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
Story of Vamana Avatar | Purpose of Lord Vishnu’s Vamana Avatara
Vamana Avatara is the fifth Avatara of Lord Vishnu. The story of Vamana Avatara is also mentioned in Padma Purana’s Uttara Khanda. Vamana is a form of Lord Vishnu who had appeared as a dwarf Brahmin (Brahmin child – Brahmin Brahmachari). Once, goddess Parvati expressed her desire to know about all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Continuing […]
How Krishna’s son Aniruddha married Usha, daughter of demon Banasura?
How Krishna’s son Aniruddha married Usha, daughter of demon Banasura? Here is the story of Marriage of Aniruddha (Lord Krishna’s son) and Usha (daughter of Banasura, a demon) and it is mentioned in Padma Purana’s Uttara Khanda. Lord Mahadeva continued with the divine tales of Sri Krishna — O Parvati! Sri Krishna had a son […]
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 […]
Birth of Jamadagni & Vishwamitra
The story of Birth of Jamadagni & Vishwamitra is mentioned in Vishnu Purana. Jamadagni is the father of Parashurama.. Pururava had six sons- Ayu, Amavasu, Vishwavasu, Shrutayu, Shatayu and Ayutayu. Amavasu had a son Bhima and Bhima in turn had a son Kanchan. Jahnu was the son of Kanchan’s son, Suhotra. At the time of […]
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, […]
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 […]
Role of Ganapathi in Marriage of Valli Devasena
How Ganapathi helped his brother marry Valli, a tribal princess? Here is the story of Sri Valli Devasena and the role of Ganesha in their marriage… Subramanya first married Devasena the daughter of Indra. Subrahmanya later during his travels in south fell in love with Valli who was a tribal princess. Though Valli loved Lord Subrahmanya she […]
Nether Worlds as per Vishnu Purana
Story of Nether Worlds as per Vishnu Purana. Vishnu Purana explains about Nether Worlds in its Chapter Five. Earth’s total height is 70,000 Yojans. In her depth, are situated seven nether worlds with a depth of 10,000 Yojans each respectively. Names of these seven nether worlds are Atal, Vital, Nital, Gamastiman, Mahatal, Sutal and Patal. […]
Story of Chandika Devi & Andhakasura
Matsya Purana tells the story of Chandika Devi and Andhakasura (the origin of Chandika Devi). The story of Chandika Devi and Andhakasura Vadha goes like this… Originally a darling boy of Devi Parvati, Andhakasura bacame a menace to the Universe. In a playful mood, she closed Shiva’s eyes and the perspiration on the latter’s forehead […]
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 […]
Indraprastha, the Holiest City mentioned in Puranas
The story related to the holiest city – Indraprastha is mentioned in Padma Purana’s Uttara Khanda. The sages enquired from Suta about the holiest city situated on the banks of river Yamuna. Suta narrated the tale which Sage Saubhari had once told Yudhisthira — Once, Narada and Parvat were travelling through an aerial route, while […]
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: Rukmini and Krishna, Why Krishna kidnaps Rukmini?
The story of Rukmini and Krishna tell us why Krishna kidnaps Rukmini and the relationship between Rukmini Devi and Lord Sri Krishna… Maharshi Parashara narrated the story of Devi Rukmini’s abduction by Krishna. Both of them were fond of each other and desired to wed together. But, Rukmi the brother of Rukmini hated Krishna and was […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]