11 - The boy who lived

Summary

In this episode of 'Stories from India', Narad Monei explores Krishna's life, focusing on his birth and early challenges. The narrative delves into the prophecy that led to Krishna's parents' imprisonment and the divine intervention that saved him. Listeners are promised intriguing parallels with Greek mythology and a sneak peek into upcoming episodes featuring Jatayu and a mystical mountain.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The podcast 'Stories from India' is dedicated to exploring Indian myths, legends, and folk tales.
• 🗣️ The host, Narad Muni, is a mythological character with eternal life and omniscience, who traditionally travels with a vina, but now uses podcasting.
• 👶 The story of Krishna is divided into four phases: his parents' story, his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
• 🔪 Kamsa, a tyrant king, learns from a prophecy that his sister's eighth child will kill him, leading to a conflict with his sister's husband, Vasudev.
• 🤝 Vasudev negotiates with Kamsa to save his family, agreeing to hand over their eighth child to avoid immediate danger.
• 👼 The gods intervene by transferring Krishna from Devaki's womb to another wife of Vasudev, Rohini, to protect him from Kamsa.
• 🌊 Vasudev escapes with baby Krishna, crossing the Yamuna River during a time freeze, with the help of a divine umbrella provided by a five-headed snake, Kaliya.
• 🔄 Krishna is exchanged with Nanda and Yashoda's baby girl in Gokul, a village near Mathura, to ensure his safety.
• 🤷‍♂️ Kamsa fails to kill Krishna, mistakenly killing the exchanged baby girl who reveals herself as an avatar of the Goddess Yogamaya.
• 📚 The podcast notes the commonality of prophecies about death at the hands of a baby in myths worldwide, including in Harry Potter.
• 🦅 The character Jatayu, a vulture and nephew of Garuda, is introduced as a heroic figure who fights the antagonist of the Ramayana.

Q & A

Who is the host of the podcast 'Stories from India'?

The host of the podcast 'Stories from India' is Narad Muni, a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge of the past, present, and future.

What is the significance of Krishna's life being divided into four phases?

Krishna's life is divided into four phases: his parents' story, his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This division helps to put a different perspective on his actions and understand the distinct stages of his life.

Why did Kamsa imprison Devaki and Vasudev?

Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudev because he heard a prophecy that the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev would kill him. He wanted to prevent this from happening.

What was the prophecy that Kamsa heard about Devaki and Vasudev's eighth child?

The prophecy stated that the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev would kill Kamsa, which led to him imprisoning the couple and attempting to kill their children.

How did the gods intervene to save Krishna from Kamsa?

The gods intervened by transferring Krishna from Devaki's womb to Rohini's, who was another wife of Vasudev and not in jail. This allowed Krishna to be born safely away from Kamsa's reach.

What was the role of the five-headed snake called Shesha in Krishna's life?

Shesha served as a divine umbrella for Krishna during his journey across the Yamuna River, protecting him from the rain.

How did Vasudev manage to cross the Yamuna River with the baby Krishna?

Vasudev managed to cross the Yamuna River by holding the baby Krishna above the water, even in deep parts of the river, with the help of Shesha, the divine snake.

What happened when Kamsa tried to kill the baby girl that Vasudev handed over to him?

When Kamsa tried to kill the baby girl, she slipped out of his hands and fell upwards, laughing at him and speaking in an adult human voice, revealing herself to be an avatar of the Goddess Yogamaya.

Why did Vasudev and Devaki have to be content with having children from the ninth child onwards?

Vasudev agreed to give all their children to Kamsa in exchange for their freedom, which meant they had to be content with having children from the ninth child onwards.

What is the significance of Jatayu in the story mentioned in the podcast?

Jatayu is a vulture and the nephew of Garuda. He is known for intervening in an abduction and fighting the abductor, who is a super villain in the Ramayana.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Introduction to Stories from India Podcast

The script begins with a lively introduction to the 'Stories from India' podcast, which focuses on Indian myths, legends, and folk tales. The host, Narad Muni, a mythological character with eternal life and omniscience, presents himself as a traveling musician and storyteller. The episode's theme revolves around Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, whose life is divided into four phases: the story of his parents and foster parents, his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The narrative kicks off with the story of Kamsa, a tyrant king, who learns from a prophecy that his sister's eighth child will kill him. To prevent this, Kamsa imprisons his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudev, leading to a series of events where the gods intervene to protect the destined child.

05:01

👶 The Divine Escape of Krishna

This paragraph narrates the miraculous escape of Krishna, the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev. As the time for the birth of the prophesied child arrives, the gods orchestrate a switcheroo, transferring Krishna from Devaki's womb to that of Rohini, Vasudev's other wife, who is not imprisoned. Despite Kamsa's vigilance, Krishna is born and Vasudev manages to transport him across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where he exchanges Krishna with Nanda and Yashoda's daughter. The divine intervention is evident as Krishna is protected by a five-headed snake, and Kamsa's attempt to kill the baby girl, who is actually an avatar of the Goddess Yogamaya, fails. The episode ends with Kamsa imprisoning Vasudev and Devaki indefinitely.

10:01

🦅 The Tale of Jatayu and the Parallels in Mythology

The third paragraph introduces Jatayu, a vulture and nephew of Garuda, who is known for his bravery and intervention in an abduction attempt, which is yet to be detailed in the podcast. The script hints at a future episode that will cover this story, drawing parallels with Greek mythology and the prevalence of prophecies about the death of a character at the hands of a baby, referencing Harry Potter as a modern example. The podcast also touches upon the various avatars of Vishnu, including Krishna and Rama, and the debate over the number of Vishnu's avatars, suggesting that there may be more than the commonly referred ten, with Jatayu being one such overlooked avatar.

15:04

🏔️ Upcoming Episode Tease and Acknowledgments

The final paragraph serves as a teaser for the next episode, which will feature a story about a mountain that is not an ordinary mountain but one of immense height and ancient age. The host also invites listeners to point out any errors in the podcast and provides information on where to find transcripts and notes. Social media handles and the music source are shared, along with acknowledgments to friends and family for their support. The script concludes with New Year wishes for the listeners and a sign-off indicating the next episode's release.

Keywords

💡Narad Muni

Narad Muni is a mythological character from Hindu mythology, known for his eternal life and omniscience. In the script, he is the narrator and storyteller, providing a bridge between the divine and the human realms. His role is central to the theme of the podcast, as he recounts stories from Indian mythology.

💡Krishna

Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu and a central figure in Indian mythology, known for his divine life and deeds. The script discusses Krishna's life in four phases, emphasizing his significance in the Hindu pantheon. Krishna's story is integral to the podcast's exploration of myths and legends.

💡Vishnu

Vishnu is a principal deity in Hinduism, associated with preservation and protection of the universe. The script mentions Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu, highlighting the concept of divine incarnations that play a key role in the podcast's narrative.

💡Daksha

Daksha is a king in Hindu mythology, known for his tyranny and the prophecy that led to his conflict with his sister's children. In the script, Daksha's actions set the stage for Krishna's birth and the divine intervention that saved him.

💡Vasudev

Vasudev is Krishna's biological father, who plays a crucial role in the script by negotiating with his brother-in-law, Daksha, to save his children. His character is essential to understanding the divine plan and the protective measures taken for Krishna's survival.

💡Devaki

Devaki is Krishna's mother and Vasudev's wife. The script describes her as a victim of Daksha's tyranny, whose children were targeted by him due to a prophecy. Her role is pivotal in the story of Krishna's miraculous birth.

💡Yamuna River

The Yamuna River is a sacred river in Hinduism and plays a significant role in the script as Vasudev crosses it to save Krishna. The river's mention adds a layer of cultural and religious significance to the story being told.

💡Gokul

Gokul is a village where Krishna was raised, away from his biological parents to protect him from Daksha. In the script, Gokul represents the idyllic setting of Krishna's childhood, which is a key part of the narrative.

💡Nanda Baba

Nanda Baba is the foster father of Krishna, who unknowingly raises him as his own son. The script uses Nanda Baba to illustrate the divine plan and the human aspects of Krishna's upbringing.

💡Yashoda

Yashoda is the foster mother of Krishna and Nanda Baba's wife. Her character in the script represents the nurturing and human side of Krishna's early life, contrasting with his divine origins.

💡Jatayu

Jatayu is a vulture and a character from the Ramayana, mentioned in the script as a nephew of Garuda. His story is used to draw parallels with other narratives, enriching the podcast's exploration of Indian mythology.

Highlights

Introduction to the podcast 'Stories from India', where myths, legends, and folk tales are discussed.

Introduction of Narad Muni, the host, who is a mythological character with eternal life and knowledge of past, present, and future.

The life of Krishna is divided into four distinct phases: his parents' story, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

The story of Kamsa, a tyrant king, and his prophecy about being killed by his sister's eighth child.

Vasudev's negotiation with Kamsa to save his and Devaki's lives by promising to give away their eighth child.

The divine intervention where Krishna is secretly transferred to another wife's womb to escape Kamsa's wrath.

The miraculous escape of Vasudev and the divine signs during Krishna's birth, including time freezing and the opening of iron bars.

Vasudev's journey across the Yamuna River with baby Krishna, protected by a divine umbrella in the form of a snake.

The swap of Krishna with Nanda and Yashoda's baby girl, and the return of Vasudev to prison.

Kamsa's failed attempt to kill the baby girl, who reveals herself as an avatar of the Goddess Yogamaya.

The discussion on the parallels between Indian mythology and other mythologies, such as Greek mythology.

The mention of Vishnu's avatars and the debate on the number of avatars, suggesting more than the commonly known ten.

Introduction of the character Jayatyu, a vulture and nephew of Garuda, with a tragic past and heroic deeds.

Jayatyu's aerial battle with the super villain of the Ramayana, showcasing his bravery and the outcome of the fight.

A teaser for the next episode, which will feature a story about a mountain that is not an ordinary mountain.

Acknowledgment of the podcast's supporters and a New Year's wish to the listeners.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

hello and welcome to stories from India

a podcast where we talk about myths

Legends and folk tales from India in

case this is your first episode let me

quickly introduce myself I narad monei

and I am a mythological character myself

I have the gift of eternal life and

knowledge of the past the present and

the

future and I am a traveling musician and

a Storyteller by

profession I used to walk around with a

wiena for several Millennia but

podcasting has made my job so much

easier we are going to talk about

another avar of Vishnu today we have

encountered Krishna once before as

subhadra's

brother krishna's life is roughly

divided into four phases the first one

paradoxically doesn't feature Krishna

himself much it's more about his parents

his uncle his foster

parents the second one is his

childhood then adolescence and finally

adulthood like most of the rest of us

these are very distinct phases in

krishna's life

and it helps to put a different

perspective on his

actions we start off with a brother and

sister K and

daki K was a tyrant of a king but he was

nice to his sister and he did seem

genuinely happy during her wedding to

vasudev that is until he heard an

announcement from the

sky it sounded like it might might have

been someone sneaking into the control

room and misusing the public address

system but control rooms and

loudspeakers didn't exist back then so C

did the only logical thing he believed

the voice

completely even when it said that the

eighth child of this couple would kill

CS darling sister no longer he

immediately pulled out his sword and

would have succeeded in making her a

Widow on her wedding

day but vasudev was a great negotiator

he promised to deliver to CS his and

devaki's eighth

child CS wasn't completely

dump not child children he said what if

after the seventh child daki has twins

or

triplets in fact what if she had

octuplets the very first

time offense Ed at the suggestion

vasudev retorted she's not an octopus

and neither am I I can assure you we

will have human

children I was passing by and felt the

need to

interfere octop plets aren't baby octopi

they are a set of eight babies born all

at once twins of twins of twins if you

will C went on again in fact what if

this won't even be her first child

how long have you been dating my sister

exactly he asked

vasudev vasev wanted to get off this

very uncomfortable

topic all right then you can have all

the children he said to C we'll lead the

rest of our lives normally we'll just

have to be content with child number

nine onwards then daki wasn't happy with

the arrangement but it was better than

seeing vev

dead at this point both vasev and K

seemed satisfied and were about to shake

on

it it was most terrible then for someone

to let slip a stupid

remark and that someone was me I

couldn't keep a secret

remember and what's more I had a

traumatic past or rather traumatic

future see episode zero for more on that

so when I said something as innocent as

oh it's so nice to see you both get

along especially after all the lying and

treachery between your

grandparents cuns

froze so so it was your grandom who

stole my grandpa's teddy bear he said to

vasev I didn't want to believe it now

you'll pay for this and he put the

couple in

jail now if K had beheaded vasudev or

even just put them in separate cells he

would have been guaranteed immortality

no eigh son by the couple could have

been

born but the man had an ego he thought

no way am I going to let people say I

ran away from a fight with a

baby pretty soon like clockwork the

couple had one baby after another and

like clockwork cuns would kill the

babies when the seventh child was about

to be born the gods decided to pull a

switcheroo they moved the baby from

dak's womb to

rohini's rohini was another wife of

vasudev and more importantly she was not

in jail her child who was transferred to

daki sadly met the same fate as his or

her half brothers and half

sisters then the eighth child was about

to be

born C cancelled all his State visits

and golfing trips he had to be be around

for this one it was

important

bigly one evening the baby was born time

Stood Still Not Just figuratively but

literally everyone and everything was

frozen except for

vasev his chain slipped off too and the

iron bars opened up and no he didn't

suddenly get doctor strangers or

Magneto's powers and in case you were

wondering what time freeze looks like or

what iron bars and chains coming apart

look like the effect was indeed pretty

much the way it's shown in the doctor

strange and X-Men

movies the gods had given vasudev a sign

he knew what he must do

now he quickly picked up the baby and

walked out of jail and went to Gokul a

little village near modern day

matura on the way he had to cross the

Raging yamuna River in heavy pouring

rain the river and the rain couldn't be

frozen of course because that might

upset the whole water

cycle vev was waiting or swimming across

the river clutching the new Bor to him

even where the river was deep he managed

to hold up his infant son just above the

water because cold rain may be terrible

for the baby but it was better than

being

underwater it was pouring cats and dogs

and because the baby was a Divine one he

had a Divine

umbrella and that umbrella was a

five-headed snake called

wuki finally vasudev crossed the river

and reached

Gokul in the dead of night he stole into

the house of a coward

nandaba he exchanged nandaba and Yoda's

baby girl for his own son and returned

swiftly without stopping to

chitchat he rushed back and soon time

unfroze the guards were informed CS came

by give me your baby he

said now CS first agree to grant us our

freedom said

vasev you don't have a bargaining chip

here replied KS you're the one in jail

but sure give me the baby and you're

free

out of the magnanimity of my heart I

will pardon you and release you from

prison vev handed over the baby KS

attempted to kill her right away but the

baby slipped and fell out of his

hands curiously she fell upwards not

downwards and she laughed at him and

spoke in an adult human voice you fool

you think you can kill me said the baby

who was actually an Avatar of the

Goddess

yogaya the eigh child of daki and VV

lives she

added and then stopped when out of the

corner of her eye she saw vev vigorously

shaking his

head did I say something wrong she asked

tuns flew into a rage meanwhile vasev

was trying to make the best of a bad

situation guards you heard your king I

gave him the baby un time me

Pronto no thundered CS you will rot here

forever oh Bal Dash and he stormed off

in a

huff vasudev was just as angry as cuns

but for an entirely different reason he

thought I went through all that

elaborate fuss for nothing if it's that

easy for the gods and goddesses to

escape CS why did I have to walk all the

way to Gokul crossing the river in the

pouring rain and risking

hypothermia daki chimed in or they could

have just transferred the baby like they

did with

balam who's balam asked vasudev our

seventh child said DKI I could tell for

one moment the child disappeared from my

womb and then a different child appeared

I think the gods just switched the

babies they must have found it hard to

add the other baby first and then remove

balam it was like for the briefest

moment I wasn't even pregnant anymore

she

said vev should have complained about

why the gods didn't simply switch

Krishna and yog

mayaya but he seriously doubted his wife

there there dear it all soon be fine he

said meanwhile K gave orders to his

staff to find all the children in his

land who had been born that day and in

Gokul nand Baba and yeshoda woke up the

the next day they were both fairly

surprised to discover that the daughter

they had put to bed last night was now

their

son this was a sign from the god surely

who are we to question their judgment

they thought and continued on with their

lives cow hering and milk

maing we'll leave it here this week some

notes on the show you may see a parallel

with Greek mythology here but that's not

a strong link prophecy

especially those proclaiming death at

the hands of a baby are very common all

over the

world I mean think about Harry

Potter if you've been playing scratch of

bingo with vishnu's avatars you might

already have a winning

combination we've already covered matsa

vaha and we have touched on RAM but

don't worry about running out the RAM

and Krishna avatars which are the ones

will cover most extensively are both

huge but all this talk of 10 avatars is

subjective anyway for example one school

of thought is that balam was an avatar

of Vishnu too but those same schools

reject the idea of rah's Brothers taking

up the Avatar counter if you ask me and

you should ask me given my unlimited

knowledge and my credentials as a

genuine mythological character myself

self Vishnu is not limited to just 10

avatars avatars usually come in packs of

10 at the local Celestial Walmart which

may have led to some

misunderstanding to prove my point

there's moini too who is definitely an

avatar of Vishnu but she doesn't factor

in when most people are enumerating

vishnu's

avatars the character this week is

jatayu jatayu is a waler he's also the

nephew of guda who was our very first

character of the week in this

podcast jatayu when he was young used to

love flying competitions with his

brother saati the two would try to fly

faster and higher than each other until

one day jetu was flying higher than was

safe he was high enough for the sun's

Ray to burn him

however before that could happen saati

intervened and shielded his brother in

the process sti's wings were burned and

unfortunately he spent the rest of his

life

flightless he was lucky enough to

survive as

is later in life jatayu was living in a

forest as most vultures

do in this Forest he observed an

abduction in

progress without giving too much away

since we haven't covered that part of

the ramayan yet jatayu intervened and

fought the

abductor who also happened to be the

super villain of the

ramayan this was an aerial battle since

ran the super villain had a flying

Chariot ran quickly managed to win that

contest thanks to his enormous Powers

which again were brahma's fault

which again were my dad's fault yep

Brahma is my

dad we'll meet chatu again when we get

to that part of the

ramayan next week we'll do a story I

came across recently which reads a

little bit like a mashup of Alibaba and

the 40 thieves and a story of a doll

coming to life kind of like Annabel or

Chucky but maybe not as evil the

character next week isn't a person at

all but a mountain but the word Mountain

doesn't do it justice it's a mountain of

a mountain because it's a million

kilomet high or almost 700,000

M I'm several thousands of years old and

my memory is not perfect sometimes if

you find any errors in my podcast please

Point them out to me you can leave a

comment or a review on my website sfip

podcast.com where you'll also find the

transcripts and notes about the

show the Twitter handle is @ SFI podcast

you'll also find SFI podcast on

Instagram and Facebook the music is from

purp planet.com that's

purple-planet.com

as always thanks to family and friends

for all of your feedback and support

this time I'd like to recognize a few

friend friends and family who have been

particularly helpful thank you

especially to Pari Lita arind UMES

vinaya and madavi for all of their

help thank you also to Janti Shaker

abhinav Manish Sati abishek lakmi heli

shalu and CNU thank you for all your

continued support I wish all my

listeners a very happy and prosperous

New Year I'll see you again in a

[Music]

week