Introduction Younger brother of Sri Rama, Lakshmana personifies brotherly love and self-effacement. When Sri Rama, in fulfillment of father Dasharatha’s promise to queen Kaikeyi, set out for the forest with Sita, Lakshmana followed him. When Sri Rama had to wage war against Ravana to rescue Sita, Lakshmana whole-heartedly collaborated in the venture. His devotion to…
Introduction He was a little boy of five years when he was insulted by his stepmother and ignored by his father. He went to a forest in search of God. With determination and devotion, he succeeded. He ruled the country in the name of God and in the interest of the subjects. To this day…
Introduction The wife of the great Pandavas renowned alike for her loveliness and her granite will. Volcanic, she reduced her enemies to the ashes. But her story is a saga of suffering. This fiery princess bent on vengeance could be compassionate and generous, too. It was early morning. Mother was already up and at her…
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 A devotee of Sri Rama and younger brother of the valiant Ravana, king of Lanka. He had great affection and respect for his elder brother. But when Ravana set him on an evil course, Vibheeshana boldly protested and tendered proper advice. When no alternative was left, he went away from Lanka, surrendered himself to…