30 - Banished
Summary
TLDRIn this episode of 'Stories from India,' host Narad Monei delves into the Ramayana, exploring King Dasharath's decision to crown Ram and the political intrigue that leads to Ram's exile. The episode also features the tale of Gajendra, an elephant who survives a crocodile attack through divine intervention, highlighting themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and divine grace.
Takeaways
- πΆ The podcast 'Stories from India' explores myths, legends, and folk tales from India, hosted by Narad Mone, a mythological character with eternal life and knowledge.
- π° The story continues from the Ramayana, focusing on the political intrigue and family dynamics within the royal family of King Dasharath.
- π King Dasharath, nearing retirement, decides to pass the kingdom to his eldest son, Ram, who is seen as the most capable and is an avatar of Vishnu.
- π The episode introduces a conflict between King Dasharath's wives, particularly Kaikeyi, who leverages her husband's past promises to demand that her son Bharat be made king instead.
- π Ram, displaying great humility and obedience, agrees to go into exile for 14 years, demonstrating his respect for his father's decision and his mother's wishes.
- π¨βπ¦βπ¦ Ram's brother Lakshman and his wife Sita decide to accompany him into exile, showing their loyalty and commitment to their family.
- π Kaikeyi's actions are often criticized, but the script suggests a deeper look at King Dasharath's role in making rash promises that led to the exile.
- π³ The people of Ayodhya decide to follow Ram, Lakshman, and Sita into exile, showing their unwavering loyalty and belief in Ram's leadership.
- π The episode also tells the story of an elephant king named Gajendra, who survives a crocodile attack through divine intervention after praying to Vishnu.
- πΊ Gajendra holds a lotus in his trunk while praying to Vishnu, which becomes a symbol of his devotion and leads to his salvation.
- π£ The podcast encourages listeners to engage by leaving comments, reviews, or reaching out on social media, and teases upcoming episodes featuring new characters and stories.
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 a character named Narad Monei who is a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge.
Who is the main character in the 'Ramayana' narrative discussed in the podcast?
-The main character in the 'Ramayana' narrative discussed in the podcast is Ram, the eldest son of King Dasharath and an avatar of Vishnu.
What significant event occurs in the podcast's narrative involving Ram?
-In the podcast's narrative, Ram is set to be exiled for 14 years, a decision influenced by his stepmother Kai using her wishes owed to her by Dasharath.
Why does Kai want Ram to be exiled?
-Kai wants Ram to be exiled because she fears that once Ram becomes king, her son Bharat would be sidelined, and she wants to secure the throne for her own son.
What is the significance of the 'House of Cards' reference in the podcast?
-The 'House of Cards' reference is used to describe a political move executed by Kai, which is reminiscent of the manipulative tactics seen in the TV series 'House of Cards'.
What does the podcast suggest about the character of Ram?
-The podcast suggests that Ram is a skillful warrior, a respectful and loving son, and someone who is willing to obey his parents' wishes, even if it means going into exile.
Who accompanies Ram into exile?
-Ram's brother Lakshman and his wife Sita accompany him into exile.
What is the role of the character Mantra in the narrative?
-Mantra is Kai's former nanny who influences Kai's decision to have Ram exiled, by reminding her of the power dynamics that could arise after Ram's ascension to the throne.
What is the moral dilemma faced by Dasharath?
-Dasharath faces a moral dilemma between honoring the promises he made to Kai and doing what is right for his kingdom and his sons.
What is the story of the elephant Gajendra mentioned in the podcast?
-The story of the elephant Gajendra is about an elephant king who survives a crocodile attack through divine intervention after praying to Vishnu, holding a lotus in his trunk.
What is the significance of the story of Gajendra in the context of the podcast?
-The story of Gajendra symbolizes faith and divine intervention, showing that even in dire circumstances, one can find salvation through devotion and prayer.
Outlines
π Introduction to Stories from India
The podcast 'Stories from India' is introduced by the host, Narad Mone, a mythological character with eternal life and knowledge. The show delves into Indian myths, legends, and folk tales. This week's episode continues the narrative of the Ramayana, focusing on political maneuvers and familial conflicts. King Dasharath and his four sons, who are avatars of Vishnu, are central characters. Ram, the eldest, is particularly highlighted for his skills and his internship with Rishi Vishwamitra. The host recommends previous episodes for context and sets the stage for the episode's plot, which involves a decision about the kingdom's succession.
π The Dilemma of Succession
King Dasharath, nearing retirement, contemplates his legacy and the future of his kingdom. He decides to pass the throne to his eldest son, Ram, a decision supported by his council. However, Kai, one of Dasharath's wives, influenced by her nanny Mantra, uses her wishes owed to Dasharath to demand that her son Bharat be made king and Ram be exiled for 14 years. This unexpected turn of events disrupts the planned succession and causes turmoil in the kingdom. Dasharath is left devastated, but Kai is adamant, leading to a significant change in the kingdom's future.
π³ Ram's Exile and the People's Loyalty
Despite the sudden and drastic change in plans, Ram accepts his fate with grace, ready to begin his exile immediately. His brother Lakshman and wife Sita decide to accompany him, demonstrating their unwavering loyalty. As they prepare to leave, the people of Ayodhya express their support for Ram, even choosing to join him in exile. Ram, however, explains the logical flaw in their decision, emphasizing that he must be in exile alone. The people agree to wait for his return, showing their enduring loyalty and faith in Ram's judgment.
π The Tale of Gajendra the Elephant
The episode concludes with a story about Gajendra, an elephant king, who is attacked by a crocodile while bathing in a lake. Despite the herd's inability to help, Gajendra prays to Vishnu, holding a lotus in his trunk. Vishnu responds to his plea, arriving and killing the crocodile, thus saving Gajendra. This tale serves as a testament to the power of faith and divine intervention. The episode ends with a teaser for the next story, involving Vikram and Bal, and a reminder for listeners to stay tuned for more adventures.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Narad Muni
π‘Ramayana
π‘Dasharatha
π‘Rama
π‘Kaikeyi
π‘Bharata
π‘Lakshmana
π‘Sita
π‘Exile
π‘Gajendra
π‘Vishnu
Highlights
Introduction to the podcast 'Stories from India' which discusses myths, legends, and folk tales of India.
The host, Narad Mone, is a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge.
The podcast continues the narrative of the Ramayana, focusing on political maneuvers and familial conflicts.
The story of an elephant surviving a crocodile attack through divine intervention is highlighted.
Background on King Dasharath, his wives, and his four sons, who are avatars of Vishnu, is provided.
Emphasis on Ram, the eldest son, as a skilled warrior with an internship under Rishi Vishwamitra.
Recommendation to check previous episodes for a deeper understanding of the story so far.
Dasharath's contemplation on his successful rule and the next steps for his kingdom.
The decision to make Ram the successor is unanimously agreed upon by the council.
The patriarchal society's influence on the decision-making process regarding the successor.
Kai's conversation with Mantra and the manipulation that leads to a change in her support for the successor.
Kai's use of her wishes to change the successor from Ram to Bharat, causing a significant shift in the kingdom's future.
Ram's acceptance of his exile and his readiness to leave immediately, showcasing his character.
Lakshman and Sita's decision to accompany Ram into exile, emphasizing their loyalty and commitment.
The people's decision to follow Ram, Lakshman, and Sita into exile, showing their unwavering support.
Ram's logical explanation to the people about the nature of exile and their decision to wait for his return.
The story of the elephant king Gajendra and his encounter with a crocodile, leading to divine intervention.
The moral of the story about Gajendra, emphasizing the power of prayer and faith in times of crisis.
Closing remarks and a preview of the next episode's story involving Vikram and Bal.
Invitation for feedback and engagement with the podcast through various social media platforms.
Acknowledgment of the music source and a tease for the next week's character, the pole star.
Transcripts
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
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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'll pick up where we
left off in the
ramayan we'll see a nanny who executes a
very House of card style political move
we'll also see a father conflicted
between his love for his wife and his
love for his
son the character this week is an
elephant that manages to survive a
crocodile attack thanks to some divine
intervention so far on the ramayan we
have met King dasharath his three wives
and four
Sons the sons are all avatars of wish
and primarily amongst them is the eldest
Ram after whom the ramayan is
named Ram is a very skillful
Warrior he's also had an internship with
the Rishi
vishwamitra and took care of a pest
problem for
him vishwamitra took him and lakshman on
a study tour which ended up with the two
Prin princess married to a couple of
princesses I recommend checking out
previous episodes 6 7 15 16 and in
particular episode
24 I've linked all of these in the show
notes we begin at the palace where the
four princes were all grown up and
married right about then bhat one of the
sons was at his mother's Kingdom on a
holiday dasharath was still in charge of
running the
kingdom but he was now getting
old he looked back at his time as
ruler and yes he had definitely checked
all the pre-retirement
boxes one Kingdom well ruled
check people who paid their taxes but
were still happy
check vishwamitra was now a powerful
Rishi friend
check three wives who could stand by him
through anything
check four Sons now all avatars of
Vishnu
check so the next stage in his life
could
begin all he had to do now was to hand
over the Reigns of the Kingdom to the
most capable of his
sons
now that retirement was definitely the
path forward the choice of successor was
a
no-brainer it had to be Rah the eldest
of his
sons he consulted with his
councel and yeah they agreed
unanimously all four princes were
equally capable but Ram was more equal
than the rest to borrow a
phrase now a father making a decision
about his children would normally
consult with the
mothers but this was a very patriarchal
society so he made the decision and let
his wives
know all three of his wives were of
course
thrilled Rah was the perfect son to all
three of them he always treated them
with immense respect and
love
well all of them were thrilled except k
k k k was initially thrilled as well but
that soon changed when she had a
conversation with
Mantra now you might recall that dharat
owed KK a couple of pretty big
wishes and Mantra knew about them see
episode 24 promises made hearts
broken yes Kay k was happy when she
heard the news from her ex Nanny
Mantra Mantra was a very old woman she
had been bat's Nanny just as she had be
K as was the custom K gifted a necklace
to the
messenger Mantra was an old lady and had
no use for a
necklace but she could have just sold
it she
didn't she threw away the necklace in
Anger now if you're a servant of the
queen you normally don't throw aside an
expensive gift like
that unless you pretty much raised the
queen from when she was a
baby k was
surprised but not
offended what's wrong Mantra she
asked Mantra told
her making Ram the next king when parat
was
away this was just a Prelude to exiling
or even killing bat
no way said Ki Ram would never do that
to his
brother maybe not
Ram what about
kelia she'll be the queen
mother K did hesitate this
time yes the rule stated that the queen
mother had more power than all the other
queens Mantra even reminded her of the
suku and Duku story from episode
26 where the favorite wife and her
daughter were really quick in evicting
the other residents of the
household Mantra
persisted and Kai seemed to be giving
in but what can I do about it asked
K Mantra replied you cly need me to
solve every problem for you tarat made
two unconditional promises to you surely
you haven't forgotten
those that was
enough Kai immediately requested Dash's
presence in her rooms in a way that
amounted to a
summons dasharath was agitated to learn
that Kai was cashing in her two IUS
and she wasn't asking for a new Chariot
or a vacation or
something what she wanted would change
their lives and the lives of everyone in
the Kingdom
forever she wanted parat to be made King
and for Ram to be exiled for 14
years in Ancient India like life
expectancy was not great so the teenage
Ram would be pretty much old by the time
he
returned if he returned at
all at least that's what Ki was
thinking dharat was
devastated but Kai would not listen to
him even the fact that the coronation
party invites were already sent out with
Ram's name on it and all the balloons
and the big congratulations Ram cake and
all the table
settings nothing changed her
mind this was like trying to do a last
minute substitution at the altar when
the wedding was already well
underway asking bat to be king was easy
but how could he possibly ask Ram to
leave the palace and go into
Exile k
was not willing to
budge she had the IUS from dharat and
the legal department found no
loopholes tarat was going to have to
give
in he called Rah over and SED the whole
story
out Rah handled it really
well if it's 14 years I'd better get
started right away way he said the
sooner I begin the sooner I'll be
back he addressed Kai you know Mom you
could have just ordered me to go I would
have
gone you might think that this was a
parting shot to make Kai think she had
wasted one of her
IUS but that was not Ram's
intention he meant it he really would
have followed Kai's order
ERS lakshman who was Ram's brother and
His companion on his internship with
vishwamitra decided that he would go
too the two were a team and you can't
just break up a
team sitha Ram's wife wanted to go along
too she had sworn to be with her husband
in sickness and in
health she would wasn't about to back
out of what was essentially a 14-year
long camping
trip as much as RAM wanted them to hang
back in
Comfort he couldn't refuse his brother
or his
wife to tell the truth it would be a bit
boring without anyone
else as they left the palace they wore
simple clothes not Royal
ones they did want to attract the
attention of Highway Men including
perhaps former colleagues of the author
valmiki the people of the Kingdom had
made a
decision Rah was going to be their King
whether K or dharat or Ram himself
wanted it or
not they would follow RAM lakshman and
sitha into
Exile this touched Ram's heart
but he had to point out the logical
flaw
aoda was a people not a
place Ram couldn't be in Exile if aoda
joined him everywhere he
went the people understood when he
explained this they could
relate they had just watched Thor
Ragnarok where Thor comes to a similar
realization
about
ascard with a heavy
heart they decided to
wait 14 years was long but not terribly
long they would endure
it it would not be
bad Rah told them to treat King Bat just
the way they had expected to treat
Ram if Ram trusted parat that was good
enough for
them they hung back as the brothers and
Sia headed out of the
Kingdom meanwhile Speedy Messengers had
been dispatched to fetch bat
back Kai was on cloud
nine she had in effect bent the whole
Kingdom to her
will kelia was
sad but she had confidence in her
son he had packed some musquito repent
and a few cans of food he would manage
for a few days at
least dasharath was bedridden
now in grief he cried for his
son just the way Shan's parents had said
he
would RAM lakshman and Sia left the
Kingdom on foot and wandered through one
Forest after
another we'll end it here but they will
go on to have all kinds of Adventures
meet all kinds of creatures make all
kinds of friends and some
enemies that's what the rest of the
ramayan is going to be
about a couple of notes on the show K is
often vilified for her role in banishing
Ram but very little focus is on
dharat who made some rather rash
promises dharat in trying to protect Ram
seems like the opposite of another king
we' have encountered on this
podcast yayati from episode 28 his girl
Friday yayati had no hesitation in
grabbing his son's youth from
him the character this week is an
elephant an that manages to survive a
crocodile attack thanks to some divine
intervention once upon a time there was
an elephant King called
gajendra I know elephants are a
matriarchal society and there isn't
really a
king but consider this a bit of an
exception gajendra along with his herd
lived on Mount
truta or the mountain with Three
Peaks one day as he was bathing in the
lake a crocodile grabbed his
leg Kendra tried to free
himself but as most people know
crocodiles have incredible bite force
and they don't just let
go when the herd realized he was done
for
they walked away thinking they couldn't
help
him curiously none of the other
elephants thought to try stepping on the
crocodile gajendra was in pain and
trumpeted until he was
horse but the crocodile was definitely
not letting
go gajendra then prayed to Vishnu the
Creator and in doing so
he held in his trunk a Lotus that he had
the presence of mind to pluck from the
lake that changed
everything Vishnu arrived at the scene
and swiftly decapitated the
crocodile that's all for this week if
you have comments or suggestions please
leave a comment or a review on the site
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episodes thanks to all you listeners for
your continued
support the music is from purple
planet.com that's
purple-planet.com
next week we are back with Vikram and
Bal we'll see why when you're the king
you you should be careful whom you
delegate a task
to they might do exactly the opposite of
what you
want the character next week is a
prince who is also a star in our night
sky it's the pole
star I'll see you next
[Music]
week
a
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