The Daughter from a Wishing Tree - Part 1

 Hi there!!! Today's story is a very unknown one. It's about the daughter of Shiva and Parvati, AshokaSundari, and how she was born. Let's go!

Parvati, the wife of Rudra and the mother of Ganesha and Karthikeya, had started to feel lonely. She longed for someone that could keep her company since Shiva would be out meditating or Ganesha and Karthikeya would be out fighting a war ALL THE TIME. No one stayed with Parvati. All of her kin would be gone for weeks at a stretch.
One day, after another bout of loneliness, Parvati turned to Shiva, "O Lord, I am terribly bored. My heart aches for some company. Everyone is always out and no one is here to keep me company!!" Shiva replied, "Well, there is no one that COULD stay with you!! ll of us are caught up in our activities, that we can't spare any time to be home!!" Parvati nodded her head, then slowly thought, "Well, if not someONE, then maybe someTHING!" She stated to Shiva, "O Shankara, take me to the most beautiful garden in the three realms!! I will be sure to find a plant that can be with me."

Shiva gladly agreed and went with her to the celestial garden of Nandana at Amaravati, the capital of the Heavens. They both exclaimed at the wondrous flowers and mesmerising plants in awe. They had never seen anything like this before!! Other passers-by directed Shiva and Parvati around the premises.
There, Parvati saw many trees, TALL and short, FAT and THIN, LOOOOOOONNNGGGGG and TiNy! They all caught her eyes, but KalpaVriksha, or the Wishing Tree, was the one Parvati was most attracted too. She was enchanted by its looks and captivated by its fluttering, emerald-green leaves.
She immediately knew that the KalpaVriksha was the right one for her. BUT, she wanted more. The first thought that flew into her mind was, "I want a daughter!" She whispered her wish to the KalpaVriksha, and LO AND BEHOLD!!!!!! She found herself with a beautiful baby girl dozing in her hands. Parvati said, "AshokaSundari - a gorgeous damsel who destroys loneliness. AshokaSundari shall be your name, little one." Parvati took AshokaSundari back to Mount Kailash and raised with complete care and affection.
AshokaSundari grew to be a young woman who was devoted to her parents. Parvati loved her dearly and enjoyed her cheerful company.

When AshokaSundari cam of marriageable age, Parvati was of the opinion that only an earthly king that had the stature and build of Indra - the King of the Gods - would be AshokaSundari's groom. Many dought the hand of AshokaSundari, but Parvati thought it best that her daughter married Prince Nahusha of the ChandraVamsha or the Lunar Dynasty.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Wit and Humour: Birbal and the Pot of Khichdi

Hi there! Today's story is from the Tales of Birbal. It's about how a small ray of hope is enough to inspire one who is ready to work hard to turn his dream into a reality.
Let's go!

On a chilly winters' day, Akbar and Birbal went for a stroll in the Dehli Palace complex. They talked about various political topics. They criticized the courtiers, who didn't take a liking towards Birbal. He would always outsmart them with his unmatchable wit.
As the pair started to stroll out of the complex, Akbar came across a near-frozen lake, which looked terribly cold. He dipped his finger into the water and he pulled it right out, shivering. He blew on his finger, he licked it too. He tried all means to make it warmer. But, it slowly turned warmer and warmer. Akbar clenched his finger in agony, as it reluctantly warmed up. Birbal stood watching the emperor's antics in amusement. He sniggered seeing Akbar's foolishness. Anybody who was everybody would make out that the lake would have been bone-chillingly cold, but the emperor just dumped his finger right in!!! He was so silly, that he tried to heat his finger up by rubbing it on his kurta!!
Eventually, Birbal's finger calmed down, and he regained his serenity. He exclaimed, "I don’t think a man would spend an entire night in the bone-chilling water of this lake for money.” Birbal replied, “I am sure I can find such a person.” Akbar then challenged Birbal to find such a person and said that he would reward the person with 100 gold coins.
Birbal looked far and wide, scouring the empire for someone who would take up this elephantine task.

Eventually, he found an old man who was desperate enough to do the challenge. Birbal brought him to the chilly lake along with a few soldiers accompanying him. 
Birbal explained the rules and regulations to the old man, "You must stay in the pond for the coming night. Don't look at any form of light. Get out as soon as you see the sun and come to the palace to collect your reward," the old bowed down to Birbal and went to dive into the cold lake. Birbal went back to the court and informed Akbar, "JahanPanah, the old man has gone into the water. Tomorrow morning we shall check on him," Akbar nodded his head in agreement and went to his room to sleep.

The whole night passed. The soldiers guarding the old man came to the court with him at the break of dawn. "JahanPanah, this old. man has violated the rules!!!! He didn't abide by the rules you had set!!!!" Birbal clenched his fists in shock!! He called the old man, who was weeping madly, "JahanPanah, JahanPanah!!!!!! These men are lying!! I stayed there for the whole night!!!!! They are lying!!!!" The soldiers barged in and shouted, "JahanPanah, This old man had a form of light with him!! There was a streetlight near the lake and we think that he must have looked at it the whole night!!!!! He must be lying, JahanPanah!!!!" Akbar stroked his beard in confusion. He took minutes to decide that the old man was lying. "Put him in prison!!!!" Akbar shouted to the soldiers. They bowed down and pulled the old man to jail. The old man protested, "The streetlight couldn't have provided me with any heat or warmth at all!!!!! It was miles away!!!!!!!!" The soldiers nodded their heads, but they, too, had their own way of looking at things, "It was not like that, O Emperor!!!! The streetlight was very far away, we agree, but the light and the warmth would've reached the man, right????" Screaming in agony, the old man called to Birbal, "O Birbal!!!! O Birbal!!!!!! Please, save me!!! SAVE ME!!!!!!" Birbal heard the old man's cries and stroked his chin. He got really annoyed with the Emperor and devised a sneaky plan to teach Akbar a lesson…

The next day, Birbal didn't turn up to the court. 
The next day too.
Then the next day.
Then the next day.
Then the next day.
Nearly a week had passed and Akbar shouted in anger, "WHERE IS BIRBAL?!??" None of the minsters buckled up and told Akbar. Nevertheless, they didn't even know where Birbal was!!
Suddenly, one of the king's spies ran into the court, shouting Jahanpanah!!! Jahanpanah!!!! Akbar stomped down from his throne and grabbed the spy by his shoulders, "Where is Birbal!!?!?!!!" The spy quivered and whispered, "Birbal's at his house. He said that you had to come and eat lunch at his house with him," Birbal roared in anger. Birbal, his favourite minister in court, hadn't turned up and Akbar had so many court cases to finish!!! He stomped back to his throne, silencing the whole room.
The hours passed and Akbar didn't know what to do!! Should he go to Birbal's house or should he wait for him to come here?!?!? He clenched his fists in dilemma.
Akbar finally made the decision to go to Birbal's house for lunch. He mounted his horse and went to  Birbal's house in a fit of rage.
"BIRBAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" shouted Akbar as he reached his destination. Birbal didn't react, he just sat outside his house, waiting for Akbar to stomp in.
Akbar eventually found Birbal in his garden, blowing on a small fire he had made. Akbar asked, "What is this, Birbal?!?!? Why haven't you come to the court?!?!? Why do you sit here????" Birbal replied, "JahanPanah, please do sit inside and have some refreshments. I shall meet you shortly. I am just making some khichdi for lunch." Akbar went inside Birbal's house and plopped his butt on the sofa.
10 minutes passed.
Then half an hour.
Then 45 minutes.
Then an hour.
Nearly 3 hours had passed and Birbal had shown no sign of coming!!! Akbar's rage grew with every passing second. He roared with anger, as he bashed his feet on the floor. 
Eventually, he ran over to the garden where he found Birbal sitting there still. Akbar roared, "WHAT IS THIS, BIRBAL?!??!? WHY DO YOU MOCK ME LIKE THIS?!?!?!" Birbal showed Akbar the fire burning in front of him, with a heap of wood beneath it. And in front of it was a very, very, VERY tall tree. And at the tippy-top of that tree was a small pot of khichdi, tied with a few pieces of rope. Birbal asked, JahanPanah, do you think the khichdi is cooking??" Akbar roared. Birbal whispered, "I'll take that as a no." He added in a larger voice, "Just like this, do you think the poor old man got any warmth from the faraway streetlight? Hmm??" Akbar widened his eyes in shock. He forgot about his anger and grasped Birbal by the shoulders, "Thank you, Birbal, for you have shown me my mistake. I am sorry, old friend," Akbar embraced Birbal.

The next day, the poor old man was taken out of jail by Akbar and was awarded 1000 gold coins!!! Birbal, too, got 500 gold coins from the Emperor, for he has shown him his mistake and that what he did was wrong.

Thanks for reading Birbal and the Pot of Khichdi!!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!

The Story of Bheemana Amavasya…

Hi there!! Did you know that today is the day of Bheemana Amavasya? It's the last day of the Hindu month of AashadaMaasa and is a no-moon day.
On this day, many wives or girls who are yet to be married pray for their husbands, and ask Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to give them a good husband. They also wish for his long life and good health.
Here's the story behind Bheemana Amavasya…

There once lived an old couple in a town off the coast of Karnataka. They were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. They prayed to him every day and every night, singing shlokas and bhajans in his praise. They had a young daughter, who was very kind and caring. She used to take care of them with love and care.
One day, the old couple decided to go on a pilgrimage to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. They knew that the journey would be arduous, and they thought that their daughter couldn't go the distance. That day, they told her, "Little one, we have decided to go to Kashi on a pilgrimage. We…umm… we don't think you should come with us, because you might not be able to withstand the terrors of the journey. We think it best for you to stay here," the girl looked sad since she didn't want her parents to go all the way to Kashi!! Without her, too!! She pleaded them, "O father, mother, please stay back!! I don't want to be alone!! I shan't be alone!!!"
The couple looked at each other. Stroking their chins, they came up with an idea, "Why don't you stay with your brother and his wife?? They will give you a very good company!!" She smiled at the thought. She hadn't seen her bro in a long time. She would love to spend some good old family time with him!! She hugged her mom and dad, "Thank you, guys!! I really want to meet anna!!! It's been so long!!!" Her parents also chuckled and went with her to her brother's place.
When they reached her brother's house, her mom and dad called their son to speak with him in private. They whispered, "f we don't come back in a long time, please get your sister married. We would want her to get married before we aren't gone. Even if we are not there to witness it, her marriage will be a splendid one. We're sure of it!!"

The months passed. The old lady and her husband had gone for a very long time. But, their daughter wasn't dismal. She passed her time in her brother's house well, helping them out with all of their daily chores.
The years then passed. They anxiously waited for the old couple's arrival. Their son was pondering over the thought of getting his sister married. But, he didn't know what to do!!! He had the thought in his mind, but his other side advised him against it, saying that it would cost them a great amount of money!! Keeping that in his mind, the brother pondered over it.
Nearly 6 years had passed, when one of the king's advisors proclaimed, "HEAR YE, HEAR YE!!!!! The king's son had fallen ill and died!!! His dying wish was to get married!!!! But, none of the neighbouring kings have offered their daughter's hands in marriage. So, the king has said that whoever agrees to marry the late prince, shall be greatly rewarded!!!!!!!!" The old couple's son's eyes lit up with excitement!! He knew this was the opportunity he was waiting for!!!!
He grabbed his sister's hand and ran over to the advisor, "O advisor, my sister shall marry the late prince!!! She shall marry him!!!!!" In a state of shock, the old couple's daughter shouted, "That can't happen!!!!" But, her brother insisted. He nearly forced her to marry the dead prince.
Eventually, the wedding was fixed. The young girl's emotions weren't taken into account for. She wasn't for her marriage, but she had to go along with her brother's decision.
So, the wedding took place with pomp and pizzazz, though the prince couldn't see it.
After the wedding, the king and his new daughter-in-law went to the crematory with a group of close ones and went to cremate the body.

Suddenly, it started drizzling.
Then, it started raining.
Then it started to rain heavily.
Then it started to pour!!!!!!!
Nearly everyone ran out of the crematorium to get shelter. Everyone but the new bride. She stayed at her husband's body and prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. She knew that they were the only ones that could help her now.
As she was praying, a young couple came and asked her, "Why are you sitting next to your husband's body??" Ahe explained that he was dead and she had come to cremate him. The couple replied, "He's not dead!!! Go ahead, shake him!! Wake him up!!!!!" She thought this was all codswallop, that her husband was ACTUALLY dead, but lo and behold!!!!!!!!! When she shook him, he woke up and recognised his new wife!!!!!!!! They jumped in ecstasy.
When she turned to thank the couple, the young girl realised that they had vanished. She knew that this was the work of only Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. She thanked them with all her heart.
The king returned to burn his son's body when he saw that he was alive!!!!! He ran to hug him, as the crowd gathered. The incident went down in history, being named as BHAGIRATI NADI HOGI.

Fun Fact Nº 1. When the young girl prayed to Shiva, she asked him to bestow her late husband with the strength of Bheema, the Pandava. That's why today is called Bheemana Amavasya!!!!

Fun Fact Nº 2. This is why many wives pray for their husband's long life and good health on Bheemana Amavasya!!

Thanks for reading the Story of Bheemana Amavasya!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!!!

The Story of a Spoonful of Milk and a Fistful of Rice…

Hi there! Today story is an unknown story to many. It is about Lord Ganesh and how he demonstrates to all that he blessed his devotees and forgave all. Let's go!

It was festive times and the whole village was colourful. The occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi was upcoming, and everyone was on their toes day and night, making sweets, decorating their houses, buying new saris and kurtas, all to pray to Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom.
They all had made such delicious sweets, that Ganesha himself could smell their aroma all the way from Mount Kailasha! He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "Ahhhhh!!! Such beautiful smells!!! I wish I could just go and eat them all up!!! But, alas!!! I have to wait for my birthday!!!! Why couldn't Ganesh Chaturthi come earlier?!?!? I want to fill my stomach to the brim with sweets!!!!"
The village kept on raving about how their dresses were the most gorgeous in the world, and how their sweets were to die for. All of them were boasting. All but one. An old, poor woman, who was too frail and weak to do an elaborate pooja. She didn't have much, but she still lived contently. She was completely devoted to the gods and was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. She had only a plate for fruits that she could offer and a few sacred plants. She knew that she couldn't do such amazing offerings, but she hoped that Lord Ganesha would accept it.

The day of Ganesh Chaturthi arrived faster than the villagers had hoped. They scampered around, borrowing sugar and spices from their neighbours, plucking juicy fruits from the top of tall trees too. They all got set for the awaited time of the pooja.
Ganesha decided to have some fun with the bragging people of the village. He knew that he wanted to play a little prank on the villagers, trying to find out which one of them would be his most devoted devotee.
He flew down to the village in the form of a little, poor boy, who had two things in his hands: a spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice. He shouted throughout the village, "Please can someone make me some kheer, please?? I have a spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice!! Can someone please make me some kheer?? Please?!?!?! I have the ingredients!!! A spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice!! A spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice!!! Can someone make me some kheer?? Please?!?!?" He roamed around the village, pleading each and every villager that passed him eyes. They all got really annoyed with the poor boy. Whoever heard the boy, immediately got annoyed. What a wishful thinking. Some of them thought," How dare this boy dream of getting a bowl of kheer from such a meagre quantity of rice and milk. Simply unthinkable!!"
So none of the villagers came to his help or offered him any sweets to eat. They simply shooed him away. But the boy was very determined, he kept on ranting about his spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice.

Ultimately, as the sun slowly dipped beyond the horizon, the old lady called the poor boy into her small hut and offered to make him his kheer. The boy was overjoyed to hear this!! He asked the woman to get a very big vessel to prepare the kheer. The old woman laughed at such a suggestion, "A big vessel? What for? The quantity of rice and milk is so less, that it won't even fill a bowl!!!" But the boy was adamant, he kept on asking for the biggest vessel. Finally, the woman relented and went to a neighbouring house and got a very big vessel. The milk and rice were carefully poured into the vessel. A little bit of sugar was also added to give it some sweet taste.

In the meantime, while the kheer was getting cooked, the boy asked the old, frail woman if he could go out and play. The old woman agreed, seeing that the boy looked very innocent and desired to play with the boys of the village. But, there was one catch: The boy made the old woman swear that she would not eat the kheer before he ate it. Reluctantly, the old woman replied, "Okay, I will wait for you to come home,"

The old lady waited for one hour. 

Then another. 

Then another hour.

So much time had passed, that the old lady fell asleep while watching the kheer cook!!

A long time passed. The small wooden hut was soon filled with a delectable aroma, which suddenly woke up the old lady. She went to look at the little quantity of kheer she made when she saw the big vessel was filled to the brim with kheer!!!! She gasped in amazement!! She knew that this was the blessings of Lord Ganesha. As soon as the kheer cooled down, she scooped some into a bowl and offered it to Lord Ganesha. She kept it in front of the small photo of him that she had in her prayer room. As she kept the kheer down, she licked her lips. She thought, "Ohh!! The kheer looks so delicious!! I wish I could just gobble it all up!!!!" But, she saw that the poor boy hadn't come back!! It was late in the night!!!!! She got worried, but then she thought, " Oh, he'll be alright. But one thing's for certain: I gave my word to him, and I don't want to break my promise. What should I do?!?!?" She stroked her chin in frustration and pondered over what she should do.

Unable to contain her hunger anymore, the old lady helped herself with a bowl of the mouthwatering dish. It was so delicious that she went for a second helping.

 Then a third.

 Then a fourth.

Then a fifth.

And so on until she is unable to take anymore. But she saw the pot in front of her, and what a sight!! She had eaten soo much of the kheer, but the pot was full to the brim!!!! It hadn't gone down even a little!!! The pot was full, and it was without a trace of the old woman's indulgence.

Soon after she had finished eating, the boy returned. He saw her lying on the floor with a grin on her face. The old lady soon changed her grin into a frown. She felt very guilty and ashamed of herself. In an instant, she blurted out, "I am so sorry, my little child. I tried some of the kheer before you came!!! I am very, very sorry. Do what you wish with me. I shall be content with my punishment," Suddenly, the boy replied, "No, ajji! You have already fed me with the best kheer I have ever had!! Don't worry!! You haven't broken your promise!!!" The old woman was stumped!! She had no clue how she had fed the boy. She traced her steps, going from the time when the boy came to her, until now. She couldn't recall when she fed him!!!! She pleaded him, "But how, my child?! You were outside until now!! I haven't even given you a drop of the kheer!!" Suddenly, the boy turned into Lord Ganesha, with his elephant head and his human body. The old woman wept with joy and touched Ganesha's feet. She was ecstatic and jumping with joy, for her prayers had been answered. Seeing her kindness, Ganesha asked her, "What do you wish for, ajji?!" Being the human she was, the old lady asked, "I would like to look beautiful and have all the riches I could ever have!!!" Ganesha smiled and proclaimed, "Turn around, ajji!!! I shall give you your wish," She turned around. In a flash, Ganesha pushed the old lady onto the wooden floor!!

The Old lady got up, angry and turned around to ask Ganesha why he did that. But, when she got up, she saw that she was in a palace, with beautiful jewels and ornaments donning her shining sari. She felt her face and saw that it wasn't wrinkly and saggy - It was beautiful and light-toned!! She bowed down to Ganesha, who was standing behind her and said, "Thank you, O Ganapati! You have fulfilled my lifelong wish!!" Ganesha blessed her and flew back to his house atop Mount Kailash.

Thus, the spoonful of milk and the fistful of rice gave the old woman her wish

Thanks for reading the Spoonful of Milk and a Fistful of Rice!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!!!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!!

Harihara: The Ultimate God…

Hi there!!! Today's story is about the fusion god, Harihara. Harihara is the fusion of Vishnu and Shiva. He is considered a double-god, being supreme for Shaivites (Shiva followers) and Vaishnavites (Vishnu followers). Harihara looks like this:

Vishnu on the left-hand side, with the blue skin, and Shiva on the right-hand side, wearing tiger skin. He is also known as Shankarnarayana or Shambhovishnu. Let's go!

Deep in a dim-lit, gloomy cave, somewhere in the thick and dense forest of Guharanya, lived one of the most treacherous demons ever - Guhasura! He was huge, with grey skin like that of an elephant. He wore golden jewels that hung from his neck and ears, which he had stolen from anxious passers-by. He had an orange and black striped tiger skin wound around his lower body, and he had the most horrendous pair of feet ever!!! He had long, chipped nails which were a gut-wrenching shade of black. Each monstrous toe of his reeked a revolting smell. Between each toe were reeking fungi, which stirred stomach-churning, off-putting sweat out of them (By now, most of you would be like this: EEWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!! BLEHH!!!!!!). He had yellow teeth and a crooked smile. His unruly, matted dreadlocks shook with each step of his gigantic feet. His eyes were a deep red, and as he roared like a lion, his eyes opened to reveal the scariest sight on Mother Earth.

Guhasura was a force to be reckoned with. No one was brave enough to go and confront him. Those who did try to stop Guhasura were never heard from again. All that remained were the skulls of those men…
Guhasura was determined to become the king of the Asuras (Aren't they all?!?), so he performed a huge penance to Goddess Shakti - an Incarnation of Parvati - to attain a crazy good boon.
He did penance for days.
Then weeks.
Then months.
Then a few years!!!
He did penance for soooo long, that he didn't realise that he had meditated for a decade!!!!!! As he was coming to the end of his penance, he shook his head in dismay, "Why haven't you come, Shakti?? Why?" He relieved himself of his posture and grabbed his sword, "If you don't grant me this boon in this life, then you shall definitely do so in my next!!!!" He brought the sword closer to his neck when goddess Shakti came flying down from heaven!! She blessed Guhasura, "Hello, Guhasura. I have been pleased with your penance. What boon do you desire?" Guhasura laughed in amazement!! He was elated!! He jumped with joy then said, "The boon I desire is that NO HUMAN, NO ANIMAL, NO ASURA NOR ANY GOD SHALL BE ABLE TO KILL ME!!!!!!" Shakti, being bound in by the laws of boon-giving, was enraged with Guhasura, but she had to give him his wish, "Thatha Astu!!!!" She flew back to her abode as Guhasura leapt in the air in ecstasy. He thought this boon made him invincible. He thought that he will become the king of Asuras in no time!!! His arrogance blinded him (Isn't it soooo cliché, that every single asura strives for one single goal??? I think so). It blinded him badly.

Meanwhile, back in the heavens, the gods saw Guhasura's state and got worried. They knew that, as they had faced many foolish asuras along the way, Guhasura would do the same as his ancestors and the ones to come: He will create an army and slaughter all of mankind. They sat at their round table together, thinking of a solution. Alas!! None of them could come up with an answer in time!!
Guhasura didn't do what was predicted by the gods - he just single-handedly went and destroyed villages. Then cities. Then entire kingdoms!!! The people of Bharat begged and beseeched the gods to help. But, the gods had to find a solution. And fast!!!!!
As Guhasura's rampage continued, Lord Vishnu had a (figurative) light bulb go DING!!! inside his mind. He ran to the other gods at the roundtable, and proclaimed, "Guhasura can't be killed by one god, but maybe two could do the job!!!! I shall be the first god to fight Guhasura!!!! What say???" The other gods agreed to Vishnu's statement. But there was just one problem: Who would be the second god??? No one was ready to take up the challenge against Guhasura.
Hours passed, but no one volunteered. They all laid in wait for anyone else to volunteer.
Suddenly, Lord Shiva jumped off the tip of Mount Kailash and landed on the roundtable. With the spirit of a hero in his voice, he shouted, "I, Kailashnatha Shiva, shall be the second god to go against Guhasura!!!!!!" The other gods clapped in his honour, as they set about getting ready for the fight against Guhasura.

Vishnu and Shiva got ready for the battle against Guhasura promptly. They fused together using their magic powers and formed the ULTIMATE GOD!!!!!! Harihara!!!!! He was half-Vishnu and half-Shiva, being double in strength and double in power. They were ready to fight the horrid demon Guhasura.
As they descended to Guhasura's dark cave, they saw the remnants of the warriors before them. They shuddered in fear, and carried on into the cave.
Soon, they saw him. Lumbering, nooo, TOWERING above Harihara, Guhasura roared at the double-god. Guhasura shouted, "I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!!!!!!!!! RAAAAAAAAR!!!!!!!!" With a swing of his Sudarshan Chakra and a fling of the Trishula, Harihara easily vanquished the terrorising demon, Guhasura. Peace was restored to the entire country at last.

Thus, Guhasura was slaughtered by Harihara

Thanks for reading Harihara: The Ultimate God!!!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to subscribe to my blog!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!

The Birth of River Kaveri…

Hi there guys!!! Today I'm telling the story of the Ganga of the South, the River Kaveri!! Today's story is about how the famed river was born, and how she started to flow all the way from Talakaveri in Coorg to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu. Let's go!

Every year, in April and May, the sun scorches over India, giving it a very, VERY hot summer. Sometimes, the dust blows in the breeze, leaving the people dry as a bone and longing for water. It can become very, VERY dry. But, most of the time, the summer concludes with multiple deluges. It pours for hours on end, drenching the land and the villages with it. Everyone awaits the amazing rain, fir they wouldn't have had much water over the last months. This downpour occurs usually in June and July.
Many, many years ago, one summer was particularly hot. To make matters worse, the grey clouds failed to appear in the sky. Without rains, the rivers ran out of water. Ponds and lakes dried up. Water in the wells shrunk and no more water could be found. The people cried in thirst, as they clutched their throats, parched. Without water, plants and animals started dying.
In the midst of all of this, Sage Agastya, one of the saptarishi, sat on a hill-top in Coorg, with his eyes closed, deep in meditation. He was unaware of the throat-drying, body-scorching heatwave that was sweeping India. He had a little bracelet with lots of beads, which he used for praying, and he had one solitary kamandalu, or a small water pot.

The townsfolk of Coorg got more problems at their doorstep. The demon, Surapadman, was terrorising the whole village! He was as tall as a giraffe and as strong as an elephant. He could knock down building after building… hut after hut… No one could stop him. They prayed to Lord Ganesha to stop the evil demon.
Seeing the citizens' plight, Ganesha rushed down to help them in the form of a crow. He fluttered down to Sage Agastya and ca-cawed his wish. Agastya, deep in meditation, didn't notice the little crow next to him. He kept on meditating, paying no attention to Ganesha.
Ganesha got slightly annoyed. He ca-cawed again, but louder. He squawked at Agastya louder but didn't get a response. Agastya sat with his eyes closed, not paying any attention at all to the little crow next to him.
Ganesha got really agitated now. He saw the kamandalu next to Agastya and in a fit of ire, he slapped the kamandalu with his wing. He squawked at Agastya, who finally looked up when he saw the state of Coorg, the demon Surapadman and the trickle of flowing water from his kamandalu, he realised what he should do.

Using his magical, yogic powers, Agastya changed the small trickle of water into a fast-flowing, white-water river! It blasted down the hill, flowing all the way to the hillside village.
Seeing the massive torrent coming closer and closer to them, the townsfolk of Coorg fled for their lives. Surapadman, who was busy destroying the town, didn't see the crazy current and got washed away with its force. The whole village nearly broke into smithereens, but Ganesha protected the city very carefully. He redirected the river towards the ocean where it emptied its water out into the larger water body.
The people of Coorg were really thankful. They cheered and hailed Sage Agastya and Lord Ganesha, for even though their houses had been flooded, Ganesha and Agastya had taken care of two bigger problems: the drought and Surapadman. They thanked them honestly as they made their way back to the village.
Ganesha and Agastya went their separate ways, one going to Mount Kailasha and one venturing off to meditate in another part of the kingdom.

Thus, the river Kaveri was born

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The Tale of Krishna and the Govardhana Giri…

Hi there!!! Today's story is about Krishna as a little boy and how he lifted the huge Govardhana Giri (Giri means mountain) on his finger!! This story is from the Puranas.

Let's go…

Brindavana was a place of luscious greenery and every single resident used to credit it to Lord Indra, who brought down monsoon rains and gave them warm and lovely weather all year round. Every year, they held a festival in honour of Lord Indra in the monsoon season. One monsoon, perhaps, had the best rainfall ever. It poured daily, nonstop, all the time. You couldn't put one step out of your house without getting drenched in cool, fresh rainwater. Many of the little kids used to frolic and play in the muddy grass. They would throw chocolate-tinted mud around, flinging it at each other too.

One similar monsoon, Brindavana had good rain and the village greenery thrived with healthy vegetation. The people in the village planned to celebrate the good weather and thank Lord Indra. So, the people cleaned and decorated the whole village with shiny lights and beautiful flowers. Lord Krishna was unaware of this new development, and as he heard the noise outside, he peeped outside of his window and saw the decorations. He enquired the reason for the celebration from his foster father, Nanda. Nanda said, "Lord Indra blesses us with good rains, so we celebrate him and his work," as he came to know, Krishna was shocked and denied that the reason behind the rain is not Lord Indra. The people in the village were astonished to hear this incident. The noise stopped and everyone were keenly listening to Lord Krishna.
Nanda tried to convince Krishna that Lord Indra brought the annual rains and was responsible for the growth of their crops. He tried many ways but to no avail. Krishna just wouldn't accept it. He went out into the calmed celebration and proclaimed, "People of Brindavana!!! You have been mistaken that Lord Indra takes care of the rains!!! Well, I say that's all codswallop!!!! I say that the Govardhana Giri is responsible or the monsoons and is the one behind all of our crops and is the reason that they grow!!!!" The people of Brindavana were shocked!!! They couldn't digest this new occurrence. A small child was claiming that Indra doesn't give them rains?! Some were annoyed. Some were angry. Some even became down-right enraged!!! They stomped over to Krishna and questioned him, "How dare you say that about Lord Indra?!?! He is the one who makes it rain every year. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have any food and we would all die!!!! If it weren't for him, our land wouldn't be fertile, too!!!! How do you propose that Govardhana Giri is responsible for our rains and monsoon weather?!? Indra is a GOD, and the Govardhana Giri is a non-living thing!!!!!" Krishna smiled and replied, "Yes, I agree with you. Govardhana is a non-living thing, but the monsoon is a natural phenomenon, right?! You all might know that when you pray to Indra, he only responds at a certain time of the year, right?! That is because of all the activities on the Govardhana Giri!!! It provides the cattle that Balarama, my friends and me graze, with luscious green grass. Since it provides, the cows can plough are land and they can give us fresh milk. Farmers such as us must only concentrate on our 'karma', or duties, and perform them to the best of our abilities, rather than conducting poojas like this for any natural phenomenon. I rest my case," The citizens of Brindavana were impressed by Krishna's words, and taking his assurance, they proceeded with the puja. But, not to Lord Indra, nooo. They performed it to Govardhana Giri!!!

Lord Indra, who was watching this incident unfold, became livid with madness!!! He was angrier than a dragon trying to blow out birthday candles!!! His face lit up a shade of pink, which the other gods laughed at.
Indra's face turned a bright shade of pink, to a deep red. He roared in a fit of rage, as he summoned his magical clouds. He called them and said, "Go and pour every single drop of rain that you have onto Brindavana. Let's see who they will worship after that!!!!!" The clouds flew over to Brindavana and counted down, "Five, four, three, two, one, POUR!!!!!!!" They let go of their rain, and it splattered down onto the Govardhana Giri. The people of Brinadavana saw the rain and went out. They witnessed a supernatural incident in the waking. The rain slowly grew heavier and heavier with the coming of each second. They were astonished to see the heavy rain turn heavier within seconds.
Within a few minutes, the whole village of Brindavana had been flooded!!!! People rushed into their homes, which slowly started to level with the water. Some houses crumbled with the force of the rain. Nearly all of the people were frightened out of their skins, as they ran into make-shift underground shelters.
Krishna, seeing this, ran out into the rain. Yashoda, his foster mother, screamed out to him, "Krishna!!! Krishna!!! Come back!!!! Krishna!!! Come back inside!!!!!!!!!" Without heeding his mother's words, he ran up to the Govardhana Giri and shouted, "ALL THOSE WHO WANT SHELTER, COME TO ME!!!!!!!!!" All of the citizens of Brindavana ran to Krishna, for they had previously seen his miracles in action. They knew that he could help them out.
Suddenly, Krishna grabbed the bottom of the Govardhana Giri and lifted it up into the sky. The people of Brindavana were sacred out of their skin!!!! They knew that Krishna wasn't an ordinary boy, but this was too much!!! Still, they sprinted over to him, as he lifted the whole mountain in one hand. he slowly eased it onto his pinky finger and kept it on there for hours. More and more people came rushing under the mountain. Even the cows and other animals of Govardhana had come to take shelter under Krishna's pinky.
Krishna held it on his finger for one day. Then two. Then three days, until one whole week had passed!!!! The town of Brindavana had become waterlogged, as the citizens held on for their lives. The clouds in the sky gushed rainwater down like waterfalls, breaking houses and shacks in seconds.

After the week had elapsed, Indra finally understood who he was fighting against. He called the clouds away and cleansed Brindavana of its waterlogging. He rebuilt all of the houses and made all of the monuments right once again. He bowed down to Krishna, asking for forgiveness.
Being an avatar of the kind-hearted Vishnu, Krishna forgave Indra and asked him to return to his abode up above. Indra gladly did so and returned to the heavens. The village of Brindavana turned into what it was before. So did the lives of all of the people of Brindavana.

Thus, Krishna lifted the Govardhana Giri and saved his town.

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The Story of Vishnu and Brahma's Competition…

Hi there!!! Todays's story is about why the Creator God, Brahma,. isn't worshipped anywhere in the world, except one place. This story is also another reason why Brahma got his four heads (You can read my other story - Why Does Brahma Have Four Heads? - to understand the other reason behind how he got faces facing all directions). Let's go…

One day, Brahma and Vishnu were walking in the celestial gardens. They were both walking on two separate paths, each paved with shining gold. They were both breathing in the fresh air, exercising their hardest (What do you expect? Both, Vishnu and Brahma were very, very, VERY old, so they couldn't do workouts. Walking was good enough, I guess.). They were huffing and puffing, when the two paths they were walking suddenly converged!! The two roads had now turned into one!!! Vishnu huffed, "Hello, Brahma. Do let me pass, so that I may continue walking," but, Brahma puffed, "Sorry, Vishnu, but can you let me pass? I need to continue walking," Vishnu shook his head in frustration. He grit his teeth and growled, "Please move, Brahma!! I need to go!!! Let me move!!!" Brahma also did the same, "I am the Creator!!!! Let me move!!!!!" Vishnu pointed his finger at Brahma and warned him, "I am the Preserver!!!! If I wasn't there, why would you create?!?! There would be no-one to preserve your creations!!!!" Brahma warned Vishnu, "Don't point your finger at me!!!! You're talking to the Creator here!!! If I didn't create, what would you preserve?!?!?!"
As the gods argued, many others came to see what was happening. They thought that it would escalate into a huge heated fight!!!!

Soon, the argument had become a huge fight!!!! Brahma and Vishnu were shoving their fists into each other, they were kicking each other with their celestial feet. They were shouting at each other, just waiting for one of them to withdraw and let the other go on the path.
Hours passed. Brahma and Vishnu grew tired. They couldn't continue in this fashion for longer.
Soon, they decided on a competition: Whoever found the Atma Linga of Shiva shall be the superior and shall go on the road first (I know, all of this just for someone to walk on a path?!). Vishnu stated, "I shall take the form of Varaha and dig my way down until I find the Atma Linga," Brahma declared, "I shall fly higher and higher on my swan until I am the victor," So, Vishnu and Brahma got ready for the competition. Lord Shiva eagerly watched this, as he was the only one who knew how to get to the Atma Linga. He sat on the tip of Mount Kailasha and laughed.
The Next day, Vishnu and Brahma met on the Earth. Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha, the boar and Brahma called his vehicle, a swan, to his position.

One of the gods shouted GO!!!!! and they were off!! Vishnu dug deep into the ground, searching for the Atma Linga, whereas Brahma zoomed up into the sky, looking for the Atma Linga.
Vishnu went deep into the Earth. And deeper. And deeper. And deeper. Soon, he grew tired and wheezed, “This Atma Linga evades me. Why, I do not know!! I’m getting tired, and I’m getting hungry. I’m going back up to where I met Brahma. I can't take this any longer," thus, Vishnu came back, deserting his search for the Atma Linga.
Meanwhile, Brahma flew higher. And higher. And higher. He reached the clouds soon. With the Atma Linga nowhere in sight, he sighed He thought that Vishnu would win the competition. Ass he was resting on his swan, a small, white mallika flower toppled into his hands. He asked the flower, " My dear flower, where have you come from? Are you okay?!" The mallika flower smiled and said, "Hello, Lord Brahma. I was sitting atop the Atma Linga, for a devotee had placed me there. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew me off the Linga!! I fell off quite some time ago. After falling for nearly a few minutes, I landed in your hands. Then, you know what happened," Brahma stared in awe. He hatched a sneaky plan, then said, "That's wonderful!!! I was looking for a flower just like you. I have one little job for you to do," the flower said, “What is that job?” Brahma replied, “Well, you just tell Vishnu that I took you off the top of the Atma Linga.” The mallika flower said, “Well, Brahma, that’s not quite true. A devotee put me on top of the Atma Linga, and a gust of wind blew me off of the top of the Atma Linga. That’s how I came to be in your hand.” And Brahma said, “Do you know who I am? I’m the Creator of the Universe. And if you do this little thing for me, I will make sure that you are honoured amongst all flowers.”

The flower smiled and flew down to the surface of the Earth, where Varaha was waiting for Brahma. Smiling, Varaha asked the flower, "Hello, little mallika flower. How have you arrived here?!" The little flower narrated what Brahma had told him to say. Only that. He didn't tell anything that Brahma had added, like he would be revered in the flower kingdom, and that Brahma had told him to come here.
Vishnu stroked his chin, then saw that Brahma's swan was coming down, with him sitting on it. He greeted Brahma, who proclaimed, "I reached the Atma Linga and cam down. I told this flower to come here and tell you that I had completed the competition. I am now the superior!!!! Hah!!!!"
Meanwhile, Shiva was watching this incident unfold from his abode atop Mount Kailasha. He was enraged!!! He knew that Brahma hadn't reached the Atma Linga!!! He jumped down from his mountain and bellowed, "BRAHMA, YOU LIAR!!!!! YOU NEVER REACHED THE ATMA LINGA!!! YOU HAVE PROVED TO BE THE WORST OF MEN!!!" Shiva flung his trident at Brahma's head which was facing the sky and chopped it off. KKKCCCHHHAAACCCKKK!!!!!!!!! Brahma wailed in sorrow, as he begged Shiva and Vishnu for forgiveness. Shiva landed on the floor and stated, " Without my grace, no one can reach the top of the Atma Linga!!!!! Because of your horrid actions, I curse you - May you never be worshipped anywhere!!!!!!" Brahma begged them for forgiveness, which they readily gave, but on some conditions. Brahma would never challenge Vishnu. He would accept that Vishnu was the Supreme. He would never annoy others too.

Thus, Brahma lost one of his heads and he was never given any worship ever.

Fun Fact Nº 1: There is only one temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is in Pushkar, Rajasthan.

Fun Fact Nº 2: This incident (Varaha digging down and Brahma flying up) is said to have occurred in Pushkar

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The Tale of Krishna and the Syamantaka Mani…

Hi there!!! Today's story is about Krishna and how he suffered the curse of watching the Moon on Ganesha Chaturthi. He was accused of stealing the most valuable gem in existence, the Syamantaka Mani, from King Satrajit, a Yadava King. Let's go…

Long, long ago, during the time of the great epic Mahabharata, there lived a Yadava king called Satrajit. He ruled a province in Dwaraka, the capital of the Yadava Empire. He was a very prosperous king. But, Satrajit was only prosperous because of one reason. He had been given the Syamantaka Mani, the most valuable and amazing jewel in the cosmos.
Satrajit was an ardent devotee of Surya, the Sun God. One day, Satrajit had gone to the coast of Dwaraka to perform penance to Surya.
Upon hearing his prayers, Surya came down and told Satrajit to ask for a boon. Satrajit asked for the famed gem. It sat on Surya's neck in the form of a necklace, and when he took it off, his body stopped blazing and shining. He turned into a (sort-of) normal man!!! Surya allowed Satrajit to take the gem and asked Lord Vishnu to restore his powers.
When Satrajit walked back to his palace, he shone like the sun. He was gleaming and glistening. Many of Dwaraka's citizens thought that Satrajit was Surya himself!!!
Such was his dazzling glory, that Krishna pleaded him to give it to the supreme leader of the Yadavas, Ugrasena (Kamsa's father. He became the king again after Krishna killed Kamsa. You can check out my other story, The Slaying of Kamsa, to find out more about what happened). But, Satrajit didn't agree. He didn't comply to Krishna's earnest pleas. He wanted the gem all to himself (The greedy goose!!!!! How selfish!!!!)

Many months later, Satrajit decided to give the Syamantaka Mani to his younger brother, Prasena, who was also the ruler of another Yadava province. He wore the gem often, displaying it to all that came to him. Many envied him, but no one dared to steal the gem, for Prasena was a very-well trained warrior.
But, on one unfortunate day, Prasena had gone out to hunt with his men. He was roaming around the forest on his horse, when suddenly a lion attacked him!!!! He was killed by the ferocious lion, who swallowed the Syamantaka Mani!!!! Along with Prasena's corpse, the lion started to run back to its den, when suddenly, it was attacked!!!! A huge bear, with human-like features, pounced on the lion and killed it within seconds. It was none other than Jambavantha, the king of the bears. He helped Lord Rama build the Ram Sethu over to Lanka and he fought for him in the following battle. He remained alive for soooo long!!!!! He ripped the lion in two, as he roared with power.
As he dragged the two halves of the lion over to his den, he found the Syamantaka Mani lodged in its stomach!!!!! He picked it up and kept it in his hands. Running over to his house, Jambavantha kept the Syamantaka Mani safe in his hands. He knew that this gem could sustain his family for centuries, if not years!!!!

The next day was very eventful. It was Ganesha Chaturthi. Many had gathered together to sing hymns in praise of the God of Wisdom. They had prepared many delicious sweets too!!!!
That night, the moon was up high and shining like a diamond. Krishna, who was happily awaiting his dinner, roamed around the porch of his majestic palace in Dwaraka. He wasn't very happy, for Satrajit had not listened to his advice. He wanted to keep the Syamantaka Mani with Ugrasena, but Satrajit didn't permit him.
Soon, one of his attendants brought him some kheer to eat outside on the porch. He was really elated to see the kheer. It brought him a sense of calmness.
He sat down on the porch and lifted his hands to dip it in the kheer. As he went to dip his hand in the golden bowl of kheer, he saw the reflection of the Moon on the kheer!!! He smiled, beckoning whatever bad luck comes his way. No one else knew that Krishna saw the Moon that day. He was the only one to know about it.

The next day, Satrajit forgot of the festivities and went to search for his brother. he couldn't find him anywhere!!! Many went in search of Prasena, but to no avail. They couldn't find him anywhere!!!!
Satrajit thought that someone had killed Prasena when he had gone to hunt. He pondered over the matter for hours, then realised that Krishna could've killed Prasena!!!!! He marched over to Krishna's palace and accused him of stealing the Syamantaka Mani and killing his brother!! Krishna, oblivious to the fact that Prasena had been killed, exclaimed that he hadn't killed Prasena. But, Satrajit wouldn't take no for an answer (I know that doesn't fit the context, but it still makes sense, right?!?!?!?!). Krishna begged Satrajit to give him a chance to prove he was innocent, but Satrajit was adamant that Krishna had killed his brother!!!
Eventually, Satrajit gave in and told Krishna that he had one chance to prove he was innocent. Krishna immediately set off to clear his name.

As Krishna roamed the forest, he saw blood flowing. He ran to the source to see Prasena's corpse lying on the floor, with blood oozing from each and every part of his body. He had lion teeth digging into his armour, which pierced his skin too.
Krishna was shocked to see Prasena's corpse lying in this state. He followed more blood tracks that led to a cave. A deep cave. Krishna saw a small baby bear playing with the Syamantaka Mani. He asked the small bear kindly, but it wailed out in terror. That baby bear was none other than Jambavantha's son. Rushing out of the cave, Jambavantha saw Krishna and thought that he was attacking his child!!! He rammed into Krishna, who fought back valiantly.
28 days passed. The battle had continued to go on. Krishna had tried to reason with Jambavantha, but he would not listen.
Eventually, Krishna understood what Jambavantha needed to be convinced. He turned into Lord Rama and explained that he has come again to see his friend, Jambavantha. Realising his folly, Jambavantha bowed down to Krishna and handed over the Syamantaka Mani. He even gave his daughter, Jambavati, to Krishna for marriage!!!

Krishna travelled back to Dwaraka with the Syamantaka Mani and his new bride. He reached Satrajit and gave him the jewel. Realising what he had done, Satrajit apologised. He accepted the gem, but with shame and remorse. So, he gave the gem to Krishna and he gave his daughter, Satyabhama, to Krishna for marriage!!! But, Krishna didn't accept the jewel and gave it back to Satrajit.
After a few days, Krishna and Balarama went off to Hastinapur following rumours of the Pandavas burning to death in a fire (that's a story for next time!!!). Many Yadavas envied Satrajit, for he possessed the Syamantaka Mani. One such was Satadhanwa, who fancied Satyabhama as his wife. So, as an act of revenge, he killed Satrajit and gave the gem to Akrura, his friend. He ran off to Mithila, a faraway kingdom.
Krishna and Balarama got wind of Satrajit's death and ran to Mithila, where they killed Satadhanwa. But, they didn't kill him until he told them where the gem was. He told them that he had left it with Akrura.

Krishna and Balarama rushed to Dwaraka, where they met Akrura. He pleaded for his life with earnest pleas, but Krishna and Balarama didn't really think he was genuine. Still, they let him off, only if he swore that he would let the gem remain with Krishna in Dwaraka, and that he would never steal it again.

Thus, Krishna cured himself of his curse and he cleared his name.

Fun Fact Nº 1: It is said that if you hear this story after seeing the Moon on Ganesha Chaturthi, then all the bad luck and thief labelling will be abolished.

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The Tale of Dhruva…

Hi there!!! Today's story is about the son of King Uttanpada, Dhruva, and how he reached for the sky. This story is a classic example of determination and never giving up. Let's go…

Dhruva was the son of Suneeti, the senior wife of King Uttanpada, and the grandson of Manu, the first man on the Earth. Unfortunately for Dhruva and his mom, Uttanpada loved his second queen, Suruchi, more and was completely partial to her. Dhruva and Suneeti didn't get the first pick, even though they were the first heirs of the family. Suruchi and her son, Uttama, would always get to do anything they wanted first. Dhruva and Suneeti were kind and just, so they didn't complain. Their hearts were strong and righteous, so they didn't act. They just received it happily.
Suruchi's main aim was to dethrone Dhruva and make Uttama the rightful heir to the throne. She would do anything to get what she wanted. Even if it meant killing someone…

One day, Uttanpada was sitting on his throne when Uttama ran and sat on his lap. Uttanpada stroked his sons hair and smiled. He whispered, "Let Dhruva also come here. I don't want y our mom to know though," Uttama pulled his brother to sit on his father's lap, when Suruchi walked up and shoved Dhruva away. She shouted, "Hey!!! My son is sitting on the king's lap!! You can't!! You have no right to sit there!! Get lost!!!" Dhruva immediately burst into tears. He wiped his cheeks, which were pink with sadness. He asked Suruchi, "Where should I go, Suruchi?! Where?!" Pointing out of the palace, Suruchi bellowed, "Go to Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings, okay!! Ask to be reborn as my son. Only then shall you sit on the king's lap!!!" Uttanpada closed his eyes in embarrassment and turned away, leaving Dhurva to run away.
Dhruva, stung by Suruchi's harsh words, ran to Suneeti. Wailing in agony, he hugged his mother. "Huh? What happened, Dhruva?! Oh my God!! Why are you crying like this?!" Suruchi exclaimed. Dhruva sat on her mother's lap and explained Suruchi's horrible words, "Suruchi said that I don't have the rights to sit on father's lap!!! Why mother, why?!" Suneeti, holding back her own tears, whispered to Dhruva, " Be calm, Dhruva. You mustn't cry. Suruchi will definitely get Uttama the throne. So, you might not have the rights." Dhruva continued to explain, not heeding his mother's words, "Suruchi told me to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings if I want to sit on my father's lap. Will he really help me, mother?" Suneeti grinned with pleasure and narrated, " Yes, my child. He never fails those who turn to him," Secure in his mother's arms, Dhruva became calm and thoughtful. His face changed from that of a sad boy, to a determined and steadfast one. He proclaimed, "Then I shall seek him out," Suneeti lifted Dhruva off her lap and onto the floor. She kept her hands on his shoulders and beamed, "Go, my son. He is the only one who can help us. It will not be easy to find him. But if you try hard enough you will succeed. Go, my son. Go!!" Dhruva ran off out of the palace and into the dense forest. He exclaimed, "I will succeed, mother. I will not return until I meet the Lord. I will become a greater King than my father and his father before him." Dhruva ran off into the dense forest.

Meanwhile, Sage Narada, the wandering sage, came to know of Suruchi's harsh words and Dhruva's resolve. He thought to himself, "He is a true Kshatriya indeed. Though a mere child, he will not brook the insults of Suruchi. Yet, what he seeks is impossible. I must speak to him," Narada searched for Dhruva, who had reached another end of the huge forest. He had literally covered miles on his bare feet!!!
Eventually, Narada reached Dhruva. He huffed and puffed, as Dhruva bowed down at his feet. "My child, why don't you accept your fate and go back to your mother?" Dhruva grinned and said, "Namaste, O master. I am Dhruva, the son of King Uttanpada, a Kshatriya. I am determined to win the lord favour, without paying heed to my surroundings," Narada got slightly agitated at Dhruva's behaviour, but he continued, "I am aware of that, little one, but you are too young to find Lord Narayana. Why don't you wait until you are a little older?" Dhruva stomped his foot in determination and proclaimed, "Forgive me, master, but I will not turn back. Pray, tell me how I can succeed in my resolve?"
Suddenly, Narada was overwhelmed by Dhruva's devotion. He was extremely pleased, and said, "If you meditate in the Madhuvana forest on the banks of the River Yamuna, you will find the Lord," Dhruva again bowed down and said, "O master, teach me how to meditate. I haven't a clue how to!!" Narada closed his eyes and asked Dhruva to repeat after him, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!" Dhruva did the same with ease and continued to for hours on end. He stopped only when the sun had gone down and the glistening moon had come up into the sky and the blue sky had turned a deep black-purple, with gleaming bright, white stars shining in the distance. Narada blessed Dhruva and sent him to Madhuvana.

The net day, Narada went to King Uttanpada's palace and met him." Welcome, sage Narada!! Please be seated," proclaimed Uttanpada. He treated Narada with great care and tended to all his pleas.
Narada and Uttanpada went to sit in Uttanpada's chambers. Narada sat down on one of the king's couches, but Uttanpada stood dazed, deep in thought. Narada asked him, "What has happened, O King? What thoughts do you ponder in your mind?!" Uttanpada confessed his thoughts, "Holy sage, I am the vilest of all men in the world. I did not utter a word when Suruchi drove poor Dhruva away with her cruel words. Alas!!! He has gone into the forest, all alone. The beasts will devour him!! I fear for his life," Narada laughed, "Oh King!!! Do not worry!! The Lord himself will protect your son. He will come back, bringing glory to all!!" Uttanpada bowed down to Narada, who blessed him.
Meanwhile, Dhruva reached the Madhuvana forest, far away on the banks of River Yamuna. He sat down in a tall tree and started to meditate, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!" He continued his penance fervently.
Through the first month, he lived off only the fruits and berries that grew in the forest. He plucked what he could find off of the highest trees, off the widest logs and off the deepest ditches. After eating only what he could, Dhruva continued chanting, "On Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"
Gradually, he gave up his berry-eating lifestyle. In the second month, he lived off only the green grass and the tender leaves that grew on the tips of the long branches of the trees in the forest. He plucked the greenest grass he found and swallowed it, without feeling the urge to go home and live his life.
Through the third month, he stopped eating itself and lived off the pure water of the River Yamuna!! He would drink a few sips of water a day, and carry on with his meditation. He couldn't stop thinking of the Lord. He repeatedly chanted, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!! Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!!"
In the fourth month, He gave up every worldly object he needed and survived on the air alone!!  Throughout the whole month, he repeated the mantra over and over and over again!!! His hair had grown long enough to touch his feet by then!!! But, he had no need to cut it!! His mind was focused only and only on the Lord, "OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!! OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VASUDEVAYA!!!!!!!" He gradually even stopped breathing!!! His chants were so strong, that he could survive without air and still chant!!!!!

Dhruva concentration stopped the very air from flowing through the universe. There was pandemonium and panic in the heavens and on earth. Devas and humans alike gasped for air, as the very life source they needed had just gone down the pipe!!! All the air in the universe had vanished because of Dhruva's concentration. The Devas rushed to Lord Vishnu, who was sitting on Garuda, his vehicle. The Devas barely explained what was happening to him. They could use the very little breath that they had to whisper what was happening to Vishnu. He replied with a chuckle, "Don't fret. Do not despair. I shall descend to earth and grant Dhruva the boon he seeks," Vishnu flew on Garuda down to earth and saw Dhruva meditating. Dhruva thought, "Lord, I thought I had found you, but you've not come yet!! Where are you?! Have I failed you?! Has my worship not been enough for you. In that case, I shall start over again, " Dhruva opened his eyes to see an amazing sight!!! He saw the Lord standing right in his presence!!! He bowed down and touched Vishnu's feet. Vishnu said, "Hello, Dhruva. I know what brought you to Madhuvana. May you be the greatest king ever known. May you rule for 36,000 years. Then, I will give you a place in heaven where you can stay forever!!! Go back to your mother. She shall be awaiting you, " Dhruva didn't reply. He just whispered, "Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya!!"

Meanwhile, at the palace of Uttanpada, many of Uttanpada's messengers rushed to him, telling him the news of Dhruva's returning!! Uttanpada gave off nearly all of his jewels and gems in ecstasy and proclaimed, "Prepare my chariot!! Call all of my subjects!!! Let them know that Prince Dhruva is coming back!!! We shall all go and meet him in the Madhuvana!!!"
Dhruva sat in the Madhuvana, anxiously getting ready to leave the banks of the Yamuna. Suddenly, Queen Suneeti rushed up to him!! She hugged him with love and exclaimed, "Oh, my son!!! Thank goodness you're alive!!!!" Dhruva rushed to meet his mother. Uttanpada ran to him too, and they all embraced each other.

Thus Dhruva's determination and hard work paid off.

Fun Fact Nº 1: Dhruva got himself his own heaven when he died!!! It is called Dhruvaloka.

Fun Fact Nº 2: Dhruva also became a star which is visible to us. It is very familiar. It is called the Pole Star (Dhruva Nakshatra).

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The Tale of Ganesha and the Moon…

Hi there!! Have you ever heard the legend, that if you look at the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi, you will be cursed with bad luck? Today's story is about that same legend. Let's go…

Disclaimer: This story is also another reason why Chandra waxes and wanes. Nobody knows the real reason. I have written another story on that, called Why Does Shiva Have A Crescent Moon In His Hair? Be sure to check it out!

Lord Ganesha - the son of Lord Shiva and Goddes Parvati - had a weakness for sweet treats. Whenever anyone offered him, sweets, like modaks, jamuns, and jalebis, his tummy would roar like a lion!! His mouth would water like the River Ganga. His eyes would widen so that they would resemble the size of the sun! He would grin in hunger, as he eyed the juicy sweet treats that a devotee offered him. As soon as they left the temple, Ganesha would zoom down and gobble the sweet treats all up!! He couldn't restrain himself from the delectable delicacies that his dear devotees brought him. 

On Ganesha's birthday, millions of people made mouth-watering sweets and finger-licking treats, all being offered to Ganesha. Seeing the massive preparations, Ganesha licked his lips in awe, "Waah!!! How good it is to be a god!! Everbody gives you yummy sweets on your birthday!! This is soooo much better than a birthday cake!!" Ganesha's smile grew over his face, and his eyes widened like an inflated balloon. H clenched his fists in ecstasy and jumped up into the sky!! His vehicle and best friend, Krauncha the Mouse, ran swiftly around him and stood under him when he landed. He squeaked, "O Ganapati, why don't we go now and eat all the sweets down there!! I can smell the beautiful scents all the way up here!!! Let's go now!!" Ganesha laughed in agreement and exclaimed, "Of course, Krauncha. Of course!! Let's go!!" Krauncha rode down from the top of Mount Kailash all the way to the Earth. They closed their eyes and breathed in the lovely scents that wafted from the houses of their devotees.

By the time the sun had gone down and the moon had risen high into the sky, Ganesha and Krauncha had finished all of the modaks, jamuns, jalebis and rasgullas in the whole world!!!! Ganesha's tummy, despite being huge already, bloated up like a hot air balloon!! Krauncha suddenly turned from a mouse into a pig-bellied fatso!!! They lied down in a dense forest, burping into the night. BBBUUUURRRRRPPPP!!!!!! BBBBBBBUUUUUUUURRRRRRRPPPPPP!!!!!!!!! went Ganesha and Krauncha as their bellies recovered from being filled up with goodies (They were like the luckiest kids on Halloween!! They got the most amount of sweets ever known, EVER!!!!!!). Their bellies were full to the brim, making the most potent sleeping pill known to mankind. They closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep, as the trees ruffled in the wind and the birds flapped their wings into the night.

When Ganesha and Krauncha woke up, they saw that the moon was high in the sky, meaning that they had slept until midnight!!!! Ganesha slapped his head in shock!! His parents would be expecting him back by now!! They must have been worried sick!!! Ganesha exclaimed, "Krauncha, we must go fast, or else we will get a sound thrashing from Mom and Dad!!! Come on, let's go!!!!" He climbed onto Kraucha's back and rode off to Mount Kailash.

As they were going down a road, Krauncha saw a huge serpent spring out of nowhere!!!! He lept away and ran off, making Ganesha fall to the ground. Unfortunately, Ganesha had eaten one too many modaks, and his tummy burst in two!!!! He fell on the floor in a rage, as he picked up all of the sweets that had fallen on the floor. Looking over his shoulder, Ganesha thought, "I hope no-one has seen me. This is so embarrassing!!!!" But, alas!!! Chandra, the Moon, had seen it all. He rolled around and started laughing like a joker. Soon, he erupted in laughter, choking on his breath, and wheezing with excitement. Ganesha trumpeted with fiercely and shouted, "O CHANDRA!!!! You have caused a grave offence to me!!! I curse you!!! May you turn black and lose your power!! Then, no one can see you forever!!!!!" Suddenly, Chandra started to fade away!!! He pleaded Ganesha to take back his curse, but Ganesha stated, "I cannot do so, my friend. I cannot take back my words," Chandra wailed in sadness until his tears ran dry. Ganesha saw his earnest pleads and said, "I shall alter your curse, Chandra. On this day, every year hereafter, if anyone looks at you then they shall undergo very bad luck and be falsely accused as a thief. You shall not lose your powers, but you shall undergo a phase without your powers and a phase where you retain your powers, " Chandra jumped in ecstasy and thanked Ganesha, who found Krauncha and rode all the way back to the top of Mount Kailash.

Thus, Chandra started to wax and wane and the Curse of Ganesha Chaturthi was set upon him.

Thanks for reading The Tale of Ganesha and the Moon!!! Please type your email in the box above the followers and click the blue button to receive emails about my posts!!! Happy Reading!!!!!!

P.S. Sorry for not posting yesterday!! I was caught up with some homework, so I couldn't find time to type my story. I'll be sure to publish stories every day!!!!! 

Why is there a Crescent Moon in Shiva's Hair?

Hi there!!! Today's story is about the crescent moon on top of Shiva's head. He is Chandra, the Moon God. He was cursed to lose his shape and power forever. Let's get on with the story, then…

Long, long ago, before the world hadn't heard of the word death, Chandra, the Moon God, sat up in the sky. He was always round, without a care in the world (well, sky). He was married to 27 different people. They were all the daughters of Daksha.
He was particularly inclined to one of his wives, Rohini. He spent most of his time with her, and not with his other wives.
Those other wives didn't like Chandra hanging out with Rohini. They didn't like it at all. They marched to their father, Daksha, who was livid with rage when he heard that Chandra wasn't treating his other wives properly. He bellowed, "O CHANDRA!!!!!! You have caused a great offence to me!!!!! I curse you!!!! May you lose your power every day!!!!!" Daksha acted the way he had only out of sheer rage. Chandra heard the curse and pleaded his father-in-law to take back the curse. But, he couldn' t do so. He told Chandra, "I am sorry, son. My rage had turned me into a monster. But, I cannot take my curse back," Chandra wept with sorrow, as he slowly lost his shape. He was destined to become nothing…

Days passed. Chandra turned from a round, white orb to a C - shaped slice. He wept every day until his tears ran dry. Chandra was turning into dust when Lord Shiva came to him. Shiva smiled and said, "Hello, Chandra. What have we here? Why are you in the shape of a crescent?" Chandra narrated the whole story to him and wailed in tears. Stroking his chin, Shiva said, "I know what to do!!! I bless you: when you lose your powers completely, may you regain them again. Take refuge in my locks, and I shall be able to save you," Chandra bowed down to Shiva and flew up into his hair, which ruffled with his arrival.
Chandra soon grew into his original size, and thanked Shiva, "Thank you, My Lord. You have saved me from a grave fate,"
Shiva smiled and kept Chandra in his matted hair forever.
Thus, Shiva saved Chandra and got a crescent moon on his head.

Fun Fact Nº 1: Shiva is also called Chandrashekar or Somashekar because he saved Chandra (who is also called Soma)

Fun Fact Nº 2: The significance of Chandra in Shiva's hair is that Shiva accepts any form of a devotee: whether it be man or animal, weak or strong, even in their lowest forms (like Chandra), Shiva will accept them with a whole heart

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