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Bhanumati..
Bhanumati is the granddaughter of Krishna. One day, wandering in the forest, she runs into Sage Durvasa. Known for his short temper, Durvasa curses her to be abducted by a demon. Though Durvasa regrets his words, a curse once made cannot be taken back. When Bhanumati is older, the curse comes true and a powerful demon named, Nikumbha, carries her off. He turns her and himself invisible so they cannot be followed. Now Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna must find and defeat Nikumbha and rescue Bhanumati.
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Krishna and the False Vasudeva
Paundraka Vaasudeva had his name common with that of Krishna Vaasudeva. His sycophants led him to believe that he was as strong and powerful as Krishna. How he fell into disgrace and disaster is told in this story based on the Bhagawat Purana.
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Karna..
The world saw him as the son of a lowly charioteer, but Karna had the bearing of a prince. With his skill as a warrior, he could have re-written the tale of the Mahabharata. Fate, however, had other plans. This haunting tale of passion and loyalty presents the other side of the war and a hero as shining as the sun.
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The Lord of Lanka
Ambition and arrogance, these were to be the cause of Ravana's downfall. Blessed by both Brahma the creator and Shiva the destroyer, the powerful ruler of Lanka could have enjoyed fame and respect had he only reined in his arrogance. It was left to Vishnu the preserver to find a way to curb Ravana. In the process, there unfolded one of the world's most beautiful romantic sagas, the story of Rama's love for his devoted Sita.
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Tales From The Upanishada
The word Upanishad literally means 'sit down near' for the student had to sit close to the teacher to receive instructions. Perhaps, what brought the two still closer were the stories the Guru narrated. These stories provided a meaningful context for the topics under discussion. They also demonstrate that in those days knowledge was not the monopoly of any select group. Thus Janashruti, the ruler of the land, approaches the cart driver Raikva, with humility, to seek the highest truth.
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Sati and Shiva..
Only Sati could fulfill Shiva's exacting demands. As his companion she could match his ascetic ways as well as be a loving wife. Unfortunately, her happiness was overshadowed by an arrogant father. Sati countered Daksha's insensitivity with an immense, horrific sacrifice, which threw the universe into chaos and turmoil. As the heroine of this primeval romantic story she embodies the essence of a perfect spouse.
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Mother Teresa..
It was on a train from Calcutta to Darjeeling that Mother Teresa first heard the call. A voice beckoned her to leave the sheltered life of the convent and come out to serve the poorest of the poor. That voice changed her life completely and also the lives of everyone she touched. Though Albanian by birth, Mother Teresa made India her home. Humbly, yet firmly, Mother set to work trying to heal the world's greatest disease, 'of being unwanted and unloved'. At the time of her death, the world acknowledged her as one of the most enduring symbols of love.
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Abhimanyu...
The Kauravas had made a fateful error. Lusting after their cousins' kingdom, they underestimated young Abhimanyu's determination and ability to defend it. Brilliantly distilled in this handsome and much-loved Pandava prince were his father Arjuna's courage, Lord Krishna's wisdom and the patience, strength and gentle humility of his uncles. Even as he thwarted his enemies' ambitions, Abhimanyu earned their grudging admiration and a very special place in the saga of the Mahabharata.
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Udayana
King Udayana was a lucky man. He was handsome and strong and had the love of two beautiful princesses. He also had the undying loyalty of able ministers. They pulled every trick in the book to ensure that he overcame his enemies and won back, not only his vast kingdom, but the happiness he richly deserved.
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Vasantasena
Noble though penniless, the handsome Charudatta is the love of Vasantasena's life, but scoundrels and misguided friends threaten their happiness. Their tale, told by Shudraka in his Sanskrit play written 2,000 years ago, presents a picture of bustling town life at the time. Excitement and adventure lurk around every corner and sudden twists and turns make this a classic nail-biting romantic thriller.
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Kannagi
Life is unfair: the virtuous Kannagi deserves a loving husband, but selfish beauties and foolish kings combine to rob her of happiness. Her patience snaps, eventually. Pure in her love, this gentle woman is transformed into an avenging angel, raining death and doom on all her foes, until the gods are forced to intervene. Ilango Adigal's Tamil classic, Shilappadikaram presents life with all its flaws but also with hope.
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Maarthaanda Varma
The old Maharaja of Travancore grew frail and there was talk of who should succeed him. By matrilineal tradition his nephew, Maarthaanda Varma, was the heir. But councilors were plotting to break with custom and install the Maharaja's gullible son on the throne. The best way to get rid of Maarthaanda, they decided, was to kill him. The story of Maarthanda's escape and his coronation has been adapted from the novel Maarthaandavarma by C.V. Raman Pillai, one of the great Malayalam writers. In Maarthaandavarma, he writes a historical romance about an actual Maharaja of Travancore. Historically, Maarthaanda Varma is still remembered for uniting the kingdom of Travancore and providing it with a just and strong government.
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Shakuntala..
Shakuntala was the daughter of a nymph and a sage who abandoned her in the woods. Sage Kanva brought her up. King Dushyanta on a visit to the hermitage was struck with Shakuntala's beauty and they got married in a non-traditional ceremony. The king eventually returned back, leaving with Shakuntala a ring that carried his seal. After a when she came to live with the king, he did not remember anything about her and asked for proof of their being together. Shakuntala had lost the ring and could not produce any proof. So rejected by the king, she was carried away by her mother. The ring was one day found by a fisherman and produced before the king, this brought back his memory of Shakuntala and he longed to meet her. One day, on the way back from a great battle victory Dushyanta visited the sage Maricha's hermitage where Shakuntala and her son Bharata were living. Many were the signs by which the king recognized Bharata as his son. He asked Shakuntala for forgiveness and took both of them with him. Later, Bharata became an illustrious king and it is said that India's name "Bhaarata" is formed to mean 'the land of Bharata'. This story from Mahabharata provided the plot for a renowned play by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa of the 5th century. The play was translated into English by William Jones at the end of the 18th century. It won praise from the German poet Goethe then and has been widely translated and read worldwide.
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Kadambari
Kadambari is one of the best known Sanskrit romantic novels. It was written by Banabhatta, the court poet of King Harshavardhana, in the early 7th Century AD. It is said that after Banabhatta died, leaving the long text unfinished, his son Bhushanabhatta completed it. The original has a hugely complex plot, with Kadambari herself appearing only half-way through. The story is a popular one, a version can be found in the Kathasaritsagara, amongst many other ancient favorites. It continues to be translated into various Indian languages. Kadambari is often said to be one of the first novels and the word kadambari has come to mean a novel in many Indian languages today.
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The Fool's Disciples
Laugh your head off at the unbelievably foolish antics of paramartha and his disciples but you'll find, surprisingly, that you are always on their side. Their kindly, simple ways have had a fan following since the 17th century, when the tales were concocted by an Italian priest who settled in Madurai. In this Tamil work, the author hits upon a happy combination of sound advice and rollicking humor.
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Birbal The Witty
Birbal, a real person with the name 'Maheshdas', was one of the 'nine gems' of court advisers of Akbar the Great. He also composed poetry by the pen name 'Brahma'. Birbal's fame had spread far and wide. As Akbar's favorite minister, he had an answer to every question and a solution to every problem. In fair tribute to his shrewdness, even the mighty Shah of Persia addressed Birbal as the "Ocean of Intelligence". Combining tact and common sense with a fair pinch of humor, he won his master's heart.
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Raman of Tenali..
When the king saw a strapping lad astride the aged shoulders of his guru, he knew something was amiss. Soon he realized that, if young Raman was around, it was best to expect the unexpected. This village bumpkin was no fool, even the fiery goddess Kali had given in to his wiles. Wheeding his way into the mighty Vijayanagara court, it was but a short step into the heart of King Krishnadeva Raya, who welcomed a laugh or two to lighten his busy day.
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The Magic Grove
The snake which took refuge from snake charmers in Vidyutprabha's lap was actually a divine being. The grateful deity granted the young girl a boon. She would always have a shady grove filled with fruit-laden trees protecting her and her cattle from the b
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The Adventures of Baddu and Chhotu
Baddu and Chhotu were friends but they did not trust each other. So when they set off to seek their fortune together each one was bent upon outsmarting the other, be it in trying to get the more easy-going job or acquiring a pot of gold. A popular folktale from Bengal, this story is part of our oral tradition of story-telling.
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The Jackal and the Wardrum
A hungry jackal finds food when he overcomes fear. A curious monkey meddles with something that does not concern him and comes to a sticky end. Philosophy, psychology, politics and human relations become simple enough to be understood by a child in Pandit Vishnu Sharma's brilliant work, the Panchatantra. Written and compiled in around 200 BC, every story is as relevant today as it was in ancient times.
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Stories of Courage
There is strength in numbers, says a wise pig. Being honest and selfless can change your destiny, says a young fawn. A friend is your most precious possession, advises a gentle crab, while loyalty is a noble swan's prized virtue. But it is courage that really helps these exceptional creatures gain freedom and respect.
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The Inimitable Birbal
Only Birbal could outwit Akbar and get away with it. A witty and wise diplomat, he ensured that both the emperor and the empire retained their greatness. This collection of tales highlighting Birbal's presence of mind, his kindness and his shrewdness guarantees a good laugh. At the same time, it divulges some useful tricks for overcoming sticky situations.
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Two Oxen-Stories By Munshi Premchand
Munshi Premchand was an iconic writer, best known for his short stories. Through his tales, he managed to depict social conditions in a manner so emotional and direct, that they are relevant even today. 'Budhi Kaki' talks of the necessity for caring for the elderly, while 'Two Oxen' shows us why we need to be compassionate towards all creatures. In 'Stories by Premchand', we retell these two stories in a graphic form, while retaining the language and flavor of his writing.
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Birbal The Genius
It takes a wise man to recognize another's wisdom. While Akbar's courtiers were jealous of Birbal, the emperor was quick to notice his agile mind. The two men loathed hypocrisy and deceit and they also shared the complete delight in a good joke.