Arthatatvam

  Once upon a time, there was a powerful demon named Tarakasura. He thought he was very smart and asked a boon from Lord Brahma that only Lord Shiva's son can kill him as he knew that after the death of Lord Shiva's wife, Sati, Shiva decided to live a life of Brahmachari(celibate). But, little did he know that Sati had reincarnated as Goddess Parvati! Tarakasura had become so powerful that the Devas approached Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for help. At that time, a powerful ball of fire emanated from Lord Shiva's third eye and none of them were able to bear the heat! Then Lord Agni(Fire god) carried that ball of fire and dropped it into the Ganga waters. Then Ganga dropped the ball of fire into a reed-filled lake or forest known as Saravana(one of Lord Muruga's names).  This ball of fire turned into an infant and was seen by the six Krittikas(celestial maidens). All the six of them wanted to nurture the infant. The infant then immediately turned into six infants! Then ...

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...

  The son of Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu and Bhoomi Devi was Narakasura. Though born from divinity, he was evil in his ways and caused trouble to the Devas(Gods). He once stole Varuna's(God of the ocean) umbrella, Aditi's (Mother of Devas) earrings and a few other things and escaped from Amaravati(Indra's abode). Lord Indra went to seek help from Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, went to defeat Narakasura. Both of them left seated on Garuda(Vishnu's vehicle). They had to pass through huge mountains, breaking them. They then had to go through a tsunami, fire and gale. Vishnu's discus helped them to overcome these hurdles. After overcoming all these hurdles, when they finally reached Narakasura's palace, they had to face the five headed guard of the palace named Mura. But, within no time, Lord Krishna killed Mura with his discus. Enraged, Mura's seven sons came to fight with Krishna, but to no avail. They too were killed soon. Then N...

  There was once an Asura(Demon) named Mahisha. He performed a severe penance to please Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma who was pleased with Mahisa's penance, appeared before him. Mahisha asked Lord Brahma a boon that he can be killed only by a woman. Lord Brahma granted his wish. (Mahisha thought women were weak and that he had gained immortality by tricking Brahma). Mahishasura along with other Asuras then fought a war with the Devas(Gods). The Asuras defeated the Devas. The Devas then approached the trinity gods(Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). The trinity gods in a fit of rage created a Goddess who was none other than Goddess Durga. All the Devas then offered their weapons to Durga. Goddess Durga then fought a battle with Mahisasura and other Asuras. Soon, she defeated them and all the Devas praised her.  

  At the end of Kali Yuga (current yuga), in order to restore Dharma on earth, Lord Vishnu will be born as Lord Kalki. He would be born as the son of Vishnuyasha and Sumati in a village called Shambala. He would be born on the twelfth day during the forthnight of the waxing moon. Lord Kalki would study under Lord Parashurama (sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu). Lord Kalki would meditate on Lord Shiva and get a white horse named Devadatta (incarnation of Garuda), a sword and a parrot named Shuka who knows the past, present and future from him. He would also get gifts such as armor, knowledge and power from other Devas, Sages and Righteous Kings. He would marry princess Padmavati (incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi) and princess Ramaa. Padmavati would be the daughter of King  Vrihadrath and Queen Kaumudi of Simhala. She would be born in the island of the Lion. Princess Ramaa would be born as the daughter of  King Shashidhwaja and Queen Sushanta. Lord Kalki would fight many battl...

  There once lived an Asura named Kaumasura. He used to trouble all the Devas. When the Devas were wondering of a way to defeat him, they heard an Ashariri (a bodyless voice). The Ashariri told them not to worry and said Kaumasura will soon be defeated. Kaumasura also got to know of this. He soon began to meditate on Lord Shiva. Goddess Saraswati was worried that Lord Shiva will grant Kaumasura immortality. So, she took away the power of speech from Kaumasura. Kaumasura could not chant "Om Namah Shivaya" anymore and because his power of speech was taken away, he came to me known as Mookasura (mute demon). He thought the Devas had done this. In a fit of rage he attacked the Devas and the Devas were helpless. Adishakti watched this and wanted to help the Devas. All the Devas transferred their powers to Adishakti and she took a fierce form to fight Mookasura. Soon, a battle took place between the two and Adishakti defeated Mookasura. Mookasura asked for forgiveness and Adishakti...

  Once upon a time, there was an asura named Aruna. He meditated on Lord Brahma for many years. Brahma pleased with his devotion, appeared before him and granted a boon. Aruna asked for a boon that he may not be killed by any god, demon, man/women, four legged/two legged creature or any weapon. Lord Brahma granted him this boon. With this boon, Aruna became invincible and defeated everyone! The Devas then approached Lord Brahma and said he had made Aruna immortal! Then Lord Brahma and the Devas approached Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. They discussed how to put an end to the tyranny of Aruna. They realized Aruna had acquired the blessings of Goddess Gayatri. So, they asked Guru Brihaspati to disguise as a Sage and approach Aruna and make him stop the recitation of Gayatri. Brihaspati agreed and approached Aruna and told him that both of them were equal since both were chanting the Gayatri mantra. This angered Aruna and he stopped the recitation of Gayatri mantra. Meanwhile, all the ot...

  Once upon a time, there lived a tribal chief of the Kuravar tribe named Nambi Rajan. He and his wife prayed to Lord Murugan for a daughter. Soon, their prayers were answered when a daughter was born to them. They named her Valli. Like her parents, Valli was also a staunch devotee of Lord Murugan. One day, Nambi Rajan asked Valli to take care of his field to protect it from pests. Valli agreed and took care of it. At that time, Lord Murugan wanted to test her devotion towards him. So, he disguised himself as a handsome tribal hunter who had lost his way when he was on a hunting expedition and proposed her. Valli was infuriated and asked him to leave the field immediately. At that moment, Nambi Rajan came to the field with honey and fruits for Valli. Lord Murugan seeing this, turned himself into a tree. After Nambi Rajan left, he disguised himself as an old man, approached her again and asked for food and water. She provided him food and water. He proposed her again and this angere...

  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...

  Once upon a time, the Nagas (serpents), lived on the banks of river Vitasta in Sati Desha (current Kashmir). The Nagas were the children of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. They were living happily until a demon named Jalodbhava started troubling them. Jalododbhava had a boon that he cannot be defeated by anyone as long as he remains in water. The helpless Nagas informed their King Nila about this. King Nila contemplated for a while and then approached his father, Kashyapa for help. Then both of them went to Brahma loka and asked Brahma for help. He redirected them to Vaikunta. Lord Vishnu told he would help them but he would need the support of other gods. On Kashyapa's request, all the other gods along with Lord Vishnu and Brahma went to Sati Desha. Kashyapa asked all the gods to surround the Vitasta river and asked Vishnu to drain the river. Vishnu then commanded Adishesha to break one side of the Himalayan mountain. Soon, Jalodbhava came out of the water. Then a fierce battle took pl...

  Once upon a time, Sage Vishwamitra and Vasishtha were having a debate. Vishwamitra said that Dyana (meditation) was more powerful than Japa  (continuous chanting of the Lord's name) . Vasishtha disagreed and said Japa was more powerful. Soon, they reached an impasse. So, they approached Lord Vishnu for a solution. Vishnu asked Adishesha (King of serpents) to settle the debate between them. Adishesha agreed and said he could not think as he was carrying the earth on his head. He asked one of them to carry it while he did some thinking. Both, the sages agreed. Vishwamitra carried the earth on his head first and started meditating. No sooner had he lifted the earth, he could not bear it's weight. Immediately, Vasishtha volunteered and placed the earth on his head and started chanting "Hariye Namah" (japa of Lord Vishnu). Vasishtha could easily carry the weight of the earth. Adishesha then intervened and said as you can see, Japa is more powerful than meditation. Hence,...

  Once upon a time, Lord Shiva was explaining the Vedas to Goddess Parvati. This went on for many years and eventually Parvati's attention got a little diverted. This irritated Shiva and he cursed her to be born as a fisherwoman. He immediately repented after doing this. But, once a curse is uttered, it cannot be revoked. Hence, Parvati was born as a baby on earth and found lying under a tree by the Chief of Paravaras (A clan of fishermen). He adopted her and bought her up. She was a quick learner and learnt all the skills of fishermen. Soon, she was admired by all. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva was repenting in his abode. Nandi (his attendant) consoled him and came up with a plan. Shiva agreed. Nandi took the form of a shark and began to torment the village of the fishermen. Then, the Chief of the Paravaras told he would offer his daughter, Parvati to the person who captures the shark. Many fishermen tried to capture the shark, but to no avail. Then, finally when the Chief of Paravaras as...

  Once upon a time, King Kaushika and his army went on a hunt. They soon became tired and hungry. So, they searched for food and water everywhere. They then came across Sage Vasishta's hermitage and asked him for food and water. Sage Vasishta and his wife Arundhati, offered them a sumptuous meal. King Kaushika was puzzled. He wondered how a poor Sage like Vasishta could offer him and his huge army such a sumptuous meal. He asked the Sage how he was able to do so. Vasishta told Kaushika that he could do this with the help of his cow, Kamadhenu (wish-fulfilling cow) which he had got as a gift from Lord Indra. King Kaushika then thought such an animal would be more useful to a king that a Sage. He asked Vasishta if he could give his cow. Vasishta said the cow was like a daughter to him and hence could not part with it. Kaushika pleaded several times but the Sage did not relent. This angered Kaushika and he asked his army to take possession of the cow forcefully! Vasishta asked Kamadhe...