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

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

Email your questions to: [email protected]

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

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.

#mahabharata #ancientindia #heroes #podcastrecommendation #newpodcastalert

Email your questions to: [email protected]

Blog: http://storiesofindiaretold.com

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

Instagram: @storiesofindiaretold

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: [email protected]

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

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

Email your questions to: [email protected]

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)

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.

Email your questions to: [email protected]

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.

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: [email protected]

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)

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: [email protected]

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)

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: [email protected]

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)

It is ridiculous how many times I say the word "sons" on this episode! (Insert- sheepish smile emoji)

Niyoga is an ancient Indian practice that was followed to make sure the continuation of a lineage through male progeny. 

Listen to the episode to know more about:

- What it is and how it worked. 

- The reasons for the practice

- Importance of sons in the society

- Different ways to obtain sons

- Rights of sons born through niyoga

Email your questions to: [email protected]

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)

Music: At Depth- Lish Grooves