Arthatatvam

  There was an asura (demon) named Bhasmasura. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, while propitiating Lord Shiva, when he was about to offer his head as a sacrifice, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him the boon he wanted. Bhasmasura said that  anyone whose head he touched with his hand should burn up and immediately turn into ashes (bhasma).  Shiva granted him the boon. Bhasmasura wanted to test this newfound power of his and reached for Shiva. Shiva got to know the intention of Bhasmasura and broke into a run and prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him. Vishnu said he would help him. Lord Vishnu dressed himself as a brahmachari (celibate) and approached Bhasmasura. He asked Bhasmasura whom he was he chasing. Bhasmasura narrated his story. Then Vishnu told that Shiva might have duped him and hence started running. Bhasmasura got angry. Vishnu told him to test the power with his own head. Bhasmasura fell for it and as soon as he placed his own palm on his hea...

  There was a musician god named Krauncha. Once, in the court of Indra, he accidentally stepped his foot on Sage Vamadeva. This angered the Sage and he cursed Krauncha to be born as a rat. Krauncha immediately turned into a huge mouse and started damaging everything on his path. The mouse soon reached Sage Parashara's ashram and started destroying it. Lord Ganesha was living at Parashara's ashram at that time and wanted to teach Krauncha a lesson. He trapped Krauncha with a rope and brought him to his feet. Krauncha then asked for Lord Ganesha's forgiveness. Ganesha immediately forgave him and hence, Krauncha in the form of mouse became the vehicle of Lord Ganesha.

  There was a King named Ambarisha. He was a huge devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once, after performing a fast for three days, when he was about to break his fast on the auspicious day of Dwadashi (Twelfth day of the fortnight), Sage Durvasa came to visit him. Since, Sage Durvasa was a guest, only after feeding him the King could break his fast. Durvasa told he would take a bath in holy Yamuna river and then bless him. The King agreed. Hours passed by, but Sage Durvasa did not return. The King was worried as it was almost noon and if he did not break the fast before noon, he would incur demerit. But, if he did break the fast, he would incur the wrath of the Sage. Since, he was in a dilemma, one of his advisors told him that he could drink a sip of water. It would not offend the Sage as the King would have food only after serving the Sage. The King agreed. As soon as the King drank a sip of water, Sage Durvasa saw this and was furious! He plucked a lock of his hair which turned into a disc...