BharatiyaStories

GANGES IN A WELL – AYYAVAL STORY Shridhara Ayyaval was returning home after a bath in the river. It was the day of the shrardham ceremony and his wife was at home preparing the food. He saw a man who looked to be from a lower caste curled in a corner in hunger. Ayyaval took pity on him and brought him home. Ayyaval told his wife to feed the hungry man the food meant for the brahmins. The poor man ate his fill and thanked the brahmin and left. Meet Shridhara Ayyaval of Thiruvisanallur – a wise man from the State of Mysore. Unfortunately, this act of kindness did not go down well with the other brahmins. They shouted “How dare you feed a man from a lower caste on the day of the shrardh? Now your ceremony is spoilt.” Ayyaval did not want to offend them and requested them for a solution to his “offence”. The other brahmins who were jealous of his knowledge and popularity suggested he should visit Kashi and pray for atonement. Ayyaval knew well that his physical condition did not ...

  Know your Heroes The Legend of Kalidasa: The Birth of a Poet The great poet Kalidasa, often called the "Shakespeare of India," was not born a scholar, but became one through a journey of humiliation, despair, and divine grace. The Brilliant Princess and the Vengeful Scholars The story begins with Princess Vidhyottama , a woman famed throughout the land not only for her beauty but also for her formidable intellect and deep knowledge. Confident in her brilliance, she publicly challenged every scholar and pundit who sought her hand in marriage, defeating them all in difficult debates. Humiliated by her success, a group of defeated scholars plotted their revenge. They vowed to trick the princess into marrying the most ignorant man they could find, thereby humbling her pride. They came across a simple woodcutter , a strong man who knew nothing but his axe and his trade. The Silent Debate The scholars presented the woodcutter to the princess, claiming he was the mos...

  Know your Heritage *A Conversation in a Temple Courtyard* (Deivam Manushya Rupena – God in the form of a Human) It was Anna’s first visit to India and to a temple. She had been in India for a week. She loved the colours, the energy and the chaos. Her hotel manager had recommended that she visit the local Devi temple during evening arthi time for a “feel” of India. Anna was not disappointed, The chanting of Sanskrit verses, the women and men carrying puja articles, the ringing of the bells were all mesmerising in the dusk. Anna felt very peaceful and positive. She wanted to understand what the various sculptures and rituals meant. She did not know whom to ask. She looked around curiously. An old priest sitting with his beads saw her and beckoned her. She went to him and sat down in front of him. Then she started hesitantly. “Swamiji, I’ve travelled to many countries, but in India, I feel temples are so diverse. Sometimes you worship animals, sometimes nature, sometime...