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Krishna and the conch (Panchajanya)

  Vasudeva called the family priest Garga and performed the Upanayana ceremony (the sacred thread ceremony) of his sons. They then became twice-born. After Upanayana, one has to practise Brahmacharya. They have to reside at the house of their Guru, learn the Vedas from him and practise asceticism at the same time. According to practice, BalaRama and Krishna went to reside at the house of Rishi Sandipani of Avanti of the line of Kasyapa. The brothers learned the Vedas, the Vedangas and all the branches of learning in sixty four days. Then they requested their Guru to name his Dakshina. Sandipani in consultation with his wife asked for the restoration to life of his son, who had been drowned in the sea at Prabhasa Kshetra. “All right,” said the brothers. They took their chariot and went to the sea-side. The sea brought presents. But Krishna asked for the restoration of his Guru’s son. The sea replied: “I did not carry him off, but one Asura named Panchajana, who lives in my waters in the
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Krishna and the celestial serpent Kaliya

The Nagas or serpents made offerings to Garuda on appointed days. Kaliya, proud of his own valour, did not make any offering himself and snatched away the offerings made by others. Garuda attacked him and, being overpowered in the fight, Kaliya sought shelter in a deep pool of water in the Yamuna. Of yore, Garuda had caught a fish in that pool of water and was about to eat it, when Rishi Soubhari asked him not to eat, but Garuda heeded not his words. The wailings of the fish moved the tender heart of the Rishi and for their future good he cursed Garuda with death, if he entered the pool any more. Kaliya knew about this and he therefore sought protection in that pool of water with his family. The water became deadly poison and even the adjoining air breathed poisonous death. One day Krishna went with all his companions, other than Rama, to the Yamuna side. The Gopa boys and the cows being very thirsty drank the water of that pool and met with instant death. Krishna cast his amrita pouri
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The story of Kubera becoming god of wealth

Vishrava had two wives. Kubera was born to the first wife. The second wife ( demon women) gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana. Kubera was the eldest son of the sage Vishrava and used to rule Lanka. He maintained very good relations with his cousins. However Ravana’s mother did not like her sons being so brotherly with Kubera. She called her sons and said, “What are you up to? Consider Kubera’s pomp and glory. Have you got anything like that to show for yourselves? Do something to improve your own statures. You are demons and Kubera is god. “. Thus instructed by their mother, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana went off to the forest to perform meditation. They pleased Brahma with their prayers and obtained boons to win over the kingdom of Lanka and become very strong. With the help of the boons given by Brahma, the demons attacked Kubera and defeated him. They drove Kubera out of Lanka. Kubera possessed a beautiful Vimana named pushpaka. This was also taken by Ravana. Mor
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The creation of universe and the world

In the beginning, there was water everywhere. In the water there emerged a golden egg. Brahma was born inside this egg. He created himself and is called Svayambhu,( born by himself ). For one whole year, Brahma lived inside the egg. He then split the egg into two and created heaven and the earth from the two parts of the egg. Skies, directions, time, language and senses were created in both heaven and earth. From the powers of his mind, Brahma gave birth to seven great sages. Their names were Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vashishtha. Brahma also created the god Rudra and the sage Sanatkumara. Birth of Manu After that , Brahma gave birth to a man and a woman from his own body. The man was named Manu and the woman was named Shatarupa. Humans (manavas) are descended from Manu. Manu and Shatarupa had three sons named Vira, Priyavrata and Uttanapada. Uttanapada’s son was the great Dhruva. Dhruva performed very difficult meditation (tapasya) for three thousand divine ye
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Pranks of little Krishna

  With growing childhood, Krishna became very naughty. Once the Gopa women made the following complaints.  Krishna would untie their calves before the milking time. He would steal their milk and curds and divide the remnants, after eating, among the monkeys. If they did not eat, he would break the pot. If he did not get the things he wanted, he would curse the inmates and other boys. If the pots were out of reach, he would raise himself on seats or husking stools and bear those hanging pots away to get at their contents. He would illumine the dark room by the glitter of his own body and that of his jewels, to serve his purpose. He would talk insolently, and spoil the ground. The Gopa women exclaimed: “But now how innocent he looks before you.” Krishna betrayed fear in his eyes.  Yasoda would not beat him. So he only smiled. One day Rama and other boys complained to Yasoda that Krishna had eaten earth. The mother remonstrated. “They have lied” exclaimed Krishna “Or if they have spoken t
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Krishna saving the arjuna trees

  One day Yasoda was churning curdled milk and singing the deeds of her son. Krishna came up and, desirous of sucking milk, held the churning rod. Yasoda placed him on her lap and gave him milk to suck. But the milk that was boiling on the oven overflowed the pot and she hurriedly left her son. In anger Krishna bit his lips, broke the milk pot with a stone, took the fresh butter to a retired corner and there partook of it. Yasoda came back after a while and found the pot broken. Her son had left the place and she could easily see that it was all his doing. She found Krishna seated on the husk stand, freely dividing the contents of the hanging pots among the monkeys, and she quietly approached him with a stick. Krishna hurriedly got down and ran away as if in fear. Yasoda ran after him and caught him at last. Finding him fear-stricken, she threw down the stick and tried to fasten him to the husking stand. The rope fell short by the breadth of two fingers (say two inches). She added anot
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Krishna killing of baka (the crane) and agha (the serpent)

  One day the Gopa boys went over to a tank to quench their thirst. They saw a huge monster in the form of a Baka (crane). It rushed forth and swallowed Krishna. Krishna caused a burning in its throat and the Asura threw him out. It made a second attack and Krishna held the two beaks and parted them asunder as if they were blades of grass, And the Asura died. On the other day Krishna was playing with the boys in the forest. Agha, the youngest born of Putana and Baka, the Asura whom even the Devas, rendered immortal by Amrita, dreaded, burning with a spirit of revenge at the death of his brother and sister, thought of killing Krishna and all his attendants. He stretched himself forth as a huge serpent, spreading over one yojana, the extremities of his open mouth touching the clouds and the earth. The Gopa boys took the Asura to be the goddess of Vrindavana. “Or if it really be a serpent opening its mouth to kill us, it will instantly be killed like the Asura Vaka.” So with their eyes fi
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