Bhagwan
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Chitragupta ji’s Story: The Scribe Who Still Asks
Chitragupta ji keeps Yama Dev’s ledger of every deed, and in the Garuda Purana he still asks the Sravanas. Kayastha families worship him with pen and inkpot on Bhai Dooj.
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Owl Meaning in Hinduism: Why It Sits Beside Maa Lakshmi
Why does an owl sit at Maa Lakshmi’s feet in so many Diwali pictures? No known text explains it, so several readings are held side by side.
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What a Lit Diya Says in Hindu Worship, and Valmiki’s Welcome Without Lamps
The significance of lighting a lamp comes from an Upanishad prayer, the Gita’s steady flame and arti. Valmiki’s Ayodhya welcome has flowers but no lamps.
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The Alakshmi Story: Maa Lakshmi’s Elder Sister, Left at a Lake
Is Alakshmi really Maa Lakshmi’s sister? In the Linga Purana she is the elder of the two, created before Maa Lakshmi and then married to a sage who could not keep her at home.
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Narak Chaturdashi Story: Who Struck Narakasura Last? What the Puranas Say
In the Bhagavata Purana, Bhagwan Krishna’s discus takes Narakasura’s head; in the Vishnu Purana he cuts him in two. Satyabhama rides beside him in both. Her last blow comes from the popular telling.
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How Kubera Dev Became Keeper of Wealth and Lost Lanka to Ravana
Kaikasi saw Kubera Dev arrive in the Pushpaka and urged Ravana to become like him. In the Valmiki Ramayana, Kubera Dev later gave up Lanka without a fight.
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Samudra Manthan Story: A Curse, a Truce and a Pot of Amrit
A dropped garland, a truce with the asuras, a mountain on a tortoise’s back and a poison only Bhagwan Shiva could hold: the churning of the ocean of milk, told in order.
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Kali Puja History: Why Bengal Worships Maa Kali at Midnight
In one Bowbazar house every electric light goes off when Kali Puja begins, because the family believes Maa Kali is worshipped in darkness. This is how a few old Kolkata homes keep the night.
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Chappan Bhog: Why 56 Dishes? The Seven Days Under Govardhan
The chappan bhog meaning is 56 offerings laid before Bhagwan Krishna. The usual reason is eight meals a day for seven days under Govardhan Hill, but the Bhagavata gives only the seven days.