Traditional Tales

Sita had been kidnapped.  Searching for her, Rama and Lakshmana came across a great monkey, Hanuman.  Hanuman tells the story about Sugreeva who was in a similar predicament, being in exile in the forest.  Rama helps Hanuman rescue Sugreeva and his wife, Ruma.  Hanuman is deeply devoted to Rama and at the end of this story, made a colossal leap across the sea to Lankapuri to rescue Sita. 
Read the blog: Rama Avatar, part 5 | YogaMysticism.Today

Rama continues his exile, along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. He meets Shurpanaka, a rakshasi (female demon) who wants Rama to marry her. Rama refuses so she convinces her brother Ravana to kidnap Sita. Following a path left by Sita’s jewels, Rama and Lakshmana pursue Ravana, traveling south, toward Mount Mathanga. There they meet the Monkey-God, Hanuman.
Read the blog: Rama Avatar, part 4 | YogaMysticism.Today

Now Rama and his three brothers return to their home in Ayodhya, along with their new brides. After a few years, their father, King Dasaratha decides to name Rama as his successor in a special ceremony. But Kaikeyi, the mother of Rama’s brother, Bharata, has other plans. She convinces the King to send Rama into exile. Find out how this story resolves and fulfills a deeper, Divine Purpose. 
Read the blog: Rama Avatar, part 3 | YogaMysticism.Today

Rama had three brothers. Their Guru taught them everything they needed in life and how to rule the kingdom.   The Sage Vishvamitra knew that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Sita was an incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi, coming to assist Lord Rama with his task on earth.  King Janaka proposed the marriage of Sita to Rama. 
The warrior-sage Parashurama realized Rama was his own reincarnation.  He gave the Sharanga, which is the divine bow of Vishnu, to Rama.  He blessed Sita, then retired to his meditations on Mount Mahendra.
Read the blog: Rama Avatar, part 2 | YogaMysticism.Today

The ancient epic, The Ramayana, tells the story of Lord Ram. This first installment of the seven-part story describes the circumstances of his birth. It also intriguingly foreshadows events of his lifetime which will unfold in future installments. 
Read the blog: Rama Avatar | YogaMysticism.Today

Lord Vishnu incarnated as Parashurama in order to exterminate the evil kings who had derailed from their path of justice and righteousness.  As commanded by his father, he beheaded his own mother for the sake of righteousness, thus bringing his four brothers back to life.  He travelled around the earth 21 times, killing 21 evil kings, as his mother had pounded her chest 21 times.  He is immortal, still living amongst us. 
Read the blog: Parashurama Avatar | YogaMysticism.Today

From the time of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) had been in turmoil. This continuous hatred affected all the three worlds with suffering, war and death. Bali, King of the Asuras became greedy and performed a ceremony to become the ruler of the three worlds. He was able to remove Lord Indra as ruler of the Devas. To right this injustice, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, a short-in-stature Brahmin who was able to set things right again.  
Read the blog: Vamana: Dwarf Avatar | YogaMysticism.Today

This is the story of Prahlad, the grandson of Diti.  One of her sons, Hiranyaksha, was killed by Vishnu as Varaha, the boar.  His brother Hiranyakashipu was outraged, declared himself as God and began harassing all devotees of Lord Vishnu.  However, his own son, Prahlad, did not accept him as God.  Outraged, Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlad, but Vishnu saved him by incarnating as a half-lion creature.  Lord Vishnu blessed Prahlad and gave him the ultimate knowledge. Prahlad ruled gracefully for a very long time. 
Read the blog: Narasimha Avatar | YogaMysticism.Today