16 - Six....teen Flags

Summary

In this episode of 'Stories from India,' host Narad Monei continues the Ramayana saga, highlighting Viswamitra's request to use Dasharath's sons against demons. The journey unveils the magical appearance of celestial weapons and a surprising encounter with Taraka, a demoness. Ram's moral conflict and eventual victory are explored. The episode also delves into the tale of Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematician known for 'taxi cab numbers,' showcasing his genius and untimely demise. The podcast promises a Kashmiri folk tale in the next episode, adding intrigue.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The podcast 'Stories from India' is hosted by Narad Monei, a mythological character with the gift of eternal life and knowledge of past, present, and future.
• 📚 The podcast continues the story of the Ramayana, focusing on an episode where an angry Rishi named Viswamitra plays a significant role.
• 🤝 Viswamitra, a former king turned Rishi, has superpowers due to his anger and prayers, and he requests King Dasharath to lend him his sons to fight demons.
• 🚶‍♂️ Ram and Lakshman accompany Viswamitra on a journey to the confluence of the Ganga and Sarayu rivers, learning about various mythological sites along the way.
• 🏹 Ram demonstrates his divine archery skills by defeating the demoness Taraka, who could become invisible and manipulate boulders.
• 🎁 Viswamitra gifts Ram a vast array of celestial weapons, which Ram can summon using a charm, showcasing the concept of divine weaponry in Indian mythology.
• 🏆 The Rishis award Ram for the best kill during their encounter with the demons, acknowledging his prowess and divine status.
• 💍 Ram lifts and strings Shiva's heavy bow in a Swayamvara, impressing all and winning the hand of Sita, while his brothers also find their brides.
• 🤔 Ram's character is portrayed as compassionate and conflicted, questioning the morality of killing Taraka despite the necessity of the act.
• 🔢 The character of Ramanujan is introduced, a self-taught mathematician who made significant contributions to number theory, including the concept of 'taxicab numbers'.
• 🎶 The podcast is concluded with an invitation to listen to the next episode featuring a Kashmiri folk tale and a teaser about a character frozen in stone.

Q & A

What is the podcast 'Stories from India' about?

The podcast 'Stories from India' is about exploring myths, legends, and folk tales from India, hosted by Narad Monei, a mythological character with eternal life and knowledge of the past, present, and future.

Who is Vishwamitra and what role does he play in the story?

Vishwamitra is a character in the Ramayana who was initially a king and later became a sage. He is known for his anger and superpowers. In the story, he asks King Dasharath to lend him his sons to fight against demons disturbing him.

Why did Viswamitra need the help of Dasharath's sons?

Viswamitra needed the help of Dasharath's sons to perform a task against some demons who were disturbing him. He was particularly interested in using them to pull duty against these demons.

What is the significance of the confluence of the Ganga and the Sarayu rivers in the story?

The confluence of the Ganga and the Sarayu rivers is significant as it is the location where Viswamitra, along with Ram and Lakshman, walk to. It is a strategic location due to the availability of drinking water and various points of interest along the way.

What is the story behind Shiva being wounded by Kamdev?

Shiva was wounded by Kamdev, the god of love, also known as Cupid. This led to Shiva opening his third eye and vaporizing Kamdev, making him spread himself far and wide without a body.

How does Ram demonstrate his skill in archery against Taraka?

Ram demonstrates his skill in archery by shooting arrows at Taraka, a demoness who is invisible and can change shape. He shoots off her arms with his arrows and eventually kills her by hitting her with an arrow guided by her heartbeat.

What is the significance of the celestial weapons given to Ram by Viswamitra?

The celestial weapons given to Ram by Viswamitra are significant as they represent a variety of divine powers. Ram is taught a summoning charm to magically appear these weapons whenever he wants.

What is the challenge set by King Janak for the Swayamvara?

The challenge set by King Janak for the Swayamvara is for someone to lift Shiva's bow and string it. Many had tried but no one could even budge the bow until Ram stepped up and effortlessly lifted and strung it.

Who is Ramanujan and what is his contribution to mathematics?

Ramanujan was a self-taught mathematician in British-ruled India. He is famous for his work on taxi cab numbers, a unique mathematical concept. His theorems and proofs were initially dismissed by experts but later recognized by British mathematician GH Hardy, leading to Ramanujan's work being continued in London.

What is the significance of the number 1729 in Ramanujan's work?

The number 1729 is significant in Ramanujan's work as it is the smallest number that can be expressed as a sum of two cubes in two different ways. This concept, known as taxi cab numbers, is an interesting mathematical challenge.