Stories | Wisdom | Inspiration | Transformation
Long ago a merchant was traveling to another kingdom with a group of merchants carrying goods in bullock carts. He had loaded a gunny bag of coins on a mule which he needed for his expenses on this journey. While going through the jungle, the gunny bag broke open and the coins started to drop from the bag. By the time the merchant realized, a good number of coins...
Once a depressed, sad, and frustrated old man went to a Guru. He had lost all his life savings. He had become bankrupt. He had lost all hope in the game of life. He told his story to the Guru. The Guru listened patiently and then picked up a paper and a pen. He then said to the old man – “I now know what you have lost but...
The last of the Tirthankaras, Lord Mahavira in his days of penance once decided to visit the village of Vachala. In the forest next to the village lived a deadly and poisonous snake whose gaze was enough to kill any living creature. Villagers were terrorized and never dared to venture into this forest. Mahavira decided to do his penance in this forest. As he passed through the village and...
A youth paid a regular visit to a famous Saint from Maharashtra Eknath. He liked listening to his discourse, it made him feel peaceful and joyous from inside. There was something special about his talk, it sounded divine and pure. One day a doubt occurred in his rational mind. He wondered if the saint who looked pure from outside, was also pure from the inside? This doubt kept lingering...
It is believed that bathing in Ganga washes away all your sins and purifies your soul. The belief is still prevailing even after many years. This question was asked to Ramkrishna Paramhans. Devotees who had come to meet and listen to Paramahansa asked him this question – “Swamiji, Is it true that bathing in Ganga will wash away the sins?” Swamiji smiled at them listening to their innocence. What...
King Prasannachandra (was also known as Prasenjit) was ruling the kingdom of Potanpur. He was a brave and righteous ruler. People felt happy, and secure under his rule. He had a beautiful wife and a charming young son. He was inspired by Tirthankar Mahavira’s sermons and was convinced that the well being of the soul was in renouncing the world. He was eagerly waiting for his son to mature...
A great poet of ancient India, Bharavi was living the last days of his life. He called his son and said – “Being a poet, I do not have any possessions or wealth. I’m not going to live long so before I die, I want to give a sloka. Whenever you are in dire need, you can sell this sloka for one hundred thousand rupees. But remember, don’t sell...
An incident from the life of Bharat Chakravarthi who ruled six continents at one time. He had many queens and lived surrounded by all the luxuries. Hundreds of kings were under his rule who served and obeyed him. Even with all this, Bharat Chakravarthi lived an abstinent life. One day his minister Vipra Dev asked the king – “O King, If you are an ascetic then why do you...
Once an old and wise sage arrived at a village covering a long journey. He took shelter in a temple on the outskirts of the village. The villagers came to know about the sage so they started visiting him in the evenings to listen to his discourse. They would also share their problems, difficulties in life, and seek his guidance. After a few days of his stay, it was...
This is at the time when the Pandavas and Kauravas were young. They were living with Guru Dronacharya at his ashram learning different skills. Several other little princes had also enrolled in the ashram. There was healthy competition among the children as each one wanted to be the best. They were always looking forward to getting praise from their Guru. Dronacharya was also happy with his disciples and their...
Once a merchant on a casual stroll through the market came across a fine specimen of a camel for sale. The merchant thought this camel would be a great addition to his caravan. The merchant and the seller both skilled negotiators, struck a hard bargain. The seller, pleased with the price parted with the camel, and the merchant proud of his fantastic bargain walked home with the latest addition...
The battle of Kurukshetra was at its peak. Arjun and Karna were fighting each other. It was a battle to witness as a flurry of arrows were being exchanged and even the Gods were watching this battle between the two warriors. Arjun would shoot his arrows and the impact of the arrows was so intense that, it would push Karna’s chariot by twenty-five-thirty feet. People witnessing this were amazed...