Character of the Day: EKALAVYA

(Nanda Lal Bose)

EKALAVYA was a Nishada man of the forest who wanted to study with Drona. Drona rejected him, so Ekalavya trained, honoring a statue of Drona as his guru. When he came to pay the guru-dakshina, Drona saw Ekalavya's great skill as a threat to Arjuna, so he demanded Ekalavya's thumb as payment.

Wikipedia: Ekalavya

Mahabharata: You can read Ekalavya's story in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata.

Devdutt.com: On Insecure Arjuna

Bizzell: Offering: The Story Of Ekalavya And Dronacharya

Videos:

Ekalavya's Story

Eklavya - The Devoted Archer

Story of Ekalavya for Children

Character of the Day: URVASHI

(Urvashi and Pururavas)

URVASHI is one of the most famous of the apsaras, the celestial dancers in Indra's heaven. She became the wife of Pururavas, and famously cursed Arjuna when he rebuffed her.

Wikipedia: Urvashi

Ramayana: Urvashi is connected to the Ramayana by being the mother of Rishyasringa.

Mahabharata: It was Urvashi's curse that led Arjuna to spend a year in disguise as the eunuch Brihannala.

Freebookapalooza: You can find a retelling of Kalidas's play Pururavas and Urvashi in Tales From The Indian Drama by Charles A. Kincaid.

Devdutt.com: Female As Alpha

Bizzell: Urvashi: The Apsara Who Fell In Love With A King

Videos:

Urvashi's Curse

Pururava and Urvashi

Urvashi - The Most Beautiful Apsara's Birth

Character of the Day: ULUPI

(Ulupi and Arjuna)

ULUPI is a naga princess who became the wife of the Mahabharata hero Arjuna. Together they had a son, Iravan.

Wikipedia: Ulupi

Mahabharata: Ulupi is Arjuna's wife, rescuing him from the curse of the Vasus; more about that.

Devdutt.com: Queer Sexuality and Indian Culture (the article talks about Ulupi and Arjuna's son)

Bizzell: Uloopi: The Naga Princess who Fell in Love with Arjuna

Videos:

Ulupi: Women from the Mahabharata

Character of the Day: PARASHURAMA

(Parashurama and Rama)

PARASHURAMA, son of the sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka, is considered to be an avatar of Vishnu. He is also considered to be one of the immortals, the Chiranjivi. Born a brahmin, he carried out a war against the whole kshatriya class. One of his weapons was the axe, which is why he is called Parashu-Rama, Axe-Rama.

Wikipedia: Parashurama, Chiranjivi

Ramayana: Parashurama confronted Rama after the breaking of Shiva's bow; read more here.

Mahabharata: Parashurama was Karna's guru, but he cursed him for pretending to be a brahmin; read more here. He also played a role in Amba's story; read more here.

Devdutt.com: The Axe of Parshuram

Kindle: Parashurama (Maharshis of Ancient India) by M.N. Lakshminarasimha Bhatta

Bizzell:  Parashurama: Sixth Incarnation of Vishnu.

Videos:

Epified: Parshuram, Wielder of the Axe

Parashurama Avatar




Karna Stories - Karna's Curse

Character of the Day: PANDU

(Wayang kulit shadow puppet)

KING PANDU ("the Pale") is the son of Vyasa and Ambalika (the widowed daughter-in-law of King Shantanu). Pandu, in turn, is the father of the Pandava heroes with his wives Kunti and Madri.

Wikipedia: Pandu

Mahabharata: Ambalika grew pale with fright at the sight of Vyasa; hence Pandu the Pale. Pandu was later cursed to be unable to sleep with his wives, so Kunti and Madri used divine mantras to give birth to their sons. Pandu died when he was unable to resist and slept with Madri.

Devdutt.com: Beware the deer hunt

Videos:

Sons of Vyasa

Pandu's Curse

Sons of Pandu

Character of the Day: VIBHISHANA

(Vibhishana and Rama)

VIBHISHANA is Ravana's pious brother who defects to Rama's side in the war, and who then becomes ruler of Lanka after Ravana's death. He is also considered to be one of the "Immortals," or Chiranjivi.

Wikipedia: Vibhishana

Ramayana: Vibhishana is one of the main characters of the Ramayana, eventually becoming ruler of Lanka and marrying Ravana's widow, Mandodari.

Devdutt.com: Challenging Loyalty

Kindle: Vibhishana (Epic Characters of Ramayana)

Videos:

Virtuous Demons

The Eight Immortals

How Vibhishana Surrendered to Lord Rama

Character of the Day: JATAYU

(illustration by K. Venkatappa)

JATAYU is the mighty bird ally of King Dasharatha who fought against Ravana when he abducted Sita. He is the brother of Sampati.

Wikipedia: Jatayu

Ramayana: Jatayu attempts to rescue Sita from Ravana, but Ravana defeats him. Rama discovers the dying bird, and then performs his funeral rites.

Devdutt.com: Ram and the Rooster

Kindle: Jatayu: Savior from the Skies by Anuradha Kumar

Bizzell: Divine Beings: Airavata, Jatayu, Nandi and Others

Videos:

Giant Statue of Jatayu

Jatayu: Earth's Center

Jatayu: India's Best Statue
(English subtitles)

Character of the Day: HANUMAN

(painting, circa 1700)

HANUMAN, the divine monkey, is Rama's devoted follower and protector. He is considered one of the Chiranjivi (Immortals).

Wikipedia: Hanuman

Wikiquote: Hanuman

Holiday: Hanuman Jayanti

Ramayana: Hanuman is one of the key characters of the Ramayana. Rama meets Hanuman shortly after Sita is abducted, and Hanuman plays a key role in her rescue from Lanka.

Mahabharata: Hanuman meets his half-brother Bhima who, at first, mistakes Hanuman for a normal monkey. (Bhima and Hanuman both have Vayu, the wind god, as their celestial father.)

Devdutt.com: Why Hanuman Chalisa is the most powerful expression of personal Hinduism

Kindle: The Chronicles of Hanuman by Shubha Vilas ($5)

Bizzell: Sundarkaand: Triumph of Hanuman by Shyam Prakash

Videos:

Epic Facts about Lord Hanuman

Names of Hanuman

Hanuman Chalisa

Character of the Day: SITA

(Sita: puppet theater in Andra Pradesh)

SITA is the wife of Rama, and widely regarded as an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, as Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu.

Wikipedia: Sita, Maya Sita

Wikiquote: Sita

Holiday: Vivah Panchami, Dussehra

Ramayana: Sita's abduction provides the central plot of the Ramayana.

Devdutt.com: From Earth, To Earth

Kindle: The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Divakaruni ($5.99)

Bizzell: Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni

Videos:

Sita Sings the Blues

Ravana and Maya-Sita

Birth of Sita

Character of the Day: VISHVAMITRA

(Vishvamitra and the princes battle Thataka)

VISHVAMITRA is an Indian wise man, or rishi, who plays an important role in the Ramayana, training young Rama in battle. Vishvamitra was born a royal warrior in the kshatriya caste, but later became a brahmin, and finally achieved the status of a brahmarshi.

Wikipedia: Vishvamitra

Ramayana: Vishvamitra takes young Prince Rama and his brother Lakshmana to fight the rakshasi Thataka and her sons Maricha and Subahu who are disturbing the practices of Vishvamitra and the other rishis.

Mahabharata: The story of Vishvamitra's daughter, Shakuntala, is told at the beginning of the Mahabharata.

Devdutt.com: Two Kinds of Teachers

Kindle: Ancient Sages by Swami Satyamayanand ($1)

Bizzell: Vishvamitra: The King Who Became an Ascetic

 

Videos:

The King Who Became A Great Sage

Vishwamitra Temple

The Story of Vishvamitra

Character of the Day: INDRA

(Indra and consort Shachi on Airavata)

INDRA is an ancient Indian god of the sky, storms, and thunder. His weapon is the Vajra, or thunderbolt, and the rainbow is Indra-Dhanush, Indra's Bow. His vehicle is Airavata, the elephant.

Wikipedia: Indra

Wikiquote: Indra

Ramayana: Indra is the father of the monkey-king Vali.

Mahabharata: Indra is the father of the Pandava hero Arjuna.

Devdutt.com: So many different Indras

Bizzell: Indra And Vritra: The Demon Who Terrorized the Gods

Videos:

Indra, King of the Gods

Joseph Campbell: The Story of Indra

Arjuna Meets Indra

Character of the Day: YAMA

(Yama and Savitri)

YAMA is the god of death, and Lord of the Pitrs; he rules the southern direction. He is also known as the Dharmaraja, the Dharma King. His kingdom is called Naraka.

Wikipedia: Yama, Yama (Hinduism)

Holiday: Pitru Paksha

Mahabharata: Yama is the divine father of the eldest Pandava brother, Yudhishthira. Yama tests his son with riddles at the lake. Some people consider Vidura to be an incarnation of Yama.

Devdutt.com: Land of Yama

Bizzell:

Nachiketa: A Collection Of Stories From The Upanishads

Savitri: The Perfect Wife

Videos:

Yama and Yudhishthira

Savitri and Satyavan

Nachiketa

Character of the Day: VAYU

(Vayu)

VAYU is the god of the wind. He is one of the Pancha Bhuta, the Five Elements.

Wikipedia: Vayu

Ramayana: Vayu is the father of Hanuman.

Mahabharata: Vayu is the father of the Pandava hero Bhima.

Bizzell: Bheema and Hanuman

Videos:

Mahabharata: Bheem Meets Hanuman

Vayu Gayatri Mantra

Character of the Day: SURYA

(Surya)

SURYA is the name of the sun god, and his abode is Suryaloka, the Sun-Place.

Wikipedia: Surya

Holiday: Makar Sankranti, Chhath Puja

Ramayana: Surya is the father of the monkey-king Sugriva.

Mahabharata: Surya is the father of the Kaurava champion Karna.

Devdutt.com: Where is the Sun?

Bizzell: Surya: How the Sun God Was Tamed

Videos:

The Konark Temple

Chhath Puja

Surya Ashtakam

Character of the Day: RADHA

(Krishna and Radha)

RADHA was Krishna's consort when he lived among the cowherds (gopis) in Vrindavana. She is worshipped as a goddess and in the combined form of Radha Krishna.

Wikipedia: Radha

Wikiquote: Radha

Holiday: Radhastami

Freebookapalooza: Vidyapati's Songs of the Love of Radha and Krishna translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy

Devdutt.com: A milkmaid called Radha

Kindle: The Song of Vrindavan: A Radha Krishna Love Story by Sharath Komarraju ($5)

Bizzell: Alternative Krishnas : Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity by Guy Beck

Videos:

Radha's Love

Radha Krishna Love Story

Radha Krishna
(English Subtitles)

Character of the Day: KALIYA

(Krishna Subdues Kaliya)

KALIYA, a Naga who lives in the river Yamuna, is one of the many foes that Krishna faces during his boyhood adventures in Vrindavana.

Wikipedia: Kaliya

Holiday: Nag Nathaiya

Devdutt.com: Do you know why I stamped the snake Kaliya?

Kindle: The Song of Vrindavan: Kaliya by Sharath Komarraju  ($4)

Bizzell: Bhagawat: The Krishna Avatar

Videos:

Krishna: Dreams and Music

Attack of the Serpent King

Krishna dances on Kaliya

Character of the Day: KANSA

(the Goddess and Kansa)

KING KANSA is Krishna's uncle. Because of a prophecy, Kansa was determined to kill Krishna, but he failed. Krishna escaped all the attempts on his life and he eventually killed King Kansa.

Wikipedia: Kansa

Devdutt.com: Silent Whispers

Kindle: Krishna: The Death Of Kansa by Rajiv Chilaka  ($1)

Videos:

Kamsa

Durga Speaks to Kamsa

Kamsa's Terrors

Character of the Day: BALARAMA

(Balarama)

BALARAMA is Krishna's older brother. He is regarded by some as an avatar of the cosmic Naga, Shesha.

Wikipedia: Balarama

Holiday: Balarama Jayanti

Mahabharata: Balarama is a character in the Mahabharata, and he remained neutral during the War.

Devdutt.com: Elder Brother of God

Bizzell: Tales of Balarama: Valiant Brother Of Krishna

Videos:

Who is Balaram?

Pastimes of Lord Balaram

Balaram Jayanti

Character of the Day: KRISHNA

(Mahabharata illustration, circa 1850)

KRISHNA is an avatar of Vishnu, and he is worshiped by many as the supreme god. His story is told in the Mahabharata, in the Bhagavata Purana, and in other sacred texts.

Wikipedia: Krishna

Wikiquote: Krishna

Holiday: Krishna's birth is celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami and he is also celebrated during Holi.

Mahabharata: Krishna is a major figure in the Mahabharata, related to Kunti (he is her nephew), and an ally of the Pandavas in the War.

Freebookapalooza: Shri Krishna of Dwarka by C. A. Kincaid

Devdutt.com: 8 stories about Lord Krishna you have never heard before

Kindle: Krishna Krishna by Indira Parthasarathy ($3)

Bizzell: Krishna: Defender of Dharma by Shweta Taneja, plus many ACK comic books about Krishna and his family

Videos:

Krishna - The Blue-Skinned God

Miracles of Lord Krishna

Krishna: Defender of Dharma
(we have this graphic novel in Bizzell)

Character of the Day: DRAUPADI

(Draupadi Cult Statue)

DRAUPADI is the fire-born daughter of King Drupada and wife to the five Pandava heroes.

Wikipedia: Draupadi

Mahabharata: Draupadi is a central character in the epic.

Devdutt.com: Five For Draupadi

Kindle: The Importance of Being Draupadi by Krishnan Rangaraju ($5)

Bizzell: Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni

Draupadi: Fire-Born Princess by Saraswati Nagpal

Videos:

Story Of Draupadi

The Birth Of Draupadi

5 Unknown Facts about Draupadi