30 - Banished

Stories From India
25 Feb 202418:01

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

  • 🎢 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.
  • 🏰 The story continues from the Ramayana, focusing on the political intrigue and family dynamics within the royal family of King Dasharath.
  • πŸ‘‘ 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.
  • 🐘 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.
  • 🌐 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.
  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘¦β€πŸ‘¦ Ram's brother Lakshman and his wife Sita decide to accompany him into exile, showing their loyalty and commitment to their family.
  • πŸ‘‘ 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.
  • 🌳 The people of Ayodhya decide to follow Ram, Lakshman, and Sita into exile, showing their unwavering loyalty and belief in Ram's leadership.
  • 🐊 The episode also tells the story of an elephant king named Gajendra, who survives a crocodile attack through divine intervention after praying to Vishnu.
  • 🌺 Gajendra holds a lotus in his trunk while praying to Vishnu, which becomes a symbol of his devotion and leads to his salvation.
  • πŸ“£ 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

00:00

πŸ“š 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.

05:01

πŸ‘‘ 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.

10:04

🌳 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.

15:06

🐘 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

πŸ’‘Narad Muni

Narad Muni is a mythological character from Hindu mythology, known for his eternal life and vast knowledge. In the script, Narad Muni serves as the host of the podcast, guiding listeners through the stories of Indian mythology. His role is crucial in setting the context and tone of the podcast, as he introduces the narrative and characters from the epic Ramayana.

πŸ’‘Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, which narrates the life of the god Rama. In the script, the podcast focuses on continuing the story of the Ramayana, highlighting key events and characters. The Ramayana serves as the central theme of the podcast, providing a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and moral lessons.

πŸ’‘Dasharatha

Dasharatha is a king in the Ramayana, who is the father of Rama and his three brothers. In the script, Dasharatha is depicted as an aging king who is preparing to retire and pass on the kingdom to his eldest son, Rama. His decision-making process and the consequences of his choices are central to the narrative, illustrating the complexities of power and family dynamics.

πŸ’‘Rama

Rama is the protagonist of the Ramayana and the eldest son of King Dasharatha. He is portrayed as a skilled warrior and a dutiful son. In the script, Rama's character is explored through his willingness to obey his father's decision, even when it leads to his exile. His actions and decisions are pivotal to the unfolding drama of the Ramayana.

πŸ’‘Kaikeyi

Kaikeyi is one of King Dasharatha's wives and the mother of Bharata. In the script, Kaikeyi plays a significant role in the narrative by using her influence and the promises made to her by Dasharatha to ensure her son becomes king. Her actions lead to the exile of Rama, demonstrating the power of a queen mother in a patriarchal society.

πŸ’‘Bharata

Bharata is the second son of King Dasharatha and Kaikeyi's son. In the script, Bharata is mentioned as the one who is made king in place of Rama due to Kaikeyi's intervention. His character is significant as it highlights the conflict between duty and familial love, as well as the consequences of political machinations.

πŸ’‘Lakshmana

Lakshmana is Rama's younger brother and a key character in the Ramayana. In the script, Lakshmana is depicted as a loyal companion who decides to accompany Rama into exile. His character embodies the themes of brotherly love and loyalty, showing the strength of familial bonds.

πŸ’‘Sita

Sita is Rama's wife and a central female character in the Ramayana. In the script, Sita is shown to be devoted to Rama, choosing to accompany him into exile despite the hardships. Her decision underscores the themes of love, sacrifice, and the strength of women in the epic.

πŸ’‘Exile

Exile is a recurring theme in the Ramayana, particularly in the context of Rama's life. In the script, Rama's exile is a pivotal event that sets the stage for the epic's journey and adventures. The concept of exile is explored in terms of its emotional and physical implications, as well as its impact on the characters and their relationships.

πŸ’‘Gajendra

Gajendra is an elephant king in the script, who is saved by Vishnu after being attacked by a crocodile. His story serves as a moral tale, illustrating the power of faith and divine intervention. Gajendra's character is used to convey the message of hope and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

πŸ’‘Vishnu

Vishnu is a major deity in Hinduism, often depicted as the preserver of the universe. In the script, Vishnu is mentioned in the context of Gajendra's story, where he saves the elephant king from the crocodile. Vishnu's role highlights the divine aspect of the epic, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the mortal and divine realms.

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

play00:01

[Music]

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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[Applause]

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hello and welcome to stories from India

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a podcast where we talk about myths

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Legends and folk tales from

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India I'm your host narad monei and I'm

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a mythological character myself I have

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the gift of eternal life and knowledge

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of the past the present and the

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future by profession I'm a traveling

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musician and a

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Storyteller so the way I'm doing my job

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is by

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podcast this week we'll pick up where we

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left off in the

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ramayan we'll see a nanny who executes a

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very House of card style political move

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we'll also see a father conflicted

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between his love for his wife and his

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love for his

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son the character this week is an

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elephant that manages to survive a

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crocodile attack thanks to some divine

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intervention so far on the ramayan we

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have met King dasharath his three wives

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and four

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Sons the sons are all avatars of wish

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and primarily amongst them is the eldest

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Ram after whom the ramayan is

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named Ram is a very skillful

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Warrior he's also had an internship with

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the Rishi

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vishwamitra and took care of a pest

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problem for

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him vishwamitra took him and lakshman on

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a study tour which ended up with the two

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Prin princess married to a couple of

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princesses I recommend checking out

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previous episodes 6 7 15 16 and in

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particular episode

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24 I've linked all of these in the show

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notes we begin at the palace where the

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four princes were all grown up and

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married right about then bhat one of the

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sons was at his mother's Kingdom on a

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holiday dasharath was still in charge of

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running the

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kingdom but he was now getting

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old he looked back at his time as

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ruler and yes he had definitely checked

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all the pre-retirement

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boxes one Kingdom well ruled

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check people who paid their taxes but

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were still happy

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check vishwamitra was now a powerful

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Rishi friend

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check three wives who could stand by him

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through anything

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check four Sons now all avatars of

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Vishnu

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check so the next stage in his life

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could

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begin all he had to do now was to hand

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over the Reigns of the Kingdom to the

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most capable of his

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sons

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now that retirement was definitely the

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path forward the choice of successor was

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a

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no-brainer it had to be Rah the eldest

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of his

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sons he consulted with his

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councel and yeah they agreed

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unanimously all four princes were

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equally capable but Ram was more equal

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than the rest to borrow a

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phrase now a father making a decision

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about his children would normally

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consult with the

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mothers but this was a very patriarchal

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society so he made the decision and let

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his wives

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know all three of his wives were of

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course

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thrilled Rah was the perfect son to all

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three of them he always treated them

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with immense respect and

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love

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well all of them were thrilled except k

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k k k was initially thrilled as well but

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that soon changed when she had a

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conversation with

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Mantra now you might recall that dharat

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owed KK a couple of pretty big

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wishes and Mantra knew about them see

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episode 24 promises made hearts

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broken yes Kay k was happy when she

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heard the news from her ex Nanny

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Mantra Mantra was a very old woman she

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had been bat's Nanny just as she had be

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K as was the custom K gifted a necklace

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to the

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messenger Mantra was an old lady and had

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no use for a

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necklace but she could have just sold

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it she

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didn't she threw away the necklace in

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Anger now if you're a servant of the

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queen you normally don't throw aside an

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expensive gift like

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that unless you pretty much raised the

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queen from when she was a

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baby k was

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surprised but not

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offended what's wrong Mantra she

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asked Mantra told

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her making Ram the next king when parat

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was

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away this was just a Prelude to exiling

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or even killing bat

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no way said Ki Ram would never do that

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to his

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brother maybe not

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Ram what about

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kelia she'll be the queen

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mother K did hesitate this

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time yes the rule stated that the queen

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mother had more power than all the other

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queens Mantra even reminded her of the

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suku and Duku story from episode

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26 where the favorite wife and her

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daughter were really quick in evicting

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the other residents of the

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household Mantra

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persisted and Kai seemed to be giving

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in but what can I do about it asked

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K Mantra replied you cly need me to

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solve every problem for you tarat made

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two unconditional promises to you surely

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you haven't forgotten

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those that was

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enough Kai immediately requested Dash's

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presence in her rooms in a way that

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amounted to a

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summons dasharath was agitated to learn

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that Kai was cashing in her two IUS

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and she wasn't asking for a new Chariot

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or a vacation or

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something what she wanted would change

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their lives and the lives of everyone in

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the Kingdom

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forever she wanted parat to be made King

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and for Ram to be exiled for 14

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years in Ancient India like life

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expectancy was not great so the teenage

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Ram would be pretty much old by the time

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he

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returned if he returned at

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all at least that's what Ki was

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thinking dharat was

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devastated but Kai would not listen to

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him even the fact that the coronation

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party invites were already sent out with

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Ram's name on it and all the balloons

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and the big congratulations Ram cake and

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all the table

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settings nothing changed her

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mind this was like trying to do a last

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minute substitution at the altar when

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the wedding was already well

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underway asking bat to be king was easy

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but how could he possibly ask Ram to

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leave the palace and go into

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Exile k

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was not willing to

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budge she had the IUS from dharat and

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the legal department found no

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loopholes tarat was going to have to

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give

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in he called Rah over and SED the whole

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story

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out Rah handled it really

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well if it's 14 years I'd better get

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started right away way he said the

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sooner I begin the sooner I'll be

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back he addressed Kai you know Mom you

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could have just ordered me to go I would

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have

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gone you might think that this was a

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parting shot to make Kai think she had

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wasted one of her

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IUS but that was not Ram's

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intention he meant it he really would

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have followed Kai's order

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ERS lakshman who was Ram's brother and

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His companion on his internship with

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vishwamitra decided that he would go

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too the two were a team and you can't

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just break up a

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team sitha Ram's wife wanted to go along

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too she had sworn to be with her husband

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in sickness and in

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health she would wasn't about to back

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out of what was essentially a 14-year

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long camping

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trip as much as RAM wanted them to hang

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back in

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Comfort he couldn't refuse his brother

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or his

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wife to tell the truth it would be a bit

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boring without anyone

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else as they left the palace they wore

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simple clothes not Royal

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ones they did want to attract the

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attention of Highway Men including

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perhaps former colleagues of the author

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valmiki the people of the Kingdom had

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made a

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decision Rah was going to be their King

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whether K or dharat or Ram himself

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wanted it or

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not they would follow RAM lakshman and

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sitha into

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Exile this touched Ram's heart

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but he had to point out the logical

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flaw

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aoda was a people not a

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place Ram couldn't be in Exile if aoda

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joined him everywhere he

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went the people understood when he

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explained this they could

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relate they had just watched Thor

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Ragnarok where Thor comes to a similar

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realization

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about

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ascard with a heavy

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heart they decided to

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wait 14 years was long but not terribly

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long they would endure

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it it would not be

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bad Rah told them to treat King Bat just

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the way they had expected to treat

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Ram if Ram trusted parat that was good

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enough for

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them they hung back as the brothers and

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Sia headed out of the

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Kingdom meanwhile Speedy Messengers had

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been dispatched to fetch bat

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back Kai was on cloud

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nine she had in effect bent the whole

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Kingdom to her

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will kelia was

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sad but she had confidence in her

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son he had packed some musquito repent

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and a few cans of food he would manage

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for a few days at

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least dasharath was bedridden

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now in grief he cried for his

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son just the way Shan's parents had said

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he

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would RAM lakshman and Sia left the

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Kingdom on foot and wandered through one

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Forest after

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another we'll end it here but they will

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go on to have all kinds of Adventures

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meet all kinds of creatures make all

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kinds of friends and some

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enemies that's what the rest of the

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ramayan is going to be

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about a couple of notes on the show K is

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often vilified for her role in banishing

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Ram but very little focus is on

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dharat who made some rather rash

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promises dharat in trying to protect Ram

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seems like the opposite of another king

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we' have encountered on this

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podcast yayati from episode 28 his girl

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Friday yayati had no hesitation in

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grabbing his son's youth from

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him the character this week is an

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elephant an that manages to survive a

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crocodile attack thanks to some divine

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intervention once upon a time there was

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an elephant King called

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gajendra I know elephants are a

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matriarchal society and there isn't

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really a

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king but consider this a bit of an

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exception gajendra along with his herd

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lived on Mount

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truta or the mountain with Three

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Peaks one day as he was bathing in the

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lake a crocodile grabbed his

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leg Kendra tried to free

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himself but as most people know

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crocodiles have incredible bite force

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and they don't just let

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go when the herd realized he was done

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for

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they walked away thinking they couldn't

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help

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him curiously none of the other

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elephants thought to try stepping on the

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crocodile gajendra was in pain and

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trumpeted until he was

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horse but the crocodile was definitely

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not letting

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go gajendra then prayed to Vishnu the

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Creator and in doing so

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he held in his trunk a Lotus that he had

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the presence of mind to pluck from the

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lake that changed

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everything Vishnu arrived at the scene

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and swiftly decapitated the

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crocodile that's all for this week if

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you have comments or suggestions please

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leave a comment or a review on the site

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sfip podcast.com or tweet at SFI podcast

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you can also find me on Instagram and

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Facebook be sure to subscribe to the

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show to get notified automatically of

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new

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episodes thanks to all you listeners for

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your continued

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support the music is from purple

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planet.com that's

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purple-planet.com

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next week we are back with Vikram and

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Bal we'll see why when you're the king

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you you should be careful whom you

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delegate a task

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to they might do exactly the opposite of

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what you

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want the character next week is a

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prince who is also a star in our night

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sky it's the pole

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star I'll see you next

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[Music]

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week

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a

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Indian MythsNarad MoneiPodcastRamayanaKing DasharathPolitical IntrigueDivine InterventionElephant GajendraCrocodile AttackVishnu AvatarsExile