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All Stories
Every blog post from the Pakka Patriot library — 156 stories of history, culture, heroes, and the land we love.
91 stories found in CULTURE
Story of Dhruva, a king who was blessed by Vishnu as a kid
Introduction He was a little boy of five years when he was insulted by his stepmother and ignored by his father. He went to a forest in search of God. With determination and devotion, he succeeded. He ruled the country in the name of God and in the interest of the subjects. To this day…
Draupadi of Mahabharat’s Story, from her Swayamvar to Heaven
Introduction The wife of the great Pandavas renowned alike for her loveliness and her granite will. Volcanic, she reduced her enemies to the ashes. But her story is a saga of suffering. This fiery princess bent on vengeance could be compassionate and generous, too. It was early morning. Mother was already up and at her…
Story of Bhagiratha: The King who brought Ganga from Heaven
Introduction The great hero who brought down the Ganga from heaven to the earth. Bhagiratha has become another name for a will of steel that never accepts defeat. There is a very popular song in Kannada: “Descend, O Mother, descend, from the tresses of Lord Shiva, From under the feet of Lord Vishnu, Come gliding…
Story of Bali Chakravarthi, an Asura King, too good at heart
Introduction Who is Bali Chakravarthi? Bali Chakravarthi was the grandson of Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu, and the king of Rakshasas. He ruled with righteousness and the welfare of the subjects at heart. Having agreed to give in charity three paces of land to Vishnu, who came in the form of a young ‘Vatu’ (bachelor-boy)…
The Story of Nachiketa who by his will power met Lord Yama
Introduction He was a brave lad. He sought knowledge at a very tender age. He persuaded Yama the God of Death to teach him. His father lost his temper one-day and told Nachiketa, ‘I have gifted you to the Lord of Death.’ This curse turned out to be a boon. He met the Lord of…
Story of just and powerful Chalukya King: Vikramaditya VI
Introduction An ideal king who was as wise as he was brave and strong. He did not want kingship, but when the people needed him, he became king. Matchless in war and matchless in forgiveness, an excellent ruler, he won the hearts of his people. ‘The creator of an era.’ In the history of the world,…
Story of Parashuram Bhagwan: the sixth incarnation of Vishnu
Introduction Parashurama – the epic hero with an axe – was a real ‘Yama’ (God of Death) to the evil and arrogant. He traversed the earth twenty-one times and punished the evildoers who were harassing the people. He was the ‘Guru’ (Master) of such royal stalwarts and savants as Bheeshma and Drona. Parashurama is recognized…
The role of Vidura in Mahabharata, Vidura Neethi, Philosophy
Introduction A great man who shines even in the galaxy of the mighty characters of the ‘Mahabharata. Affection did not dim his wisdom. Fearlessly he walked the path of righteousness. He showed the same path to others. If Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana had heeded his advice the terrible bloodbath of Kurukshetra could have been averted. “There…
The Story of Vishwamitra Rishi from a King to a Brahmarshi
Introduction Vishwamitra quarreled with Vashishtha and was defeated. But Vashishtha himself named him as a Brahmarshi. Vishwamitra created new stellar constellations and threatened to create a new Indra. Gods trembled at this. He tested the truthfulness of Harishchandra. He saved Shunahshepha who was to be sacrificed. He was the guru of Sri Rama and taught…
Vasishta Maharshi, a Brahmarshi who had won Anger and Desire
Introduction Vasishta was a great ascetic. He was the preceptor of great men like Sri Rama and Harischandra. He had conquered anger and desire. He was a great saint who humbled insolent men. As a preceptor, he imparted knowledge and became a guide to thousands of aspirants. Have you seen the Pole Star? If you…
Story of Valmiki from a Hunter to the Adikavi, Brahmarshi
Introduction The Adikavi, the Poet of Poets of India, who gave the world the immortal epic, the ‘Ramayana’. By profession a highway robber, he came under the spell of Maharshi Narada and became a ‘Brahmarshi’. He not only sang the matchless greatness of Sri Rama, but gave shelter to his wife Seetha Devi, and taught…
The story of Veda Vyasa along with the spread of Mahabharata
Introduction The ‘Mahabharata’ remains a marvel in the literature of the world. Veda Vyasa was the sage who gave the world this Store-house of realism, wisdom, and compassion. And he was the guide to whom seven generations of the high and the humble looked up in hours of sorrow and darkness. On the banks of…
Story of Bhishma: The prince who stuck to vow till the end
Introduction One of the most honored figures of the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He gave up marriage and the throne for his father’s sake. To the people of India, he is the symbol of mature wisdom. Long ago in Dwapara Yuga, there ruled a famous dynasty of kings of the Lunar Race, that is, the…
Biography of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and his invaluable songs
Introduction A great saint who lived only for his God Vitthala. He faced a variety of difficulties with astonishing patience. He refused diamonds and opals offered by Shivaji Maharaj himself. His devotional songs are an invaluable contribution to Marathi’s spiritual literature. That day the children of the lane were overjoyed. There was plenty of sugarcane….
Biography of Madhvacharya, his Philosophy with Photos
Introduction He is the saint who installed the idol of Sri Krishna at Udupi in Karnataka. The Philosophy he preached was previously known as ‘ Tatvavada’. Now it is known as ‘Dwaita’. He lived seven hundred years ago. He boldly said to a Muslim king: “By whatever name you may call, God is One.” He…
Story of Eklavya, a student who learned before Guru’s Idol
Introduction A student’s distinction lies in his devout pursuit of knowledge, and not merely in his heritage. This manifests in a splendid manner in Ekalavya’s life. He worshipped an idol of his ‘Guru’, learned his lessons in archery in the Master’s absence, and mastered the art. When his master desired the thumb of Ekalavya’s right hand…
Biography of Adi Shankaracharya from Birth to Sharada Peetha
Introduction One of the greatest philosophers and savants of Bharat. Though he lived for only thirty-two years, his achievement was unparalleled. He pro-pounded the Vedantic tenet that Brahman the Supreme and man are of one essence and that all people should strive to cultivate this vision of oneness. He established four spiritual centers in the…
Biography of Mahavir Swami: A Life Dedicated to Mankind
Introduction A young prince who gave up power, position, and money to the path of Jainism. He spent twelve long years in strict meditation and became a light to millions. Kundapura was a suburb of Vaishali, the capital of the Lichchavi Republic. On the outskirts of the town was a large grove of banyan trees….
Biography of Meera Bai: A princess to a devotee, Bhakti Cult
Introduction One of the greatest devotees of Lord Krishna. The daughter of a prince and the daughter-in-law of a prince, she gave up everything and faced persecution. Her songs live on the lips of people to this day. Sree Giridhar aage nachungi nach nach piva rasik rizhavu, premi jan ko jachungi prem, preeti ke bandh…
Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai, the biography of a masculine queen
Introduction The great heroine of the First war of India Freedom. She lived for only twenty-two years. She became a widow in her eighteenth year. Jhansi, of which she was the queen, was in the grip of the cunning, cruel British. She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect, and heroism. She was the queen of…
Biography of Swami Vivekananda, the valiant monk of India
Introduction The valiant monk who proclaimed in America the greatness of Hinduism and of Indian culture at a time when the West regarded India as a land of barbarians. The beloved disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the living embodiment of sacrifice and dedicated his life to the country and yearned for the progress…
Information about Basavanna through biography with images
Introduction The revolutionary who taught that right conduct is heaven. He declared that work is worship and taught the ideals of simple living and the equality of all men. And he practiced what he preached. Do not steal, Do not kill. Do not utter lies; Do not lose your temper. Do not detest others; Do…
Life history of Ramanujacharya: A selfless Srivaishnava Guru
Introduction The chief exponent of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta and a great social reformer. “If I can bring deliverance to so many, I do not mind being condemned to hell,” he said and spread his spiritual message to even the lowliest of classes of people. He established the Yatiraja Math and the Cheluvanarayanaswami temple…
Goswami Tulsidas: Biography of a Saint Poet from Bhakti Cult
Introduction The great poet who composed the ‘Ramacharita Manasa’. His boyhood was one of poverty and suffering; but yet he became a great scholar. One word spoken by his wife brought him a realization of his true goal; he became a devotee of Lord Sri Rama. And this poet-saint showed thousands of people the way…