Story of Gokarna

Ravana was the king of Lanka. His mother wanted a Lingam which she could pray everyday. He decided to get one from Lord Shiva himself and started praying to him. His penance was extreme and Lord Shiva appeared in front of him. Ravana asked for the atma Lingam from Shiva. Without denying it, Shiva gave it to Ravana on one condition. The atma lingam once placed on the ground cannot be moved from there.

The Gods were worried, as Ravana would grow stronger with the atma lingam. They pleaded Ganesha for help. It was dusk, and Ravana was on his way back to Lanka with the atma Lingam. He wanted to perform his daily rituals to god which he could not miss. Ganesha came to Ravana in the form of a small boy. Ravana asked him to held the atma lingam till he performed his daily routine. Ganesha agreed to do so, but told him that if he is tired, he would call him thrice. In the meantime if he does not return, then he would keep the atma lingam on the ground. Ravana agreed for it and moved on.


Ganesha waited for some times and called Ravana three times. Ravana could not return by then, and so Ganesha placed the atma lingam on the ground. The lingam could not be moved from there now. Ravana with all his strength tried to lift it, but failed. While doing so the shape of the lingam also changes. 

This place is called as Gokarna, as the lingam takes the shape of the cow's ear( Gow -Cow, Karna -Ear).
Lord Shiva at this place is called as Mahabaleshwara, the one with great strength. There is a statue of Ganesha at this place, with a depression on his head. It seems that Ravana hit Ganesha on his head when he kept the lingam on the ground, which lead to the depression. 

Foolish Brahmin

Once upon a time, there lived a Brahman in a village with his wife, son and a Mongoose. His wife pampered the mongoose like their child and used to feed it daily. Gradually the mongoose become a part of the family.

One day, Brahman's wife went to the nearby well to get some water. She told him to take care of the child who was sleeping in the cradle. Meanwhile, the king's servants came in search of the Brahman. They said that the King is looking for him. Brahman could not say 'No' as it was the king's order and also could not leave the child as his wife had gone out. Finally he told the Mongoose, to stay with the kid and to take care of him.

After sometimes, a snake entered the house of the Brahman and stood near the cradle. The Mongoose noticed the snake and jumped on it. They both fought vigorously for sometimes and finally the Mongoose killed the snake. It was very happy that it could save the child from the snake. It heard the noise of the Brahman out side the house. It quickly ran towards the door. The Brahman came in and saw the mongoose with blood. He was furious and angry that it had killed his son. He quickly took a stick from the corner and hit the mongoose. The mongoose fell down and died. The Brahman ran inside to look at the child. The child was happily playing in the cradle. He saw a dead snake near the cradle and realized that the mongoose had killed the snake .

The story tells us not take decisions at haste and especially when we are angry. We should always understand the situation before taking the decisions.

Story of Ganesha

Parvathi, the goddess of shakthi, told Nandi to guard her apartment and asked him not to allow anybody without her permission. Lord Shiva came there and Nandi could not say no. Parvathi was unhappy thinking that there is nobody to obey her orders. With her special powers, she made an idol and gave life to it. It was very beautiful and she called him "Ganesha".

Ganesha obeyed every order of Parvathi. He was guarding her apartment one day when Lord Shiva came there. Ganesha did not allow Shiva to enter the apartment. Shiva was irritated with the fact that he was not allowed. He went back. He sent Nandi along with other sevakas to capture Ganesha. Ganesha was very brave and drove away everyone. Later, Indira and Shanmugha came forward to get Ganesha. But their attempt also was in vain.

Finally Shiva himself choose to capture Ganesha. Lord Vishnu accompanied him. While Vishnu and Ganesha was fighting, Shiva cut the head of Ganesha with his trishula from behind. Everyone was enjoying at the victory of Shiva. But he felt sad at that sight.

Parvathi who saw her son Ganesha dead, was furious and wanted to destroy the whole world. Lord Vishnu and Brahma met Parvathi to pacify her and promised to come back with a solution. Lord Shiva ordered them to go towards the North direction and get the head of any creature they saw first. Lord Vishnu found the elephant and bought its head. Brahma attached the head to the body of Ganesha and gave re-birth to him.

Parvathi was very happy and Shiva blessed him with a boon that henceforth, Ganesha would be worshiped before starting of any pooja.

Krishna and Sudama

Sudama and Krishna were childhood friends. They first met at the ashram of Guru Sandipani. After few years, the boys completed their studies and went apart. Krishna married Rukmini and ruled Dwaraka. Sudama, in the meantime, married a poor brahman girl. Sudama led a life of poverty as he was not attached to any wordly possessions. His wife was too good who as well did not crave for luxuries.

Soon, children were born to Sudama and his wife. As the children grew older, they began to ask their parents for better food and the comforts of life. Sudama's wife could not bear to see them hungry.One day, she said to Sudama hesistantly, " My lord, You could ask Krishna for help, for isn't he rich and powerful?" But Sudama was not comfortable in seeking help from his friend. But his wife insisted for the sake of the children. Sudama agreed to see his friend but told that he would not ask his friend for anything.

Sudama's wife borrowed some poha from a neighbour and wrapped it in a clean rag and gave it to Sudama. Later, he left for Dwaraka. Krishna was overjoyed after seeing Sudama. He made him sit down and washed his feet. Rukmini fanned him gently. Sudama was overhelmed by the love that krishna showered on him. He hesitated to give Krishna the poha thinking it was a little gift to someone like him. But Krishna read his mind and snatched it from his hand. "Poha, my favourite dish" said Krishna and ate a handful greedily. Before, he could take a second handful, Rukmini stopped him saying "One mouthful will give him all that he needs, my Lord".  Being the goddess of wealth, she was responsible for its distribution.

Next morning, Sudama left Dwaraka. His heart was full, though he did not ask for anything from Krishna. As he approached his house, he saw a grand mansion. His wife and children came out of it wearing jewels and fine clothes. Then he understood Rukmini's words.

Moral: True friendship is a blessing.

Foolish Donkey

Once upon a time, there lived a washerman. He had a lean and weak Donkey. The washerman thought of feeding the donkey properly so that he becomes strong and healthy to carry more load on his back.
But from where could the washerman afford to get the grass for the donkey?

One day, when the washerman had gone to another village, he bought a tiger skin. Now everynight, the washerman clothed the donkey with the tiger skin and set him free in the fields. The donkey would graze to his heart's content. Before dawn, the washerman would bring back the donkey back to his house and take the skin off the body. This continued happily for many nights

"A tiger is spotted in the fields at nights". The news spread in the village like wild fire. The donkey become very strong and healthy. One night as usual the washerman clothed the donkey with the tiger skin and set him free to graze in a field. As the donkey was grazing peacefully, he heard another donkey braying at a distance.

The washerman's donkey was tempted to bray loudly. He could hardly wait to chew the grass in his mouth. He pricked up his ears, raised his head towards the sky and began to bray as loudly as he could. The watchman of the field picked up his stick. He called all the watchmen of the nearby fields.

"Look", he said, pointing towards the donkey, " the tiger is braying!". All the watchmen got together and thrashed the "tiger" mercilessly. Poor donkey!!! he lay in the field half dead.

The Donkey and the Lion

There lived a Donkey in a forest. One day, it went for a stroll. It saw a hen on a tree. The donkey stood under it and was chatting with the hen. Suddenly they saw a lion searching for food.

The Lion was happy looking at these two animals and thought of a delicious meal. It was about to attack them. The Donkey was frightened at the sight of the lion and thought it cannot escape from the hands of the lion. The hen stayed calm and told that it can frighten the lion with its sound. The hen waited for the lion to come nearer. It started shouting at the top of its voice. The Lion was terrified with the sound and turned away.

The donkey was amazed looking at the valor of the hen. It gained courage and went to attack the lion. The hen warned the donkey about its attempt. The donkey ignored it and went towards the lion.
The lion turned back and saw the donkey coming its way. It attacked the donkey by jumping over it.
The donkey shouted for help but the hen ignored it. The lion dragged the donkey away.

Moral: Confidence is good, but over confidence is dangerous.

The Tree and the Grass

There was a big tree in a ground. It had huge branches grown all alover and a large area was covered under it. people used to rest under it to vade the hot rays of the sun. The tree was proud of its height and used to boast about it.

There was a small grass grown next to the tree. The tree always made fun of the grass about its height. "You are so small...You cant even look at me properly.
You have to raise your head to look at me" said the tree. The grass never replied to the tree.

One day, there was a strong wind. The tree started shaking vigorously. It could not hold on and uprooted itself. The grass just shook a little and came back to the original position. After a little while, the wind calmed down. The grass said " oh friend, I may not be tall as you but I am safe and secure. I can hold on to myself."

The tree realized its mistake and begged for pardon.

Moral : Never condemn others looking at your greatness as nothing exists for ever.