Holi - Legends of Holi

Like all other festivals celebrated in India, the festival of Holi has multiple legends and tales associated with it. As a matter of fact, these legends are as colourful as the festival of Holi itself. The legends associated with celebration of Holi have both subtle and ferocious grades leveled to a common moral ending - end and win over the evil forces.

The popular legends associated with the festival of Holi are accounted below -

1. The Great Sacrifice of  Kamadeva
2. The Ogress Pootana
3. Krishna and Radha
4. Story of Dhundhi 
5. Holika and Her Pious Brother Prahalad 

Hindu Festival Stories

There are legends, tales and beliefs associated with every Hindu Festival. People hold beliefs in these legends and their devotion towards God each time the festivals are celebrated. There is belief that God exits. We owe our existence and all creation to him. It is maintained that truth ultimately prevails over the evil. Through these festivals, we uphold our beliefs, we celebrate the presence of God and praise him through our devotion. 

It is remarkable to see the instilling faith of millions of Hindus in the festival legends. Each year these legends are revived and passed to next generation. The incidences which are written to have occurred thousands of years ago are told, and retold. 

Here is a list of Hindu festivals celebrated - 

(Click on them to read the associated legends)

1. Festival of Lohri
2. Maha Shivratri
3. Basant Panchmi 
4. Holi 
5. Akshaya Thrithi
6. Gudi Padwa 

Akshaya Thrithi, Hindu Festival Stories- Krishna and Kusela

ELong time ago in the city of Mathura, there lived a cowherd named Krishna. Krishna was playful boy who had many friends. He played flute alluringly and his friends admired him for his unusual talents and evidence of power.

Krishna had a friend named Sudama. Sudama was also called Kusela. He was a poor Brahmin. He was downtrodden and lived hand to mouth.

Though Krishna was from a rich family, his status never came between his friendship with Sudama. They played together, stole butter, enjoyed the melody of flute together. Sudama often brought rice flakes with him which Krishna liked a lot. They had a happy childhood.

As years passed by, both of them deviated from each other towards fulfilment of larger family and social duties. Sudama engaged in higher studies of Vedas and other scriptures to attain proficiency, while Krishna geared towards marital art and engaged in various socio-political matters. After his maternal uncle, Kansa was killed, Krishna went to rule over the city of Dwarka. Thus, the childhood friends were separated by time.

Sudama who was a brahmin by practice was poverty stricken. He could make ends meet only after begging for entire day. One night, when he saw a beautiful peacock's feather in his child's hand, he remembered Krishna. He told his wife about the wonderful days he had spend with Krishna in his early childhood. Tears rolled down his eyes as he remembered Krishna.

Hearing Sudama's, his wife was moved. She asked Sudama to go and meet Krishna. However, Sudama was reluctant. He reasoned, 'Its been years since I have met Krishna. How would he remember me? He rules Dwarka and I am so poor! How will he remember me?'

Sudama sighed in despair. But his wife insisted, 'You should go and met Krishna. I am sure he will welcome you and help you. You should go to Dwarka'.

Convinced by his wife, Sudama went to Dwarka to met Krishna. It was the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Sudama carried some beaten rice in a knot of cloth, remembering that Krishna loved beaten rice.

When Sudama reached Krishna's palace, he was very warmly greeted and welcomed by Krishna. Krishna hugged his friend with his eyes filled with tears. He invited Sudama to his grand chambers and washed his feet. He gave Sudama the highest level of respect deserved in Aryan society by both brahmins and guests.

Sudama hid the knot of rice flakes he was carrying. He felt ashamed and unmatched to the grandeur in which Krishna lived.

But Krishna was witty. He asked Sudama, 'Friend, what are you hiding? You came from so far, haven't you got anything for me?'

Filled with hesitation and shame, Sudama extended the knotted rice flakes to Krishna. Krishna's eyes sparkled when he saw rice flakes. He was elated to know that his friend remembered what he liked. Krishna served Sudama with a grand meal and are the rice flakes himself.

Sudama intended to ask Krishna for monetary help but was too hesitant. He was served well by Krishna, but could not ask Krishna to help him. So he left the palace satisfied with Krishna's hospitality. But Krishna knew Sudama's heart. It is said that the moment Krishna ate the rice brought by Sudama his poverty was eradicated. Sudama went home unaware of this blessing. When he reached home, he found a grand palace in place of his hut. His family waited for him happily in the palace. Sudama was blessed by Krishna and his consort Rukhmini (incarnation of Laksmi) with wealth and prosperity on the day of Akshaya Thrithi.

Did you know who Sudama was ?
Lord Narada (popularly called Narada muni - muni meaning sage) admired Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna. He took birth as Sudama to fulfill his desire to enjoy the transcendental plays of Krishna in his childhood and again his blessings later.

Akshaya Thrithi, Hindu Festival Stories, The Bowl of Bounty

During their exile in forests, the Pandav brothers roamed the forests in search of food and shelter. One day a group of sages arrived at their abode in forest. When the eldest brother, Yudhisthira learned from his wife Draupadi that there is no food to serve the sages, he went in search of food. He arrived at the temple of Thirumanthurai temple where he for asked divine intervention. The God appeared and granted him with Akshaya Patram. It was the day o Akshaya Thrithi.
Yudhisthira served the sages with food from the bowl of bounty. He also used it for the merit of masses.

Akshaya Thrithi, Hindu Festival Stories, Kubera becomes Celestial Treasurer

Kubera was a prosperous and wealthy king who ruled Lankapuri. He had a step brother named Ravana. Ravana was very powerful. One day, he attacked Lankapuri and expelled its King Kubera.

Kubera performed severe penance for years to please Shiva. He worshiped Lord Shiva in the temple of Sivapuram in Varanasi.

It was on the day of Akshaya Thrithi that Lord Shiva appeared before Kubera pleased with his penance. He gave Kuber a kingdom named Alkapuri near Shiva's abode - Mount Kailash and appointed him as celestial treasurer. Lord Shiva also made Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort as the Goddess of Wealth and prosperity.

The word Akshaya means eternal or unending. It is believed that precious metal (gold and silver) bought and worshipped on this day are reposited with celestial presence of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber. Hence, the wealth endowed on this brings everlasting prosperity.

Akshaya Thrithi, Hindu Festival Stories, The Birth of Goddess Annapurna

The supreme deity, Parvati who is consort of Shiva took birth as Annapurna, the Goddess of food on the day of Akshaya Trithi.
On the day of Akshaya Thrithaya, Shiva disguised as a poor beggar. He came in guise to Parvati and asked for food. It is said that the Goddess Parvati took form of Annapurna (meaning one who satisfies hunger for food) and fed Shiva in guise of beggar herself. Hence on the day of Akshaya Thrithi, people worship Goddess Annapurna and engage in charity of food especially grains.

Holi - The Great Sacrifice of Kaamadeva

The Goddess of Universe (Adi Shakti) was born to King Daksha and Prasuni. She was named Sati and also derived the name Dakshyani after her father's name.

Sati fell in loved with Shiva and married him against her father's wishes. Dhaksha organized a grand Yagna (sacrifical fire ceremony) to please Gods of Heaven. However he did not invited Sati and Shiva. Sati's elder sister Vijaya persuaded her to attend the ceremony. 

Sati went to attend the ceremony against Shiva's will. She was insulted in mass gathering. Enraged by her father, Sari surrendered herself to fire. When Shiva came to know about Sati's destruction, he beheaded 

Dhaksha. Shiva was deeply moved by lose of Sati and he renounced the world. He 

he legend has it that when Lord Shiva's consort Sati committed herself to fire due to disgrace shown by her father Daksha to Shiva, Lord Shiva became extremely sad. He renounced his worldly duties and went into deep meditation.

Soon after Shiva renounced the world, the king of demons Taraka attacked the Kingdom of Heaven. He defeated the king of heaven Indra and expelled the Gods from heaven. The demons misused their powers and engaged in various evil acts. They destroyed yanjanas, killed sages and innocent mortals of the Earth. Seeing this, Brahma persuaded Adi Shakti to persuae Shiva to come back. The Gods knew that Tarkasur was a powerful demon, who could be defeated only by union of Shiva and Shakti. 

The King of Mountains Himavat and his wife, Mena were childless. They performed deep penance to please Brahma. One day Brahma pleased with their penance, appeared and blessed them with child. He granted them a boon of which Himavat fathered two daughters - Gangs and Parvati. Thus, Adi Shakti was reborn as Parvati (meaning the daughter of Parvati, the Hindi word for mountain).

Years passed by. Parvati grew up mediating and serving Shivalinga, the manifestation of Shiva. In the prime of her youth, Parvati sought Shiva for reunion. However, Shiva was detached from world and emmersed in very deep meditation. 

The Gods of Heaven and Brahma ployed to bring wake Shiva from meditaionand rekindle his desire in worldly matters. So they asked Kamdev, the God of love and lust to bring back Shiva to his original self. Kamadeva feared Shiva's anger and hesitated in disturbing him. But on persuasion by Gods, he decided to use this powers and shot an arrow of love on Shiva.

Shiva who was in deep meditation was infuriated. His third eye opened as he woke up from years of meditation and ashened Kamadeva in no time. It is said that this happened on the day of Holi. 

After Shiva was pacified, Kamdeva's wife Rati pleaded Shiva to revive him. Shiva accepted her wish and infused life in Kamdeva. Further, influenced by the arrow of love Shiva started developed liking for Parvati. He married Parvati. Their son Kartika destroyed Tarkasur and the Gods got their kingdom of heaven back.

People worship Kaamadeva in praise of his sacrifice on the day of Holi. Due to Kamadeva's association, Holi is also known by the names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama Dahanam.

Related Stories - 

Story of Gunanidhi (2) - Rebirth of Gunanidhi as Kubera

This story relates how Gunanidhi took several rebirth and was eventually blessed by Shiva and his consort Parvati to become Kuber, the God of treasure Kubera.

Pleased with Gunanidhi, Shiva blessed him for a virtuous rebirth. 

Gunanidhi was born as Dama (Damana) to King Arindam who ruled Kalinga (also known as Utakala). This happened during Meghavahan Kalpa. His father died at an early age, so Dama succeeded the throne in his early years. As King of Kalinga, Dama propagated the cult of worshiping Shiva. He renovated the Shiva Temple and made it compulsory for his subjects to observe fasting in praise of Shiva especially on occasion of Shivaratri.

Dama lived a pious life, dedicated to Shiva. He got more endear to Shiva.

In this next birth, Gunanidhi was born to Sage Vishrawa (grandson of Brahman) as Vishravan. This happened during Meghavahan Kalpa.

As Vishravan, Gunanidhi did severe penance for one million years due to which body was reduced to a mere skeleton.

Shiva and Parvati were immensely pleased by Vishravan’s penance. When they appeared before him, their radiance blinded him. Using his yogic vision, Vishravan saw Shiva with Parvati. He asked Shiva to restore his vision.

Due to years of penance and unparallel devotion, Vishravan became possessive of Shiva. He even envied Parvati standing near Shiva.

Shiva restored his vision, but as stated earlier Vishravan envied Parvati who stood on the left side of Shiva. He angrily looked at Parvati due to which he lost his left eye. Parvati told him, ‘since you looked at me with enmity, you will be known as Kuber (ber in Hindi means enmity)’.  

However, Shiva blessed and enlightened him. He blessed him to become the king of the kings and ensured that he would stay near him. Shiva blessed him with the most beautifully embellished city which was known as Lankapuri, which was architected by Visvakarma. Shiva also asked Visvakarma to build his residence (abode) on Mount Kailash which stood near the city of Lankapuri. Shiva did so to ensure that his great devotee is contented.

After blessing Vishravan, Shiva and Parvati went to Vaishveshwar. And Gunanidhi came to be known as Kuber and ruled the city of Lankapuri.

Story of Gunanidhi (1) – The Anguished Father

Long time ago, in the city of Kaampilya there lived a pious Brahman named Yagyadatt (Yajnadutta) with his wife Somidevamma .

Yagyadatt was a learned and respected Brahman. He was a Somaayaajee who was known far and wide for his knowledge of Vedic scriptures.

After years of penance, Yagyadatt was blessed with a son whom they named Gunanidhi (literal meaning, the vitreous).

At the age of five, Yagyadatt send Gunanidhi to Vedic school (gurukul) for learning Vedas. As the boy grew up, he got in company of wrong people and started gambling. When he lost his money and assets in gambling, he started stealing to make up for the losses he had made and engage in further play.

Though his mother was aware of Gunanidhi’s bad habits and vices, she kept to herself and never revealed it to Yagyadatt.

One day Yagyadatt gave his gold ring to his wife before he left for bathing in the river. Gunanidhi was taking meal when his father gave the ring to his mother. His mother kept the ring safely in the niche of the wall near chest. After his mother retuned for chorus work, Gunanidhi stole the ring. He sold the ring to a man from nearby village.

The man had come to see Yagyadatt seeking his guidance for his son. When Yagyadatt saw the same ring in the man’s finger, he was surprised. He politely asked him about the ring. The man told Yagyadatt that he bought the ring from a man named Gunanidhi. It was a turning point in their life. Enraged and ashamed of his son’s vices, Yagyadatt abandoned both his wife and son. 

Soon Gunanidhi came to know that his father has felt them due to his vices. He was remorseful and wept over his actions. He fled far away traveling aimlessly.

He went hungry for several days.

One day he sat under a tree exhausted and famished, when he heard sound of temple bells and chanting of great hymns. Gunanidhi went in the direction of sound and saw a Shiva Temple. A large number of devotees thronged the temple in celebration of festival of Shivaratri.

When Gunanidhi saw food being placed in the temple premises, he went into the temple and joined the crowd of devotees. It is a custom followed by Shiva devotees to fast during the night of Shivarati and break the fast with offering made to God next morning. The food was assembled for same.

After hours of meditation, singing and chanting the devotees finally fell asleep. The holy eternal lamp (Akand Lamp burns without extinguishing) lit in praise of God dimmed as its wick slipped in the oil. Gunanidhi saw the waning flame. As a gesture of praise, he tore a strip from his shirt and made it into fine wick. He installed the wick and fed oil in the lamp to keep it illuminated in the dark night of Shivaratri. Shiva and his Gana saw how Gunanidhi worked to keep the lamp illuminated. Shiva was pleased with Gunanidhi.  

Tormented by hunger, Gunanidhi sneaked into the main chamber of the temple where the food was kept. He quickly gathered as much food as he could and turned to leave the temple premises when he stumbled upon a devotee who was sleeping. The man screamed and soon all the men woke up. They caught Gunanidhi and thrashed him mercilessly. In commotion and anguish, a devotee blew hard on his head and Gunanidhi died there itself.

Shiva sends his Gana to bring Gunanidhi to his abode (Shivloka). On the other hand, Yamas’s agents thronged the place to take the soul to fire of hell as they considered Gunanidhi as a sinful man.

The Ganas argued that Gunanidhi had fasted two days before Shivarati. He had kept the eternal lamp illuminating and had listening to hymns, chants in praise of God. He had visited the Shiva Temple and kept in company of Shiva’s devotes during his last hours. Though he had done this unknowingly, Shiva was pleased with him and he had been salvaged by Shiva’s grace.

Gunanidhi lived for several years in Shivaloka and served Shiva Parvati with utmost devotion.

Read further about Gunanidhi

Shivratri Stories - Manifestation of Lord Shiv as a Jyotirlinga

It is said that on day of Mahashivratri, Lord Shiva manifested himelf as Analaskanda (meaning an endless fire pillar). It is believed to be the first effulgent linga (jyotirlinga) of Lord Shiva and is called Lingodabhavamurti

Read the story here. 

Shivratri Stories - Lubdhak:

Once lived a tribal named Lubdhak.

Lubdhak was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He embrassed Shiva every day with by offering milk and bel leaves. He adored the shivalinga with chandan and flowers and chanted mantras in his name. 

Lubdhak lived by selling firwood. He went to the forest everyday for collecting firewood and sold it in the evening. One day he went deeper into the forest. He lost his way and soon it became dark. It was a thick and dark forest. The moon was in waxing phase and appeared as a thin crescent in the far sky. 

Lubdhak sat to rest  against bark of a thick tree. He soon woke up hearing a terrifying roar of a lion. The sound echoed across the woods and it was apparent that the lion was nearing him with his smell. Labdhuk knew he could outrun the lion, so he climbed a bhel tree immediately. To keep himself awake, he started plucking bel leaves and dropped them down, while reciting the name of Shiva. The tiger disappeared in the wild.

When the day came, Lubdhak came down the tree and saw a beautiful mystical shivling under the tree. In fact, he had been dropping the bhel leaves on shivling unknowlingly. Lubdhak felt blissful to have served Shiva unknowingly.  

This is said to have happened on the fourteenth day of waxing moon during the month of Phalgun, when Mahashivratri is celebrated. 

Shivratri Stories - Day of Reunion of Shiva & Parvati:

In her earlier birth Goddess Parvati was born as Sati was born to King Daksha and his wife Praasuni.

King Daksha was son of Lord Brahma and an ardent devotee if Lord Vishnu. He opposed worship of Shiva. However, his eldest daughter Sati fell in live with Shiva and married him against the wish of her father. 

After marriage, King Dakha held a grand ceremony (Yagna, the holy sacrifice) where Shiva was not invited. However, Sati went to the ceremony. She was insulted publically by King Daksha. The king even insulted Shiva. This enraged Sati who destroyed herself by surrendering herself to the sacred fire.

Shiva was devasted by Sati's death. He beheaded Daksha in fury. His anger manifested as he performed the violent dance - the Rudra Tandava with Sati in his hands and destroyed the kindgom of Daksha. To pacify Shiva, Lord Vishnu send his visionary wheel to put Sati's body into pieces. The body parts fell on the Earth and emerged as 'Shakti Peeth'. He renounced world and undertook rigorous penance in mystic place.

Many years passed and Shiva made no manifestation. 

The Gods went to Lord Vishnu and expressed their concern and fear regarding Shiva's penance which could end the mortal world. It was then that Goddess Sati was revived as Parvati and born to King of Himalayas. It is belived that Shiva performed penance in some deep mystic pockets of the Himalayan mountains.

After years of meditation, Parvati met Shiva. The king of Himalayas happily married Parvati to Lord Shiva. This reunion of Shiva and Shakti (other names for Sati, Parvati) is celebrated as Shivaratri.

After their marriage, Parvati (also known as Uma) performed penance on the night of Shivaratri to protect her husband from any evil that could befell on him.

Shivratri Stories - King Chitrabhanu

There are many stories extolling the celebration of Shivratri

The Story of King Chitrabhanu

Once there lived a vitreous king named Chitrabhanu who ruled over the kingdom of Jambudvipa. One year on the festival of Shivratri, the king and his wife were observing fasting in honor of Lord Shiva.

That day the king was visited by sage Ashtavakra. The sage asked the king why he was observing fast. The king explained the reason for fasting and narrated a story from his previous birth. Here goes the story –

In my previous birth I was a hunter named Suswara. I lived in Varanasi and killed animals and birds to earn living. One day while hunting in the forest, I lost my way. Soon it became dark and I took shelter on a tree. It happened by matter of destiny that the tree was a sacred Bhel (Bilva or Bael or Bel) tree. I had corpse of a deer which I had hunted that day. I tied the corpse to a thick branch of tree.

I kept awake the whole night and was tormented by hunger and thirst. When I thought about my wife and children who were waiting for me and were probably starving, I had tears in my eyes. While these thoughts kept me troubling, I started plucking the bhael leaves and dropped down them casually. 

At day break, I started on my way back to home. I sold the deer and bought food for my family and myself. The previous night was a night of fasting for me. When I was about to eat food, a beggar came to me asking for food. I first gave him the food and then ate myself.

After few days I was deep unconsciousness, nearing my end.  At this moment, Shiva enlightened me and I gained spiritual consciences. There were two messengers of Shiva standing by my side. They came to take me to the abode of Lord Shiva. They told me, ‘Though you have committed many sins during your lifetime by killing animals and birds, you sins have been forgiven by Shiva. The night you were lost in the forest, your tears washed the Shiva Lingam hidden under foliage. Your dropped bhael leaves on it, and fasted that night. Next day you gave food to needy before you ate it. It was the night of Shivaratri and Shiva poured his blessing on you. We come to take you to the abode of Shiva as a boon to you to end this sinful life of yours’.

When I reached Shiva’s abode, I served him for many years and got rid of my sins. Shiva blessed me and I was in clan of Ikshvaku dynasty as Chitrabhanu’.

The above story of King Chitrabhanu was narrated by Bhishma when he laid on the arrow bed.

About Shivaratri

Shivaratri Celebration

The festival of Shivratri is observed in the honor of Lord Shiva. The name refers to the night of Shiva and the festival celebrates the wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati. Shivaratri Eve is before the day of Shivaratri celebrations.

Festival Rituals

On the day of Shivratri people observe fast. The manifestation of Shiva in the form of Shiva Lingam is primarily worshipped by offering mix of milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc. People chant divine mantras and hymns in glory and praise of Shiva and hs consort the great Goddess Parvati. The Bael leaves are offered to Shivratri (it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in these leaves).

Shivaratri Stories

According to some legends, on day of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva united with Goddess Parvati. Yet another legend states that Lord Shiva performed the Taandava on the day of Mahashivratri. 

Story of Dullah Bhatti - Why we celebrate the festival of Lohri

Draupadi Ties A Knot To Krishna

Draupadi was born to King Drupad from the flames of holy fire. She was married to give Pandav brothers. She is also known as Panchali, and was an intimate friend and well wisher of Lord Krishna.

According to a story, on day of Sankranti (the kite fkying festival), Lord Krishna'smiddke finger was incised by the kite thread. Seeing this, his consort Rukmini sent her helper to fetch cloth for bandaging the wound, while Sathyabama, his other consort rushed to bring it herself.

While Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it around Krishna's wound.

  

Krishna blessed Draupadi and promised to protect her in time of adversity. He said, 'Akshyam' to Draupadi, a boon which meant unending.  

Following this, the Pandav brothers along with Draupadi left for Hastinapur, where the Pandav brothers indulged in the game of dice with Duryodhan, the prince of Hastinapur. The Pandavs lost their entire kingdom and even their wife Draupadi in the bet. 

Draupadi was pulled with her hair and Dushashan, the younger brother of Duryodhan tried hard to disrobe Draupadi. It is said that Draupadi was blessed and booned by Krishna who rendered her saree endless. She was protected by Krishna, who saved her from embrassement in the court of King Dritarashtra's court.

Thus the knot tied by Draupadi is considered sacred as the holy knotbof rakhee.

The Story of Great Savior - Dullah Bhatti

The festival of Lori is celebrated in praise of Dulha Batti. Most songs of Lori glorify him and are sung in his remembrance.

The story is set in Medieval India, when the Mughals ruled most part of the Indian subcontinent. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, there lived a Muslim Rajput bandit named Rai Abdullah Khan Batti. The celebration Lori festival is associated with the tale of Abdulkah Bhatti, who is a celebrated historic hero. He is popularly called the Son of Punjab or the Robin Hood of Punjab. The story goes like this ...

Once there lived a very beautiful young girl in a village of Punjab. The girl belonged to a very poor family. One day, the feudal lords of the region abducted the girl. They dishonored and disgraced her; and took her for selling in the slave market.

Soon the word about her abduction spread around the village. In the village there lived a highway robber named Abdullah Bhatti. 

When Bhatti came know about it, he attacked the feudal lords and rescued the girl. He took her to his hideout in the old fort. He adopted the girl as his daughter and married her to a young and modest Hindu boy before a bonfire (according to the Hindu wedding tradition). He gave a kilo of sugar to the girl as her wedding gift. (This incidence took place in the season of sugar harvest). 

Soon Bhatti came to be known as a good man for his modest deeds. He revolted against the Mughal rulers for their unjust practices, refused to pay taxes and passed wealth to poor and needy by robbing the rich. He also rescued girls who were taken away forcefully for slavery, and arranged for their ritualistic marriages and wedding gifts (dowry). He became popular as Dullah Bhatti (the word Dullah means bridegroom) for his noble work. People loved and respected him. He is still remembered and the songs of Lori include his name.

Goddess Laxmi Ties Thread of Brotherhood to King Bali

This story relates to bond of brotherhood between King Bali and Goddess Laxmi, who is Lord Vishnu's consort.

It is said that Lord Vishnu had promised to protect King Bali. So he disguised as a doorman to protect him. But Goddess Laxmi was lonely and sad in Vaikunth Lok, the abode of Vishnu.

So Goddess Laxmi disguised as a woman and came to Earth. She went to King Bali's palace and sought shelter. King Bali was kind and generous. He politely asked the woman to come in and stay long as she desired.

It is said that as Goddess Laxmi entered King Bali's palace, it began to prosper. Days passed by and on say of Full Moon (of Shravana month according to Hindu calender) Goddess Laxmi tied a sacred knot (Rakhi) on King Bali's hand. She blessed him and wished for his long life and prosperity.

Disguising herself as a woman seeking a shelter to live in since her husband has been away, she approaches Bali. The generous king opens the doors of his palaces for the lady.

As Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity enters the household Bali begins to prosper. Following this, King Bali asked her to make a wish. King bali promised to grant her wish. Hearing this, both Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi revealed their true identity. Goddess Laxmi now asked King Bali to liberate Lord Vishnu from his promise of door keeping and allow him to return to his abode.  

King Bali was elated to see the Gods. He bowed before them, and prayed before them, saying 'Lord, you have protected me. I have received blessing from Goddess Laxmi herself. I understand that the world needs you both. I humbly request you to place yourself in Vaikunth Lok from where you can protect and bless the entire existence'.

The Birth of Ganesha's Daughter - Goddess Santoshi

Goddess Manasa (popularly known as Mansa Devi) was Lord Ganesha's sister. 

Lord Ganesha was married to Riddhi and Siddhi, and had two son - Shubha and Labha from them respectively. 

It is said on one auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Manasa visited Lord Ganesha for tying knot of Rakhi as per the festival traditions. When Ganesha's sons, Shubha and Labha saw the love and bonding between brother and sister, they desired to have a sister. 

Lord Ganesha granted the wish of his sons, and created a feminine form from the flames of holy fire. She was named Goddess Santoshi and was gained her form from Riddhi and Siddhi who were Lord Ganesha's consorts. 

Goddess Santoshi is regarded as the Goddess of happiness and satisfaction. Here is a short story regarding the birth of Goddess Santoshi. 

(Note - The word Santoshi literally means satisfaction)

King Porus and Alexander's Wife Roxana

Roxana was the wife of Alexander the Great, the great Greek conqueror.

In 326 BC, Alexander the Great invaded India. It is said that during this time, Roxana send a sacred thread to King Porus pleading him not to harm Alexander in the battlefield.

Porus keeps the promise given to him by Roxana and refused to fight with Alexander when the latter confronted him in the battlefield. Porus lost the Battle of River Hydaspes, but he gained Alexander's respect. 

After Alexander died, Porus became a loyal Macedoniam satrap and served Alexander's kingdom even after he died.