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Every blog post from the Pakka Patriot library — 156 stories of history, culture, heroes, and the land we love.
25 stories found in SAINTS AND GURUS
Swami Pranavananda: Awakening Hindu Strength and Pride
Swami Pranavananda played a pivotal role in awakening the Hindu society by instilling much-needed strength and self-confidence. A staunch advocate of Hindu nationalism and the founder of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, he organized the Hindu community in Bengal, igniting a renewed spirit of struggle and resilience. The Golden Era of Bengal in the 19th Century…
Story Behind Composition of Bhaja Govindam by Adi Shankara
“Bhaja Govindam” is a popular devotional hymn composed by the 8th-century Indian philosopher and saint, Adi Shankaracharya. The hymn consists of 31 verses that emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge, renouncing worldly desires, and focusing on spiritual pursuits. As the story goes, Shankaracharya was once walking along the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi…
Story of Agastya Muni, a deva cursed by Indra saved mankind
Introduction The mighty sage to whom the mountain bowed, and who drank the sea empty. He humbled the arrogant and punished the demons. He is the symbol of man’s heroism and confident strength. Agasthya What a wonderful sight the star-studded sky is! We want to go on gazing at it forever, don’t we? We can…
The biography of Andal: Devotee and husband of Lord Krishna
Introduction The girl who would marry no one but God. She lived a life of innocence, purity, and total dedication to her God and was finally united with Him. Pandya was a kingdom in ancient Tamilnadu. Its capital was Madurai. Vallabhadeva was the ruler. He was a very good ruler. The people were happy. He…
Yajnavalkya Story along with a brief on Yajnavalkya Smriti
lntroduction A Brahmarshi. The mastermind that produced ‘Shukla Yajurveda’. Even as a student in the Gurukula he firmly stuck to the path he considered as the right one. He was the master who guided thousands of persons, from king Janaka to the commonest students, on the path of Enlightenment. So brilliant a genius was he…
The Story of Vishwamitra Rishi from a King to a Brahmarshi
Introduction Vishwamitra quarreled with Vashishtha and was defeated. But Vashishtha himself named him as a Brahmarshi. Vishwamitra created new stellar constellations and threatened to create a new Indra. Gods trembled at this. He tested the truthfulness of Harishchandra. He saved Shunahshepha who was to be sacrificed. He was the guru of Sri Rama and taught…
Vasishta Maharshi, a Brahmarshi who had won Anger and Desire
Introduction Vasishta was a great ascetic. He was the preceptor of great men like Sri Rama and Harischandra. He had conquered anger and desire. He was a great saint who humbled insolent men. As a preceptor, he imparted knowledge and became a guide to thousands of aspirants. Have you seen the Pole Star? If you…
Story of Valmiki from a Hunter to the Adikavi, Brahmarshi
Introduction The Adikavi, the Poet of Poets of India, who gave the world the immortal epic, the ‘Ramayana’. By profession a highway robber, he came under the spell of Maharshi Narada and became a ‘Brahmarshi’. He not only sang the matchless greatness of Sri Rama, but gave shelter to his wife Seetha Devi, and taught…
The story of Veda Vyasa along with the spread of Mahabharata
Introduction The ‘Mahabharata’ remains a marvel in the literature of the world. Veda Vyasa was the sage who gave the world this Store-house of realism, wisdom, and compassion. And he was the guide to whom seven generations of the high and the humble looked up in hours of sorrow and darkness. On the banks of…
Biography of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and his invaluable songs
Introduction A great saint who lived only for his God Vitthala. He faced a variety of difficulties with astonishing patience. He refused diamonds and opals offered by Shivaji Maharaj himself. His devotional songs are an invaluable contribution to Marathi’s spiritual literature. That day the children of the lane were overjoyed. There was plenty of sugarcane….
Biography of Madhvacharya, his Philosophy with Photos
Introduction He is the saint who installed the idol of Sri Krishna at Udupi in Karnataka. The Philosophy he preached was previously known as ‘ Tatvavada’. Now it is known as ‘Dwaita’. He lived seven hundred years ago. He boldly said to a Muslim king: “By whatever name you may call, God is One.” He…
Biography of Adi Shankaracharya from Birth to Sharada Peetha
Introduction One of the greatest philosophers and savants of Bharat. Though he lived for only thirty-two years, his achievement was unparalleled. He pro-pounded the Vedantic tenet that Brahman the Supreme and man are of one essence and that all people should strive to cultivate this vision of oneness. He established four spiritual centers in the…
Biography of Mahavir Swami: A Life Dedicated to Mankind
Introduction A young prince who gave up power, position, and money to the path of Jainism. He spent twelve long years in strict meditation and became a light to millions. Kundapura was a suburb of Vaishali, the capital of the Lichchavi Republic. On the outskirts of the town was a large grove of banyan trees….
Biography of Swami Vivekananda, the valiant monk of India
Introduction The valiant monk who proclaimed in America the greatness of Hinduism and of Indian culture at a time when the West regarded India as a land of barbarians. The beloved disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the living embodiment of sacrifice and dedicated his life to the country and yearned for the progress…
Information about Basavanna through biography with images
Introduction The revolutionary who taught that right conduct is heaven. He declared that work is worship and taught the ideals of simple living and the equality of all men. And he practiced what he preached. Do not steal, Do not kill. Do not utter lies; Do not lose your temper. Do not detest others; Do…
Life history of Ramanujacharya: A selfless Srivaishnava Guru
Introduction The chief exponent of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta and a great social reformer. “If I can bring deliverance to so many, I do not mind being condemned to hell,” he said and spread his spiritual message to even the lowliest of classes of people. He established the Yatiraja Math and the Cheluvanarayanaswami temple…
Biography of Sant Namdev, the enlightened being who saw god
Introduction Namdev, who lived during the end of the 13th century and the first half of the 14th in Western Bharat, is one of the country’s best-known saint poets. A contemporary and associate of Jnanadeva and other great mystics, Namdev lived in constant communion with Lord Panduranga. Hundreds of ‘Abhangs’ (devotional songs) composed by him…
Vidyaranya Swami: Biography of a saint who built Vijayanagara
Introduction A great and famous saint who is known as the founder of Karnataka. When people had lost all hope, he provided inspiration to Hakka and Bukka who tilled the people with hope and courage. He adorned the Sharada Peetha (also read about Adi Shankaracharya here) of Sringeri. He strove to strong then the foundations…
Biography of Samarth Ramdas Swami with Dohe extracts
Introduction Shivaji’s preceptor and guide, Ramadas imparted to him the message that until we fulfill the required duty towards the motherland, we should not think of the other world. By means of his religious discourses and kirtans, he provided succor and guidance to thousands. The night was calm and serene. That night there was a…
Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve Biography
Introduction Maharshi Karve lived for a hundred and four years. After he completed his education he pledged his life to the service to others. He chose poverty and walked the path strewn with criticism and opposition; he wiped others, tears, he brought education, equality, honor, and joy into the lives of many people. There was…
Sadguru Ram Singh Kuka: Biography, Kuka Movement, Followers
Introduction Ram Singh was a religious leader and a good preceptor. He preached purity of body and purity of mind. He himself practiced both. He opposed lavish spending at marriages and taught people to help the poor. When the British began to strengthen their Empire by sowing the seeds of quarrel among the people of…
Narayana Guru: Story, Quotes from Chempazhanthy with Images
Introduction The saint-reformer, who led a quiet but significant social revolution. A champion of the humble and the downtrodden, he gave the watchwords: “One people, One Dharma, One God for all men.” To Indians, the word Guru (Teacher) (read more about an article on Guru and Guru Purnima Speech here) is a very sacred one….
Vedanta Deshika: Story, Works, and Poems, with Video Clips
Introduction A great scholar and saint who lived about six hundred years ago. His personality was a blend of immense scholarship and a matching devotion to God. Love for mankind marked his eventful life; and he was full of piety and humility, despite his high scholastic accomplishments. He turned down patronage, money, and honors, which…
The Story of Sage Dadhichi’s Ultimate Sacrifice to Indra
Introduction Dadhichi, after acquiring spiritual knowledge, led a pious life. When prayed for by Indra and other gods, Dadhichi readily sacrificed his life as well as the body, in order that the gods might win in their war against demons. “We are in difficulty. We need your backbone if we are to survive. You must…