About
Each story is retold simply, for children of about five to twelve, followed by what we can learn from it, a short shloka to memorise and a few questions for families or classes to talk about together. Read them aloud at bedtime, at a Bal Gokulam or in a Sunday class, and let the children retell them in their own words.
For daily prayers children can learn, see the Daily Shlokas section — Karagre Vasate in the morning, Vakratunda before study, and Shubham Karoti at the evening lamp.
Stories with a message
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Dhruva — the Boy Who Became the Pole Star ध्रुव
A five-year-old prince who prayed with all his heart and became the star that never moves
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Prahlada — Faith That Fears Nothing प्रह्लाद
A little boy whose love for God protected him from every danger
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Ganesha and the Race Around the World गणेश
How Ganesha won a race without running, by honouring his parents
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Krishna and the Butter Pot — Damodara दामोदर
How Mother Yashoda tied naughty little Krishna with a rope
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Shravan Kumar — the Son Who Served His Parents श्रवण कुमार
A young man who carried his blind parents on pilgrimage
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Nachiketa — the Boy Who Questioned Death नचिकेता
A brave boy who asked Yama, the god of death, the greatest question of all
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Satyakama — the Boy Who Told the Truth सत्यकाम
A boy who was accepted as a student because he spoke the truth
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Markandeya — the Boy Who Was Saved by Shiva मार्कण्डेय
A sixteen-year-old devotee who held on to the Shivalinga when death came
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Krishna and Sudama — True Friendship सुदामा
How King Krishna welcomed his poor childhood friend
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Krishna Lifts Govardhan Hill गोवर्धन
How little Krishna held up a mountain to shelter the people of Braj
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Gajendra Moksha — the Elephant Who Prayed गजेन्द्र मोक्ष
How Vishnu rushed to save an elephant king caught by a crocodile
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Bhagiratha Brings the Ganga to Earth भगीरथ
The king who never gave up until the river of heaven came down
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Ganesha Writes the Mahabharata गणेश
How Ganesha became the writer of the world's longest poem
Frequently asked questions
What is Bal Sanskar?
Teaching children good values (sanskar) — through stories, prayers, festivals and example — so that they grow up kind, honest and confident in their culture.
How should I use these stories?
Read one aloud, then talk about the questions together; let the child retell it, and learn the shloka over the week.
Which shlokas should children learn first?
Karagre Vasate (on waking), Vakratunda Mahakaya (before study), Shubham Karoti (at the evening lamp) and the Gayatri mantra as they grow older.