Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, “O wise one! O scion of Bharat! You have declared that annadāna is the ultimate. Pitāmaha! Now, I beg you to please tell me the fruit that is received from jaladāna. I wish to hear this from you in detail." Bheeshma replied, "I will tell you everything clearly. Listen carefully from... Continue Reading →
The Greatness of Gau (Cow)
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, “O Pitāmaha! What type of affection develops by seeing and staying with someone? Also, what is the greatness of gau? Please tell me in detail." Bheeshma thoughtfully replied, "O radiant king! I will narrate the conversation between Chyavana Maharshi and Nahusha on this matter. In the ancient days, Chyavana Maharshi, son... Continue Reading →
Conversation between Indra and Shuka (parrot)
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, “O epitome of dharma! Pitāmaha! I now wish to hear the qualities of compassionate and devout persons. Please have mercy on me and reveal these qualities to me." Bheeshma thoughtfully replied, "Yudhishtira! I will narrate the ancient incident that took place between a high-minded parrot and Indra. In the... Continue Reading →
The Importance of Annadāna
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, "O most exalted one! Please tell me what should be donated to resolute Brahmans in this world by a king who wishes to do dāna. What dāna makes a Brahman happy? O mighty-armed one! Please tell me about the fruits of dāna. Which dāna gives extraordinary fruits in this earthly world and... Continue Reading →
Shree Hanuman reassures Bheemasena of their victory over the Kauravas
Shree Hanuman revealed the glorious form that He took to cross the mighty ocean to Lanka on the request of Bheemasena. This splendorous form that puts fear in the hearts of the sinners and brings joy to the devout astounded Bheemasena. Bheemasena profusely thanked Shree Rāma bhakta Shree Hanuman and offered prostrations. Shree Hanuman... Continue Reading →
Durvāsā Maharshi arrives at an inopportune time as a guest at the ashram of the Pancha Pandavas
Durvāsā Maharshi pleased with the devotion and service of Duryodhana offered him a boon. The evil-minded Duryodhana had already conferred with his brothers and Karna earlier, "O revered Brahman! Maharaja Yudhishtira is the oldest and the best in our lineage. At this moment, the pious Yudhishtira is residing in the forest along with his brothers.... Continue Reading →
Vyāsa Maharshi reveals the greatness of tapasyā and dāna to the Pancha Pandavas and Draupadi in Kāmyakavana
The Pancha Pandavas along with Draupadi faced the hardships of the forest and passed eleven years of their exile living on fruits and roots. Though they deserved to enjoy every pleasure in this universe, they experienced tremendous difficulties in the forest. Accepting the tough situation they were in to be their fate, the Pancha... Continue Reading →
Agastya Maharshi drinks the ocean
The Devas accompanied by Lord Brahma offered prostrations to Lord Vishnu and pleadingly said, "O Lord! The entire universe is solely dependent on Your kindness for their progress. All the created beings turn to each other for support and upliftment. All the created beings live out their existence bereft of fear because of Your... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Shree Rāma gives divyadrusti to Parasurāma
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Lomasha Maharshi, "Bhagawan! Why did the radiance of Parasurāma get depleted and how did he regain it? Please narrate this incident to us." Lomasha Maharshi replied, "O king! Listen from me the story of Shree Rāma, son of Dasaratha and Parasurāma, scion of the Bhrigu vamsha. In the olden days, Bhagawan... Continue Reading →
Agastya Maharshi kills the daitya brothers Ilval and Vātāpi
Lomasha Maharshi after thinking for sometime decided to narrate a very important incident to Dharmaraja Yudhishtira. "O scion of the Kuru dynasty! Listen to me. In the olden days, in this Manmatīnagar, there lived a daitya named Ilval. Vātāpi was his younger brother. One day, the daitya Ilval asked a tapasvi Brahman, "Bhagawan! Please bestow upon me... Continue Reading →
Lord Indra asks for Karna’s kavach and kundal
Karna stood in the water at noon to perform the obligatory sandhyāvandanam to Bhagawan Diwakara. Many Brahmans seeking wealth had assembled there. Indra also arrived there as a Brahman asking for bhikshā. Karna greeted him with honour but failed to see through his disguise and read his mind. Karna bowed respectfully and said, "O venerable... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Surya comes to warn Karna in his dream
From the moment, Dharmaraja Yudhishtira saw Karna adorned with the celestial kavach and kundal, a great fear entered his heart. He knew that Karna was more than a match for Arjuna. He constantly worried about the prowess and dexterity of Karna never voicing his views to his brothers. However, the pious Lomasha Maharshi was well-aware of... Continue Reading →
Sāvitrī and Satyavān
"Exactly one year from now, Satyavān will meet his end. This is tragically his only flaw." said Narada Devarshi to Raja Asvapati, king of Madradesh about Sāvitrī's decision to marry Satyavān, son of Dyumatsena. Sāvitrī knew the words of a Rishi can never be untrue. But she remained firm on her decision to marry... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 10 – Maitreya Maharshi curses Duryodhana
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “O Wise Sage! Whatever you say, is right. I also think this is right and my courtiers and people think the same. O Sage! You also think that is best which is in the interest and advancement of the Kuru vamsa. O Sage! This same thing has been said to me by Vidura,... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 9 – Vyāsa Maharshi narrates the episode of Surabhi and Indra
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, "Bhagawan! Even I do not approve of this game of dice. O Rishi! I think that the Supreme Being has forcibly dragged me into this matter. Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura also did not approve of this game of dice. Even Gandhari did not wish that it was played; but I pushed everyone to... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 8 – Vyāsa Maharshi advises Dhrutharashtra to stop Duryodhana and the injustice
Vyāsa uvācha, "O Wise Dhrutharashtra! Listen to me, I will reveal to you that which is in the best interest of the Kauravas. O brave one! I do not like that you have sent the Pandavas to the forest. Duryodhana and others used deceit to defeat them in the game of dice. O... Continue Reading →
Tirthayatra Parva: The description of innumerable tirths around Kurukshetra
Pulastya Brahmarshi uvācha, "Hey King! Then one should visit Kurukshetra that has been praised by Rishis, whose mere darshan will liberate one from all sins. One who always says, 'I will go to Kurukshetra, I will reside in Kurukshetra' will be liberated from all sins. If the mud from Kurukshetra brought by the wind touches the body,... Continue Reading →
Tirthyatra Parva – Narada Devarshi visits Yudhishtira and explains the benefits of pilgrimage quoting the conversation between Bhishma and Pulastya Brahmarshi
Vaishampayana uvācha, "Janamejaya! Dharmaraja Yudhishtira became sad on hearing the words of anxiety expressed by Draupadi and his brothers towards the well-being of Dhananjaya. As he was pondering over this, Mahatma Narada Devarshi arrived in his midst. Mahatma Narada Devarshi was resplendent with the Supreme Radiance like the fire that rises in all its glory when ghee... Continue Reading →
The importance of Payoshni River, Vaidurya Parvat and Narmada River
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira and his brothers, Lomasha Maharshi and the servants left for the sacrosanct Payoshni River that had been worshipped by the ruler of Vidarbha. The divine ambrosia Somarasa of the yagnas was mixed in its waters. They arrived at the bank of the river and drank its water. They decided to stay here singing... Continue Reading →
The birth of Ashtavakra and his entry into the court of Raja Janaka
Lomasha Maharshi uvācha, "O Yudhishtira! We are here in the sacrosanct ashrama of Shvetaketu, son of Uddalaka who is said to be exceedingly proficient in mantra-shastra. See all the trees here are laden with fruits. Shvetaketu has had the darshan of Saraswati Devi in this ashrama in all her glory and said thus to the Divine Mother who... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Bala Mukunda reveals Himself to Markandeya Maharshi
Bhagawan Bala Mukunda uvācha, "O Venerable One! Even the devathas do not know My form satisfactorily and in reality. I will tell you the manner in which I create this universe because of your love and affection. Brahmarshi! You are a devotee of the ancestors and you have sought refuge in Me and you have... Continue Reading →
Markandeya Maharshi’s darshan of Bhagawan Bala Mukunda at the time of Maha Pralaya
Vaishampayana uvācha, "Janamejaya! Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Chiranjeevi Markandeya Maharshi this question - Mahamune! You have seen the Mahāpralaya that occurs after thousands of yugas. I do not see any man who has lived as long as you have in this universe. O Maharshi! You are the best among all the knowers of Brahman! There is no one besides... Continue Reading →
Sanatkumara’s upadesha to Shuka
Brahmaputra Sanatkumara Paramarshi with the intention to guide Shuka Paramarshi arrived at his hermitage. When Shuka Muni saw the radiant eternal Sage, he rose up and offered him his pranaams. Bhagawan Sanatkumara asked, "Mahabhaga! Vyāsaputra! What are you doing?" To which Shuka replied, "Brahmakumara! I am at this moment studying the Vedas. I... Continue Reading →
Shuka’s visit to Mithila and conversation with Janaka Rajarshi
Sanandana Paramarshi narrates an incident to Narada Devarshi about the time when Shuka Paramarshi went to his venerable father, Veda Vyāsa Maharshi and asked him about moksha and dharma. "'Bhagawan! I offer my salutations to you. You are an exponent in the subject of moksha and dharma. Please give me such an upadesha (instruction) where my mind will... Continue Reading →
sandeepa.in 