A Rishi's curse

A Rishi's curse

Once, King Indradyumna of Pandya failed to welcome Agastya Rishi. The rishi cursed him to become an elephant, Gajendra. Then he blessed, "A crocodile in the Trikut Lake will grab your leg and God will grant you moksha." As per the prophecy, years later, while Gajendra, the elephant, was drinking water, a crocodile grabbed his foot. Gajendra struggled furiously to free himself, but failed. The duel lasted for 1,000 years, the crocodile pulling towards water, the elephant towards land. As a last resort, Gajendra picked up a lotus and offered it to God, praying for help. God Vishnu promptly arrived on his vehicle, Garuda, and saved him. This story from the Srimad Bhagavatam of Gajendra moksha, shows the power of prayer, faith in God and God's compassion. God is only a prayer away.

Buddha's birth -A story for kids

Buddha's birth -A story for kids

Queen Maya, wife of King Suddhodana of Kapilavastu, was engaged in worship on the full moon day of July. That night, the queen, who was expecting a child, dreamt that she was seated under the Sal tree on the Himalayan peaks. Divine deities came there and offered their respects to her. Then she slept with her head to the east. At that time a white elephant descended from a golden mountain, presented her a lotus and after reverentially circling her three times, entered her womb from the right. This was a sign that a great person would take birth. This divine dream was a symbolic prelude to Buddha's birth.

There is enough for man’s need but not for his greed

There is enough for man’s need but not for his greed

One day an elephant decided to crush its caretaker.

Why?

In Ayodhya, a wealthy man, had entrusted his elephant to the mahout, a caretaker. Every day the greedy man stole sweets from the food meant for the elephant. The deprived elephant tolerated quietly. But one day while bathing in the lake, it picked up the mahout to kill him. People shouted for help. Fortunately, god Swaminarayan, whose childhood name was Ghanshyam, was watching from the shores. Barely six years old, Ghanshyam bravely entered the waters and calmed the elephant with his divine love. Saved by Ghanshyam, the mahout resolved to change his life.