- Of death and the ultimate sacrifice…Read the previous part here… And while the king was lost in the admiration of his loyal guard, he suddenly heard the sound of a woman weeping in the distance. ” There is no person who is not happy in my kingdom, nor is anyone oppressed, nor poor, nor diseased…then who is this woman weeping …
- Spending coins and weeping tears…Read the previous part here… The king, impressed by his appearance and his confidence, decided to give him the salary that he had demanded. But he felt curious, and wanted to know what Vīravara would do with so much money, given that he had a small family and hardly any other visible expenses. And so …
- Of bravery and sacrifice…Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Are men wicked, or women? Who is more wicked and deceitful? Tell me, o wise king. Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! एतन् निशम्य वचनं वेतालस्यांसवर्तिनस् तस्य ।स जगाद …
- Are men wicked, or women?Read the previous part here… When it was morning, the bound husband was taken to the king, along with his injured wife. The king, on hearing the story, ordered the husband to be put to death, for grievously injuring his wife and attempting to murder her. ततो ज्ञत्वैव तच् चौरे तस्मिन्न् अपसृते लघु ।कोलाहलेन तस्यां …
- Of dead lovers and bit noses…Read the previous part here… The frustrated thief thought to himself “What bad luck! She is setting out now, in the dead of the night, with all those ornaments that I wanted to steal! Let me follow her, I may still get a good opportunity to rob them…” And so the thief followed Vasudattā, keeping …
- Of husbands and lovers…Read the previous part here… One night, he murdered his wife in her sleep, took away all her ornaments and money, and fled back to his city. That is why I say that men are wicked and ungrateful”, concluded Somikā… ततो जगाद स शुको देव दुःसहसाहसाः ।स्त्रियो दुश्चरिताः पापास् तथा च श्रूयतां कथा ॥ १२,१०.४७ …
- Once a crook, always a crook…Read the previous part here… She somehow climbed up onto the ledge, her arms and legs bruised badly, and started to walk back home. Crying all the way, asking passersby for directions, she finally reached her fathers house. “My dear! What happened to you?” exclaimed her horrified father as she walked through the door. मुषिताः …
- Of ungrateful males…Read the previous part here… Unable to reach an consensus, the two birds had an agreement. If the parrot won, he would have the maina as his wife, and if the maina won, she would have him as her slave. They both approached the prince and requested him to be the arbitrator in this dispute. …
- The king and two wise birds…Read the previous part here… Now I have a question for you. Who should Mandāravatī take as her husband? Tell me, o wise king. Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! यः क्लेशम् अनुभूयापि मन्त्रेणैताम् अजीवयत् ।पिता स तस्यास् तत्कार्यकरणान् न पुनः …
- Restoring the dead to life…Read the previous part here… During his travels, he reached a village named Vajraloka. He was invited into the house of a Brahmin, who received him with all due honors and served him water. They were just preparing to sit down to eat, when a child began to cry in the adjoining room. It cried …
- Of heartbreak and anger management…Read the previous part here… The Baitāl started to speak, once again. “O King, you have taken on a very troublesome and tiresome task! So let me tell you a tale, to amuse you…“ अग्निस्वामीति तत्रासीद् ब्राह्मणो वेदपारगः ।तस्यातिरूपा मन्दारवतीत्य् अजनि कन्यका ॥ १२,९.६ ॥ यां निर्माय नवानर्घलावण्यां नियतं विधिः ।स्वर्गस्त्रीपूर्वनिर्माणं निजम् एवाजुगुप्सत ॥ १२,९.७ …
- Of horses, chariots and ego…A classmate of mine spoke about Arjuna’s chariot, that Sri Kṛṣṇa’s steered during the Mahabharata, and that got me reading a bit on it’s related symbolism… Arjuna was the most prominent warrior in the Mahabharata. The best archer in the world, with the avatar of Sri Vishnu as a guide, and the establishment of Dharma …
- An answer, and another story…Read the previous part here… Now, I have a question for you. Was Buddhiśarīra guilty of the death of Saṅgrāmavardhana and his wife, or was it VajraMukuta, or Padmāvatī? Tell me, o wise king. Remember, if you know the answer, and don’t tell me the truth, your head will burst into a hundred pieces! इत्य् …
- Tell me, who is to blame?Read the previous part here… When I finished my meditation in the morning, I realized that the pearl necklace was still with me. I am not a man of the world, I have no use for much material possessions. And so I asked my disciple here, to go the market and dispose of it…. एतच् …
- Of ascetics and stolen necklaces…Read the previous part here… “This is an opportune moment”, said Buddhiśarīra. “Now listen carefully. Got to Padmāvatī’s house tonight, and make her drink so much wine that she gets heavily intoxicated. When she is drunk, make a mark on her hip with this”, as he passed on a small iron trishul to the prince, …
- Of dead dogs and wine…Read the previous part here… When the cunning Padmāvatī heard this, she replied sweetly “My love, I have a question to ask you. Were you the one to guess correctly the subtle signs that I had made, or was it your friend Buddhiśarīra? ज्ञाता किं किम् उवा तेन सख्या मन्त्रिसुतेन ते ।एवम् उक्तवतीम् एतां राजपुत्रो …
- Satisfaction, and a question…Read the previous part here… This time, Buddhiśarīra didn’t wait for VajraMukuta to question him, instead, he took the prince aside and said “Don’t despair once again, my friend. By marking the old lady with three fingers dipped in red dye, she has conveyed that she has her period for the next three days, and …
- The code of love..Read the previous part here… The old woman nodded. “Of course I do – he stays in that mansion”, she said, pointing to the house opposite her hut, “and I am an attendant of his daughter. Today however, I have not gone there yet. My wicked good-for-nothing son stole my bag, that also had my …
- Of gestures and meanings…Read the previous part here… She soon departed, led away by her attendants, but she left her heart there, beside the lake, for when she reached home, she lay down on her bed, her mind lost in thoughts of the prince, and stayed there for hours, until her eyes closed, to dream about him. The …
- Love is blind…and a bit dumb tooRead the previous part here… “O king! When people are learned, clever and full of wisdom, they spend their days learning and relishing the knowledge of the Shāstras”, said the Baitāl. “Only fools spend time sleeping and in waste. We have a long journey ahead, and so let me speak something of wisdom, rather than …
- Corpses that spin tales…Read the previous part here… The yogi replied “I just have one task for you, o mighty king. But one, that only you can execute. A few hundred yards to our south, is a place where the dead bodies are cremated. In the middle of that ground is a banyan tree, on which a corpse …
- A visit to the cremation ground…Read the previous part here… “Oh great king, you have spoken the truth. One who possesses virtue, possesses everything. It is only virtue that stays with us – riches, power, prestige, all come and go. My king, each of these gems is invaluable, priceless pieces that have no equal. Each ruby is worth a kingdom, …
- A tock, and a tick…A tock and a tick, in the time of a nick, a promise we pick…to which we never stick. An arbitrary tick and a tock, and hey and pesto we have a new year. One that is supposed to miraculously change our outlook; our luck and also get rid of the COVID while we are at …
- Red apples and red rubies…Read the previous part here… “I have now warned you of what is about to occur”, concluded the deva. “I will set out now, but do not be negligent. Things will start to happen…very soon.” The deva then left the scene, and King Vikram continued on his journey towards his capital. He was received with …
- The upside down…Read the previous part here… “If you command me, and promise me the reward, I will only enter this court after bearing a child by this yogi, and bring that child along, riding on his shoulders”, she declared. The king was astonished, but quickly agreed. He gave her a betel-nut as a token of their …
- Holy smoke!Read the previous part here… Meanwhile, rumors of Bhartharī’s abdication spread like wildfire, and soon reached King Vikram’s ears too. He was enjoying his journeys, but he knew that duty beckoned. And so King Vikram decided to return to the capital, and take back control of his kingdom. It was midnight, as King Vikram crossed …
- An apple does a merry-go-round…Read the previous part here… And so the Brahmin went to the king Bhartharī and narrated the course of events. “My king, I have no use for this fruit. I would rather present it to you, so that you can continue your illustrious rule, and in return, I would gladly accept whatever you give me …
- The fruit of immortality…Many many years ago, in Bhāratvarsha, there was a kingdom called Dhārānagara. It’s king Gandharvasen, had four queens, and six well learned and powerful sons. It so happened that Gandharvasen died in the course of time, and his eldest son, Shanka, was crowned king. Shanka was intelligent, but rude and insolent, and the kingdom suffered …
- The beginning…Read the previous part here… अयंनिजःपरोवेतिगणनालघु-चेतसाम्। उदार चरितानांतु वसुधैवकुटुम्बकम्॥ ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghu-cetasām |udāra-caritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam || 37 || This is mine, and that is yours – such thinking is for lowly minds. Minds that are noble and wise, think of the entire world as one family. We all have read the Panchatantra. Well, …
- The end…Read the previous part here… In chanting mantras, in visiting holy places, in taking care of the elderly, in worshipping the devas, in tending to others needs, and in respecting one’s Gurus…the more devotion one has in these matters, the more are the fruits of his efforts. Thinking this way, BrahmaDatta continued on his journey. …
- Of crabs and journeys…Read the previous part here… “And that is why I say”, concluded TruptaKumar. “एकोदराः पृथग् ग्रीवा अन्यान्य-फल-भक्षिणः ।असंहता विनश्यन्ति भारुण्डा इव पक्षिणः ॥ – It had one stomach, but two necks, and Bhārunda the bird died because the two necks wanted to eat different fruits…likewise a person who does not seek consensus can never make …
- The curious case of one stomach and two necks…Read the previous part here… “That is why I say”, concluded VairāgyaKumar…अन्धकः कुब्जकश् चैव त्रिस्तनी राज-कन्यका ।त्रयो ऽप्य् अन्यायतः सिद्धाः संमुखे कर्मणि स्थिते ॥ – The blind man, the dwarf and the princess with three breasts, all did wrong things, Yet they all got their wishes fulfilled, just due to fate. TruptaKumar replied “Well, it is …
- Perfect plans and curing snakes…Read the previous part here… The order was fulfilled. The king’s men took the blind man to the banks of the river, and married him off to the princess. They then gave him a big bag of the promised reward, and instructed a boatman who was waiting on the shore, to take the newly-wed couple …
- Perfect marriage?Read the previous part here… The king agreed, and consulted some wise men. “My wife has given birth to a girl with three breasts. Is this something I should be worried about?” The wise men replied “This child will not bring you any disrepute, but you should give her away, and when she reaches marriageable …
- Imperfect people…perfect luckRead the previous part here… The blind man, the dwarf and the princess with three breasts, all did wrong things, Yet they all got their wishes fulfilled, just due to fate. “How did that happen?”, said TruptaKumar. VairāgyaKumar replied… अन्धककुब्जकत्रिस्तनीकथा The story of the blind man, the dwarf and the the three-breasted girl In a …
- Of demons and horses…Read the previous part here… “That is why I say”, concluded TruptaKumar, यो लौल्यात् कुरुते नैवोदर्कम् अवेक्षते ।विडम्बनाम् अवाप्नोति स यथा चन्द्र-भूपतिः ॥ – He who acts out of greed and without thinking of the consequences, gets cheated, much like ChandraBhoopati. “Well, I will have to go now. Let me at least try to return to …
- It’s payback time…Read the previous part here… “Millions”, replied PrāptaBuddhi. “Don’t tell anybody, but I saw the neighboring king reach there with his entire army, and they all got necklaces. And by the way, his army is much bigger than yours.” “Ok ok”, said the king, a bit ruffled. “we will set out tomorrow.” The next morning, …
- PrāptaBuddhi plots revenge…Read the previous part here… “Oh mighty king! ShāliHotra (the expert in horses) has recommended a cure for this. कपीनां मेदसा दोषो वह्निदाहसमुद्भवःअश्वानां नाशमभ्येति तमः सूर्योदये यथा – by applying the marrow of the bones of monkeys, the burn wounds of the horses will disappear, like darkness disappears when the sun rises. You will have to act fast, o king, before the horses …
- Prophecies come true…Read the previous part here… Even the best of families are torn apart due to quarrels. Good friendships end because of a rude word, empires crumble because of ill-rule and people lose fame and respect because of their bad actions. And so, before we all perish, let us leave this place and go somewhere far …
- The monkey who thought far ahead…Read the previous part here… He who acts out of greed and without thinking of the consequences, gets cheated, much like ChandraBhoopati. VairāgyaKumar said “How did that happen?” TruptaKumar replied… चन्द्रभूपतिकथा The story of King Chandra In a city, not too far away from here, lived a king named Chandra. His son liked to play …
- The gora father of SomaSharma…Read the previous part here… He who worries about what has not happened, or what will not happen, becomes white and sleeps, just like the father of SomaSharma. “How did that happen?”, said TruptaKumar. VairāgyaKumar replied… सोमशर्मपितृकथा The story of SomaSharma’s father In a city, not too far away from here, lived a miserly Brahmin. …
- Manthara and productivity…Read the previous part here… Manthara reached home by evening. “My dear, my dear”, he called out as he walked through the door. Seeing her in the kitchen, he went to her and said “My dear, today I had the good fortune of seeing a Yaksha. He has promised to give me whatever I ask …
- Manthara and the Yaksha…Read the previous part here… He who has no sense of his own, and does not heed the advice of his friends, dies like the weaver Manthara. TruptaKumar said “How did that happen?” VairāgyaKumar replied… मन्थरकौलिककथा The story of the weaver named Manthara In a city, not too far away from here, lived a weaver …
- Of rāgās and Manthara…Read the previous part here… Chatura smirked. “Uncle dearest, it’s fine, the poetry and all. But the fact is that you don’t know to sing. All you do is bray. And so, why take unnecessary risks, when you can be silent and enjoy the delicious cucumbers?” Now Uddata became furious. “Are you implying that I …
- Of singing donkeys and clever foxes…Read the previous part here… The one with a hundred tricks sat on the head of the fisherman, the one with a thousand tricks is hanging by the fisherman’s arm…I with only one trick am happily swimming in the water! VairāgyaKumar continued “You also said that intelligence is better than education, but I don’t believe …
- Of one, a hundred and a thousand tricks…Read the previous part here… “That is why I said”, concluded TruptaKumar – Though well-versed in the sciences, if you have no practical knowledge, you will become the object of ridicule, much like those foolish pundits were ridiculed by everyone, since they had no knowledge of worldly-affairs. “You didn’t listen to me when I told …
- The foolish pundits…part 2Read the previous part here… The third pundit exclaimed “इष्टं धर्मेण योजयेत् – One should tie a well-wisher to Dharma” and so the fourth grabbed the donkey and tied it to the camel. In the meantime, someone from the crowd went and narrated this incident to the washerman, whose donkey now stood tied awkwardly to …
- The foolish pundits…Read the previous part here… Though well-versed in the sciences, if you have no practical knowledge, you will become the object of ridicule, much like those foolish pundits were ridiculed by everyone, since they had no knowledge of worldly-affairs. “How did that happen”, said VairāgyaKumar. TruptaKumar replied… मूर्खपण्डितकथा The story of the foolish Pundits In …
- How to make a lion…and not dieRead the previous part here… Education ranks lower than common sense, and so seek intelligence. Senseless Brahmins in their pride of being educated, made a lion, and then they died. “How did that happen”, said VairāgyaKumar. TruptaKumar replied… सिंहकारकमूर्खब्राह्मणकथा The story of the foolish Brahmins who made a lion In a city, not too far …
- How to make a lion…Read the previous part here… In a few hours, the third pill dropped. The young man dug, and found huge deposits of gold. “I told you, there will be gold further ahead!” he said with excitement. “The other two lost out on so much wealth! Nothing can be better than gold. Come, let’s take as …
- Of greedy men and whirling wheels -2Read the previous part here… All the wants of man get fulfilled only through his honest efforts. Even what is called fate, or destiny, is a quality of man. In fact, destiny is another name of effort. क्लेशस्याङ्गम् अदत्त्वा सुखम् एव सुखानि नेह लभ्यन्ते ।मधुभिन् मथनायस् तैर् आश्लिष्यति बाहुभिर् लक्ष्मीम् ॥ ३१ ॥ kleśasyāṅgam adattvā …
- Of greedy men and whirling wheels…Read the previous part here… One should not give up greed, but one should not be too greedy as well. The wheel whirled on the head of the person who was the most greedy. DevaSharma said “How did that happen?” His wife replied… लोभाविष्टचक्रधरकथा The story of the greedy man and the whirling wheel In …
- The Brahmin lady and the mongoose…Read the previous part here… One should always think before acting, and never reach a conclusion without examining all the facts. Else, it would lead to a lot of regret, like in the case of the Brahmin lady and the mongoose. ManiBhadra said “How did that happen?” The judge replied… ब्राह्मणीनकुलकथा The story of the …
- of sanyasis and gold…Read the previous part here… After a few more slokas, Keśava got up and walked up to the chief sanyasi, who was watching him intently. “I seek your blessings, o revered one”, he said as he fell at the sanyasi’s feet. “Please honor me by coming to my house first, when you set out to …
- of sanyasis and sticks…Read the previous part here… I am PadmaNidhi, and I represent the wealth that you earned in your previous lives. I will come to your house in the morning, in the same form as I am now. You must hit me on the head with a club, and I will instantly turn into gold, and …
- Of thoughts and consequences…कुदृष्टं कुपरिज्ञातं कुश्रुतं कुपरीक्षितम् ।तन् नरेण न कर्तव्यं नापितेनात्र यत् कृतम् ॥ १ ॥ kudṛṣṭaṃ kuparijñātaṃ kuśrutaṃ kuparīkṣitam |tan nareṇa na kartavyaṃ nāpitenātra yat kṛtam || 1 || One should not get into anything, without thinking of the consequences, without knowing all aspects of it, without proper analysis, and without practically testing it…not like that foolish barber. …
- The dog, and the end…Read the previous part here… There are many comforts, the women are beautiful too, there is only one problem in foreign lands…one’s own go against you. “How did that happen?”, said KarālaMukha. RaktaMukha replied… In a village, not so far away from here, lived a dog named Pāradeśika (The one who lives in a foreign …
- The clever fox – 2Read the previous part here… The pearl is smooth, beautiful and unbroken…yet gets bound in a thread when a hole is pieced in it’s centre. Similarly, a man could be without enemies, well-behaved and pleasant in character. But he is defeated by his smallest weaknesses. And so, the fox approached the tiger, with his head …
- The clever foxRead the previous part here… How is your goodness worthy, if you only good to people who are good to you? He who is good to people who have even harmed him, is a truly good man, so say the wise. RaktaMukha replied… “In that case, return home, and fight him. The wise have said… …
- Of camels and bells -2Read the previous part here… He who is arrogant and foolish enough to disobey the words of the wise and his well-wishers, perishes quickly, much like the camel with the bell tied around it’s neck. KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… घण्टोष्ट्रकथा The story of the camel with the bell around it’s neck …
- Of camels and bells…Read the previous part here… You have double the intelligence that I have. Your lover is gone. You lost your husband as well. Oh naked lady, what are you waiting for? As KarālaMukha concluded this story, another friend of his came around and said… “O KarālaMukha! What are you doing here? Your house has been …
- The naked wife and the piece of fish…Read the previous part here… You have double the intelligence that I have. Your lover is gone. You lost your husband as well. Oh naked lady, what are you waiting for? RaktaMukha said “How did that happen?” KarālaMukha replied… नग्निकाहालिकवधूकथा The story of the farmer’s naked wife In a village not very far away from …
- The talkative donkey and the naked wife…Read the previous part here… Though well-disguised, seemingly frightful and clad in tiger-skin, the donkey got killed because of his voice. KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… वाचालरासभकथा The story of the talkative donkey In a village not very far away from here, lived a washerman named ShuddhaPata (the clean cloth). He had …
- Of happiness and good taste…Read the previous part here… What will not man for a woman do, when heads are shaved, at odd times too? What will not man for a woman say, when those who are not horses, neigh? KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… नन्दवररुचिकथा The story of Nanda and VaraRuchi Once, not very long …
- The Brahmin couple – Part 2Read the previous part here… She then said “You have no one to help you, once we reach the new village. I also wouldn’t have anyone to speak with, since I wouldn’t know anyone there. And so, I suggest that we take this cripple with us.” “But I don’t have enough strength to walk myself, …
- The Brahmin couple…Read the previous part here… I left my family for her, and gave her half my life, she left me now without a second thought, what man can trust such a wife? KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… ब्राह्मणदम्पत्योः कथा The story of the Brahmin couple In a village, not so far away from …
- The fox who killed no elephants…Read the previous part here… My son! You are brave, learned and handsome. But in the family you were born into, no elephants are slain. The potter said “How did that happen?” The king replied… सिंहशृगालपुत्रयोः कथा The story of the lion cubs and the fox cub In a forest, not so far away from here, …
- Yudhishtira the potter…Read the previous part here… The fool who forgoes his greed and selfishness and instead attempts to speak the truth, does not get what he wants, much like Yudhishtira the potter. KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… युधिष्टिरकुम्भकारकथा The story of Yudhishtira the potter In a village not so far away from here, …
- To trust, or not to trust…Read the previous part here… “But he has already seen me”, protested KarālaKesha. “Even though it was dark…I don’t think he will come here again. Why don’t you find another animal?” “You leave that to me”, retorted Dhoosaraka. “Just be ready to pounce, let me do the rest.” Saying this, he set out to the …
- The lion and LambaKarna…Read the previous part here… “And that is why, o wicked crocodile”, concluded RaktaMukha. “Just like GangaDatta, I will never enter your house!” KarālaMukha heard this and said “My dear RaktaMukha, this is not right. I know that I have been ungrateful, and so please allow me a chance to redeem myself, by inviting you …
- Shubh Deepawali!Deepawali is known as the Festival of lights. Arguably the most well-known festival from India, Deepawali (or Diwali) is celebrated around the world, even in the United Arab Emirates, where dazzling fireworks and light shows mark the occasion. A lot of Indian festive buying culminates in Diwali. People buy everything from cars to jewellery to …
- Dhanatrayodashi…धनत्रयोदशी (Dhanatrayodashi) is the Sanskrit name of Dhanteras, which is celebrated on Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi, or the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha in Ashwin masa, one day before Diwali. Dhanteras is usually marked by people making a beeline to jewellery stores to purchase gold and silver, as it is considered auspicious to purchase these …
- Celebrating your janma tithi – part 2Read the previous part here… O the flame of the lamp, I bow to you, praying for my wellbeing, health and prosperity and also to remove evil thoughts that come to me. Setting the stage Reflect on the year that passed. Usually, we look back and feel sad at what should have been, and happy …
- Celebrating your janma tithi…Read the previous part here… What does a birthday mean to you? When you are born…you aren’t aware of it, and so it really doesn’t mean anything. You are more preoccupied with trying to understand why you have been pushed out of the ‘comfort zone’ in your mother’s womb – into a world of sensory …
- The great escape…Read the previous part here… A person wearing dirty clothes sits anywhere, he doesn’t think much about soiling his clothes since they are already dirty, much like a person who has lost most of his wealth, and doesn’t try to save what is left. One day, after eating a couple of frogs, PriyaDarshana also ate …
- Best laid plans…Read the previous part here… If one wishes to be well, he should only eat what suits his body, and get’s digested properly, and also what is ultimately good for his health. GangaDatta replied ” You don’t worry about anything, I will show you an easy way into the well. There is a small hole …
- GangaDatta and PriyaDarshana…Read the previous part here… What sin will a hungry man not commit, in order to satisfy his hunger? Those who are hungry, have no pity. O Good lady, tell Priyadarshana the snake, that GangaDutta will not enter the well again. KarālaMukha said “How did that happen?” RaktaMukha replied… गङ्गदत्तप्रियदर्शनयोः कथा The story of GangaDatta and …
- Of births and positions…Someone makes a wonderful dish. It is right up there with the best you’ve ever tasted, and you can’t have enough of it. “Give me the recipe!”, you say. “I want to make it at home, just this way…” In science, an experiment consists of a set of inputs, acted upon to result in a …
- of quick thinking and close shaves…Read the previous part here… As they moved towards deeper waters, RaktaMukha got frightened, held the crocodile tightly, and said “KarālaMukha, please swim slowly. These waves and splashing water on me, and I am afraid that I will drown!” KarālaMukha heard him and thought to himself “I have reached the deep sea now. RaktaMukha is …
- of pots and fourth days…Read the Navratri series here… There are rituals, and there are customs. Rituals are usually a set of rites, usually performed in an exact sequence, with rules governing them, and possible implications if performed wrongly. Satyanarayana Puja, or Durga Puja for instance. Customs or traditions are part of our culture that evolved internally, and passed …
- A dilemma and deception…Read the previous part here… You are not answering me joyfully, and you are not giving me what I want. At nights, you snore heavily, and you do not embrace and kiss me. O wicked one! There is another female in your heart! KarālaMukha fell to his wife’s feet, took her in his arms and …
- Of friendship and suspicion…समुत्पन्नेषु कार्येषु बुद्धिर् यस्य न हीयते ।स एव दुर्गं तरति जलस्थो वानरो यथा ॥ १ ॥ samutpanneṣu kāryeṣu buddhir yasya na hīyate |sa eva durgaṃ tarati jalastho vānaro yathā || 1 || He who keeps calm and uses his intelligence in troubled times, will be able to deal with any tough situation. Much like the monkey who …
- Losing what we have…To have gained and lost, is worse than not to have gained at all… Human life is all about striving towards something. Some work towards accumulating wealth, others strive hard to improve their quality of life. The journey towards our goals is hard, but the hope of getting there makes it worth the while. And …
- On heeding advice…Read the previous part here… ” And so oh mighty MeghaVarna, my advice to you is this. Rule well, rule justly, and do not get carried away in the lust for power. We are all nothing in front of Kālā…all your victories and all your defeats, all that you gained and all that you lost, …
- Time is the greatest leveler…Read the previous part here… Even though one can attain victory through violent means, one should always seek peaceful methods at first. Because, it is only after performing a puja and worship of the tall and magnificent trees, that they are cut down. “O king, of what use is such advice that is impossible to …
- Final words of wisdom…Read the previous part here… And so being aggressive and engaging an enemy in a fierce battle can only result in his defeat, not his annihilation. But by using a cool mind, and deception, the very roots of the enemy can be uprooted – he can be destroyed in a way that he never recovers. …
- The Brahmin who became blind by eating ghee…Read the previous part here… I know very well that I have become a vehicle of these frogs. But I will wait for some more time, like the Brahmin who became blind by eating ghee. The other serpent asked “How did that happen?” MandaVisha replied… घृतान्धब्राह्मणकथा The story of the Brahmin who became blind by …
- The frog and the serpent…Read the previous part here… MeghaVarna said “What you say is true, oh Sthirajeevin. Also, staying with the enemy would have been very hard for you…” Sthirajeevin replied “Yes, my king. It was hard, but I haven’t seen a greater assembly of fools! And likewise, I haven’t seen a man as intelligent, well-versed in politics, …
- An experience of fasting…Read the Navratri series here… I fasted the whole nine days of Navratri. Fruits during the day when hungry, and a simple sābudana khichdi or alu jeera around 8 pm. None of the fried stuff that usually goes into Navratri thālis. No rice, no wheat, no lentils. Mediation and mantra japa in the mornings and …
- The granting of blessings…Read the previous part here… Suratha said “Oh revered Rishi! we are grieving. I lost my kingdom, yet I feel attached to everything that is associated with it. My elephant, my people, my treasury…And this is Samādhi. He was disowned by his family, and yet he feels affectionate towards them. He still thinks about their …
- Victory over Āvarana…Read the previous part here… They fought in the skies, toe to toe, until the Devi lifted him, whirled him around and threw him to the ground. As he tried to get up, she grabbed her spear and pierced his chest with it, thus bringing him to his end. Śumba died, and the devas rejoiced. …
- Śumba and Niśumba…Read the previous part here… The Devi then struck Raktabīja with her spear, and the fierce Kālī drank up all his blood before it could spill to the ground. Raktabīja struck back, but failed to even touch the Devi. As she kept striking him with her spear, and her swords, Kālī kept drinking the blood …
- The terror of Raktabija…Read the previous part here… Seeing Chanda and Munda vanquished, the remaining asura army panicked and fled in all directions. And Kāli, holding the heads of Chanda and Munda in her hands, approached Chandika and said, “In this sacrifice of battle, here I have brought you the heads of Chanda and Munda.” The mighty Śumba …
- The coming of Chamunda…Read the previous part here… The Devi smiled again. “Yes, it is true. They are very strong. But what can I do since I took that ill-considered vow, even though it was long ago? Go back and tell them what I said, and let them do what they think is proper in this situation.” Hearing …
- A conversation with a messenger…Read the previous part here… Well, we have understood how to overcome tamas, and rajas. Next is sattva. But wait – sattva is a good guna, so why should we work on overcoming sattva? What form does Devi take in the next (and final) carita? Who does she fight with? Mala has been removed, Vikshepa …
- Victory of Vikshepa…Read the previous part here… Seeing Mahishasura fall, the entire legions of the asura armies perished. The devas celebrated and showered flowers on Devi Chandika, and sang praises in her name. The Devi, the mother of the worlds, had brought an end to the tyranny of the all-powerful leader of the asuras. The Devi Mahatmyam …
- Mahishasuramardini…Read the previous part here… The armies of the devas were mesmerised. They chanted in unison as their spirits rose after witnessing this huge spectacle. From his palace, Mahishasura wondered what was happening, and walked up to his window only to see nothing but a dazzling light. This was the glory of Devi Durga, and …
- The tyranny of Mahishasura…Read the previous part here… But when you get rid of kāma, krodha and lobhā, that is just the first step. A celebration is not in order. There are more challenges on the way – challenges that will involve the Devi fighting with Mahishasura and Raktabija. How does she win? What is the inner meaning? …
- Victory over Mala…Read the previous part here… “This is because of the boon that Devi granted these asuras”, thought Sri Vishnu as he continued to battle them. “Only she can show me a way to get the better of them.” And so, Sri Vishnu prayed to Devi Mahāmayā, who appeared before him, and said… “Sri Vishnu, you …
- Madhu and KaitabhaRead the previous part here… Suratha said “Oh revered Rishi! we are grieving. I lost my kingdom, yet I feel attached to everything that is associated with it. My elephant, my people, my treasury…And this is Samādhi. He was disowned by his family, and yet he feels affectionate towards them. He still thinks about their …