Guide: Sudama

This is a guide to Sudama: The Power of True Friendship (Volume 532).

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Summary: This story provides a perfect contrast to the story of Drona and Drupada! Sudama, a poor brahmin boy, became a childhood friend of Krishna when they studied with the same guru. Later, when he goes to visit Krishna, he brings a humble gift of flattened rice (powa). Krishna is delighted by the gift and, when Sudama returns home, he finds that a miracle has taken place in his absence.

Guide: Jagannatha of Puri

This is a guide to Jagannatha of Puri: Dreamt by a King, Sculpted by the Gods (Volume 709). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.709

Summary: King Indradyumna seeks a holy statue to put in a great temple. In a dream he sees a vision of a statue of Krishna in a cave. The story is about the king's quest to find the statue and build the temple. It is something like a "Rip van Winkle" type of story in the end, with all kinds of twists and turns. This is the origin story of the Jagannath Temple in Puri which you can read about at Wikipedia.

Guide: Krishna and Narakasura

This is a guide to Krishna and Narakasura: Confidence Versus Arrogance (Volume 522).

All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.522

Summary: Narakasura was a terrifying asura, son of Bhoomi, the Earth Goddess. He terrorized the gods and even stole the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods. It's up to Krishna and his daring wife Satyabhama to retrieve those earrings! Krishna defeats Narakasura and installs his son Bhagadatta on the throne. You can read more about Narakasura at Wikipedia.

Guide: Tales of Balarama

This is a guide to Tales of Balarama: Valiant Brother Of Krishna (Volume 654). You can find it at Amazon.

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Summary: The first story is about how the young Krishna and Balarama (Rama) defeated the donkey-demon Dhenukasura, and they also fight the demon Pralamba, who kidnaps Balarama. In the next story, you will read how Balarama (whose name means "Rama-with-a-Plough") uses a plough to change the geography of India! Finally, you will read how Balarama marries Revati, daughter of a gigantic, and mysterious, king. You can read more about Balarama at Wikipedia.

Guide: Prabhavati

This is a guide to Prabhavati: The Asura Princess (Volume 761). You can find it at Amazon.

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Summary: This is a story about how Krishna and Indra, together with Krishna's son Pradyumna, defeated the mighty asura Vajranabha. In the course of events, Pradyumna uses his magical shape-shifting powers (learn more in Pradyumna) to enter Vajranabha's palace in disguise, and he marries Prabhavati, the asura's daughter. You can learn more about this story from this lovely video about a dance performance of the story by the Raadha-Kalpa Dance Company in Bangalore, India.

Guide: Aniruddha

This is a guide to Aniruddha: Beloved Grandson Of Krishna (Volume 663). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.663

Summary: Usha is an asura princess, daughter of the thousand-armed King Bana, a worshiper of Shiva. One day Usha dreams of a beautiful young man. She sees a painting of Krishna and his son Pradyumna; they are similar to the boy of her dreams. Her friend Chitralekha transports herself magically to Dwaraka and brings back Aniruddha, Pradyuma's son, asleep in his bed. They live happily in a secret marriage, but when Bana finds out, he is enraged. Meanwhile, Krishna and Pradyumna come looking for the missing boy. A great battle ensues, with Shiva fighting on Bana's side. Krishna wins in the end, but Shiva asks him to spare Bana's life, and then Usha goes with Aniruddha to live with him in Dwaraka.

Guide: Bhanumati

This is a guide to Bhanumati: Granddaughter Of Krishna (Volume 766). You can find it at Amazon.

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Summary: The story begins with a curse and a blessing from the sage Durvasa whom the young Yadava princess Bhanumati has offended by accident. To avenge the death of his brother Vajranabha (see Prahabhavati), the asura Nikumbha kidnaps Bhanumati. Krishna, who is Bhanumati's grandfather, together with his friend Arjuna and his son Pradyumna ride on Garuda in pursuit, and a supernatural confrontation follows. [This is the Bhanumati who goes on to marry Sahadeva, one of the Pandava brothers; she is not the Bhanumati who becomes the bride of Duryodhana.] You can read more about Krishna, Arjuna, and Pradyumna at Wikipedia.

Guide: The Parijata Tree

This is a guide to The Parijata Tree, and Other Tales Of Krishna (Volume 767). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.767

Summary: The first story tells how Krishna and his wife Satyabhama bring the celestial Parijata Tree (also called the Kalpavriksha) from Indra's garden back to their home in Dwaraka. The second story is how Krishna won Lakshmana, daughter of Brihatsena, as another one of his wives in a swayamvara contest. In the story of the "tulabhara" (scales), Krishna's wife Rukmini uses a tulsi leaf (holy basil) to teach Satyabhama just how much Krishna is worth. You can read more about Krishna and about Satyabhama at Wikipedia.

Guide: Krishna and the False Vasudeva

This is a guide to Krishna and the False Vasudeva: Pride Meets Its Doom (Volume 639). You can find it at Amazon.

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Summary: This is about Vaasudeva, King of Pundra  — and the plot of the story depends on the fact that Krishna's father is also named Vasudeva, so Krishna is sometimes called "Vaasudeva," son of Vasudeva. As a friend of Shishupala, Vasudeva is dejected when Rukmini decides to elope with Krishna instead of marrying Shishupala. To cheer him up, the courtiers decide to worship him as the true Vaasudeva, declaring Krishna to be an impostor. Krishna defeats the false Vaasudeva, and he slays the King of Kashi as well, which prompts the king's son, Sudakshina, to attempt a supernatural revenge. You can read more about Krishna's enemies, including Shishupala, at Wikipedia: Krishna.

Guide: Krishna and Rukmini

This is a guide to Krishna and Rukmini: A Love That Will Not Be Denied (Volume 516).

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.516

Summary: Prince Rukmi is the son of the king of Vidarbha, and Rukmini is his sister. Krishna and Rukmini want to marry, but Rukmi is Krishna's mortal enemy, and he wants his sister to marry Shishupala, another of Krishna's enemies. Krishna will have to defeat Rukmi, Shishupala, and even the emperor Jarasandha, in order to make Rukmini his wife. You can read more about Rukmini and Rukmi at Wikipedia.

Guide: Krishna

This is a guide to Krishna: Retold From The Bhagawat Puran (Volume 501). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.501

Summary: The story begins with the marriage of Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki, followed by their imprisonment by King Kamsa and then Krishna's miraculous birth. Kamsa attempts to kill Krishna as a baby, but he survives. You will read about the childhood adventures of Krishna and his brother Balarama, including Krishna's battle with the serpent Kaliya and his other supernatural accomplishments. Kamsa renews his efforts to kill Krishna, and the story ends with their final confrontation. You can read more about Krishna at Wikipedia.

Guide: Pradyumna

This is a guide to Pradyumna: Son of Krishna (Volume 760). You can find it at Amazon.

Bizzell Reserves call number: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.760

Summary: Pradyumna, son of Krishna and Rukmini, is an incarnation of Kama, the god of love, and he is destined to kill the asura Shambara. Shambara tries to escape his destiny by killing Pradyumna, and Rati, the wife of Kama, also comes to earth and plays a crucial role in the story. You can read more about Pradyumna at Wikipedia.

Guide: The Syamantaka Gem

This is a guide to The Syamantaka Gem: The Sun-God'S Precious Ornament (Volume 591). You can find it at Amazon.

All the ACK comic books are on Reserve in Bizzell, and the call number for this issue is: PN 6790 .I443 A437 v.591

Summary: Satrajit of Dwaraka receives the Syamantaka jewel from Surya, the sun god. The gem bestows light and wealth. Krishna urges him to give the jewel to King Ugrasena. His brother Prasena wears the jewel while hunting; a lion kills Prasena, and then Jambavan kills the lion and takes the jewel, giving it to his son. Accused of the murder, Krishna must prove his innocence. In the end, Krishna gets the jewel and he marries Jambavan's daughter, Jambavati. Satrajit apologizes and he gives Krishna his daughter to marry: Satyabhama. Her suitors are jealous, and Shatadhanwa kills Satrajit and takes the jewel. Krishna again must recover the jewel, and he does. You can read more about the legend of the Syamantaka jewel at Wikipedia.