(UNIT -5) MYTH AND LITERATURE

Unit – 5: Hindu Mythology

1. Stories from Ramayana

Story of Maricha Golden Deer in Ramayana

Maricha, one of the characters in Ramayana, plays the most notable role in Ravana’s kidnapping of Sita. Once, demon Sunda (son of Jamba or Jharjha) attacked the hermitage of Agasthya Rishi. The angry sage burnt him by his meditative powers. On Sunda’s death, his wife Yaksha Thataka and his sons Mareecha and Subahu attacked Agastya. The sage cursed them to become demons.

Vishwamitra’s Yajna

Sage Vishwamitra was performing a sacrifice. He was tormented by Tataka and her sons. Visvamitra approached Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, and requested him to send his eldest son, Rama to protect his sacrifice. Though with reluctance, Dasaratha sent 13-year old Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana with Visvamitra. Near the forest of Tataka, the demoness attacked them. Rama, aided by Lakshamana, slew her with his arrow. Vishvamitra reached his ashram and began his sacrifice. On the sixth day, Maricha and his brother Subahu, appeared and tried to destroy the sacrificial fire. Rama fired his arrow and Maricha was thrown hundred leagues away. The sacrifice was completed successfully. Under the guidance of Visvamitra, Rama wed Sita, the adopted daughter of Janaka and the princess of Mithila.

Maricha fight with Rama in Dandakaranya

Later, Dasaratha directed Rama for an exile in forest for 14 years, at the behest of Rama's step mother Kaikeyi. Rama proceeded to forest. Lakshmana and Sita followed him. The trio travelled through the Dandaka forest to the banks of the river Godavari, where they built a hermitage at Panchavati. Once, Maricha saw them and attacked them to wreak vengeance. Rama killed Maricha's allies, but his arrow narrowly missed Maricha, who fled. Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, requested Rama to marry her. Rama refused and directed her to Lakshmana. Lakshmana joked at her. Surpanakha attacked Sita. Lakshmana cut out her ears and nose. Surpanakha reached Lanka and prompted Ravana to steal Sita.

Story Maricha Golden Deer Ramayana

Ravana went to meet his uncle, Maricha. He told Maricha to turn into a golden deer with silver spots and graze near Rama's ashram. On seeing the deer, Sita would surely tell Rama and Lakshamana to catch it. When they would leave Sita alone, Ravana would abduct her. Rama, aggrieved by Sita's separation, would be easily killed by Ravana. Maricha dissuaded Ravana. Ravana reiterated his plan and finally Maricha agreed.

Maricha’s disguise as Golden Deer

Maricha and Ravana flew to Panchavati. Maricha assumed the form of a beautiful golden deer, which had silver spots. It appeared in the vicinity of Rama's ashram. Sita was collecting flowers. The golden deer lured Sita, who called Rama and Lakshmana to see it. Lakshmana sensed foul play and suggested that the deer was Maricha. Sita persuaded Rama to get her the deer. Rama asked Lakshmana to take care of Sita and went after the deer. Maricha ran, followed by Rama. After a long chase, Rama shot him down. Maricha took his real form and cried out mimicking Rama's voice "Oh Sita! Oh Lakshmana!" Sita asked Lakshmana to go and search for Rama. Lakshmana insisted that no one could harm Rama. Worried Sita ordered Lakshmana to go. Lakshmana reluctantly left. Immediately, Ravana appeared as a mendicant. Sita stepped forward to give him alms and he kidnapped her.

The Burning of Lanka

Ravana was shocked and amazed to learn that Akshay Kumar had been killed and wondered about the power of the monkey who killed him. He sent his son Meghnad and told him not to kill the monkey but capture him and bring him to court so that he could see him and find out who had sent him.

Meghnad took a chariot and soldiers to confrontHanuman who was busy destroying the gardens. Meghnad challenged Hanuman and a fierce battle ensues. In spite of using all his strength, he could not overpower Hanuman. So he used the amogh Bramhpash, the noose that cannot miss its aim, towards Hanuman who gets caught in it.

As the noose belongs to Brahma, Hanuman respected it and did not break out of it, Meghnad dragged the captiveHanuman through the streets of Lanka as he lead him to Ravana. People thronged to view the vanara (monkey) who had destroyed Ashok Vatika (garden of Ashoka trees).

To Ravana, Hanuman introduced himself as a messenger of Rama. Enraged,Ravana ordered him to be killed at once. But, Vibheeshan, as a minister of court said that messengers couldn’t be killed. ThenRavana said that monkeys are very fond of their tails so we will tie rags around his tail and set it on fire after dipping it in oil. As they began wrapping cloth around his tail, Hanuman made his tail grow longer till in fact all the cloth in Lanka is used up. When his tail was set on fire, Hanuman took on a small form and jumped on the terrace of the royal palace. Then he set all the buildings on fire. There was chaos all over Lanka asHanuman set the entire city on fire. Then he returned to Sita in Ashok Vatika (garden of Ashoka trees). He asked Sita to give something that would indicate he had met her. Sita took off her Choodamani (armlet) and gave him and said if Rama does not come there in a month, she would kill herself.

Hanuman crossed the ocean again and rejoined his group and told them the tale of his burning of Lanka (Lanka dahan) with his tail. They were all happy and celebrated with a feast of fruits from Sugreeva’s orchard. Hanuman then bowed down before Rama and gave him Sita’s message and the choodamani (armlet). Shri Rama embraced him and said, “I will be indebted to you forever.”

Now Rama consulted with Sugreeva, Jambavat and others about the formation of the army. Soon the entire army led by Rama and Lakshmana was on their way southward. The huge army crossed mountains and valleys and a few days later, they reached the shore of the sea and set camp there. Now the problem was to decide how the entire army of monkeys and bears would cross the ocean. A consultation was held for the options.

2. Stories from Mahabharatha

The Kurukshetra War in Mahabharat lasts 18 days, with the Pandavas having 7 Akshaunis or divisions and the Kauravas having 11 Akshaunis, totaling 18 Akshaunis again. Before the war begins, Krishna gives Arjuna the teaching of the Gita and the Vishwaroopa darshan. Here is a day-by-day account of important events. If you need to brush up on your Mahabharat, try these free ebooks and summary of the whole epic.

Day 1

On the morning of that momentous day the battle began which led the death of many noble warriors. All of the Kaurava army, uncaring about their very lives, rushed with raised flags and standards against the Pandavas, and the Pandava army stood against them with cheering hearts, Bhima leading them.

Duryodhana and his brothers surrounded Bhima, shooting arrows at him. Then Draupadi’s five sons with the twins Nakula and Sahadeva and Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, rushed against the Kaurava army, tearing them with their arrows.

On that first day Uttara, Virata's son –who was driven by Arjuna – was struck by Shalya, King of Madra, and was killed.

Dushasana fought Nakula, attempting to strike him with many an arrow, but Nakula cut down these arrows, the standard and the bow of his enemy.

Yudishtira fought Shalya, while Drishtadyumna sought Drona in battle.

The King of Panchala fought the King of Sind and the battle between them was fierce and terrible.

Day 2

On the second day the battle raged again, neither side prevailing over the other but the Kaurava forces lost many soldiers on this day.

Drishtadyumna fought it out with Drona and had to be rescued by Bhima.

Satyaki killed Bhishma’s charioteer, and the horses went out of control taking Bhishma off the battlefield.

Day 3

On the third day Bhishma arrayed his forces in the form of a great bird, an eagle, and the army of the Pandavas was counter-arrayed in the shape of a half-moon, with the right horn commanded by Bhima, Yudishtira holding the center, and Arjuna managing the left horn. All morning, the armies fought and none gave way.

In the afternoon, Bhishma, invoked celestial astras, and mowed down the Pandava army on all sides. Krishna urged Arjuna, saying, "The hour is come when you must hold to your promise to slaughter the Kaurava army and fight Bhishmaf. Behold, your army is being destroyed by him alone." He drove the chariot to where Bhishma's chariot stood. Beholding him advancing, the Pandava host rallied, while Bhishma covered the onrushing chariot with his arrows. Arjuna, took Gandiva and sent forth arrows that cut the grandsire's bow in two. As Bhishma seized and strung another, that too was cut down.

With a third bow Bhishma sent forth arrows against Arjuna. Krishna, with great skill, avoided them but many still struck him and Arjuna. Krishna saw that Bhishma's arrows were again slaughtering the Pandava army, while Arjuna was fighting mildly, out of respect for Bhishma.

Afraid of the consequences, Krishna dropped the reins, leaped from the chariot, and ran toward Bhishma, whirling his discus, eager to slay him. But Arjuna ran after him, and, throwing his arms at his feet, stopped him. "Stop, O Krishna! Remember your promise not to fight; do not let men say you are a liar. I by my weapons, by the truth, by my own deeds, will destroy our foes. The task is mine." Hearing this, Krishna, angry still, mounted the car and took up the reins again.

Arjuna, drawing Gandiva summoned an astra and causing a river of blood from the Kaurava army. Every other sound was silenced by his bow. As the sun set the Kauravas withdrew, Bhishma and Drona with them, and the Pandavas triumphed that day.

Day 4

Abhimanyu is attacked by the Kauravas, and is aided by Arjuna, and Bhima with his mace. Duryodhana sends a huge force of elephants against him, which Bhima disperses. Finally, Bhima is struck by an arrow and has to rest a while. He however, kills eight of Duryodhana’s brothers by then.

Day 5-8

Every day Bhima slew six to ten of Duryodhana’s brothers, as per his oath during the gambling game. Therefore the Pandavas, though they often fought their cousins and struck them wounded, never slew them, so that Bhima could keep his promise. Several times he and Duryodhana fought, longing to kill each other, but they were equal neither prevailed. But Duryodhana, when he went each night to his tent, was overcome with grief, and wept for his brothers.

Day 9

Bhishma arrays the troops as a hollow square and wrecks much havoc upon the Pandava army. The exhausted Pandavas approach Bhishma at his camp at night, seeking his advice on how they may slay him. Bhishma tells them to use Shikhandi as a shield, for he would never raise his bow upon a woman.

Day 10

The Pandavas send Shikhandi against Bhishma, and Arjuna coming up behind him sends many arrows against Bhishma. Ten and ten more pierce Bhishma, who thought pierced by so many does not fall. Then the Pandavas surround Bhishma and driving off the Kauravas, pierce Bhishma with many an arrow until no space on his body greater than the breadth of two fingers remains to be seen.

Then Bhishma reeling under the pain falls, but his body does nottouch the ground and is held up by the arrow shafts. Both armies stop their battle in honor of the eldest of Bharatas and approach him seeking his advice. Arjuna gives him a pillow of three shafts to rest his head on and strikes the ground with a blazing arrow to provide him with a cool jet of sweet water.

Bhishma, with his power to choose the time of his death, seeks to stay alive till the sun turns to its northern run at the time of Uttarayana. Thus he lies there on his bed of arrows, waiting for the faithful moment.

Day 11-12

Karna enters the battle, thus far kept away by Bhishma. Drona is made the commander of the army, and Duryodhana asks him to capture Yudhisthara alive. Drona sets up the Trigarthas to draw away Arjuna from protecting his elder brother. However, towards the evening of both days, as Drona approaches Yudhisthara, the Pandava flees.

Day 13

Drona, deeply ashamed at failing in his mission, once again sets the Trigarthas to draw away Arjuna. He now sets up the indomitable Chakravyuha against the Pandava army. The Pandavas are at a loss to defend themselves since mong the Pandavas, only Arjuna knows how to break this array. However, Abhimanyu volunteers his services. But Abhimanyu knows only ow to break into the array and not how to break out. Yudhisthara and Bhima assure him that they will follow him closely to ensure that the gates of the formation stay open.

Abhimanyu sets out with the Pandavas following him, but inside the complex array, he is separated from the Pandavas by Jayadratha, who blocks the Pandavas from entering. Abhimanyu continues to the center, wrecking havoc upon the Kaurava army, until faced in an unfair battle by many Kaurava warriors including Drona, Karna, Ashwattama and three others, loses his chariot, horses, weapons and charioteer. He is slain by Dushasana’s son.

That night, Arjuna hears of the dastardly murder of his son, and vows to revenge himself upon Jayadratha. If he fails to slay him by sundown, he vows to immolate himself.

Day 14

Realizing that Arjuna will kill himself if only they protect Jayadratha from him till sundown, the Kauravas rally around the king and keep Arjuna at bay. Drona challenges Arjuna to distract him and they fight relentlessly, without managing to kill the other. Krishna, anxious that Arjuna's vow should be kept, drives the chariot forward, leaving Drona behind. Karna, Drona, Ashwattama and Duryodhana, all surround Arjuna to keep him from Jayadratha. The fearful fight raged till the sun approached the western hills. Krishna said to Arjuna, "You cannot kill Jayadratha till you have slain these warriors. I shall eclipse the sun in darkness so that they will think it has set and be less careful." Through his divine power, he eclipses the son, creating darkness and deceiving the Kauravas, who part way, thinking Arjuna must now take his life. But Arjuna fixes an astra and taking aim at Jayadratha, lets it loose. Jayadratha’s head is severed just as the eclipse ends and the sun begins to shine again. Seeing that they were deceived, the Kauravas weep in sorrow and anger.

Duryodhana, distraught, orders his army to fight through the night, and the two hosts lighting torches, continue their battle. But so tired are they that men are killed while they fell asleep, and many were killed by their friends in a daze. During this time, Gathokacha, the rakshasa son of Bhima wrecks havoc among the Kaurava, until he is felled by the Shakti, a weapon given to Karna by Indra. Karna was planning to use the Shakti against Arjuna However, Duryodhana, desperate to end Gathokacha’s carnage pleads with Karna to use it. Now Karna loses the weapon since it can be used only once and returns to Indra.

Then the two armies take a break and call a truce till the moon rises and rest upon the battlefield.

Day 15

The battle continues through moonrise and sunrise, when Drona begins to slaughter the Pandava army. Arjuna and Drona meet in a fierce battle but no side can prevail. Drona then fights both Virata and Drupada, killing them both. Seeing that no one can slay this fierce warrior, Krishna advices that they use deceit to kill him. Yudhisthara reluctantly agrees and Bhima is odered to kill an elephant named Ashwattaman, the “horse-voiced.”

Then when he is near Drona, he announces loudly, “I have killed Ashwattaman.” Drona’s legs turn to water, but he cannot believe that a mighty warrior like Ashwattama could be killed by Bhima. So he turns to Yudhisthara and asks him, “Is this true?” Yudhisthara, the ever-truthful replies in the affirmative. Drona is distraught. Overcome, he drops his weapons and goes into meditation to leave is body. Dristhadyumna in his rage rushes to the chariot and takes his head off while he is sitting in meditation.

Ashwattama enraged by his father’s death, let’s loose the Narayanastra against the Pandava army. Krishna tells everyone to lay down their weapons and lie on the ground, since this is the only way the weapon can be made harmless.

Kunti requests Karna to join the side of the Pandavas, telling him that he is her eldest son. But Karna says he will spare all the Pandavas, except Arjuna.

Day 16

Shalya is made charioteer of Karna, much to his dismay because though Karna matches Arjuna in archery, only Shalya can match Krishna as a charioteer.

Day 17

Bhima fights Dushasana and kills him, drinking his blood and taking it in his hands to drape across Draupadi’s hair.

Karna wounds Yudhisthara sorely, who leaves the battlefield to rest. Hearing this, Arjuna goes to his tent to see how he is. Yudhisthara however, in pain and anger, insults Arjuna, thinking that he has run from Karna. In shame and anger, Arjuna draws his sword against Yudhisthara, and has to be pacified by Krishna. Ashamed at their reckless acts and words, the two brothers seek each other’s forgiveness.

Karna and Arjuna battle each other in a ferocious fight, until Parashurama’s curse comes true and Karna’s chariot wheel sinks to the ground. As he gets down to remove the wheel, Krishna urges Arjuna to take his bow and slay Karna, as there would not be another chance to do so. Arjuna takes aim at Karna, and Karna is about to retaliate, taking up his bow. However, the other curse of Parashurama comes true and he forgets his astra mantras, and is slain by Arjuna.

Day 18

Shalya is made the commander of the Kauravas and battles and is killed by Yudhisthara. Shakuni is killed by Sahadeva. No one of the Kaurava army except Ashwattama, Duryodhana and Kripacharya and Kritavarma survive the war. Enraged by his loss, Duryodhana heads to a lake to cool down his body, which has become hot with anger.

Krishna takes the Pandavas to the lake and Bhima taunts Duryodhana out of it. As they fight a mace battle, Duryodhana is invincible because of his mother Gandhari’s boon that his body is impenetrable. However, his thighs are vulnerable, and Bhima’s strike’s Duryodhana’s thigh, felling him. In greta pain, Duryodhana is left to die by the Pandavas.

The Dog

The Indian Pariah Dog, considered by scientists to be the first truly domesticated dog features in the great Indian epic Mahabharat. The closing chapter narrates the tale of King Yudhisthira and his brothers (The Pandavas) making a pilgrimage to their final resting place. Our in-house expert, his highness Chunnu present Yudhisthira’s dog – Tale from Mahabharat.

The Pandavas were firm in their resolve to renounce their Kingdom and began the ascent of a mountain as part of their final journey. Yudhisthira led the way followed by Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Draupadi. A dog also accompanied them through their journey.

The first to fall along the way was Draupadi (Yajnaseni).

“Why did she die first, Yudhisthira?” asked Bheema. “Was she not virtuous, possessing a good heart?”

Yudhisthira replied without looking back. “That is true, but she was more attached to Arjuna. That was her failing.”

The next to falter and collapse was Sahadeva.

“What was his failing, O Yudhisthira?” cried Bheema

Yudhisthira continued walking without looking back, and replied: “Pride in his intelligence was his failing.”

Next fell Nakula.

“What wrong did he do, O Yudhisthira?” wailed Bheema

Yudhisthira spoke, without looking back: “He admired his own good looks. That was his failing.”

Arjuna collapsed soon after.

“What wrong did Arjuna do, O Yudhisthira?” cried Bheema, overcome with grief.

Yudhisthira was unmoved and kept walking: “He was brilliant but conceited and over confident. That was his failing.”

Bheema fell thereafter, unable to bear the sorrow of seeing his brothers die.

Yudhisthira spoke while walking on: “Bheema was boastful about his strength and ate in excess. That was his failing”

And now only Yudhisthira and the dog were left, continuing the journey together.

And finally, Indra descended in his chariot. He praised the extraordinary qualities of Yudhisthira and invited him into the chariot to ascend to heaven.

“The dog must come with me,” said Yudhisthira

“That is not possible,” said Indra. “All cannot attain heaven. The dog is old and thin and has no value.”

“In that case, I do not seek heaven, “replied Yudhisthira. “The dog was my faithful companion and I cannot abandon it. It sought my help and gave me unconditional love. The pleasures of heaven will mean nothing to me in comparison to its grief. It has done nothing to deserve abandonment and had none of the weaknesses of my wife and brothers. If it does not deserve to go to heaven, then neither do I.”
And so he turned back.

“Stop!” cried Indra. “None have the qualities that you possess, O Yudhisthira! The dog is Dharma, from whom you have descended!”

And indeed, the dog had transformed into the God of Dharma and blessed Yudhisthira for his complete lack of selfishness and dedication to righteousness in all circumstances.

And thus rose Yudhisthira to heaven in the chariot of Indra.

The Bhagavad Gita

Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavadgita, or the Song of the Lord, is a dialogue between Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, and his friend and disciple, Arjuna. This dialogue takes place in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. The Bhagavadgita is composed of 700 (or 701) shlokas (verses) arranged in 18 chapters. It is one of the best-known philosophical texts of Hinduism, and is said to contain the essence of Upanishadic thought.

The Bhagavadgita occurs just before the great battle of Mahabharata begins. The army mustered by the five Pandava brothers was to fight the battle against the army of the Pandava’s cousin, Duryodhana, who had robbed them (the Pandavas) of their rightful kingdom and further, refused to participate in any plans for a compromise. After making all possible attempts to peacefully get back their kingdom, or even the right to own a mere five villages in the kingdom, the Pandava brothers decided to fight a war to gain justice.

Arjuna, the third of the five Pandava princes, was perhaps the greatest and most renowned warrior-hero in the Pandava army. Before the battle began, both Duryodhana and Arjuna went to Krishna to seek his aid. Krishna said that he would not personally lift weapons and fight in the battle, but the cousins could choose to have him, unarmed, on their side, or to have the use of his large army. Arjuna chose to have Krishna with him, and Duryodhana was delighted to add the vast, skilled army of Krishna to his forces. Krishna agreed to drive Arjuna’s chariot and thus to be with him throughtout the battle.

Just before the fighting commenced, Arjuna asked Krishna to place his chariot between the two armies, so that he could take a good look at his enemy. In the enemy ranks, Arjuna saw his cousins, other relatives and his teachers. At this crucial moment, Arjuna’s attachment to his preceptors and family came to the fore, and doubt entered his mind as to the ‘rightness’ of the battle. In his confusion, he no longer knew the course of action that he should take, and he turned to Krishna for guidance. Krishna talked to him, helping him to examine his own motives and desires, and showing him ways to rise above the limitations of his own personality to do what was best for him and good for society. This dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, is the Bhagavadgita.

The eighteen chapters of the Bhagavadgita are classified as ‘yoga’s’, starting with the ‘yoga’ of Arjuna’s depression and ending with the yoga of ‘liberation through renunciation’. The eighteen chapters are:

Chapter 1: अर्जुनविषादयोग - arjunavishadayoga
The Yoga of The Despondancy of Arjuna

Chapter 2: संख्यायोग - sankhyayoga
The Yoga of Knowledge

Chapter 3: कर्मयोग - karmayoga
The Yoga of Action

Chapter 4: ज्ञानविभगयोग - jyanavibhagayoga
The Yoga of The Division of Wisdom

Chapter 5: कर्मसंन्यासयोग - karmasannyasayoga
The Yoga of Renunciation of Action

Chapter 6: ध्यानयोग - dhyanayoga
The Yoga of Meditation

Chapter 7: ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग - gyanavigyanayoga
The Yoga of Wisdom and Realisation

Chapter 8: अक्षरब्रह्मयोग - aksharabrahmayoga
The Yoga of The Imperishable Brahman

Chapter 9: राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग - rajavidyarajaguhyayoga
The Yoga of The Kingly Science and the Kingly Secret

Chapter 10: विभूतियोग - vibhutiyoga
The Yoga of The Divine Glories

Chapter 11: विस्वरूपदर्शनयोगा - visvarupadarshanayoga
The Yoga of The Vision of the Cosmic Form

Chapter 12: भक्तियोग - bhaktiyoga
The Yoga of Devotion

Chapter 13: क्षेत्रक्षेत्रविभागयोगा - kshetrakshetravibhagayoga
The Yoga of The Distinction between the Field and the Knower of the Field

Chapter 14: गुणत्रयविभागयोग - gunatrayavibhagayoga
The Yoga of The Division of the Three Gunas

Chapter 15: पुरुषोत्तमयोग - purushottamayoga
The Yoga of The Supreme Spirit

Chapter 16: दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग - daivasurasampadvibhagayoga
The Yoga of The Division between the Divine and the Demoniacal

Chapter 17: श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग - sraddhatrayavibhagayoga
The Yoga of The Division of the Threefold Faith

Chapter 18: मोक्षसंन्यासयोग - mokshasannyasayoga
The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation.

3. Stories from Puranas, Epics and Vedas

The Story of Nala and Damayanti

King Nisadh of Ayodhya had two sons Nala and Kuvara. Nala wanted to marry Damayanti, the beautiful daughter of king Bhima. Damayanti did not know him, so Nala sent his swan to her. The swan flew to Damayanti's palace and finding her alone in the garden, sang praises of Nala. Meanwhile, King Bhima arranged swayamvara for his daughter, where many princes gathered from whom Damayanti could chose her husband. Damayanti chose Nala and they got married.

When King Nishadh died, Nala became king. He conquered many other kingdoms and became famous. This made his brother Kuvara jealous. He knew gambling was Nala's weakness. Kuvara challenged Nala to a game of dice in which Nala lost everything. Kuvara became the king and banished Nala from his kingdom. Nala went to the forest and Damayanti, who loved him very much, followed him. As they walked in the forest, Damayanti injured her feet. Nala did not want the delicate Damayanti to go through hardships with him, so when she was sleeping he left her and went ahead. Further into the forest, he found a snake on the top of a tree that had caught fire from below. As he tried to bring it down, the snake bit him and Nala turned dark and developed a hunchback. Nala asked the snake, "Why did you bite me? I was trying to save your life." The snake said, "I am your father Nisadh. The next twelve years will be full of difficulties for you. I changed your appearance to protect you from your enemies. Whenever you want to get back your original looks wear this ornament."

Nala proceeded to another kingdom. Meanwhile, when Damayanti woke up she found a note from Nala asking her to go to her parents. As she moved ahead, she met a demon that threatened to eat her. Impressed with her fearlessness he came into his real form. He was actually a god, who told her that she would unite with her husband after twelve years. Damayanti proceeded to Achalpura kingdom where she became the queen's maid. Nala went to the kingdom of Samsumara and became a servant of the king. Many years passed.

One day, King Bhima's men found Damayanti in Achalpura and brought her back to her father. King Bhima tried to find Nala but failed, so he made a plan. He arranged the swayamvar of Damayanti knowing that when Nala came to know about the second marriage of his wife, he would certainly come to her. King Bhima was right. Nala came with his master, the king of Samsumara. A day before the swayamvara Damayanti saw the dark hunch back servant. She immediately recognised him. Nala also put on the ornament given by his father and regained his original looks. But the swayamvara had been arranged to Damayanti asked him to be present there. On the day of swayamvara she put the garland around Nala's neck and they were united. The twelve-year period was also over. With the help of King Bhima's army, Nala won his kingdom back and again became the king of Ayodhya.

Nala and DamayantiOne day, a monk visited Nala's palace and told him the reason why he had to undergo the twelve-year exile. In their previous birth also Nala and Damayanti were king and queen and they had thrown an innocent monk in prison. Their exile was a punishment for their karma of a previous birth. Eventually, Nala and Damayanti had a son Pushkara. After making him the king, they renounced the world in search of spiritual enlightment.

The Story of Nachiketa and Yama

Vajasrawas, a famous person during the ancient India, was performing a sacrifice in which the performer had to give away all his wealth. It was a unique occasion. The place was beautifully decorated. The rishis attended in great number and they were chanting the mantras while offering to the holy fire.

Vajasrawas had a son named Nachiketa, who was sixteen years old. At the end of the sacrifice, Vajasrawas announces grandly that he is giving away all his possessions including a large herd of cows to the teachers and saints, who had come from all the places. Nachiketa was standing next to his father and observing his father gifting away the cows one by one. Nachiketa was surprised to see his father gifting away old cows which could not walk properly or give milk. Nachiketa felt that by giving these cows his father would not get the desired result of the sacrifice.

Nachiketa protests in a loud whisper, “You are not giving away all your possessions! Dad, Am I not your possession?” Nachiketa asked his father to whom he would like to gift his son to. The father did not pay much attention to his question. Nachiketa repeatedly asked the same question. His father became angry and replied, “I give you to Yama, the God of death.”

Vajasrawas did not mean what he said. He had uttered these words in anger. No father would like to send their son away to the land of death. Nachiketa decided to obey the words of his father by going to the abode of Yama. Vajasrawas asked his little son to stay back. Nachiketa loved his father and did not like to disobey him. But at the same time he was very firm. Folding his hands he told his father that their ancestors never went back on their words and he would like to follow the same. He wanted his father to follow the same tradition. Nachiketa knew that all the things in this world are temporary and he was not afraid of death. He understood that following the path of truth is the gateway to heaven.

Vajasrawas was very sad but gave him permission as a follower of truth. Nachiketa left for the abode of Yama. On reaching there he found that Yama was not at home. For three days and night the young boy waited without food, water and sleep at the doorstep of Yama’s abode. Yama on his return, was deeply grieved to see that there was no to welcome Nachiketa. Yama himself greeted him with due respect. For having kept Nachiketa waiting for three days, Yama granted him three boons. Nachiketa said, “I seek the welfare of my father as my first boon.” He granted him happily.“Sir I desire to know how one could reach heaven where there is no sorrow, old age or death”.Nachiketa did not ask this second boon for himself but for the sake of the people. He wanted everyone to learn this secret knowledge and free themselves for the sufferings.

Yama was pleased with the unselfishness of Nachiketa. Yama gave all the details of a particular sacrifice, the performance of which would take one to heaven.As Nachiketa was an intelligent and a sincere boy blessed with a spiritual knowledge, he could understand all that was taught. Yama was pleased with him and in appreciation, named that particular sacrifice after Nachiketa himself.Nachiketa asked, “Respected Sir. What happens to a man after death? I should like to know the truth from you. This I ask for the third boon.”

Yama had not expected this question from a young boy. He tried to divert him but Nachiketa was very firm. He wanted to know the answer. Yama was very pleased but he tried to divert the attention with lot of attractive things. Nachiketa declined all these worldly pleasures. Yama was pleased with such a young truth-seeker who had rejected the path of enjoyment and chose the path of goodness. Then Yama taught him the knowledge of the Atman, realizing which man attains immortality.

This forms the subject matter of one of the Upanishads called Katha Upanishad.

The Story of Ganga

Ganga is considered to be the purest rivers in India. It is believed that anyone who bathes in the Ganga would be purified of all the sins committed by him. In the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Bali the Asura King had promised to give Vamana – a dwarf three steps of land to perform his meditation. Lord Vishnu who was the Vamana, then assumed assumed the Trivikrama form, where he became huge so huge that measured the earth in one step, the heaven in another. Bali then offered his head as the third step. Lord Vishnu pressed Bali and pushed him to the netherworld. When Lord Vishnu measured the heavens, Lord Brahma washed his feet with some water. From that water a beautiful girl – Ganga was born in Lord Brahma's kamandalam. Ganga was full of mischief and always pulled pranks on everyone. She danced and sang beautifully and the Devas loved to come to listen to her and watch her dance.

Once many of the Devas and the rishis had come to watch Ganga sing and dance. Ganga had just finished dancing, when there was gust of wind. Sage Durvasa had come to watch the dance. Like all rishis he was dressed in a simple manner. The gust of wind blew away Sage Durvasa's clothing. All the Devas knowing Sage Durvasa's reputation as an angry man, immediately turned their head away and tried not to laugh at him. However Ganga was unable to control herself and burst out laughing looking at the sage. Furious with Ganga, Sage Durvasa cursed her, 'Proud girl! You are making fun of me instead of helping me! You do not deserve to live in the heavens. You deserve to go to earth. Go and flow as a river on the earth where you rightly belong!' Ganga was shocked when she heard the Sage's words. Apologetically she ran to Sage Durvasa and fell at his feet. 'Please great sage! I was proud! Please think of me as your daughter and forgive me...'

Sage Durvasa looked at Ganga and softened himself. Filled with pity he spoke, 'My words cannot be taken back, Ganga. But since you have asked I will grant you a boon that when you flow on the earth you will be the purest river there. If anyone comes and bathes in your waters, they would be purified of all their sins.' So saying Sage Durvasa left, leaving Ganga unhappy and sorry as she had to leave her friends and go to earth.

Meanwhile on earth, in the kingdom of Ayodhya, there lived King Sagara. King Sagara had 60,000 sons. King Sagara fought long and hard with all the Asuras surrounding his kingdom. Subsequently after same years of battled, he was finally able to destroy the Asuras. His kingdom was safe again. King Sagara ruled his people well and soon the treasures of his kingdom were full and people were happy and content. King Sagara decided that now was the time; he had to perform the 'AshwamedaYagna' to declare his supremacy. In the AshwamedaYagna, a horse was let loose and went all over the world. If the horse entered another kingdom, the other kings either had to accept the supremacy of the king whose horse it was or fight the other king. If King Sagar completed the AshwamedaYagna, he would become the undisputed leader of the world. Looking at this, Lord Indra, the king of the Heavens grew very jealous. He was very afraid that if King Sagara completed his Yagna, he would become more powerful than Indra himself.

Indra turned invisible and went near the horse. He stole the horse and was about to carry it to heaven, when he stopped thinking something...If I carry this horse to my palace, King Sagara may find it and even challenge me to a fight. What if he wins...? ...I will hide the horse in some other place so that my hand should never be suspected. Thinking thus Indra hid the horse in the ashram of a sage Kapila. Now Sage Kapila also had a reputation to have a very bad temper. King Sagara sent his 60,000 sons to look for the horse. They finally found the horse in the Ashram of Sage Kapila. Sage Kapila was deep in meditation when the sons arrived there. The sons got angry thinking that Sage Kapila had kidnapped the horse. ‘You call yourself a sage?' One of them said, 'You have stolen the horse of the AshwamedhaYagna...?' The sons angrily yelled, 'Thief! This man is a thief!' Sage Kapila was disturbed by the loud noise made by the sons of King Sagara.

Annoyed the sage opened his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he heard sounds of 'Thief...thief...' By the power of his penance, he realised that these people thought that he was a thief. This enraged Sage Kapila so much that he used his powers and burnt all of the sons of King Sagara – all the 60,000 of them. If the last rites of a person are not done properly, it is believed that they do not reach heaven. So the sons of King Sagara roamed as ghosts on earth.

Anshuman, the grandson of King Sagara, when he heard this, ran to Sage Kapila. He fell on Sage Kapila's feet. 'Great sage, please have mercy on us... My uncles..' He said pointing at the ash around him, 'they are doomed...they will never go to heaven...' Anshuman let out a tired sob, 'they will always roam the earth...please...'Anshuman had tears in his eyes, 'my uncles do not deserve this...Please great sage!'  Looking at the teary face of Anshuman, Sage Kapila felt sorry for him. He looked around at the ashes and said, 'Son! There is a beautiful river called as Ganga in the heavens. She is born from Vishnu. If she flows on your uncles, your brothers would attain heaven...' However neither Anshuman, nor his son Dilip was successful in bringing down Ganga from the heavens. Their penance did not bear any fruit. Finally Dilip's son Bhageerath also started the penance for bringing down Ganga to the earth.

Finally pleased with him, Lord Brahma appeared before him. Bhageerath fell on Lord Brahma's feet,'Lord, there is nothing that you do not know.. I am praying so that my ancestors are relieved from their curse and ascend to the heavens. Please send your daughter to the earth...’  Brahma had no objection torelease Ganga, except that Bhageerath first had to worship Shiva, so that he would accept to hold the force of Ganga in his hairs, lest she would overwhelm the entire Earth. Thus Bhageerath undertook further penances to please Shiva. When Ganga descended from the heavens, Shiva covered the sky with his hair locks, so that not a drop wouldfall on Earth.  When he had fully captured Ganga, Shiva released a small part of Ganga’s force and told her to followBhageerath. When Ganga flooded the ashram of saint Janu, he swallowed her as a lesson in respect and onlyreleasedGanga out of pity for Bhageerath. Wherever Ganga wouldflow in following Bhageerath, peoplecame in large numbers to bath and obtain purification. Finally Ganga reached the ashram of sage Kapila and freed the 60,000 sous from their ashes. Ganga continues to purify the people that take bath in her and is herself purified by the saints who will bath in her water.

The Story of Sakuntala

Shakuntala was a beautiful maiden who was the adopted daughter of Sage Karnva. She lived with him and her pet deer, in his hermitage in the forest. One day, Dushyanta, the king of Hastinapur, came hunting in the forest. He saw the beautiful deer and shot an arrow at it. Shakuntalsa found her deer whimpering in pain and tried to comfort it. Shakuntala loved the animals of the forest and her affection for the animal touched Dushyanta's heart and he asked her to forgive him for his cruelty. She forgives him but asked him to stay in the forest for a few days to tend the wounded deer. They fell in love and King Dushyanta married Shakuntala and gave her a wedding ring his name on it. The king then left for his king-dom after promising to return soon and take Shakuntala back with him.

One day , Sage Durwasa came to Shakuntala's door. He repeatedly asked for water, but Shakuntala was lost in thoughts of Dushyanta and paid no attention. The sage was insulted and got very angry. Known for his temper, he cursed Shakuntala saying that the person whom she was thinking about would forget her. When Shakuntala heard the cause, she was frightened and begged the sage to forgive her. The sage said that he could not the back the curse but he could change, if she showed Dushyanta something he had given her then he will remember again about her.

Due to the curse Dushyanta forgot Shakuntala. After days of waiting for him to return, Shakuntala decided to go to the capital to meet him. On the way, as Shakuntala was crossing a river, her wedding ring fell into the water. A fish swallowed the ring. When Shakuntala arrived at the palace, the king did not recognize her. He asked her to prove her identity but Shakuntala didn't have the ring to show him, as it was lost. She wept and told the king about the time he had spent with her in the forest but he couldn't remember anything. Feeling sad she left the palace.

Ashamed to return to her father's home, she started living alone in another part of the forest where she gave birth to a son. She called him Bharata. Bharata was a brave boy. He grew up among the animals of the forest and would play with wild animals.

One day at the king's palace, a fisherman brought him a ring. He told the king that he had found the ring in the stomach of a fish that he had brought it straight to him. As soon as the king saw the ring, the curse was broken and the king remembered Shakuntala. He was very upset and hurried at once to her home in the forest to look for her, but could not find her. In despair, he returned to his palace.

Few years passed. The king again went hunting in the forest. There he was surprised to find a boy playing with a lion cub. The boy fearlessly held open the mouth of the cub and said, " O king of the jungle! Open your mouth wide, so I can count your teeth." The king went up to the boy and asked him about his parents. The little boy replied that he was the son of king Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Dushyanta was very happy to have found Shakuntala and asked the boy to take him to his mother. The family was united and Dushyanta took Shakuntala and Bharata along with him to Hastinapur. Bharata grew up to become a great king.