Shina Utavani

There is an interesting story behind the birth of Lord Shiva. Shiva is also referred to as ‘Swayambhu’ meaning self-existing because he was not born from the womb of a woman.One day, Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about their powers and importance in the universe. Both of them wanted to prove that one was mightier than the other. As they were discussing, a mysterious pillar appeared in front of them whose roots and the tip was not visible. Both of them could not understand what the pillar was and wondered if there exists any other supreme power than them.They decided to solve the mystery of the mighty pillar. Lord Brahma transformed into a goose and flew upward to find the peak of the pillar. While Lord Vishnu transformed into a boar and dug the ground to find the root. However, they could not find any of it. They could neither find its peak nor its bottom. They came back to the place where it started and noticed the emergence of Lord Shiva from the pillar. Then, they accepted the fact that Lord Shiva was the supreme power.

This is a story of brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.

The birth of Lord Shiva

The Ramayan is an ancient Sanskrit epic written by the famous sage Valmiki. It describes Lord Rama's effort to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. It also describes the challenges faced by Lord Rama, Laxaman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from “The Ramayana”.The three brothers Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Vibhishan were the sons of Vishravas. Kumbhakaran was younger to Ravan and elder to Vibhishan. Once, they all engaged in severe penance to please Lord Brahma, their grandfather and the god of creation. Lord Brahma was pleased with the sincerity and their devotion so, he appeared in front of them and promised them boons. Ravan asked that he should not be killed by gods, serpents, animals, demons, birds and his wish was granted.Vibhishan asked that he should never leave the path of righteousness. Brahma was pleased with his goodness and he blessed him with immortality as an additional bonus.Kumbhakaran had already created enough fear among all the lives. Brahma feared that he would again ask some strength which he would use against the welfare of the people. Therefore, Brahma requested the Goddess of Speech, Saraswati to sit on his tongue and let him mispronounce the wish so that the lives of others are saved.Kumbhakaran wished to ask for the position of Indra, the ruler of the heavens. But under the influence of Goddess Saraswati, he mispronounced it as Nidrasana (the seat of sleep). So, Brahma granted him eternal sleep.Ravan was distressed to see the plight of his brother. He pleaded Brahma to undo the curse. Brahma did undo it, but with a condition. He said that Kumbhakaran would sleep for six months and will stay awake for another six months. He can have his food to full his belly in those six months so, that he can go back to sleep for another six months.

This is a story of brahma, Kumbhakarna, Ram, Ravan, and veebhishana.Moral(s) of the story: penance

The Story of Kumbhkaran’s Sleep

The story of Saraswati plays an important role in Indian mythology. It is believed that life would not have been the same that it is today without her. Brahma who is the creator of the Universe, felt that something was missing and was lacking concept. So, he decided to create the embodiment of knowledge to help him with this task of bringing order to the universe. So, Saraswati-the goddess of knowledge and wisdom emerged from his mouth.Goddess Saraswati was a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. She was the goddess of learning, art, and literature. She emerged from Brahma to give him directions. She guided him on how to create order in the cosmos; and that is how moon, sun, and stars all came into being.She guided him in creating the universe we see today. It is said that later she became the bride of Brahma. Thus, Brahma became the creator of the world with Saraswati as his wisdom.

This is a story of Brahma, Saraswati and universe.Moral(s) of the story: knowledge and wisdom

The Origin of Sarawati

Pallavi Hota

Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic about the brothers, Pandavas and kauravas. It describes the battle between them in the Kurukshetra war for the throne of Hastinapura. It is an epic tale that combines war, religion, philosophy and Hindu history. Following is a story from The Mahabharata.When the Kurukshetra battle was over, Lord Krishna bade farewell to the Pandavas and went to Dwaraka. While on his way, he met his old brahmana friend Utanga. Krishna stopped and descended from his chariot and saluted the brahmana.Utanga returned the greeting and proceeded to make the usual enquiries about the health and welfare of relatives. He asked whether the cousins, Pandavas and Kauravas loved one another as brothers should and whether they were well and flourishing.The innocent brahmana had not heard about the great battle that had been fought. The Lord was astounded by this question and for a while he stood silent not knowing what to say in reply. He then softly disclosed what had happened, about how a great battle had been fought and almost all the Kauravas had been exterminated.On hearing the narrative, Utanga became very angry. He told Krishna that He had failed in His duties and asked Him to be prepared to receive his curse. In reply, the Lord just smiled asking him not to use up the fruits of his great penances. He then proceeded to show Utanga his Visvarupa form and explain to him the message of the Bhagavad Gita just as He had done to Arjuna.After this explanation, Utanga recovered his calm and the Lord was pleased. He told the brahmana to ask for any boon he desired to which the brahmana said that he did not desire anything as he had seen Lord Krishna's Universal form. When Krishna insisted, Utanga said that he should be able to find water whenever he might feel thirsty. The Lord thus blessed him and went on His way. Later when Utanga was passing through a desert he felt very thirsty and remembered the boon he had received. He decided to make use of that boon.The same moment, a nishada (shudra) appeared before him clothed in rags; he had five hunting hounds(dogs) in leash and a water bag strapped to his shoulder. He offered the bamboo spout of his water skin to the brahmana to drink from. Utanga looked at the man in disgust and told him that he was not thirsty and asked him to go. Saying this he reapproached the Lord in his mind for the boon He had given him. The outcaste pressed Utanga over and over again to quench his thirst, but it only made Utanga more and more angry and he refused to drink. The outcaste then disappeared.Seeing this strange disappearance of the nishada the brahmana reflected, Who was this? He could not have been a real nishada. It was certainly a test and I blundered miserably. I rejected the water offered by the outcaste and proved myself to be an arrogant fool. Utanga was in great anguish when a moment later Madhava Himself appeared before him with conch and discussion.ìO Purushottama!î exclaimed Utanga, ìWas it right of You to send an outcaste to offer unclean water to a brahmana like me? Was this kind?î, asked Utanga. The Lord replied smiling, O Utanga! For your sake I asked Indra to take amrita and give it to you as water. He said he would on no account give nectar to a mortal. But I prevailed upon him and he agreed to do so only if I allowed him to test you in the form of a chandala. I accepted the challenge believing you had attained that stage of understanding. But you have and made me suffer defeat at Indra's hands.

brahma stories

Kids moral stories help in improving their imagination & relate to real-world life. Here are age-specific bedtime stories for children by renowned storytellers.

The birth of Lord Shiva

The Story of Kumbhkaran’s Sleep

The Origin of Sarawati

Utanga received blessings of Krishna

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