We would have read in the ancient puranas, about the penance of Demons on Lord Brahma, and getting great boons after finishing their penance. But most of the demons have utilized their powers obtained through their boons only for destructive purposes. After getting great powers, through their powerful boons, they began to capture the divine […]
Stories from Puranas
Goddess Lakshmi birth story (Lakshmi Janma Vrittantha)
What is Goddess Lakshmi birth story (Lakshmi Janma Vrittantha)? Here is the story behind the birth of Goddess Lakshmi (Mahalakshmi) as mentioned in the Padma Purana.. The story goes like this.. When Bhisma expressed his desire to know about the manifestation of goddess Lakshmi.. Pulastya replied – Once, after being defeated by the demons, the […]
How Lord Vishnu protected Prahlada from Hiranyakashipu
How Lord Vishnu protected Prahlada from Hiranyakashipu? Lord Vishnu countered all the 18 attempts Hiranyakashipu had made to kill Prahlada and protected him from his father. This story is mentioned in Vishnu Purana’s 13th chapter. Hearing the news of Kritya’s failure to kill Prahlada, killing of teachers and their subsequent revival as effected by Prahlada, […]
Stories from Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana is one of the Eighteen Mahapuranas, and it is considered as a holy text of Hinduism. It contains the details of Lord Vishnu, his avatars and about his famous devotees like Narada, Prahalada, Thumburu and Dhruva. According to Vishnu Purana, Lord Vishnu is considered as the main god and all the other […]
Rukmanga Katha, Story of King Rukmanga (Ekadashi Vrat Story)
Rukmanga Katha: Story of King Rukmanga, Ekadashi Vrat Story. Ekadashi legend is also associated with King Rukmanga of Surya Vamsha. Story of Rukmanga, Ekadashi. As ‘Ekadashi’ or the eleventh day of any month is stated to be a special day for worship of Vishnu, observance of of ‘Upavas’ (Fasting), Puja and Vrata are stated to […]
Hells in Vishnu Purana | Types of Naraka Lokas
Beneath the earth and water are situated the hells into which, the sinners are thrown. Raurav, Sukar, Rodha, Tal, Vishsan, Mahajwal, Taptakumbh, Lavan, Vilohit, Rudhiramabh, Vaitarni, Krimish, Krimibhojan, Asipatravana, Krishna, Lalabhaksha, Darun, Puyuvah, Pap, Vahnijwal, Adhahshira, Sandansh, Kalsutra, Tamas, Avichi, Swabhojan, Apratishthit and Aprachi are the main hells. These are all under the domain of […]
Story of Sage Vishwamitra and Lord Indra
Many years ago, there was a terrible drought. There was no food to be had. The sage Vishvamitra had come to the banks of the river Goutami Ganga with his disciples. Vishvamitra’s wife, children and disciples were all hungry. The sage therefore sent his disciples out to look for food. They searched everywhere, but could […]
Importance of Monthly Shraddha Rituals
A Shradha carried out with devotion pleases the entire world including human beings, Brahma, Indra, Rudra, Ashwini Kumars, Surya, Agni, Vasugana, Marudgana, Vishwadeva, Pitragana, birds, animals, reptiles, sages and of course the dead ancestors. Moonless and eighth day in the darker phase of every lunar month are considered the best days for offering oblations to […]
16000 Queens of Lord Krishna | What is the real story behind 16000 Gopikas of Krishna?
16000 Queens of Lord Krishna – what is the story behind 16000 Queens of Lord Krishna? The story of 16000 queens accepting Sri Krishna as their husband is mentioned in Padma Purana as a conversation between Mahadeva and Parvati Mata. Continuing with the divine tales of Sri Krishna, Lord Mahadeva told Parvati — Sri Krishna had […]
Story of Krishna Avatar – Why & How Maha Vishnu incarnated as Sri Krishna
Sri Krishna Avatara is one of the Avatara of Lord Vishnu. The story of Krishna Avatara is also mentioned in Padma Purana. Once, goddess Parvati expressed her desire to know about all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Continuing with the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lord Mahadeva told Parvati — Vasudev was the descendant of Yadu. His father was […]
Parashurama’s war with Ganesha – Story
Story of Parashurama’s war with Ganesha, what is the story between Parashurama and Ganesha? How Ganesha lost his tusk and remained Ekadanta? After avenging his father’s death and the massacre of the erring Kshatriyas, Parashurama desired to personally pay homage to Bhagavan Shiva and reached Kailasa; he witnessed Nandeeswara, Maha Kaala, Ruru Bhairava, Rudraganas and Bhuta-Preta-Piscachas […]
3 Beautiful Stories from Shiva Purana
Puranas are ancient devotional texts, written by the great sage Veda Vyasa, and it covers the importance of various deities like Vinayaka, Muruga, Shiva and Parvati. In the eighteen Puranas, various devotional stories are also covered. It was written in Sanskrit, and later it was translated in many Indian languages, and Puranas help us to […]
15 Wonderful Stories from Srimad Bhagavatham
15 Wonderful Stories from Srimad Bhagavatham… The Bhagavata Purana also popularly known as Srimad Krishna Bhagavatam, Bhagavata Navaratna and Bhagavatha Maharatna, is an ancient holy text, which was written by Sri Veda Vyasa, as per the instructions given by Deva Rishi Narada. The Bhagavata Purana, covers lot of areas including devotional stories, and also about […]
Puranas are stories of Fiction? How do I find God & Why should I believe?
Are Puranas stories of Fiction? Is God present? All these Puranas look like stories of fiction to me. How do I find God? How do I believe his presence, and why should I believe? To the above question posed by a devotee in his Satsang, Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji replied in his own words at Art of Living… […]
Ambarisha | Ikshvaku King, Son of Mandhata
Ambarisha was an Ikshvaku king and the son of Mandhata. He lived in Treta Yuga. He was a great devotee of Vishnu and through his great bhakti, lord Vishnu had offered him with Sudarshana Chakra. Once, Ambarisha performed the Ekadashi Vrata, and at the time of completion of Ekadashi, Sage Durvasa visited his place, and […]
Satyakama Jabala
Satyakama Jabala was a pious boy, who has later become a holy sage, and he was mentioned in the sacred text, the Chandogya Upanishad. Once when he asked the name of his father, his mother was unable to tell, since due to the family condition, she had chosen a wrong path. But Jabala, was a very active […]
Stories from Shiva Purana
Once upon a time, when the sages were performing a yagya at Prayag, Sage Suta visited that sacred place. All the sages were very glad to see him, and they requested him to tell about the significance of Shiva Maha Purana, since they consider that listening to Shiva Maha Purana would grant Salvation to them. […]
Story of Lord Brahma’s Fifth Head
Here is the Story of Lord Brahma’s Fifth Head.. Why Lord Brahma’s fifth head got cut? How Brahma’s fifth head got cut? The interesting story explains the reason behind why Brahma is called ‘Chaturmukha Brahma’… Years ago, there was a war between the gods and the demons and the gods lost. The gods came to […]
Story of Mani Malla (Demons – Malla, Mani)
Story of Mani Malla, Demons – Malla, Mani. Why a battle/war between Lord Shiva and Mani Malla brothers happened? Long ago there lived two powerful demons named Mani and Malla. They had acquired power through penance, and had become very proud. Mani and Malla were brothers, and both had gathered a large army of demons. They […]
Markandeya Katha | Story of Markandeya Maharshi
Markandeya Katha, Story of Markandeya Maharshi is explained here.. Many years ago, a great destruction (Pralaya) took place. The earth was shrouded in darkness and nothing could be seen. There was neither sun nor moon. Lightning and thunder crushed mountains and trees. There were showers of meteors. Lakes and rivers dried up. The entire earth […]