Shina Utavani

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals which is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. This day observed the killing of demon king Ravana by Lord Ram.Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. It is celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. The word Dussehra is derived from two Sanskrit words- ‘Dasha’ and ‘hara’ which means defeating the ten demons.The day also observes the end of Durga pooja. People remember the victory of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasur. Durga is celebrated for nine days and the tenth day is dedicated to Durga as Vijaydashmi.On the day of Dussehra, huge effigies of Ravana are made and set on fire. The burning of Ravana signifies the victory of good. Plays of Ramleela are organised on this day to pay a tribute to Lord Rama. Moral:The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and teaches that truth always wins. It also teaches us to never be egoistic.

This is a story of Dussehra, Ram and Ravan.

Dussehra

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”.Laxman was devoted to Ram. He wanted to accompany him to the exile of the forest. His devotion was such that he even refused to take his wife, Urmila with him to the forest.Laxman’s wife, Urmila, wanted to follow her husband to the forest as Sita was leaving with Ram. But Laxman begged her to stay back saying, “I will be busy taking care of Ram and Sita and I will have no time for you. Please help me by staying back so that I do not have to feel guilty about you.” So, Urmila stayed back wondering how she could help her husband.On the first night in the forest, Laxman kept a watch while Ram and Sita went to sleep. That is when Nindra, the goddess of sleep approached him. Laxman requested her to leave him alone for fourteen years so that he could guard his brother and sister-in-law night and day. The goddess was impressed by his act and agreed. But the law of nature demanded that someone had to sleep on behalf of him to create a balance. Then Laxman asked her to consider Urmila for this. Nindra went to Urmila and asked her if she would like to take up Laxman’s sleep, to which she agreed.So, Urmila slept for fourteen years day and night, while her husband, Laxman, stayed awake in the service of Ram and Sita. They both sacrificed for protecting Ram and Sita. Urmila’s sacrifice had an impact on the war against Ravana. Meghnadh was the Ravana’s son and he was unbeatable. The man who had not slept for 14 years could only defeat him. Thus, Laxman was able to kill him because of the sacrifice of Urmila. Moral:This story teaches us to sometimes sacrifice our needs for the sake of our loved ones.

This is a story of Laxman, Ram and Urmila.Moral(s) of the story: sacrifice

Laxman Defeating Sleep for 14 Years

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”.Ravana, the king demon was the ruler of Lanka. He had ten heads and twenty arms. He had heard many stories about Ram’s wife, Sita’s beauty. He spied Sita in the forest and instantly fell in love with her. He decided to kidnap Sita and bring her to Lanka. He made a plan to abduct her and went to his uncle, Mareecha, a demon and asked for his help. Mareecha had the power to transform himself in any form and even change his voice. According to the plan, Mareecha transformed himself into a golden deer. Ravan went and hid near the hermitage where Sita was staying with ram and Lakshman.When Sita saw the beautiful deer, she was fascinated by its beauty and asked Ram to bring it for her. Ram had never seen a deer like him before. Laksham warned Ram that the deer might be a demon in disguise. But Sita was fascinated by the deer so, Ram went after the deer. Ram asked Laxman to stay with Sita and protect her. The deer ran deeper and deeper in the forest and Ram followed it. Finally, Ram aimed an arrow at the deer’s heart and shot it. When the arrow struck the deer, it transformed itself back into the Mareecha. Mareecha cried out to Laxman for help in Ram’s voice. When Sita heard Ram’s voice, she begged Laxman to go and see if Ram was in trouble.Laxman was in dilemma. On one hand, he promised Ram to stay with Sita and on the other hand, he was worried about his brother Ram. So, Laxman drew a line around the hut with his arrow and told Sita not to step out of the line. He then left to look out for Ram. Meanwhile, Ravana was hiding nearby and heard Laxman and Sita talking. Ravana quickly disguised himself into an old beggar. He begged Sita for food and water. Sita took pity on him and stepped out of the circle. The beggar man turned back into Ravana, catching Sita in his arms and pulling her into his magic flying chariot. Ravana forcefully dragged her into his flying chariot and took her away to Lanka.

This is a story of Laxman, Ram, Ravan and Sita.

Sita’s kidnapping

Pallavi Hota

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 ìThe Ramayanaî.When Ravana took Mother Sita, she threw her jewellery on the ground so Lord Ram would find it. When Lord Ram found it, he showed it to Lakshman. He showed the ring, the bracelet, the necklace but Lakshmana did not recognize any of it.But when he showed him the Nupur of the feet, Lakshmana recognized it immediately. Lakshman told Lord Ram, ìI have never looked at Mother Sita all my life. I have only looked at her lotus feet, which is why I only recognized the Nupur.

This is a story of Lakshman, Ram and Sita.

Lakshman never saw the face of Sita

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 ìThe Ramayanaî.Apart from his three brothers, Rama also had a sister. Not many people know about this, and it is also believed that all four sons of King Dashrath were not told about the existence of their sister Shanta. Shanta was the oldest child of King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya. Queen Kaushalya had an older sister, named Vershini, who did not have any children of her own. So, during one of her visits to her younger sister Kaushalya, Vershini asked for Kaushalyaís child. King Dashrath agreed to give his daughter Shanta to Vershini.

This is a story of Ram and Shanta.

The Story of Lord Ramaís Sister Shanta

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”.Lord Hanuman was gloomy after the coronation ceremony of Lord Rama. He sat in the corner, meditating on Lord Rama with closed eyes. Tears were flowing incessantly from his eyes.Sita noticed and informed Lord Rama at once about it. Rama went near to Hanuman and said, “I cannot give you anything in return for your Bhakti and Devotion. The only thing I can do is take you along with me to Vaikuntha”. Hanuman asked, “Will you be there with me in Vaikuntha” to which Lord Rama replied, “Yes, not as Rama, but as Lord Mahavishnu.” Lord Mahavishnu is the cause, and Lord Rama is the effect’.Hanuman replied, “I wouldn’t go to a place where Lord Rama isn’t present. I will stay back in Ayodhya and will continue meditating in the name of Lord Rama.”

This is a story of Hanuman, Rama and Vishnu.

When Hanuman Refused To Obey Lord Rama

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, Laxman, and Sita when they were exiled from the kingdom for 14 years. Following is a story from ìThe Ramayana.Jatayu was a very old vulture. When he met Ravana, he was very old. He was the King of the vultures but not very strong at that time. He saw that Sita was in trouble, and Jatayu did not hesitate a moment to serve her.Jatayu flew off into the sky to fight Ravana because he wanted to serve Lord Rama. He said, ìMy body is of no value if it is not used in the service of the Lord. The Lord's most precious mother Sita is being kidnapped. It is my duty to stop this.So Jatayu fought with Ravana and gave him a good run. He made it so difficult for Ravana for a while thinking that mother Sita was going to be out of the trap of this demon king. But then Ravana regained his strength. Ravana chopped and somehow severed the wings and limbs of Jatayu. Jatayu fell in the midst of a heap of blood and his life was slowly going away.When Jatayu was losing his life, Lord Rama and Lakshman came there. Seeing Jatayu, they thought that he must be the demon trying to catch Sita. So they approached with caution. When they saw Jatayu actually dying because of Ravana, Lord Rama's heart was in pain. Jatayu told Rama, ìMy dear Lord, please forgive me that I could not execute my service to the best of my ability. I failed in my service.

This is a story of Jatayu, Laxman, Ram and Sita.

Jatayu's sacrifice in fight with Ravana

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 ìThe Ramayanaî.Once on being instigated by Narada, Hanuman unknowingly insulted Vishwamitra. This happened when Hanuman greeted all the sages in Ramaís court but didnít greet Vishwamitra because he wasnít a saint by birth. Vishwamitra felt offended and ordered Rama to issue a death sentence for Hanuman. The death sentence was executed, but none of the arrows or even the brahmastra could harm Hanuman. This was because Hanuman kept chanting Ramaís name.

This is a story of Ram and Hanuman.

The Story Of Hanuman's Death Sentence By Rama

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”.Vibhishana was the younger brother of Ravana, the king of Lanka. He was always surrounded by people who hated Lord Ram. Though he was born into a family of demons, he held in his heart great love and respect for Lord Ram.Vibhishana used to warn Ravana to give up his evil ways, but Ravana would never listen to him. Ravana instead used to laugh at Vibhishana for being weak and submissive. But Vibhishana was never discouraged by Ravana’s words and always followed his noble path. Vibhishana even advised Ravana to return Sita to Lord Ram but he never listened to him.Eventually, Vibhishana’s righteousness was paid off when Ram defeated Ravana and made Vibhishan the King of Lanka. Moral:No matter how many detractors you have around you, always stick to the right path.

This is the story of Ram, Ravan and veebhishana.Moral(s) of the story: devotion

guru ram das 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.