STORIES FROM BHAGAVATAM
Moral science stories are those that are read at childhood, when the soul is pure and clear, and remembered for the rest of our lives. They are also passed on to generations.
This collection has been made to represent the true spirit of our culture. The principles would be truth, love, mutual respect, righteousness, rectitude, divinity, priority to societal unity, etc...All people, including the old people, would enjoy reading these stories. You are welcome to share these stories with your friends.
Through small stories, the idea is to illustrate the greatness of our human culture. Through the stories one can learn the various aspects of our lives. We urge people to read the stories carefully and apply the Moral learnt through the stories in their everyday life.
Myths and legends are an integral part of human existence. They have been around us all the time. Though their validity is susceptible, nobody seems to mind as they stand as a proof of the human belief in divine powers. Here the collection of popular mythological stories that will take you to times of yore when gods co-habited with humans, divine voices could be heard and visions seen. Know more about deities you worship everyday. Know about the extraordinary sacrifices made and great feats achieved.
Chapter 1:
Veda Vyasa
Veda Vyasa was the son of Parashara and Satyavati born on an island. His complexion was very dark at birth. So he was named Krishna Dvaipayana. Krishna means dark and Dvaipayana is, born on an island. He was popularly known as Veda Vyasa, a title conferred on him, as it were, for simplifying the study of the Vedas. He systematically compiled the Vedas which were orally transmitted in the olden days. Moreover, he wanted to preserve the ancient scriptures, the golden treasury of spiritual knowledge, for posterity. Author of the Puranas and the epic Mahabharatha, Vyasa had the extraordinary power of knowing the past, present and future. His Mahabharatha contains all aspects of conduct, good and bad, depicted through various characters. It is easy for even the unlettered common man to comprehend the injunctions contained therein. An analytical study would facilitate one to carve out ones personality in a virtuous way. These practical guides are not new but are coming down to us from the Vedic period. The need for writing the epic was felt because the Vedas were exclusively for intellectuals and men. Vyasa wanted the profound truths contained in the Vedas to reach everyone. Knowledge is universal to be shared and benefited by one and all. That is why this epic is designated as the fifth Veda, as the original Vedas are four in number.
Despite such varied accomplishments, Vyasa was obsessed with a feeling of incompleteness and a lurking confusion. While Vyasa was restless at not knowing the cause for the mental dissatisfaction, he chanced to come across the divine sage Narada, the son of Brahma. Knowing the distress of Vyasa, Narada explained the lapse in his literary efforts. He told Vyasa that he had dealt with almost all subjects under the sun but had overlooked what was crucial for attaining spiritual contentment. He went on to explain, "You have not sung the glories of Lord Krishna, son of Devaki and Vasudeva, which indeed is the summum bonum of life. That it would elevate you to Himalayan heights of bliss, you may be sure. Without loss of time, engage in writing about the glorious feats of the Lord that would help you get over your depression." Thus the Bhagavata Purana came to be written on the divine sage's advice. Besides the detailed delineation of Krishnavatara, this wonderful book contains a comprehensive narration of all the avataras of Vishnu.
{The avataras of the Lord so far are : Matsya [fish], Kurma [tortoise], Varaha [boar], Narasimha [lion-man], Vamana [dwarf], Parashurama [vanquisher of kshatriyas], Rama [killer of Ravana], Balarama [elder brother of Krishna], and Krishna [son of Devaki]. The last of the ten avataras is believed to be Kalki yet to take place in the Kali-yuga. }
