Vishvamitra is generally known as a great saint. But before he became a saint he was a great king. He ruled over a vast kingdom. He was very powerful. He waged wars against rival rulers and won all of them. Vishvamitra was very fond of hunting. One day he went into the jungles with a large number of attendants. He …
Read More »Arjuna and the Kirata: Classic Tale from India
The Pandavas were in exile. They had lost their kingdom and everything they had in a game of dice with their cousins the Kauravas. The Pandavas were living in jungles and the 12-year period of exile was nearing its end. They began to think of their future. They were not sure that the Kauravas would give them back their kingdom …
Read More »Guru Arjan Dev Birth And Childhood Stories
Guru Arjan Dev Birth And Childhood Stories: Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth descendant of Guru Nanak, was born on April 15, 1563. He was the youngest son of Bhai Jetha (later Guru Ram Das) and Bibi Bhani. There was great rejoicing everywhere in all the Sikh sangats at his birth. This unusual rejoicing surprised quite a few people, since this …
Read More »Guru Arjan Dev: New Sikh Guru
When Prithi Chand, Guru Arjan Dev’s elder brother, came to know of it, he refused to accept him as the new Guru. When Guru Arjan Dev was presented the turban of the Guru by Guru Amardas’s son, Mohri, Prithi Chand objected vehemently. He claimed that at the eldest son of Guru Ram Das, he was the occupant of the seat …
Read More »Guru Arjan Dev: First martyr of Sikh Faith
Guru Arjan Dev: First martyr of Sikh Faith – The death of Guru Arjan Dev was a great event in the history of India, and it gave a new turn to the events in the country. With his martyrdom the attitude of the Sikhs towards life changed. Emulating the Guru, they could now readily give their lives for any cause …
Read More »Guru Arjan Dev: The Conspiracy Begins
Guru Arjan Dev: The Conspiracy Begins – Before long, Guru Arjan came to hear of something that really troubled him. He learned that his brother, Prithi Chand, was composing his own hymns and passing them off as compositions of Guru Nanak and other Sikh Gurus. Guru Arjan feared that if this continued, the Sikh religion would be undone and grossly …
Read More »Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev: Unfortunately, Akbar died soon after and the struggle for the Delhi throne began between his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Khusro. Jahangir’s son, Khusro, had a lot of respect for the Guru. When he was defeated in the battle, he left for Punjab and sought refuge with the Guru in Amritsar. The Guru told Khusro clearly …
Read More »Banasura – Asur king: Tales From Indian Classics
There was once a powerful king whose name was Bana. He was an Asura, or demon. So he was known as Banasura. Banasura was so strong and fierce that everyone was afraid of him. Even the kings on earth and many gods in heaven feared him. Banasura was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He once worshiped Shiva with such devotion …
Read More »Kacha and Devayani: Tales From Indian Classics
The Devas and Asuras were always fighting each other. The Devas were from amongst the Gods. The Asuras were demons. The Asuras were powerful, capable of all kinds of wickedness. Some of them were great rulers and mighty kings. In their fight with the Devas the Asuras had an advantage. They had on their side a great saint and teacher, …
Read More »Amazing adventures of Hanuman
Once upon a time, long ago, there lived in India a monkey-boy called Hanuman. His father was Vayu, the god of the winds, and his mother was a monkey princess. Although he was only little, Hanuman had magic powers. He was also naughty. This is the story of some exciting adventures, which began in the beautiful valley of flowers, where …
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