Indian Epics Blog

  Makara 1. Makara the Mythical Creature Makara is said to be a mythical creature being part crocodile and part dolphin. Makara symbolizes strength, growth, beauty, and pushes us to outgrow fear in facing problems. Perhaps this is why Makara allows Ganga, The River Goddess,  to ride upon his back. As she carries the souls of the dead closer to liberation from the cycle of life and death, which requires the most strength, growth, and beauty. Makara gladly is the vehicle for Ganga, and both mythical beings reside together in the river. 2. Makara Carries the Souls Makara obeys Ganga, his goddess. One day, Ganga married a handsome king, Santanu. Makara remained in the river,  waiting for Ganga's return. Many nights later, Ganga returned to Makara carrying a beautiful baby boy. "Take this child to the heavens, Makara. Give his soul strength to carry on." Makara took the baby and brought him to the heavens to be with Indra. Makara did this seven more times for Ganga. When ...

  Ravana Ravana Humbled Ravana happens to disturb Mount Kailasa while Shiva, the God of Destruction, and Parvati, the Mother Goddess, are arguing. Shiva presses down harshly with his toe whenever he discovers Ravana and traps him beneath the mountain. Shiva is impressed by Ravana's courage, and gives him the sword Chandrahasa. Ravana travels to the city of Mahishamati where Kartaveerya Arjuna is king (note: not the character in The   Mahabharata  who is also called Arjuna). Arjuna is bathing in the Narmada river. Whenever he is provoked by his wives, he uses his arms to block the flow of the river.  Ravana, meanwhile, is worshiping a Shiva linga, but whenever Arjuna blocks the flow of the river, the flood of waters washes it away. Ravana, who is angered by this, challenges Arjuna to a fight, and Arjuna wins. Ravana's grandfather, Pulastya, begs Arjuna to set Ravana free. Arjuna decides to free him and pledges friendship with him. Ravana then travels to Kishkindha. Th...

  Nagas Kashyapa and Nagas N agas are supernatural serpents that are depicted as either complete serpents, complete humans with multiple snake hoods protruding from the back, or being half-snake and half-human. They are also known to live in an aquatic realm that is filled with treasures. It is also thought that anthills are portals to this world. Nagas are often seen as a symbol of rebirth, death, fertility, immortality, medicine, health and wealth due to their mystical powers. According to The Mahabharata , rishi Kashyap and Kadru are the parents of all nagas. Shesha was the eldest, and then came Vasuki, Manasa, and many more. Kashyapa had another wife, who was also Kadru’s sister, Vinata. She gave birth to Vishnu’s vahana, Garuda, an eagle-human hybrid and he became the arch-nemesis of the nagas since eagles consume snakes. In The Ramayana , Indrajit used the Nagapasha astra on Rama and Lakshmana, which hurled venomous snakes over them. The two fell unconscious and Garuda came t...