Stories Of India Retold

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.

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Resources: The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)

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)  

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** 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

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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)

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

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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, 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

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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

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

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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

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 

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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.

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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

Arjuna’s actions lead to his exile from Khandavaprastha for 12 years. Arjuna spends the 12-years traveling, building allies and falling in love a few times. Come, follow Arjuna’s adventures!

In order to avoid any chance of breeding resentment amongst themselves, the Pandava brothers decide to set rules regarding their marriage–the rule was simple–if, when a brother was in a room with Draupadi, another brother may not enter that room. Did any brother break that rule? What consequence would they face if they–wittingly or unwittingly–break the rule?

Listen to the stories of:

- Reasons for Arjuna’s exile from Khandavaprastha and brahmacharya.

- Places and tirthas Arjuna visited

- Arjuna’s adventures and valor

- Arjuna and Ulupi

- Arjuna and Chitrangada

- Abduction of Soubhadra

- Meeting Krishna in Dwaraka

Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com

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Music: Beyond- Patrick Patrikios

#ancientindia #india #indianhistory #bharat #mahabharata #ancientindianhistory #mahabharatainenglish #lovestories #love #mythology #indianmarriage #stories #indianstories #indiatravel #newpodcastepisode #podcastrecommendation #indianromance #polygamy #arjuna #brahmacharya #exile #dharma #realmahabharata #pandavas #indianpodcast

Pandavas are finally returning home! Their very advantageous marriage to Draupadi proves to be a brilliant strategy as the Kauravas are taking notice and are calling them back home. This absolutely does not mean that all the Kauravas are glad to see them. Still, the pressure on the Kauravas to do the right thing is intense. The Pandavas are coming home, and there is nothing they can do about it.

Listen to the stories of:

-How things changed for the Pandavas after their marriage to Draupadi.

-Kauravas react to news that Pandavas were alive

-Pandavas return to Hastinapura

-How things were settled between the cousins

-The city of Khandavaprashta and why it is also called Indraprastha.

Podcast website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 

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Music: At Depth- Lish Grooves

Gupta, K. (1939). THE NĀGAS AND THE NAGA CULT IN ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 3, 214–229. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44252377

MATE, M. S. (2012). RIDDLE OF THE “NAGAS.” Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, 72/73, 331–335. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43610709

The Mahabharata 1: Complete and Unabridged; translated by Bibek Debroy. (2015). Penguin Random House India. (Original work published 2010)

#mythology #indianmyth #indianmythology #history #indianhistory #draupadi #swayamvara #polyandry #newpodcastalert #podcast #culture #indianculture #desiweddings #indianweddings #indianmarriage #polygamy #feminism #podcastrecommendation #mahabharata #mahabharat #indianhistory