Lakshman Rao U
The sons of Kunti, wandering princes who had forsaken the comforts of court, had left Draupadi under the shelter of the hermitage of Trunabindu, where Sage Dhoumya tended her with the gentleness of one who knows the laws of Dharma; the forest itself, populous with ashrams of sages perfected in wisdom, breathed sweet perfumes from…
Vedavyasa, the sage of divine insight, once spoke to Dharmaja on the sacred law of charity. “Charity,” he said, “is to be given in its due time, at the proper place, and to one who is worthy to receive it.” To illustrate this, he narrated the story of the venerable sage Mudgala, whose humble gifts…
In the court of Hastinapura, Duryodhana, son of Dhritarashtra, sat upon his throne in full conceit of his strength and fortune. Around him stood Karna the son of a charioteer, the crafty Shakuni of Gandhara, his brother Dussasana, and a host of ministers who rejoiced in his arrogance. In that hour came Bhishma, the grandsire…
The son of Subala, wise in guile, continued his words to Duryodhana, the lord of the Kurus: “O prince, the sons of Pandu are your own kin; unite with them and rule this vast kingdom together. Peace shall dwell between your hearts, and glory shall encircle your crown like light upon the summit of a…
Ugraśravā, seated amidst the sages in the sacred forest of Naimiṣāraṇya, continued his narration to Śaunaka and the assembled seers. When Arjuna, transcending the bounds of mortal power, performed deeds beyond human reach, and when the cruel humiliation of Duryodhana met with the unbounded mercy of Dharma’s son, Janamejaya was filled with astonishment. A strange…
When the ministers of Duryodhana, with folded hands and trembling hearts, approached Dharmaraja, they said, “O King, only you can deliver your kinsmen from the mighty grasp of Chitraratha.” Then the son of Vayu, in a mood of mirth, spoke with a smile: “A blessed turn of fate! The task we intended has been accomplished…
The wicked son of the blind monarch, Duryodhana, wasted no time in devising a scheme to visit Dwaitavana under the pretext of protecting the cowherds. Yet his true intent was malicious—to wound the confidence of the Pandavas and mock their life of hardship. He and his accomplices, Karna and Shakuni, were well aware that the…
Janamejaya questioned Vysampayana concerning the sons of Kunti, who had forsaken palaces for the forest and endured every hardship; answer came that, after Śrī Kṛṣṇa departed for Dvārakā, they removed their abiding to Dvaitavana from Kamyakavana, traversing many wilds and mountains and noting each district’s peculiar temper as they went until they reached their new…
The mighty Kumaraswamy, armed with divine strength, struck down the dreadful demon Mahisha and delivered the celestial worlds from terror. Indra, overwhelmed with awe, spoke thus: “O son of the Supreme Lord, this demon, intoxicated by the boon granted by Brahma, defied our authority and tormented sages and celestials alike with his reckless valour. Yet…
The Seven Divine Mothers, the Saptamatrikas, stood before Kumara and insisted upon the boon they had sought. “We trouble the young girls,” they said, “and cause anguish to their mothers—such is our way.” Kumara, the commander of the celestial hosts, spoke sternly: “Your intent to harm children is unjust and unworthy.” Yet they persisted, unmoved…
