41 - Forest Life
Summary
TLDRIn this episode of 'Stories from India,' host Narad Moneii continues the epic tale of Ramayana, recounting Ram's exile and his journey into the forest with Sita and Lakshman. They meet King Guha, who helps them cross the Ganges, and settle in Chitra Kut. The unexpected arrival of Bharat with an army leads to a heartfelt discussion about Ram's rightful rule. Bharat offers to rule in Ram's name, symbolized by placing Ram's shoes on the throne, setting the stage for future adventures in Panchali.
Takeaways
- 🎙️ The podcast 'Stories from India' narrates Indian myths, legends, and folk tales, hosted by Narad Mone, a character with eternal life and knowledge of past, present, and future.
- 👑 The story revisits the Ramayana, focusing on Ram's exile due to his father King Dhatar's promise to Queen Kaikeyi, who wanted her son Bharat to rule instead.
- 🏹 Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman willingly leave Ayodhya for 14 years, showing Ram's adherence to his father's promise despite the circumstances.
- 🌳 The trio initially settles in the forest of Chitrakoot, living a simple life by the banks of the river Mandakini, far from their home kingdom.
- 👦 Bharat, upon learning of his father's death and Ram's exile, decides to renounce the throne and offers to take Ram's place in exile, symbolizing his respect and loyalty.
- 👣 Ram refuses Bharat's offer, citing the promise he made to his father and Kaikeyi, and the clear terms of the agreement that cannot be altered.
- 👟 Bharat takes Ram's shoes as a symbol of Ram's rule and places them on the throne, showing his commitment to rule in Ram's name during his absence.
- 🛶 King Guha assists Ram, Sita, and Lakshman in crossing the river Ganges, highlighting the support they receive during their exile.
- 🏞 The peaceful life in Chitrakoot is disrupted by the news of King Dhatar's death, prompting Ram to leave the area in search of a new place to settle.
- 👣 Ram, Sita, and Lakshman plan to move to Panchavati, where they will encounter new adventures and challenges, including the central event of Sita's kidnapping.
- 🎵 The podcast features music from Purple Planet and encourages listeners to follow on social media and subscribe for updates on future episodes.
Q & A
What is the podcast 'Stories from India' about?
-The podcast 'Stories from India' is about myths, legends, and folk tales from India, hosted by Narad Monei, a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge of the past, present, and future.
Who is the main character in the story from the podcast episode?
-The main character in the story is Ram, the oldest son of King Dhatar, who was sent into exile for 14 years due to the machinations of Queen Kaikeyi.
What is the significance of the number '14' in the story?
-The number '14' signifies the duration of Ram's exile, as per the agreement made between King Dhatar and Queen Kaikeyi.
Why was Ram sent into exile?
-Ram was sent into exile because Queen Kaikeyi wanted her own son, Bharat, to rule instead of Ram, and she used conditional promises to manipulate King Dhatar into sending Ram away.
Who are the characters that accompany Ram into exile?
-Ram's wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman, accompany him into exile.
What is the role of the character Vishwamitra in the story?
-Vishwamitra is mentioned as a friend of the world who also has the power to destroy it. He had previously accompanied Ram and Lakshman in the forest, providing them with protection.
What is the significance of the river Ganga in the story?
-The river Ganga is a geographical feature that Ram, Sita, and Lakshman encounter during their exile. They cross it with the help of King Guha, who commissions a boat for them.
What is the name of the hill where Ram, Sita, and Lakshman set up their camp?
-The hill is called Chitracut, a place with fruit trees, wildflowers, streams, and waterfalls, making it a pleasant place to live during their exile.
Why does Bharat come to Ram with an army?
-Bharat comes to Ram with an army because their father, King Dhatar, has died, and he wants Ram to return and take the throne. However, he arrives wearing rags to show his solidarity with Ram's exile.
What is the agreement reached between Ram and Bharat regarding the throne?
-The agreement is that Bharat will rule in Ram's name, administering the kingdom on his behalf, and at the end of 14 years, Ram will return to take the throne.
What does the symbol of Ram's shoes represent?
-Ram's shoes symbolize the rightful ownership of the kingdom. Bharat takes them to place on the throne as a sign that the kingdom belongs to Ram, even in his absence.
What is the significance of the place Panchavati?
-Panchavati is the next place where Ram, Sita, and Lakshman plan to go for their adventures, which will include encounters with a lady who wants to be Ram's friend and the central event of the Ramayan, the kidnapping.
Outlines
🎵 Introduction to Stories from India Podcast 🎵
The script begins with a lively introduction to the 'Stories from India' podcast, hosted by Narad Mone, a mythological character with eternal life and omniscience. The podcast delves into Indian myths, legends, and folk tales. Narad Mone, also a traveling musician and storyteller, invites listeners to explore previous episodes of the Ramayan series. The summary provides a brief on the story of Ram, the eldest son of King Dhatar, who was exiled for 14 years due to the machinations of his stepmother Kaikeyi. Ram's journey into exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman is recounted, highlighting the emotional farewell to their kingdom and the challenges they anticipate in the forest.
🛶 Crossing the River Ganga and Settling in Chitrakut 🛶
In the second paragraph, the narrative focuses on the trio's encounter with King Guha, who helps them cross the River Ganga. They settle in Chitrakut, a picturesque location abundant with fruit trees and wildflowers. The peaceful existence is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of an army led by Bharat, Ram's brother. Bharat, dressed in rags as a sign of solidarity, reveals that their father, King Dhatar, has passed away, longing for Ram. The brothers discuss the implications of the king's death and the throne's rightful succession, with Bharat offering to rule in Ram's name until his return.
👑 The Dilemma of the Throne and the Symbolic Act 👑
The third paragraph explores the complex dynamics of succession and the brothers' agreement on how to handle the throne in Ram's absence. Bharat decides not to physically sit on the throne but to rule on Ram's behalf, reflecting a symbolic gesture of respect. To solidify this arrangement, Bharat takes Ram's shoes as a representation of Ram's rule and returns to Ayodhya with the intention of placing them on the throne. The paragraph also touches on the lighter side, with Sita's reminder to wash the shoes before placing them on the throne and Lakshman's awareness of Ram's physical attributes, such as the difference in the size of his feet.
🏞️ Departure from Chitrakut and Upcoming Adventures 🏞️
The final paragraph of the script hints at the characters' departure from Chitrakut and the beginning of their new journey in Panchavati. It sets the stage for future episodes that will cover various adventures, including an encounter with a lady who wishes to befriend Ram and the pivotal event of Sita's kidnapping, which is central to the Ramayan story. The script ends with a teaser for the next mini-episode, which will feature a demon who is also Vishnu's son, known for his debauchery and abduction of 16,000 women.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ramayana
💡Narad Mone
💡Dharma
💡Exile
💡Sita
💡Lakshman
💡Bharata
💡Ayodhya
💡Ganga
💡Chitra
💡Panchavati
Highlights
Introduction to the podcast 'Stories from India' which discusses myths, legends, and folk tales from India.
The host, Narad Mone, is a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge of past, present, and future.
Summary of the Ramayana episodes covered in the podcast, highlighting the story of Ram, his exile, and the conflict with his stepmother Kaikeyi.
Ram's exile for 14 years due to Kaikeyi's manipulations and the emotional farewell to the kingdom of Ayodhya.
Encounter with King Guha, who helps Ram, Lakshman, and Sita cross the river Ganges.
The trio's life in the forest, their peaceful existence, and the establishment of a hut by the river Mandakini.
The unexpected arrival of an army led by Bharat, revealing the death of King Dasharatha.
Bharat's decision to not rule in Ram's stead and his offer to be in exile as a substitute.
Ram's refusal to accept Bharat's offer due to the promise he made to his father and stepmother.
Agreement that Bharat would rule in Ram's name, highlighting the concept of a representative government.
Bharat taking Ram's shoes as a symbol of his authority to rule on behalf of Ram.
The mention of Ram's diet of fruits and nuts, influenced by the availability in the forest.
Ram's decision to leave Chitra Kut and move to Panchavati due to emotional reasons and new adventures.
Teaser for the next mini-episode featuring a demon who was Vishnu's son and his notorious acts.
Invitation for listeners to engage with the podcast through comments, reviews, and social media.
Acknowledgment of the music source, Purple Planet, used in the podcast.
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 I'm your host narad monei and I'm
a mythological character
myself I have the gift of eternal life
and knowledge of the past the present
and the
future by profession I'm a traveling
musician and a Storyteller so the way
I'm doing my job is by
podcast this week we are back into the
ramayan we have done about seven
episodes of the ramayan so far if you
haven't heard them before I do recommend
you check them
out if not here's a
summary Ram was the oldest son of dharat
the king of
aoda he was meant to succeed
him and everything was going according
to plan until K one of dhat's Queens
stepped in and changed
everything she wanted her own son parat
to rule
instead and so she cast in on a couple
of conditional promises that dharat had
given
her Ram was sent into exile for 14
years Ram his wife saitta and his
brother lakshman left
aoda all this while bat wasn't even
around he had no idea all this was
happening this was sort of like pulling
the goalkeeper off of the football field
when their substitute wasn't even at the
stadium The Spectators loudly booed the
decision quite rightly
so but that didn't have any effect on
K The Spectators wanted to walk off with
ram but Ram implored them to stay and
finish the game and cheer on his
brother he did promise to return in just
14
years that's where we pick up the story
today having said tearful goodbyes to
the people of aota the trio of RAM
lakshman and Sia headed south and a day
or two later officially exited the
kingdom passport control and immigration
checks were a lot easier than they are
these
days which is to say
they just did not
exist but there was an official from
court to record their
departure the three of them stood just
outside the borders of their home
looking at the Dark Forest that lay
ahead lakshman asked do you think there
are users in the
forest I'm sure there are said RAM and
roxus and peace
users cried
lakman rakas cried SAA and be so my
exclaimed the court official behind
them RAM and lakshman had been in a
forest
before see episode 16 16
Flags but they had less to fear then
because they had been accompanied by
vishwamitra the world's friend
who ironically also had the power to
destroy
it lakshman was understandably
nervous he had not particularly enjoyed
the last
trip what with the whole battle with the
invisible shape-shifting demon who threw
Boulders at
them he asked why don't we just pitch
Camp here right here outside the
Border Ram P out his copy of the
contract he had signed with K and
muttered H whereas party of the first
part burden of proof okay got it here it
is we have to be in a forest no less
than 100 miles from the aoda
border so the trio had to walk
on entering unfamiliar
territory this first forest was quite
uneventful
luy but on the other side They Came Upon
the river
ganga it was in full flow there was no
way they could swim
across as they looked around a chap came
along it isn't normal to run into a
random stranger and find out they are
the local King but this was exactly that
kind of a
situation it was guha a king or a chief
of his local
tribe when he found out who they were he
was more than happy to commission a boat
to get RAM lakshman and sitha safely
across and he did it for
free they walked along the ganga and
finally came upon a Hill Called chetra
cut there were lots of fruit trees here
and the landscape was full of wild
flowers there were little streams a few
waterfalls a very pleasant place to set
up
camp just the kind of place that might
have gotten the trio singing Hakuna
Matata they were far enough from aoya
that they built a Hut and lived by the
banks of the river
mandakini all was well for many days and
weeks until one day in the distance
there was
something seemed like a whole Army was
coming
there lakshman looked through a
telescope it's parat he screamed he's
here with an army Pat's going to attack
us but but wait something's not
right as the huge Army got closer and
parat and shatrugna stepped off of their
elephant
it became clear why bat was not wearing
battle armor or
fatigues he was wearing
Rags just like RAM lakshman and
sitha bhat and shatrugna did not look
happy bat quickly explained
why it was because
dharat had
died he had passed away crying out for
Ram just like Stan's parents had said he
would wait did you know about that asked
Ram no said parat
sorrowfully I've only just caught up now
to episode 24 of nared mone's
podcast if I had known before I could
have spoken to K about it and stopped
her k K don't you call her mommy anymore
asked
lakman I have disowned herat
replied satha chimed in but bat if you
and chhatna are here and father is no
more Queen Mother K is no longer a queen
and no longer a mother who's minding the
shop sumantra is for the
moment but don't worry he's not power
hungry besides I've set up a sunset
Clause I've been taught well he said
nodding towards
Ram it took a while to find you three
though luckily I ran into a king who
insisted on giving the entire Army a
ride across the river
ganga with just one boat though it's
taking a
while you mean it took a while asked
Ram no the 51st Battalion is being
transported across as we
speak they'll join us here unless we
make the substitution quick and the
others won't even have to
cross what substitution are you talking
about asked
Ram us of course replied parat didn't
you wonder why I'm wearing drags like
you I'm your
substitute the moment I found out
everything that had happened I knew I
couldn't rule
aota that job is yours
alone I'll be in exile for
you little brother I'm afraid the rules
are quite clear replied Ram you can't
substitute back in someone who's been
substituted
out but I'd be substituting you in Exile
you wouldn't be substituting me on the
throne no the contract and the laws are
very clear even more important is that I
made a promise to dharat and K I cannot
back out of
that they discussed this topic a lot
more
meanwhile the 52nd archers had just
finished Crossing the
ganga finally bhat and Rah reached an
agreement bhat would not sit on the
throne he would
rule but in rah's name
only kind of like how the British Civil
Service claims to execute orders on
behalf of her majesty the
queen parat would do that he'd
administer on rah's behalf
and at the end of 14 years Ram would
return and be given the throne that he
had occupied in
absentia to seal the deal bhat took away
Ram's one good pair of
shoes oh well lakshman could help make
another
pair if vat was keen on placing rah's
shoes on the throne he could have
offered an exchange rather than merely
taking away what Ram did
have a pretty sight it
was bhat with well Shard feet carrying
Ram's shoes on his head towards aoda
while a Barefoot Ram patiently waited
for lakman to Source appropriate raw
material and to shape it for his
feet hey brother lakshman said did you
know your left foot is 8 mm shorter than
the right one but is wider by 1.8 mm toe
joints bat would put the shoes on the
throne as a symbol of whom the kingdom
really belonged
to do please wash them first sitha had
reminded Ram can't sit on a dirty throne
even if that's 14 years
away the one thing Ram couldn't talk bat
out of was his
diet bat insisted on eating fruits and
nuts which is about all that was
available near Ram's Hut in chitra
good
reluctantly bat shatrugna and the entire
Army walked away back to
aoda after they had left Ram couldn't
bear to remain in
chitra the place always reminded him of
his emotions when he heard that dasar
died he had to escape from
that besides he had heard of another
place
punti he explained it to lakshman and
sitha who both agreed to try it
out that's all for
now RAM lakshman and sitha are going to
have lots of Adventures in
puncha including a lady who would really
we like to be Ram's
friend and of course the kidnapping that
is at the heart of the
ramayan a couple of notes on the show
chitra cut just like aoda is a real
place in India check out the pictures
I've
linked though the place does look a lot
different from rah's
time the previous seven Rama and
episodes are all Linked In the show
notes do check them out if you haven't
already that's all for this week if you
have comments or suggestions please
leave a comment or a review on the site
sfip podcast.com or tweet at SFI podcast
you can also find me on Instagram and
Facebook be sure to subscribe to the
show to get notified automatically of
new episodes and thanks to all your
listeners for your support and your
feedback the music is from purp
planet.com that's
purple-planet.com
in the next mini episode we'll meet a
demon he was actually vishnu's son
before he went
drogue besides doing regular conquering
stuff he kidnapped 16,000 women and
stole the earrings of a
goddess I'll see you
[Music]
later
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