With his skill as a warrior, he could have re-written the tale of the Mahabharata. Fate, however, had other plans. This haunting tale of passion and loyalty presents the other side of the war, and a hero as shining as the sun.
Parvati was born a maiden of the mountain. The mighty god Shiva was practicing meditation in the dense forest. Desiring to win over Shiva, Parvati went to serve him. But Shiva paid no attention to her. At this time, the gods were being tortured by an
Garuda, eagle-faced son of sage Kashyapa and vinata, had strength that surpassed all the devas in Indralok. He was required to bring the plot of Amrit or Nectar of Immortality, to save his mother from slavery.
In Vishnu SharmaÕs famous Panchatantra tales, animals talk and act like humans. A wily jackal or a deceiving donkey, an impetuous frog-king or an arrogant lion often mirror our everyday world. Through these tales the master storyteller reveals the secret of living life wisely yet happily to generations of readers all over the world.
Born a warrior, he relinquished his kingdom to do penance. When Indra, the Lord of heaven, refused entry to King Trishanku, the sage, known for his determination, created a parallel heaven for the king who had sought his help. He trained Sri Rama and his brother Lakshmana in warfare and taught them the use of celestial weapons to prepare them for the great war they were destined to fight later. An extraordinary sage, Vishwamitra was also a seer whose hymns are part of the sacred Rig Veda.
Indra was at his witÕs end Ð the impertinent demon Narakasura had stolen his motherÕs earrings! Lord Krishna, always helpful, agreed to confront the enemy. But seated on Garuda, his trusty eagle, and accompanied by the gentle Satyabhama, would Krishna be able to overcome NarakasuraÕs formidable defences? Would his gleaming discus ever find its mark? This is the story of why the first of four days of Diwali - the Festival of Lights is named after Naraka!
Can a music loving, scholarly prince be a successful king? Will a skilled and committed warrior encourage the arts and science? Samudra Gupta proved he was a multi-faceted ruler. By bringing peace to a huge area of the warring subcontinent, this benevolent king gave his people the leisure to be creative. His court official Harishena engraved his master's achievement on the Ashoka pillar in Allahabad.
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