24 - Promises made, hearts broken

Summary

In this episode of 'Stories from India,' host Narad Muni delves into two pivotal events from the Ramayana that significantly impacted Lord Ram's life. The first event recounts King Dasharath's promise to Kaikeyi, his wife, which would later have profound consequences. The second narrates the tragic tale of Shravan, a devoted son whose death by Dasharath's arrow led to a curse of separation from his son. The episode also introduces Sarma, a wolf who taught humans the benefits of dairy farming. The podcast promises to continue with tales of Hanuman and a character from Emperor Akbar's court in the next episode.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The podcast 'Stories from India' explores myths, legends, and folk tales from India, hosted by Narad Muni, a character with eternal life and omniscience.
• 🐺 This week's character, Sarma, is a wolf known for tracking down stolen divine cows, which led to the discovery of dairy products by humans.
• 🎉 The podcast coincides with Ram Naami, celebrating Lord Ram's birthday, and discusses events that influenced Ram's life, even before his birth.
• 🔮 The first event involves King Dasharath and his wife K, where K's exceptional skills with chariots save Dasharath's life during a battle.
• 💎 K's childhood wish to have a diamond-hard hand is granted by a Rishi, which becomes instrumental during the battle when she uses it as a chariot axle.
• 🤝 Dasharath makes two unconditional promises to K, which she later uses to humorously assert her position in the kingdom.
• 📜 The promises are kept secret, known only to K's nurse, Manthara, who has her own agenda and stores them for future use.
• 🏞️ The second event is the tragic story of Shravan, who carries his blind parents on a pilgrimage to purify them for the afterlife.
• 🏹 King Dasharath accidentally kills Shravan while hunting, leading to a curse from Shravan's parents that he will be separated from his son and die longing for him.
• 🌊 The curse, initially thought to be irrelevant by Dasharath due to having no sons, becomes a tragic prophecy that impacts the rest of the Ramayana.
• 📚 The podcast provides links to holy sites for those interested in the pilgrimage practice, which is still relevant today.

Q & A

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

The host of the 'Stories from India' podcast 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 the color orange in the context of the podcast's story about King Dasharath?

In the story, wearing a protective orange vest is suggested as a good idea when walking in a hunting zone, possibly to avoid accidents like the one that led to the death of Shravan in the forest.

What is the moral lesson from the story of King Dasharath's promise to Kaikeyi?

The moral lesson is to be careful with unconditional promises, as they can have unintended consequences. King Dasharath's promise to Kaikeyi led to significant events in the Ramayana.

What is the role of the character Sarma in the story?

Sarma is a wolf or dog who helped track down stolen divine cows. Her actions are said to have inspired humans to consume cow's milk, leading to the start of the dairy industry.

Why did Shravan's parents want to visit holy sites?

Shravan's parents, who were old and blind, believed that visiting holy sites would purify them in preparation for the afterlife.

What tragic event occurred in the forest that greatly affected King Dasharath?

King Dasharath accidentally killed Shravan while hunting in the forest, mistaking him for a deer due to the sound of him drinking water.

What was the curse given to King Dasharath by Shravan's parents?

Shravan's parents cursed King Dasharath to be separated from his son and to die longing for him after the tragic death of their son at his hands.

What is the significance of the character Hanuman in the Ramayana?

Hanuman is a significant character in the Ramayana, known for his extraordinary powers and selfless acts. He is compared to Superman in the podcast, highlighting his strength and noble nature.

What is the connection between King Dasharath's hunting incident and the events of the Ramayana?

The hunting incident and the subsequent curse by Shravan's parents are believed to have greatly influenced Ram's life and are considered a catalyst for the events of the Ramayana.

What is the role of the character Kaikeyi in the Ramayana, and how does it relate to the promises made by King Dasharath?

Kaikeyi plays a crucial role in the Ramayana, as her demands on the promises made by King Dasharath lead to Ram's exile, which is a pivotal event in the epic.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Introduction to Stories from India Podcast 🎵

The podcast 'Stories from India' is introduced by the host, Narad Muni, a mythological character with eternal life and omniscience. The podcast delves into Indian myths, legends, and folk tales. The host's profession as a traveling musician and storyteller is highlighted. The episode's focus is on two significant events from the Ramayana involving King Dasharath that influenced Ram's life. The first event is related to a hunting incident where King Dasharath's life is saved by his wife, K, who also teaches humans about the benefits of cows as a source of milk and butter. The second event involves a tragic hunting accident where Dasharath accidentally kills a boy named Shravan, leading to a curse that affects his relationship with his son. The podcast also mentions the celebration of Ram's birthday, Ramnaami, and the chronological placement of these events in relation to previous episodes.

05:00

🏹 King Dasharath's Unconditional Promises 🏹

In a battle, King Dasharath is saved by his wife, K, who skillfully maneuvers their chariot and even replaces a broken axle with her hand, which was made as hard as diamond by a Rishi. After recovering, Dasharath, in gratitude, makes two unconditional promises to K. She jokingly asks for a hundred more promises and then to be made the queen, but later reassures Dasharath she was only teasing. The promises are written down and kept secret by Kai's nurse, Mantra, setting the stage for future events in the Ramayana.

10:02

🌲 The Tragic Tale of Shravan and the Curse 🌲

Shravan, a devoted son, embarks on a journey to holy sites with his blind and elderly parents. While fetching water for them, he is mistakenly killed by King Dasharath during a hunting expedition. Dasharath, filled with remorse, brings water to Shravan's parents, who upon learning of their son's death, curse Dasharath to be separated from his son and die longing for him. The parents die shortly after, and Dasharath is left with the burden of their curse, unaware of its future impact on his life.

15:02

🐺 The Legend of Sarma and the Divine Cows 🐺

The character of the week is Sarma, a wolf or dog who is the mother of all dogs and the royal dog-wolf of heaven. Sarma is called upon to track down divine cows stolen by demons. Using her keen sense of smell to follow the scent of the cows' milk, she leads Indra, the king of the gods, to the thieves' hideout. The cows are recovered, and Sarma's actions are said to have inspired humans to consume cow's milk, effectively starting the dairy industry. The podcast concludes with a teaser for the next episode, which will feature Hanuman, a character with extraordinary powers and a selfless nature.

Keywords

💡Narad Muni

Narad Muni is a mythological character in Hindu mythology known for his eternal life and omniscience. In the script, he serves as the host of the podcast, 'Stories from India,' which focuses on Indian myths and legends. His role ties into the theme by providing a bridge between ancient tales and modern storytelling.

💡Ramayan

The Ramayan is one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, which narrates the life of the prince Rama. In the script, the podcast episode delves into two events from the life of King Dasharath, which have significant implications for Rama's life. The Ramayan is central to the episode's theme of exploring the impacts of past actions on the present.

💡Dasharath

Dasharath is the father of Rama and a prominent character in the Ramayan. The script discusses two pivotal incidents from his life that greatly influenced Rama's destiny. Dasharath's actions and the consequences thereof are integral to the episode's exploration of cause and effect in the epic narrative.

💡Kaikeyi

Kaikeyi is the queen of King Dasharath and plays a significant role in the Ramayan. In the script, she is depicted as a skilled charioteer who saves Dasharath's life in battle. Her character is used to illustrate themes of loyalty, bravery, and the unforeseen consequences of promises made in the heat of the moment.

💡Unconditional Promises

Unconditional promises are commitments made without any conditions attached. In the script, Dasharath makes such promises to Kaikeyi, which later have profound effects on the narrative of the Ramayan. This concept is key to understanding the episode's message about the weight and implications of one's words.

💡Shravan

Shravan is a character in the script who is known for his devotion to his blind and aged parents. His tragic death, caused by King Dasharath's hunting accident, is a central event in the episode. Shravan's story is used to explore themes of filial piety, tragedy, and the moral responsibilities of a ruler.

💡Curse

In the context of the script, a curse is a solemn utterance or imprecation that invokes a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone. The curse by Shravan's parents upon Dasharath is a pivotal moment that foreshadows future events in the Ramayan and underscores the theme of retribution and the consequences of one's actions.

💡Sarma

Sarma is a character mentioned in the script as the mother of all dogs or wolves and is associated with the recovery of divine cows in Hindu mythology. Her story is used to illustrate the origins of the dairy industry and the keen sense of smell of canines, adding a mythological perspective to everyday practices.

💡Hanuman

Hanuman is a central figure in the Ramayan, known for his extraordinary powers and selfless service. In the script, the upcoming episode is teased to cover tales from Hanuman's life, highlighting his role as a heroic figure with a fascinating origin story, which parallels the theme of extraordinary beings in mythology.

💡Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio program available for download or streaming. In the script, the podcast 'Stories from India' serves as the medium through which the mythological tales are narrated. The podcast format is essential to the episode's delivery and accessibility, allowing for an engaging and modern retelling of ancient stories.

Highlights

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

Discussion on two significant events from King Dasharath's life that impacted Ram's life.

The importance of wearing protective orange in hunting zones as a safety measure.

The cautionary tale about making unconditional promises and the potential listeners.

Introduction of the character 'Sarma', a wolf who helped humans discover the benefits of cow's milk and butter.

The celebration of Ram Naami, Ram's birthday, and its connection to the events discussed.

The story of King Dasharath's first incident on the battlefield with K, his wife, and her exceptional skills.

K's miraculous hand strength granted by a Rishi, which saved her and Dasharath during a chariot battle.

Dasharath's unconditional promises to K and the humorous request for 100 more promises.

The secret about the promises known only to Mantra, Kai's nurse, and her hidden agenda.

The second incident involving Dasharath's accidental killing of Shravan, a devoted son.

The tragic curse by Shravan's parents that Dasharath would be separated from his son and die longing for him.

The practice of visiting holy sites for purification before the afterlife, still prevalent today.

The story of Sarma's role in recovering divine cows and inspiring the dairy industry.

Upcoming episode preview featuring tales from the life of Hanuman, the 'Superman' of Indian mythology.

Introduction of a character from Emperor Akbar's court who outwitted both Akbar and Birbal.

Invitation for listeners to comment, review, and subscribe for the next episode.

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 am your host narad money 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 naturally I'm

podcasting this week we are back into

the ramayan we'll talk about two events

King dasharath was involved in that had

a big impact on Ram's

Life we'll see why it's a good idea to

wear a protective orange West when

walking in a hunting Zone we'll also see

that if you're making unconditional

promises to someone you should be

careful to see who else is listening

in the character this week is a wolf who

is excellent at tracking down stolen

cows and she taught humans that cows can

be a good source of milk and

butter so we are back again in the

ramayan very appropri rately so since

this Thursday we'll be celebrating Ram

naami which is Ram's birthday these two

events which happened to Ram's father

King dharat happened much before Ram was

born but greatly influenced his

life chronologically they happened

before episode 8 Kingdom by

horse but they fit in right after

episode 16 16 Flags

you know to avoid spoilers and

stuff the first incident in Dash's life

was on the

battlefield dashar was accompanied by K

to whom he had recently been

married and by that I mean they hadn't

even had the chance to remove the Just

Married sticker from their

Chariot and they weren't really sitting

together in the Chariot as a couple on

their honeymoon should

instead the bride was driving the

Chariot now all this was by

Design K was a princess who had grown up

with lots of Chariots and horses in her

playtime she'd outperform Her Seven

Brothers pretty much all the

time so naturally when dharat announced

that he had to go on a work trip

traveling by horr Chariot she was eager

to jump into the saddle and go

along and it's a fortunate thing for

dash that she did

because it turned out dharat wasn't

winning this

battle his army was pretty quickly

overwhelmed by the rain of arrows from

the

enemy one of the arrows even hit

dharat and that was before the Chariot

axle

broke K The Horse Whisperer whispered a

command to the

horses and they instantly obeyed her

speeding up and dodging enemy

chariots with a chariot on autopilot

like that K leaned out the side and used

her hand as an axle

replacement

ordinarily that would have had quite a

gruesome

outcome but during her childhood a

visiting Rishi had granted Kai's wish of

having a hand as hard as d

Diamond kind of like Colossus from the

X-Men movies and

Comics but just with her hand not her

whole body Ki escaped with dharat back

to his

Palace she nursed him back to

health when he did recover his first

reaction was one of

thanks K had saved his life and nursed

him back to health surely that deserved

something

I'm going to make two very unconditional

promises right now ask for anything K it

shall be

yours geez she said you make it sound

like saving your life and nursing you

back to health are on

par saving your life should count for

more than just having to take care of

you while you got

better I hope you're not just making

unconditional promises to your doctors

and nurses

too too late

I already spoke the words I'm on aound

now Das

said okay fine she said if you insist

I'll redeem my first wish right

now I wish for a 100 more unconditional

promises ooh ah mumbled Dash shuffling

his

feet she said okay then just make me the

queen of the land abdicate in my

favor o oh uh but started

dharat relax I'm just pulling your leg

she said you can keep the administrative

work yourself I'm happy to live in the

palace and ride chariots now and then

dashurat breathed a sigh of

relief he did write her a couple of IUS

though only one other person knew about

those

promises and that was

Mantra she was was Kai's nurse back from

when Kai was born and she had an agenda

of her

own Ki kept the IUS in her safe and

there they lay forgotten for

decades that's the first

incident those IUS may seem harmless

right now but they are a bit like Czech

hov's

gun they are going to appear on the

scene at a later date to a much more

dramatic effect

effectively as Catalyst for the rest of

the

ramayan the second incident happened in

a forest near

aoda shran was just a regular boy who

lived in a village nearby he was the

sole bread winner in his family his

parents were both old and

blind shran was utterly devoted to them

and would take care of their slightest

wish when his parents sense that they

had not long to live they decided that

it was about time for them to go on a

road

trip but wait a pleasure trip isn't what

they had in

mind they believed that a trip to all

the holy sites around the country would

purify them in preparation for the

afterlife when they mentioned this to

Shan he was more than happy to take them

on the

trip quite literally as it happens

Shan's parents couldn't

walk and shran could not afford a

cart so he did the next best thing he

made a shoulder sling for himself with a

woven basket at each

end he helped his mom and dad into a

basket each and carried

them as I'm sure you can imagine it was

hard work in the hot Indian

summer but Shin kept going and pretty

soon they entered the

forest his parents had both gone thirsty

then and they asked Shan for some

water seeing as Shan had been carrying

two

adults he hadn't the capacity to also

carry water for the

journey he would have to find water here

somewhere that shouldn't be hard he

thought the suru river is quite near and

I can even hear it he asked his parents

to hold on it didn't make sense to carry

them to the river and back

again instead he would go quickly and

fetch water for

them his parents

waited but it was going to be one long

wait Shan made his way through the

forest to the

river of course he was thirsty from all

the heavy lifting

he stopped to drink water

himself meanwhile in the forest

dasharath was

hunting dashar had the remarkable

ability to fire an arrow Guided by sound

alone he didn't have to see the target

he could simply hear it and hit

it just like Rah did in episode

16 so that's what dashar did as he

scanned the a area around him he

suddenly heard a deer or something

drinking from the

river was it Reckless to fire an arrow

at a Target he couldn't see

maybe but then he could collect the deer

and go back home in time for

lunch he fired the arrow without

thinking too

much and he was sure it hit the target

because there was a

sound un fortunately it was not the

sound of a

deer dashar rushed to the river to

discover his Arrow had exactly hit the

source perfect

Marksmanship but it wasn't a deer it was

Shin dashar quickly held the boy and

tried to see what he could do to make

him

better he screamed for help but it was

too late

it was a mortal wound there was no hope

for Shan

now dashar asked the dying boy if there

was anything he could do for

him yes gasped shran pointing into the

woods my parents over there are thirsty

please take them some

water and that's the last thing he ever

said dying is last past thoughts had

still been focused on his parents'

Comfort dharat was extremely

remorseful he had committed a huge

crime his job as King was to protect his

people and yet he was responsible for

the death of this

boy how was he going to face the parents

of this boy he had just

killed he had to do his duty

though he collected some water from the

river and took it to Shan's

parents the parents though blind could

instantly sense that something was

wrong shravan had taken far too long and

these weren't his footsteps that they

were

hearing dashar delivered the bad news

right

away he was honest with them about his

role in the the boy's tragic

death he had killed their boy

accidentally the parents were both

devastated dashar tried to console them

and offer them the water

again but they weren't having

it what was the point of water when they

had lost the one person who cared about

them there was no point in going on from

then on they had absolutely nothing to

look forward

to they did one thing though they cursed

dasharath he would be separated from his

son and he would die longing for

him still remorseful for his

action dashara did what he could to help

them but Shan's

parents did not survive very long

without their

son dashar thought of the curse for long

after he certainly regretted his

actions but as he had no Sons at the

time he could not help but wonder that

the curse would not really apply to

him little did he

know that's all I have for

now K has a big role to play in what

happens

next in one version of the Shan story

Shan's mother is related to

dharat but that narrative doesn't really

work with the rest of the

story the road trip that Shan's parents

wanted to go on it's really a thing it's

practice to this day there are lots of

those sites that people go to and I have

some links on the website check them

out the character this week is a wolf

who is excellent at tracking down stolen

cows and who taught humans that cows can

be a good source of milk and

butter Sarma is a wolf or maybe a

dog thousands of years ago there wasn't

much to distinguish between the two

anyway Sarma was the mother of all

dogs she was the royal dogwolf of

heaven so when some demons stole the

Divine cows she was called into action

to track down the

cows because as everyone knows dogs and

wolves have a keen sense of

smell she tracked the cows by the smell

of their

milk why the demons bothered to Milk The

Cows as they were transporting them

wasn't very

clear maybe it was because functioning

cows are in deep distress if they aren't

milked

but at any rate this helped Sarma track

down the

cows she quickly LED Indra the king of

the gods to the cave where the demons

were

hidden Indra made quick work of the

demons and the cows were

restored the fact that surma followed

the scent of the cow's milk is supposed

to have inspired humans to try consuming

cow's

milk and just like that the dairy

industry was

born that's it for this week if you have

comments or suggestions please leave a

comment or a review on the site SFI

podcast.com or tweet at SFI podcast you

can also find me on Instagram and

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automatically thanks to all your

listeners for your continued

support the music is from purp

planet.com that's

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next week we'll cover a couple of tales

from the life of yet another ramayan

character and that is

Hanuman Hanuman is the equivalent of

Superman he's got extraordinary powers

with a more interesting origin story

than his Kryptonian comic book

equivalent and yet he helps others

selflessly and at Great risk to

himself the character next week is a

person from the court of Emperor

abar this person sometimes got the

better of both akar and

beerbo

surprised tune in next week to find

[Music]

out