In the Ikshvaku dynasty there ruled a king named Harishchandra. Harishchandra had no son. One day two sages named Narada and Parvata came to visit Harishchandra and told him that he would go to hell if he did not have a son. “How can I obtain a son?” asked Harishchandra. “Go to the banks of […]
Stories from Puranas
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 […]
Story of Ganesha and Agastya Maharshi
What is the story of Ganesha and Agastya Maharshi? The story about Lord Ganesha and Agasthya Muni revolves around the Kaveri River (Cauvery)… Here is the full story of Ganesha and Agasthya Muni…. To celebrate the auspicious wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati all the gods and goddess gathered at Mount Kailas, the Himalayas. […]
Story of Dasharatha & Shani
The story of Dasharatha & Shani is also mentioned in Padma Purana’s Uttara Khanda. The story is a discussion between Narada Maharshi and Mahadeva. Sage Narada curiously asked Lord Mahadeva as to what made Shani such a volatile planet. Lord Mahadeva replied — Shani is extremely violent by nature and everybody is scarred of this […]
Story of King Vidurath (Surya Vamsha King)
King Vidurath was a Surya Vamsha king. King Vidurath discovered a huge cavity of Earth in a forest in his Kingdom. A Muni in the forest informed that there was a demon of Patala called Kujrumbha made several such cavities in the forest through which the demon entered and killed the passers by including animals. The Muni however cautioned […]
Story – Birth of Brahma & How Varaha saved the Earth
The story of birth of Brahma Deva and how Varaha saved the earth from deluge is mentioned in Vishnu Purana’s second chapter. At the end of the previous Kalpa, when Brahma awakened from his long slumber, he saw all the worlds devoid of everything. With a desire to save the earth from the depth of […]
Story of Kurma Avatar – Why Lord Vishnu incarnated as Turtle (Tortoise)
Kurma Avatara is the second Avatara of Lord Vishnu. The story of Kurma Avatara is also mentioned in Padma Purana’s Uttara Khanda. Once, goddess Parvati expressed her desire to know about all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Lord Mahadeva replied — Durvasa was the son of Sage Atri. Once, he went to Indraloka to see Indra. At that […]
Story of Somavansh & Pururavas
The story of Somavansh explains the tale of Pururavas and Ila dynasty. Vishnu Purana mentions the story of Somavansh and Pururavas in extensive manner.. The creator of the world, Brahma had a son named Atri. Chandrama was the son of Atri. Once Chandrama organised a Rajsuya Yagya and received great powers. Afterwards blinded by his […]
Prominent Kingdoms mentioned in Padma Purana
What are the Prominent Kingdoms mentioned in Padma Purana? Swarga Khanda of Padma Purana explains the list of prominent Kingdoms (Janapadas) of Bharatavarsha. Once, sages requested Suta to describe about the most prominent places of pilgrimage situated in Bharatavarsha. Suta commenced his narration by describing the origin of creation and then switched over to the geographical characteristics of Bharatavarsha. […]
Pippalada Katha: Story of Pippalada (Atharva Veda Guru – Maharashi Dadhichi’s son)
‘Pippalada Katha’ is the story of Pippalada (Atharva Veda Guru and Maharashi Dadhichi’s son). Many years ago, there used to be a sage named Dadhici. His wife was Lopamudra. Dadhichi’s hermitage was right next to the holy river Ganga. Lopamudra’s sister Gabhastini also used to live in the hermitage. Such was the sage Dadhichi’s powers […]
Story of Marut Chakravarti (King of Surya Vamsha)
Story of Marut Chakravarti… Marut Chakravarthi, the king of Surya Vamsha.. Marut Chakravarti not only controlled Sapta Dwipas but also the Sky, Prithvi, Pataala Lokas and all the ‘Jalasthaanaas’ or wherever water existed. He performed thousands of Yagnas under the supervision of Samvarta Muni the son of Angirasa Maharshi and the brother of Brihaspati the […]
Story: Kandu Maharashi and Pramalocha
There was a sage named Kandu. He had a hermitage on the banks of the Goutami Ganga. The ashrama was a beautiful place and Kandu performed very difficult tapasya there. In the summer Kandu meditated in the hot sun, in the monsoon he meditated on the wet ground, and in the winter he meditated dressed […]
War of Kalayavana & Jarasandha against Krishna | How Krishna cleverly killed Kalayavana
Story of Kalayavana tells us how Lord Krishna defeated Kalayavana with his cleverness. Kalayavana Katha 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 about Sri Krishna’s cleverness and how he […]
Branches of Yajurveda
Branches of Yajurveda are explained in Vishnu Purana. Chapter Five of Part three in Vishnu Purana explains about the branches of Yajurveda. A disciple of Veda Vyasa named Vaishampayan created twenty-seven branches of Yajurveda and taught them to his disciples. He had a disciple Yagyavalkya who was the son of Brahmarat. At that time, all […]
Story: Kartikeya’s birth, Origin of Lord Skanda
The story of the birth of Kartikeya is explained here. Lord Kartikeya is also known as Skanda, Shanmukha, Subramanya Swamy, Dandayudhapani, Lord Murugan, etc… The story of the birth of Kartikeya is mentioned in the Shiva Purana…. The story goes like this… As Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati moved on from Himavanth’s Palace to Kailash […]
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 […]
Kansa Vadha – Killing of Kamsa by Lord Krishna
Kansa Vadha, Killing of demon Kansa by Lord Krishna, is also mentioned in Padma Purana. Kansa was the maternal uncle of Sri Krishna. Continuing with the divine tales of Sri Krishna, Lord Mahadeva told Parvati–When Kansa failed in his repeated attempts to kill Sri Krishna, he instructed ‘Akrura’ to invite both Krishna and Balarama to […]
Ashwamedha Yagya by Sri Rama
The story of Ashwamedha Yagya by Sri Rama is also mentioned in Padma Purana’s Pathala Khanda. Sri Rama requested sage Agastya to tell about the means by which he could become liberated from the sins of killing brahmins. Sage Agastya advised him to perform Ashwamedha Yagya. He also described the rituals of performing Ashwamedha Yagya — […]
Story: Gautama Maharshi & Godavari River, Why Godavari is known as Gautami Ganga?
Story: Gautama Maharshi & Godavari River, Why Godavari is known as Gautami Ganga? What is the reason behind calling Godavari River as Gautami Ganga? Part of the water of the Ganga that got stuck in Shiva’s hair was brought down to earth by Bhagiratha. The remaining part was brought down by the sage Gautama. Parvati […]
Story of King Pradyumna, Ila Devi
King Pradyumna / Ila Devi: Vaivaswata Manu’s son Vishshta performed a Yagna to secure a son under the supervision of Sage Mitra Varuna but due to a mistake of the ‘Hota’of the Yagna, a daughter was conceived to the Queen instead of a son. But the Mantrik powers of the Sage, the daughter was converted […]