Hindu Epics

By U.K. Habib

This book contains twenty one stories that have become near and dear to the Hindu heart as well as the story lover in general. The stories are about the manifestations of God (The Supreme One) on Earth, or great enlightened men or women famous for their deeds or way of thinking. The stories are extremely interesting and are told from generation to generation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 4, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456809089

U.K. Habib

Usha was born in Trinidad, West Indies. A born Hindu, she has always had interest in Hinduism and its legends. Growing stronger in faith over the years and seeing a need for the continuation of the wonderfully interesting Hindu stories that have been told at home, created her first book, “Hindu Epics”. It is a compilation of some of her favorite stories for your reading pleasure. Do enjoy!

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by U.K. Habib.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2010916379

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-0907-2

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-0906-5

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-0908-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

87925

This book is dedicated to my parents

G. Habib and I. Habib

and to my well wishers.

Thanks to God for the abilities, resources and blessings.

Special thanks to Mrs. Claudette Bacchas for the encouragement.

And

Pujari Selwyn for the inspiration, example and belief.

Thanks to all those who I have not mentioned,

but have helped in some way.

Contents

THE BIRTH OF LORD KRISHNA

SHAKUNTALA DEVI

MARKANDEYA

RAJA HARISHCHANDRA

CHANAKYA

RAKTABIJ

SUDAMA

KARNA

LAV AND KUSH

VIKRAMADITYA

NARAD

VALMIKI

SATI SAVITRI

BRAHMA

DURGA

PARVATI

KARTIKEYA

NARASIMHA

VAMANA

SITA

THE BIRTH OF HANUMAN

THE BIRTH OF LORD KRISHNA

ONCE UPON A time in the royal palace of Mathura where Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudev ruled there was a great misfortune. The princess’ brother, Kansa, had become arrogant and imprisoned his father Ugrasena and made himself king.

Kansa was an evil man and he had come to learn of a prophecy that predicted his death. The prophecy foretold that he will die at the hands of Devaki’s eighth child. Kansa was very superstitious and decided that he would take no chances. He wanted to kill Devaki at that very moment. Enraged he charged at the princess, but her husband intervened and begged him to let her live and show some mercy. Vasudev further promised Kansa that he would hand over any child born to them. Kansa agreed and placed them under house arrest.

Year upon year passed and as children were born to Devaki, the guards would inform Kansa and he would come for the child, take it and kill it. Six of the children born to Devaki and Vasudev were killed like this. However, the seventh child was born at night and the guards were not aware. Seeing the chance, Vasudev slid out of the palace with the child unnoticed and left him with Rohini, his second wife who lived in Gokul. This child was named Balrama. It was in this way this baby was saved. In the morning, he sent word to King Kansa that his wife had miscarried. King Kansa was pleased as he knew the next child to die was the one prophesized to be his slayer.

Not wanting to take chances, he had Vasudev and Devaki thrown into prison and chained when the princess was nearly ready to give birth to her eighth child.

One night while in prison, a miracle occurred. Vasudev’s chains fell off and the prison door opened by itself and next to his wife lay a baby boy. It was raining heavily and the guards were sound asleep. Vasudev picked up the child quickly and put him in a basket and placed the basket on his head to make his way to Gokul which was on the opposite side of the Yamuna River.

The river was in turmoil because of the stormy weather and Vasudev could not cross. Not knowing what else to do, Vasudev closed his eyes and began to pray. Then suddenly, when he opened his eyes the river parted for him and he crossed over to Gokul.

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On reaching his friend Nanda’s house in Gokul, he realized that Nanda’s wife