Stories Of India Retold

Divine Birth of the Pandavas: Curse, Boon & Destiny. Mahabharata Ep. 7

🌟 Listen to the Fascinating Birth Story of the Pandavas! 🌟
Ever wondered how the legendary heroes of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, came into being? It starts with an accidental death which led to a fateful curse that changed everything for King Pandu. Pandu turns to Kunti to help him obtain the sons he desperately wants. With Kunti’s boon, the Pandavas are born, each embodying unique qualities of the deities they were born from.
This tale is a mix of emotion, mythology, and destiny that you won’t want to miss!
#Mahabharata #Pandavas #Mythology #EpicTales
Let's Connect:
►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520 ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold ...or wherever you listen to #podcast
Resources:
Mishra, V. B. (1977). THE PRACTICE OF NIYOGA IN ANCIENT LITERATURE OF INDIA : A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 58/59, 773–776. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41691747
Sahgal, S. (2011). GENDERED INQUIRY INTO NIYOGA: APPRAISING THE INSTITUTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FEMALE ACTORS. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 72, 179–192. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44146710
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Images: #Wikimedia Commons #Canva #canvaai
Music: Gamela - E's Jammy Jams, Percolate - Loopop, The Six Realms - I Think I Can Help You 

Punyakoti's Story (Redone) Govina Haadu, Kannada Folk Song/Story in English. Indian Folktale

Punyakoti's story or Govina Haadu (Song of A Cow) is an extremely popular Kannada folksong. It is also part of Telugu folklore.
Punyakoti finds herself in the clutches of a famished tiger, Arbhuta. Realizing that escape is impossible, Punyakoti pleads with Arbhuta for one final chance to see her son before becoming the tiger's meal. Although hesitant at first, Arbhuta eventually consents to grant Punyakoti's final wish. True to her word, Punyakoti returns to Arbhuta. The depth of Punyakoti's dedication to truth and to doing the right thing deeply moves Arbhuta, ultimately saving Punyakoti's life.
Find the video for the story 👉🏽 https://youtu.be/ON_12DHaEbk 
This version of the story is based on the lyrics of Govina Haadu by B. M. Srikantaiah. Find the link for resource used👇🏽
References:
Ankita. (2014b, March 25). Dharani mandala madhyadolage-Punyakoti Original Lyrics by B M Sri ! https://madhurageete.blogspot.com/2014/03/dharani-mandala-madhyadolage-punyakoti.html
#punyakoti #story #kannada #stories #indianstory #telugu #telugufolk
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe, Dream Escape - The Tides, The Six Realms - I Think I Can Help You, Venkatesananda - Jesse Gallagher, At Depth - Lish Grooves, Hopeless - Jimena Contreras

Dhritarashtra & Gandhari have 100 sons in-vitro, advised to kill infant son Duryodhana. Episode.6

The story of the birth of the Kauravas.
-Why the Kurus chose Gandhari as Dhritarshtra's bride?
-How Gandhari gives birth to 100 sons and one daughter, in-vitro?
-Why some in the Kuru court wanted Dhritarashtra to kill the infant Duryodhana?
Gandhari was blessed with a boon to produce 100 sons. So she is frustrated when things don't go exactly as she had hoped–the pregnancy was unusual and she had not given birth to any sons yet. Dwaipayana comes to the rescue and Gandhari finally has her 100 sons, they are all born in-vitro (outside the body).
Dhritarashtra is delighted, but some people in the court have reason to believe that the Kuru dynasty is better off without his heir and first born, Duryodhana.
 Let's Connect: ►
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520 ►
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/ ►
Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast ►
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041 ►
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a ►
Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold ...or wherever you listen to #podcast
Music: Beyond - Patrick Patrikios, Peony Morning - TrackTribe,
Resources: The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)

Birth of Dhritarashtra & Pandu. Revive A Dying Lineage through Niyoga

The Kurus were becoming an increasingly powerful and dominant Kingdom. But, they had a problem–a big one! The heirs of the Kuru dynasty died in quick succession, leaving no one to continue the line–the last in line to the Kuru throne, Vichitravirya, had died. The Kurus were in deep trouble, the lineage would end and with it, the dynasty. Bhishma and Satyavati would not let that happen. After much contemplation they decide to use the practice of Niyoga to beget sons on the wives of Vichitravirya. The Kuru dynasty finally had the sons that they sought, but the circumstances of their birth set the stage for complications that would arise later in the story of the Mahabharata.
This is the story of the birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. 
#ancienthistory #bharat #infertility #mahabharata #mahabharat 
Resources:
Chattopadhyay, K. P. (1922). 25. Levirate and Kinship in India. Man, 22, 36–41. https://doi.org/10.2307/2839641 Mishra, V. B. (1977).
THE PRACTICE OF NIYOGA IN ANCIENT LITERATURE OF INDIA : A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 58/59, 773–776. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41691747 Sahgal, S. (2011).
GENDERED INQUIRY INTO NIYOGA: APPRAISING THE INSTITUTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FEMALE ACTORS. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 72, 179–192. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44146710
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)  
Let's Connect:
►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold
...or wherever you listen to #podcast
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe, Apocalyptic Echoes - Jimena Contreras, Dream Escape - The Tides, Gamela - E's Jammy Jams, Percolate - Loopop, The Six Realms - I Think I Can Help You

How Droṇa, A Driven Warrior, Became Kuru’s Preceptor to Avenge An Insult

** Additional Notes:
**At first, the book says Drona and Drupada become friends when the latter visited Bharadvaja with his father, later in the book Drona tells Bhishma that they became friends when they attended Agnivehsya’s school together.
**Drona tells Bhishma that when they were young Drupada promised to share with him his wealth when he became king, this detail is not mentioned at first. Also, from Drona’s words to Drupada after defeating him, it seems like it was more about the insult and not really about the wealth. For the sake of simplicity these details were omitted in this retelling.
 
Drona was an elite warrior, the preceptor to the Kauravas and Pandavas and largely credited for training Arjuna to be the greatest warrior ever known.
Drona was incredibly skilled at Dhanurveda–one could say it was in his blood as his father Bharadvaja and his son Ashwatthama were also renowned warriors; through his marriage to Kripi he was also related to Sharadvat and Kripa, who were also renowned warriors and teachers of the Kurus.
What made Drona stand out was the fact that he was as driven as he was talented. He pursued any opportunity he got to further his career; he sought training from the great Parashurama himself. When his old friend King Drupada humiliates him, Drona makes it his life’s mission to exact revenge from Drupada and pursues it with the intense dedication and focus he does everything else.
 
#mahabharat #bharat #ancientindia #history #drona #ashwatthama #kripa
Let's Connect:
►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold
...or wherever you listen to #podcast
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe; Yoga Style- Chris Haugen
References:
The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. (2017). Dorling Kindersley India.
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)

Yayati, Devayani & Sharmishta: A Tale Of Love, Betrayal & Desire. Mahabharata Podcast in English

King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, is the ancestor of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Yayati is best known for his obsession with youth and living longer and the fact he was cursed to lose his youth prematurely and live as an old man.
But there is more to Yayati’s story. Yayati is involved in a love triangle between his wife, Devayani and her friend-turned-slave, Sharmishta–it was a complicated web he was in and Yayati was most definitely not ready to suffer the consequences of his actions.
In today’s episode, we will explore Yayati’s story through the stories of his wife, Devayani: Devayani’s relationship with Kacha, Devayani’s marriage to Yayati, Devayani’s friendship with Sharmishta; also, Yayati’s curse to age prematurely, his decision to instate his youngest son, Puru, as his heir, Yayati’s entry into heaven after his death, his fall back to earth, his ascent to heaven one more time. 
#mahabharat #podcast #bharat #ancientindia #history
 
#mahabharat #podcast #bharat #ancientindia #history
Let's Connect:
►YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold
...or wherever you listen to #podcast
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe; Yoga Style- Chris Haugen
References:
The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. (2017). Dorling Kindersley India.
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Witzel, Michael (1995). “Early Sanskritization. Origins and Development of the Kuru State”. Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies. 1-4: 1-26

Bhishma:Son of Ganga, Cursed by Vasishta, Vow of Brahmacharya, Gift to Choose Time Of Death. Mahabharata

Bhishma, the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces, was destined to be a great warrior and to always uphold Dharma, but he was also destined to always keep his father happy and to never have children. Learn why!
 
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 
Watch the Video Podcast:
► YouTube: https://youtu.be/o8HMnkno1LE 
 ►Spotify video: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yJBzZD1xlclGy8OufkQMs?_ga=2.88777307.1729303884.1714411700-715675952.1714411700 
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast 
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold 
and on your favorite #podcast App. 
Let's Connect:
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/ 
►Threads: https://www.threads.net/@storiesofindiaretold 
References:
The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. (2017). Dorling Kindersley India.
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
#bhishma #ganga #vasu

The Story Behind Mahabharata–The Greatest Story Ever Told

All about the Mahabharata and its author, Krishna Dwaipayana (Veda Vyasa), why he composed it, why Mahabharata is considered the greatest story ever told, who and what it is about, why it is considered sacred, why the stories found in this great epic is relevant to this day and more!
Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 
Watch the Video Podcast:
► YouTube: hhttps://youtu.be/ZCOFbiqtU3c
 ►Spotify video: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yJBzZD1xlclGy8OufkQMs?_ga=2.88777307.1729303884.1714411700-715675952.1714411700 
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast 
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold 
and on your favorite #podcast App. 
Let's Connect:
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/ 
►Threads: https://www.threads.net/@storiesofindiaretold 
 
References: Jha, V. (2016). The Mytho-epic Re-imagination. Indian Literature, 60(6 (296)), 183–193.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44754735 Joshi, N. (2010). MAHĀBHĀRATA: HISTORY OR MYTH? Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 91, 47–60.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/41692159 Mohanty, P. K. (2005). The “Mahabharata”: A Reading in Political Structuring. Indian Literature, 49(1 (225)), 146–151. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23346584
The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. (2017). Dorling Kindersley India.
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Tribal 'Mahabharat' has epical deviations: Ahmedabad News - Times of India Paul John / TNN / Sep 6 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tribal-mahabharat-has-epical-deviations/articleshow/168318.cms
Witzel, Michael (1995). “Early Sanskritization. Origins and Development of the Kuru State”. Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies. 1-4: 1-26
Women, Gender & Power in Bheel Mahabharata 1 http://innertraditions.blogspot.com/2009/09/women-gender-power-in-bheel-mahabharata.html

ANNOUNCEMENT: 2.0 Version Stories Of India Retold Plus Video Podcast

Dear Listener,
Welcome to the new and improved version of the Stories of India Retold Podcast. We will start from the beginning of the Mahabharata (yet again) but with better story telling and even a video element to it. 
I hope you will listen to the new episodes. 
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Much Love,
Nivi. 
►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 
Watch the Video Podcast:
► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pU1qiKljk-yADyJ0pHzsA 
Listen to the Stories of India Retold Podcast 
► Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
►Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
►Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold 
and on your favorite #podcast App. 
Let's Connect:
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesofindiaretold/ 
►Threads: https://www.threads.net/@storiesofindiaretold 

Ep:30.Burning Of The Khandava Forest-Krishna, Arjuna Vs. Indra. (The Mahabharata)

The heroes Arjuna and Krishna are involved in the burning of the Khandava forest–a dark episode in the Mahabharata known as the Khandava Daha(burning). Thousands died-particularly the people belonging to the Naga tribe; their leader Takshaka and his son survive and they would never forget or forgive this injustice. This story from the Khandava Daha Parva or episode, tells us the story of:
-Arjuna and Krishna's deal with Agni.
-The reasons for burning the Khandava tract
-Arjuna and Krishna's fight against Indra.
-The few who escaped the fire. 
-New allies and enemies.
 
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@storiesofindiaretold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stories-of-India-Retold-105376315392520
 
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-india-retold/id1612002041
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XCH6ZI6H582CIDjY9u35w?si=cd245a77e5e94d3a
Amazon music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/08a630be-6249-41f5-a984-7666f047fd3f/stories-of-india-retold
Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3N0b3JpZXNvZmluZGlhcmV0b2xkL2ZlZWQueG1s
iheart Radio https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-stories-of-india-retold-93474409/
Player fm: https://player.fm/series/3321447
Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/stories-of-india-retold-storiesofindiaretold-r1EbLGtHzZM/embed/
 
References:
Anand, S. (1990). KHĀṆḌAVADĀHA : A LESSON IN ECOLOGY. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 71(1/4), 25–59. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41693516
Bhargava, P. L. (1982). A FRESH APPRAISAL OF THE HISTORICITY OF INDIAN EPICS. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 63(1/4), 15–28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41692964
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
 
Music: Les-ly - Mini Vandals; Hopeless - Jimena Contreras 
 
 
#ancientindia #india #indianhistory #bharat #mahabharata #ancientindianhistory #mahabharatainenglish #mythology  #stories #indianstories #indiatravel #newpodcastepisode #podcastrecommendation #arjuna #dharma #realmahabharata #pandavas #indianpodcast #krishna #khandavaforestburning #forestfire #nagas #takshaka