Epics & stories
The Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the stories that shaped India's values.
- Ramayana
रामायण
The story of Bhagwan Shri Ram: duty, devotion and the victory of dharma. It is told in every Indian language and across Asia.
- Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita
महाभारत और भगवद्गीता
The great epic of the Kurukshetra war, attributed to Maharshi Ved Vyasa, with the Bhagavad Gita at its heart.
- Samudra Manthan: the churning of the ocean
समुद्र मंथन
Devas and asuras churn the ocean of milk for the nectar of immortality, with Mount Mandara as the rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope.
- Bhagiratha and the descent of the Ganga
भगीरथ और गंगावतरण
King Bhagiratha's penance brings the heavenly river down to earth, and Bhagwan Shiva catches her in his matted locks.
- Devi Mahatmya: Durga and Mahishasura
देवी माहात्म्य
When no god can defeat the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, their combined powers take form as Goddess Durga.
- Prahlad and Holika
प्रह्लाद और होलिका
The child devotee Prahlad survives the fire that consumes Holika. The story behind Holika Dahan.
- Nachiketa and Yama
नचिकेता और यम
A boy goes to the god of death and asks what happens after we die. The opening of the Katha Upanishad.
- Panchatantra
पंचतंत्र
Animal fables composed to teach wisdom and good judgement (niti) to young princes. They travelled the whole world.
- Jataka tales
जातक कथाएँ
Stories of the Buddha's previous lives, teaching compassion and generosity, carved on the gateways of Sanchi and painted at Ajanta.
- Silappatikaram
शिलप्पदिकारम्
The Tamil epic of the anklet: Kannagi's fight for justice. One of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature.