Introduction The great hero who brought down the Ganga from heaven to the earth. Bhagiratha has become another name for a will of steel that never accepts defeat. There is a very popular song in Kannada: “Descend, O Mother, descend, from the tresses of Lord Shiva, From under the feet of Lord Vishnu, Come gliding…
Introduction Who is Bali Chakravarthi? Bali Chakravarthi was the grandson of Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu, and the king of Rakshasas. He ruled with righteousness and the welfare of the subjects at heart. Having agreed to give in charity three paces of land to Vishnu, who came in the form of a young ‘Vatu’ (bachelor-boy)…
Introduction He was a brave lad. He sought knowledge at a very tender age. He persuaded Yama the God of Death to teach him. His father lost his temper one-day and told Nachiketa, ‘I have gifted you to the Lord of Death.’ This curse turned out to be a boon. He met the Lord of…
Introduction An ideal king who was as wise as he was brave and strong. He did not want kingship, but when the people needed him, he became king. Matchless in war and matchless in forgiveness, an excellent ruler, he won the hearts of his people. ‘The creator of an era.’ In the history of the world,…
Introduction Parashurama – the epic hero with an axe – was a real ‘Yama’ (God of Death) to the evil and arrogant. He traversed the earth twenty-one times and punished the evildoers who were harassing the people. He was the ‘Guru’ (Master) of such royal stalwarts and savants as Bheeshma and Drona. Parashurama is recognized…
Introduction A great man who shines even in the galaxy of the mighty characters of the ‘Mahabharata. Affection did not dim his wisdom. Fearlessly he walked the path of righteousness. He showed the same path to others. If Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana had heeded his advice the terrible bloodbath of Kurukshetra could have been averted. “There…
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…
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…
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…
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…