Arthatatvam

Once, there was a brahmana named Padmanabha who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He performed a severe penance on the banks of Chakra Pushkarini. On being pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him.  On seeing Lord Vishnu, Padmanabha started to eulogize him. Being pleased with Padmanabha's devotion, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon stating that he would remain eulogizing Lord Vishnu till the end of that Kalpa in Chakra tirtha.  After some time, a rakshasa caught hold of Padmanabha. Being afflicted, Padmanabha prayed to Lord Vishnu. The Lord sent his discuss Sudarshana, to save him. Sudarshana saves Padmanabha and kills the rakshasa. Then Padmanabha eulogizes Sudarshana. Being pleased, the discuss told him that he would stay permanently in Chakra tirtha. The discuss also said that those who take a bath in Chakra tirtha, all their sins will be washed away. There was once a Gandharva named Sundara. He once went to take a bath in a pond in Srira...

  Once upon a time there was a demon King named Hiranyakashipu. He became a very powerful King after obtaining a boon from Lord Brahma. After which he demanded everyone to worship him! Everyone did worship him, except his own son, Prahalada as Prahalada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu was very angry with this as he wanted his son to follow his demoniac ways. He tried to persuade him many times but in vain. He also tried many ways to kill his son as his son did not follow his orders. But, Hiranyakashipu could not kill Prahalada because of Lord Vishnu's grace.  During one of his attempts to kill Prahalada, Hiranyakashipu took the help of his sister, Holika. Holika had a boon from Agnidev(Fire god) that she cannot be burnt by fire. So, both of them plotted a plan to kill Prahalada by burning him. So, it was decided that Holika would pretend to show some magic through fire to Prahalada. Prahalada was asked to sit with Holika on a pyre which was lit. Prahalada ag...

  Vishnuchithan was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was childless and hence prayed to the Lord for a child. One day Lord Vishnu answered his prayers. He saw a girl child under a tulasi plant in the garden of a temple. He adopted the girl and named her Kothai. She was an incarnation of Bhudevi. But, Vishnuchithan was unaware of this. Everyday Vishnuchithan used to make a garland of flowers and offer it to the Lord. Kothai grew up devoted to Lord Vishnu as well. Each day her father made a garland of flowers to the Lord, she used to wear the garland on herself and dreamt to be married to Lord Vishnu. She was just a 5 year old girl! Vishnuchithan did not know about this. But, one day when he was about to offer the garland to the Lord, he noticed a strand of hair in it! When he found out the truth, he scolded Kothai.  So he made a new garland and offered to Lord Vishnu which was not worn by Kothai. But, it fell down on the ground. Vishnucithan was puzzled at this. That night, Lo...

  Once upon a time, Lord Murugan, was creating the characteristics of men and women. At that time, Lord Ganesha obstructed it. At this, Lord Murugan got angry and broke one of Lord Ganesha's tusks and was ready to fight with him. Then Lord Shiva appeared before them and asked the reason behind their fight. Lord Murugan explained that when he had finished writing the characteristics of men and when he was ready to write the characteristics of women, Lord Ganesha obstructed him. Then Lord Shiva calmed Lord Murugan down and smiled. He then asked Lord Murugan what was his characteristic. To this, Lord Murugan replied, that Lord Shiva would be known to the world by the name "Kapali". Hearing this, Lord Shiva got angry and threw the book into the ocean and then started to meditate. Later, Lord Shiva summoned the ocean and told it to protect the characteristics of women. Then the ocean told Lord Shiva that the book will be known by the name: "Samudrika shastra" and wha...

  Once upon a time Tulsi, the daughter of Dharmaraj, was visiting all the holy places reciting the name of Lord Vishnu in order to get married. Once, in her journey on the banks of the Ganges she saw a handsome man with a charming smile on his face wearing yellow silken garments and sandalwood paste on his limbs and wearing gem-studded ornaments. He was meditating on Lord Vishnu as well. This handsome man was none other than Lord Ganesha. Tulsi immediately fell for him and asked him who he was. But, Lord Ganesha did not respond. She then poured some water on him and pushed him with her forefinger. Though Ganesha's meditation was disturbed, he smiled and asked her who she was. After giving her introduction, she asked him to marry her. Ganesha objected saying he was a celibate and not interested in worldly matters. Tulsi got angry and cursed him saying he will have to marry a wicked lady. In turn Ganesha cursed her saying she will turn into a plant and will marry a demon named S...

  There was once an Asura named Surapadman. He was the son of Sage Kashyapa and Maya. He once performed a severe penance to please Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva who was pleased, appeared before him. Surapadman then asked for a boon that no one should be able to defeat him except Lord Shiva's offspring who would be born to Lord Shiva through Lord Shiva's union with a woman. Lord Shiva granted him this boon. After this, Surapadman became very powerful and along with his brothers, Tarakasura and Simamukha conquered the three worlds. Soon, Lord Kartikeya was born to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Then a fierce battle was fought between the Devas and Asuras. Lord Murugan who was a part of this battle first killed Tarakasura and then Simamukha. Finally a huge battle ensued between Lord Murugan and Surapadman and Surapadman was soon killed. But, Surapadman reappeared in the form of a mango tree upon being killed  and asked for Lord Murugan's forgiveness. Then, Lord Murugan with his spea...