6 - Fish Highwayman

Summary

In this episode of 'Stories from India,' host Narad Monei, a mythological character with eternal life, delves into the origins of the Ramayana, one of India's most famous epics. The narrative begins with the transformation of Valmiki, a highwayman turned poet, who composes the Ramayana after a divine encounter. The episode also features the tale of Subhadra's abduction of Prince Arjuna to avoid an arranged marriage, showcasing the rich tapestry of Indian mythology and its enduring influence.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The podcast 'Stories from India' narrates myths, legends, and folk tales from India, hosted by Narad Monei, a mythological character with eternal life and omniscience.
• 📚 The podcast begins with the Ramayana, one of the two most famous Indian epics, known to almost every Indian through various mediums including school curriculum, books, TV series, and movies.
• 📖 The original Valmiki Ramayana consists of 24,000 verses, and the podcast will cover it in several episodes to maintain variety and interest.
• 🎼 Valmiki, initially a highwayman, was inspired by two sages to give up his life of crime and became a devotee of Lord Rama, composing the Ramayana after receiving a divine vision.
• 🌟 Valmiki is also an important character within the Ramayana, where he narrates how he heard the story of Rama from Narad and was asked by Brahma to spread the message of Rama.
• 🐦 Valmiki's invention of poetry occurred when he cursed a hunter for shooting a bird, and the words he uttered fit the meter of an ancient Indian musical instrument, the veena.
• 🎼 Valmiki's poetry was recognized by Brahma, who encouraged him to start calling his verses 'poetry' and later instructed him to tell the story of Rama.
• 👦👦 Valmiki taught the Ramayana to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Rama, without revealing their lineage, who later performed it at Rama's court, impressing the audience and receiving gifts.
• 🤔 The script mentions two different versions of Valmiki's past, one as a highwayman/fisherman and another where he met Narad, leaving it to the listener to discern the truth.
• 👸 This week's character, Subhadra, is the sister of Krishna and Balaram, and is considered an incarnation of the goddess Yogamaya, involved in a story of love and abduction to avoid an unwanted marriage.
• 📅 The podcast invites listeners to follow the story of the Ramayana from King Dasharatha, Rama's father, and promises to continue the narrative in the next episode, focusing on a historical queen.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the podcast 'Stories from India'?

The podcast 'Stories from India' is dedicated to discussing myths, legends, and folk tales from India, with each episode featuring a story from Indian mythology followed by a 'Character of the Week' segment.

Who is the host of 'Stories from India' and what is his mythological significance?

The host is Narad Moneii, a mythological character who was given the gift of eternal life and knowledge of the past, present, and future. He is also a traveling musician and storyteller.

What are the two most famous epics from India mentioned in the podcast?

The two most famous epics from India mentioned are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which are known by almost every single person in India.

How many verses are there in the original version of the Ramayana called the Valmiki Ramayana?

The original version of the Ramayana, known as the Valmiki Ramayana, contains 24,000 verses.

What significant event happened in the life of Valmiki that led to his transformation from a highwayman?

Valmiki encountered two sages who had no material possessions but were respected and fed by people for their wisdom and songs about gods. This encounter inspired Valmiki to give up his life of crime and become a devotee of Lord Rama.

What is the significance of the poem that Valmiki composed about the cranes?

The poem Valmiki composed about the cranes is significant because it is considered the invention of a new form of poetry in India, which he later used to compose the Ramayana.

Who is the character 'Subhadra' mentioned in the podcast and what is her significance?

Subhadra is the sister of Krishna and Balaram, and is considered an incarnation of the goddess Yogaya. She is known for abducting Prince Arjun to avoid marrying his cousin, as per her wishes.

What is the role of the character 'Nal and Kush' in the Ramayana?

Nal and Kush are the sons of Lord Rama who were raised by Valmiki. They played the veena and sang the story of the Ramayana to King Rama's court, which was the first time the story was shared.

What is the significance of the 'veena' in the story of Nal and Kush?

The veena is an ancient Indian guitar-like instrument that Nal and Kush played exceptionally well. They used it to perform the story of the Ramayana at King Rama's court.

What is the source of the information about Valmiki's profession as a highwayman/fisherman?

The information about Valmiki's profession comes from a different source called the Puranas, which provides an alternative version of his story.

How does the podcast 'Stories from India' engage with its audience for feedback and suggestions?

The podcast encourages audience feedback and suggestions through their website SFI podcast.com and also via Twitter at @SFIpodcast.