Tag Archives: Devotional folktales in English

How Ganesha came to have Elephant Head: When the Gods lived on the earth, Lord Shiva – Mahadeva, the Lord of All, lived on the highest peak of the Himalayas. With him lived his wife, Goddess Parvati. They had no child. For thousands of years they lived there, looking down upon the entire world, which lay at their feet. But …

Krishna’s Childhood in Vrindavan: When Yasoda and Nanda found Krishna as their son, they performed all the religious ceremonies in secret, to avoid Kansa’s wrath. The family astrologer, Gargamuni, told the family, “Your son Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He will protect you from Kansa’s persecutions, and by His grace only, you will surpass all difficulties. Therefore raise …

Guru Har Rai passed away on October 6, 1661. Guru Har Krishan consoled the disciples. He asked them not to give way to despair but abide by the will of the Almighty. All should sing God’s praises and not weep or lament. As days went by, the disciples began pouring in from far and near. They were delighted to have …

Guru Hargobind Singh and his unique leadership of the Sikhs after the brutal execution of Guru Arjan by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Guru Hargobind Singh was only 11 years old when he was appointed the Guru. The Sikhs were already a community of people who had a culture that was distinct from all others – Sikhs were a community that …

Guru Arjan Dev: First martyr of Sikh Faith – The death of Guru Arjan Dev was a great event in the history of India, and it gave a new turn to the events in the country. With his martyrdom the attitude of the Sikhs towards life changed. Emulating the Guru, they could now readily give their lives for any cause …

Early Life of Guru Gobind Singh: Guru Gobind Singh was born in December 1666 A.D. at Patna, present day capital of Bihar State. His parents, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Mata Gujri, had gone to the East on long tour to preach teachings of Guru Nanak. Guru Tegh Bahadur, was accompanied by a large number of his devotees. The purpose of …

Guru Gobind Singh: The Birth – Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Tenth Guru and Last of the Sikhs guru was born to Guru Tegh Bahadur and Mata Gujari Ji on December 26, 1666, at Patna Sahib in Bihar. Though he came into the world that day, the story of his birth began much earlier. Much Before his mortal birth, when he …

Sant Kabir was born in 1398 AD in Banaras city (also known as Varanasi – city in Uttar Pradesh). His father Neeru was a Muslim and weaver by profession. Banaras being a Hindu place of pilgrimage was always thronged by Sadhus. Those Sadhus had a profound effect on the life of Kabir. While playing with companions in childhood, he would …

Kabir’s Ram: Sant Kabir Das Teachings & Belief – Kabir Das had faith in one God who is neither a man nor divine, neither a yogi nor a celibate. He has neither a mother nor a son. The extent of this type of god can not be known and he can not be con fined to a temple. He has …

Guru Arjan Dev: New Sikh Guru – When Prithi Chand, Guru Arjan Dev’s elder brother, came to know of it, he refused to accept him as the new Guru. When Guru Arjan Dev was presented the turban of the Guru by Guru Amardas’s son, Mohri, Prithi Chand objected vehemently. He claimed that at the eldest son of Guru Ram Das, …