What Drona & Arjuna’s Story Teaches Us About Success, Destiny

Drona with his students
May 27, 2025 0 Comments

In today’s hyper-competitive world, everyone is hustling to be at the top. Education is one of the most important determinant of success. Admission to elite colleges is a ticket for a chance to get to the top. So, little wonder that students and parents are obsessed with getting their hands on that ticket. Thousands of …

Samudra Manthana:Story of the Quest for Immortality

February 17, 2025 0 Comments

The Suras (Gods/good) and Asuras (Anti-god/evil) must work together to obtain the precious nectar of immortality, Amrita; in a process called Samudra Manthana or Churning of the Ocean. (Samudra-Ocean; Manthana-churning, stirring) The story is a story of human perseverance and the power of the human mind. It shows how devotion and doing the right thing …

Ekalavya’s Tragic Sacrifice: Why The Archer Sliced His Thumb

Ekalavya Drona
April 13, 2023 0 Comments

Ekalavya, a Nishada prince, was one of the best archers who lived in the time of the Pandavas. He is still remembered for his complete dedication as a student and for the shocking Guru Dakshina or offering of his thumb to his teacher or Guru, Drona.    Ekalavya wanted to be the best archer and …

See How Satyavati Became Queen Because Of Bhishma’s Vow

Satyavati with Shantanu
October 25, 2022 0 Comments

Satyavati became a Kuru queen when she married King Shantanu. This was made possible because of her stepson Bhishma’s great vow and sacrifice.

Curse of the Ashta Vasu: How Bhishma Was Born

September 11, 2022 0 Comments

Vasus are deities representing the eight elements—earth, water, fire, wind, sun, sky, moon and the stars. Each elemental god has a name and it varies depending on which Indian literature you are referring to. In the Mahabharata, they are named Dhara, Aha, Anala, Anila, Pratyusha, Prabhasa, Soma and Dhruva, respectively. They are said to be the children of Manu, who is the son of Brahma, and are collectively called the ashta vasu or eight vasus. The Vasus, very unwisely, decide to steal sage Vasishta’s cow and get in trouble. Vasishta curses them with life of a mortal on earth. The Vasus beg Ganga to help them manage the curse.

Bhishma:Birth; vow of Brahmacharya; boon to choose time of death

September 4, 2022 0 Comments

https://youtu.be/o8HMnkno1LE    The story starts with a king named Mahabhisha, who was a great king; he followed his dharma and when his time on earth was over, he gained entry into heaven. One day, the gods, including Brahma, were gathered together for a ceremony, and it was attended by the goddess Ganga too. There was …

Yayati’s love triangle; obsession with his youth; why Puru was made heir.

May 25, 2022 0 Comments

Sauti Vaishampayana tells the story of: the story of the origin of the Kuru lineage. He lists the names of all the rulers of the lunar dynasty, starting from Daksha, who was considered Brahma’s son, all the way to the tenth in the line, Yayati, who was the son of Nahusha and Priyavasa; Yayati’s marriage to Devyani; his relationship with Sharmishta—Devyani’s friend-turned-slave; his obsession with his youth and what he did to hold on to it; and why he decided to make his youngest son, Puru, his heir. From Puru came the Pourava dynasty, who are the ancestors of the Puru or Kuru linieage, which include the Kauravas and the Pandavas.