Arthatatvam

  Once upon a time, Sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, decided to have children. For this, Sage Atri did severe penance meditating on Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together are called Trimurti). In order to test the chastity of Anasuya, the three goddesses (Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati), asked their husbands (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) to disguise themselves as three sages and approach Anasuya. They obeyed their wives. They asked Anasuya to feed them food with her hands. Anasuya with her divine vision got to know these sages were none other than Trimurti in disguise. She transformed the three sages into infants and fed them food with her hands. In order to play a trick on them, she did not change them back to their original form. The three goddesses then approached Anasuya and asked her to transform their husbands to their original form. She obeyed their command and then they blessed her with three sons. Lord Brahma was born as Soma, Lord Vishnu as Dattatreya and Lord Shiva as D...

  When Hanuman was crossing the ocean to rescue Sita, he came across a demoness named Simhika. Simhika had the power to assume any form. As soon as she saw Hanuman, she increased her size and looked at Hanuman as a great meal. Thinking thus, she caught hold of the shadow of Hanuman. Hanuman suddenly felt as if somebody was pulling him but did not know who. After looking everywhere, he finally saw Simhika with a horrible face! Hanuman increased his size, Simhika opened her mouth wide open. Then Hanuman reduced the size of his body and fell into her mouth. He then tore her internal organs with his nails and flew with a speed equal to that of thought. Simhika fell into the water dead and Hanuman continued on his journey to rescue Sita.

  In his early life, Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, was a hunter! One day, on his hunting expedition, he saw the Seven Great Sages. He asked them for wealth. The Sages told him that he was committing a sin and asked him to ask his family if they are ready to partake in his sin. Valmiki then went home and asked his wife and son if they are ready to partake in his sin. Both of them replied they would not. Valmiki was shocked to hear this reply from his family and returned to the Sages. He fell at their feet and asked for redemption. The Sages took pity on him and asked him to sit in one place and recite "Ma-Ra" till they return. Valmiki obeyed their command and did this for many years! Soon, an anthill covered him completely. At that time, the Sages returned and asked him to come out. The anthill burst open and he came out. Since he came out of a Valmik (anthill), he got the name "Valmiki". Soon, he had many followers with whom he shared his knowledge. Once, Narada ...

  There was once a demon named Ilvala. He had a brother named Vatapi. Vatapi had the ability to transform himself into any form and Ilvala knew how to bring back the dead by the Sanjivani mantra. Both of them used these powers to loot and kill. One day, Illvala invited Sage Agastya to rest in his cottage and have some food. Agastya agreed though he knew the intention of the demon with his divine vision. Vatapi assumed the form of a goat and Ilvala killed him and served him as a dish to Sage Agastya. Agastya ate the food happily. At that time, Ilvala called "Vatapi atragacha" (Come here Vatapi). Immediately, Agastya placed his hand on his stomach and said "Vatapi Jeernobhava" (Vatapi got digested) and Vatapi died. Ilvala got scared and repeatedly called on to Vatapi but to no avail. Then Ilvala got angry and attacked Agastya. Agastya then reduced Ilvala to ashes through the power of his penance. PS: This incident happened in a place called Villivakkam in Chennai and ...

  There was a place called Trikuta which was the peak of the Meru mountain (mythological mountain). It was a place where all creatures lived in peace. Once, a contest broke out between Vasuki (King of serpents) and Vayu (Wind God) regarding who was stronger among them. During the fight, Vasuki coiled around the Meru mountain and Vayu began to blow it with all it's might. The mountain did not budge. Then a terrible storm broke out in all the three worlds. When the Devas could not bear the storm anymore, they went to Lord Vishnu for a solution. Vishnu then approached Vasuki and asked it to stop the fight. Vasuki obeyed his command and uncoiled itself from the Meru mountain. Vayu saw this as a sign of weakness and blew even more hard that the Trikuta (peak of Meru) broke and fell into the sea. Vishwakarma (Celestial Architect) then built the city of Lanka on it for the Rakshasas.