Stories Of India Retold
Indian Mythology Simplified One Story at a Time. A retelling of stories—and the stories behind the stories—from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, puranas, and folklore through the eyes of a book-loving, history buff. Find stories about fantastical creatures; mortals and immortals; or just ordinary men and women achieving extraordinary feats.
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Episodes
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
The #Kauravas and #Pandavas come from line of rulers belonging to illustrious Chandravamsha (Chandra-Moon)or the #Lunar Dynasty. The #Bharata, #Puru, #Kuru and #Yadu #clans came from this #legendary #Kshatriya (warrior class) house. They ruled the northern Indian #subcontinent in the #Vedic age (late Bronze-early Iron Age) and left an indelible mark on the religious, social and cultural identity of present-day India and beyond.
Listen to the #podcast:
The founders of the different clans which emerged from the #dynasty
The #love #stories and marriages of some of the more famous rulers of the Chandravamsha
The stories of the birth of the rulers, how and why they succeeded in leading their clan.
Issues of #infertility, miscarriage–how it affected the succession line; how it was handled.
Music: At Depth-Lish Grooves
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
References:
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)
The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. (2017). Dorling Kindersley India.
Witzel, Michael (1995). “Early Sanskritization. Origins and Development of the Kuru State”. Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies. 1-4: 1-26
#mythology #indianmyth #indianmythology #history #indianhistory #chandravamsha
Friday Apr 28, 2023
Friday Apr 28, 2023
On their way to #Panchala, the #Pandavas met with the #Gandharva King, #Angaaraparna. Things were tense between them initially; they did not start out as friends. After a #fight, in which #Arjuna easily defeated Angaaraparna, the #demigod Gandharva was immensely impressed with Arjuna’s talents and character, and they struck up a mutually beneficial #friendship.
Listen to the story of:
-The reasons the Pandavas decided to travel to Panchala
-Pandavas’ first meeting with Angaaraparna
-The fight between Angaaraparna and Arjuna
-The deal between Angaaraparna and Arjuna
-Arjuna obtains the #knowledge of #Chakshushi from Angaaraparna
-The reasons the Pandavas decided to avail the services of a #priest.
Music: Venkatesananda-Jesse Gallagher; At Depth-Lish Grooves
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
#mahabharata #mahabharat #indianepic #epic #ancientindia #india
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Drupada and Drona’s rivalry is legendary. #Drupada wanted revenge for the humiliating defeat handed down to him by his former friend, #Drona. Because he had no suitable heir, Drupada arranged for a #sacrifice which would provide him with an heir who would have the power to defeat Drona. The sacrifice produced not one, but two children–a son named #Dhrishtadyumna, and a daughter named #Krishnaa. They were both destined to help Drupada obtain his revenge against Drona.
Listen to the story of:
Drupada’s reasons to want revenge against Drona
The sacrifice which would produce Drupada’s heir
Yaja and Upayaja
How Dhrishtadyumna and #Draupadi came from the sacrificial fire
Draupadi’s role in the story of the #Mahabharata.
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
Music: Jesse Gallagher
Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
#newpodcast #newpodcastalert #ancientindia #indianmythology#indian #epic #podcastrecommendations
Friday Mar 31, 2023
Friday Mar 31, 2023
Rakshasa Baka was a bully who terrorized the people of Ekachakra. The people of #Ekachakra were ruled by an incompetent King who did nothing to keep them safe. #Baka volunteered to provide the people with protection from invaders and enemies; however, in exchange he demanded that the people of Ekachakra take turns to provide him with payment, which, unfortunately included eating the person who delivered it to him. The #Pandavas made Ekachakra their temporary home while in hiding. When the truth about Baka became known to them, they decided that it was their duty to protect innocent people and #Bhima was tasked with slaying the rakshasa Baka.
Listen to the story of:
Pandavas’ journey to Ekachakra.
Baka’s demands in exchange for protection for the people of Ekachakra
The conundrum of the brahmana who hosted the Pandavas
Kunti’s offer to help the kind brahmana and his family
The slaying of Baka by Bhima
#mahabharata #ancientindia #heroes #podcastrecommendation #newpodcastalert
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
Sunday Mar 26, 2023
Sunday Mar 26, 2023
The Rakshasa (female:Rakshasi) is a race of beings who were big and fierce looking. They were powerful warriors and were mostly portrayed as the bad guys in ancient Indian scriptures. #Hidimba was one of the better-known Rakshasas in #Indian #mythology–an entire parva is named after the story of his death in the #Mahabharata. After killing Hidimba, the #Pandavas forged an alliance with the #Rakshasas through Bhima’s marriage with Hidimba’s sister. #Bhima and Hidimba had a son named #Gatodkacha, who was extremely loyal to the Pandavas and played an important role in the Pandavas’ victory in the Kurukshetra war.
Listen to the story of:
-The brother (Rakshasa) and sister (Rakshasi) named Hidimba.
-Rakshasi Hidimba’s wish to protect Bhima from her brother.
-Bhima’s fight with Hidimba and the latter’s subsequent death.
-Bhima’s marriage to Hidimba and the birth of their son Gatotkacha.
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
#podcastrecommendation #newpodcastalert #india #indianmythology
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Patil, S. (1976). Myth and Reality of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Social Scientist, 4(8), 68–72. https://doi.org/10.2307/3516381
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
A shorter version of Shakuntala’s story from the #Mahabharata, retold from a slightly different lens.
Shakuntala was the wife of Duhshanta–the founder of the Pourava dynasty, and the mother of the great Emperor #Bharata, who was the founder of the Kuru lineage and ancestor of the #Kauravas and #Pandavas. #Shakuntala was a smart, intelligent and a feisty young woman, and she fell in love with King #Duhshanta. Their love story is unique and has inspired many works of Indian literature.
Listen to the story of:
Shakuntala and Duhshanta’s meeting
Their "love" marriage
Duhshanta’s promise to Shakuntala
Shakuntala’s confrontation with Duhshanta in his court
Duhshanta’s eventual acceptance of his wife and son
Shakuntala’s son named Bharata
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
#shakuntalam #shaakuntalam #dushyantha #indianmythology #podcastrecommendation #lovemarriage
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Ekalavya, a Nishada prince, was one of the best archers who lived in the time of the Pandavas. He wanted to be the best archer and he wanted to be trained by the best teacher–Drona. Drona, however, refused to teach him because Ekalavya was a Nishada. But a determined Ekalaya wasn’t ready to give up. Ekalavya’s actions put to test Drona’s relationship with his most favored student Arjuna. Arjuna did not accept a threat to his position as the best archer around!
Listen to the story of:
Why Drona refused to accept Ekalavya as his student.
Why Arjuna felt threatened by Ekalavya.
How Ekalavya lost his thumb.
Later life of Ekalavya.
Krishna’s role in Ekalavya’s death.
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
The Bhagavata Purana; translated by G. V. Tagare. (1950). Motilal Banarsidass Publishers pvt. Ltd.
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas is legendary. The #Kauravas, especially #Duryodhana, were not only motivated by greed, but they also believed that they were being discriminated against because of Dhritarastra's blindness. They believed the kingdom rightfully belonged to them and were ready to do whatever it took–even murder their relatives, the Pandavas. The burning of the lac house–a well-known story from the #Mahabharata–is one of the many attempts of the Kauravas to kill the Pandavas and is the beginning of the story of the strife and struggles between the two sets of cousins.
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
#lachouse #burningofthelachouse #podcastrecommendation #ancientindia #kurukshetra
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Wednesday Dec 28, 2022
Wednesday Dec 28, 2022
A self made man in a world where one's parentage and lineage decided one's future and worth!
Karna was the secret son of Kunti. Unaware of his real parents and raised as the son of a charioteer, Karna went on to make a name for himself based entirely on his talents and skills in the art of warfare.
Listen to the story of Karna's:
- Birth
- Adoptive parents
- Friendship with Duryodhana
- Enmity with Pandavas
- Coronation as the King of Anga
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
It's not a good idea to get on Drona’s bad side!
One of the most powerful and influential characters in the story of the Mahabharata, Drona, an expert in the art and science of weapons, was the preceptor of the Kuru princes. His deep-seated hatred for his former friend King Drupada was just as legendary as the way he exacted his revenge from his nemesis.
Listen to the story of:
-Drona’s origin
-Drona’s friendship and clash with King Drupada
-How Drona became the Kuru princes’ preceptor
-How Drona got his revenge against Drupada
-How Drona became king.
Email your questions to: storiesofindiaretold@gmail.com
Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com
Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com
Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold
References:
The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)
About
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.”
Sue Monk Kidd, author.
For the people of India, stories from ancient Indian literature is a window into who we are as a people. These stories may be thousands of years old, but they have survived in the hearts and minds of millions of people over generations.
The Epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana), Vedas, Puranas and the folklore of India are not only entertaining, but also tell us about the history of our people and their values. The stories are often times highly exaggerated and layered with fantastical elements—but that is what makes it for a fun reading, and is probably the reason why they have survived, and are beloved still after all these years.
I have been a lifelong lover and reader of books and stories. I am also a parent to two young kids and I wish to share with them the same stories I grew up listening to; the same stories our ancestors, going back thousands of years, grew up listening to. And that is how I started reading books, collecting the stories, and—most important of all—sharing the stories with my two kids, who love to hear all about the superheroes of ancient India.
The stories I publish in this blog is my humble effort at retelling these beautiful stories. The goal is to remain true to the original story (that we know of) as much as possible, but presenting it in a way that is more relatable to children (and adults) today.I read books and research papers and whatever materials I can get my hands on to give you the most authentic stories.
Please join me to explore the world of men, women and gods; mortals and immortals; flying chariots; otherworldly, shapeshifting dragon-like serpents; or just ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats.
Peace and Love.
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