Stories Of India Retold

Stories Of India Retold

Indian Mythology Simplified One Story at a Time. A retelling of stories—and the stories behind the stories—from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, puranas, and folklore through the eyes of a book-loving, history buff. Find stories about fantastical creatures; mortals and immortals; or just ordinary men and women achieving extraordinary feats.

Episodes

June 29, 2024 21 mins

** Additional Notes:

**At first, the book says Drona and Drupada become friends when the latter visited Bharadvaja with his father, later in the book Drona tells Bhishma that they became friends when they attended Agnivehsya’s school together.

**Drona tells Bhishma that when they were young Drupada promised to share with him his wealth when he be...

Mark as Played

King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, is the ancestor of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Yayati is best known for his obsession with youth and living longer and the fact he was cursed to lose his youth prematurely and live as an old man.

But there is more to Yayati’s story. Yayati is involved in a love triangle between his wife, Devayani and her friend-turned-slave, Sharmishta–it was a complicated web he was in and Yayati was most definitely...

Mark as Played

Bhishma, the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces, was destined to be a great warrior and to always uphold Dharma, but he was also destined to always keep his father happy and to never have children. Learn why!

 

Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe

►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 

Watch the Video Podcast:

► YouTube: https://youtu.be/o8HMnkno1LE 

 ►Spotify video: https://open.spoti...

Mark as Played

All about the Mahabharata and its author, Krishna Dwaipayana (Veda Vyasa), why he composed it, why Mahabharata is considered the greatest story ever told, who and what it is about, why it is considered sacred, why the stories found in this great epic is relevant to this day and more!

Music: Peony Morning - TrackTribe

►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 

Watch the Video Podcast:

► YouTu...

Mark as Played

Dear Listener,

Welcome to the new and improved version of the Stories of India Retold Podcast. We will start from the beginning of the Mahabharata (yet again) but with better story telling and even a video element to it. 

I hope you will listen to the new episodes. 

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Much Love,

Nivi. 

►Stories of India Retold Podcast Website: https://storiesofindiaretold.podbean.com 

Watch the Video Podc...

Mark as Played

The heroes Arjuna and Krishna are involved in the burning of the Khandava forest–a dark episode in the Mahabharata known as the Khandava Daha(burning). Thousands died-particularly the people belonging to the Naga tribe; their leader Takshaka and his son survive and they would never forget or forgive this injustice. This story from the Khandava Daha Parva or episode, tells us the story of:

-Arjuna and Krishna's deal with Agni.

-The ...

Mark as Played

Arjuna’s actions lead to his exile from Khandavaprastha for 12 years. Arjuna spends the 12-years traveling, building allies and falling in love a few times. Come, follow Arjuna’s adventures!

In order to avoid any chance of breeding resentment amongst themselves, the Pandava brothers decide to set rules regarding their marriage–the rule was simple–if, when a brother was in a ...

Mark as Played

Pandavas are finally returning home! Their very advantageous marriage to Draupadi proves to be a brilliant strategy as the Kauravas are taking notice and are calling them back home. This absolutely does not mean that all the Kauravas are glad to see them. Still, the pressure on the Kauravas to do the right thing is intense. The Pandavas are coming home, and there is nothing they can do about it.

Mark as Played

How acceptable was a marriage like that of Draupadi and Pandavas in their time? How did society evolve with respect to attitudes about different types of relationships and marriages? Dig deeper into the stories of why Draupadi was destined to have five husbands and look into the concept of polyandry and its practice in ancient India.

Polygamy: marriage in which a spouse of eit...

Mark as Played

Draupadi was a catch. She was the princess of Panchala, a kingdom which was both wealthy and influential. The young Pandavas needed a powerful ally and Panchala fit the bill perfectly. When they heard that Drupada had arranged for a swayamvara for his daughter Draupadi, the Pandavas joined numerous other kings and princes to try and win her hand. Things get a little complicated because they attended the swayamvara disguised as brah...

Mark as Played

The #Kauravas and #Pandavas come from line of rulers belonging to illustrious Chandravamsha (Chandra-Moon)or the #Lunar Dynasty. The #Bharata, #Puru, #Kuru and #Yadu #clans came from this #legendary #Kshatriya (warrior class) house. They ruled the northern Indian #subcontinent in the #Vedic age (late Bronze-early Iron Age) and left an indelible mark on the religious, social and cultural identity of prese...

Mark as Played

On their way to #Panchala, the #Pandavas met with the #Gandharva King, #Angaaraparna. Things were tense between them initially; they did not start out as friends. After a #fight, in which #Arjuna easily defeated Angaaraparna, the #demigod Gandharva was immensely impressed with Arjuna’s talents and character, and they struck up a mutually beneficial #friendship.

 

Read more

Mark as Played

Drupada and Drona’s rivalry is legendary. #Drupada wanted revenge for the humiliating defeat handed down to him by his former friend, #Drona. Because he had no suitable heir, Drupada arranged for a #sacrifice which would provide him with an heir who would have the power to defeat Drona. The sacrifice produced not one, but two children–a son named #Dhrishtadyumna, and a daughter named #Krishnaa. They were...

Mark as Played

Rakshasa Baka was a bully who terrorized the people of Ekachakra. The people of #Ekachakra were ruled by an incompetent King who did nothing to keep them safe. #Baka volunteered to provide the people with protection from invaders and enemies; however, in exchange he demanded that the people of Ekachakra take turns to provide him with payment, which, unfortunately included eating the person who delivered ...

Mark as Played

The Rakshasa (female:Rakshasi) is a race of beings who were big and fierce looking. They were powerful warriors and were mostly portrayed as the bad guys in ancient Indian scriptures. #Hidimba was one of the better-known Rakshasas in #Indian #mythology–an entire parva is named after the story of his death in the #Mahabharata. After killing Hidimba, the #Pandavas forged an alliance with the #Rakshasas through Bhima’s marriage with ...

Mark as Played

A shorter version of Shakuntala’s story from the #Mahabharata, retold from a slightly different lens.

Shakuntala was the wife of Duhshanta–the founder of the Pourava dynasty, and the mother of the great Emperor #Bharata, who was the founder of the Kuru lineage and ancestor of the #Kauravas and #Pandavas. #Shakuntala was a smart, intelligent and a feisty young woman, and she fe...

Mark as Played

Ekalavya, a Nishada prince, was one of the best archers who lived in the time of the Pandavas. He wanted to be the best archer and he wanted to be trained by the best teacher–Drona. Drona, however, refused to teach him because Ekalavya was a Nishada. But a determined Ekalaya wasn’t ready to give up. Ekalavya’s actions put to test Drona’s relationship with his most favored student Arjuna. Arjuna did not a...

Mark as Played

The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas is legendary. The #Kauravas, especially #Duryodhana, were not only motivated by greed, but they also believed that they were being discriminated against because of Dhritarastra's blindness. They believed the kingdom rightfully belonged to them and were ready to do whatever it took–even murder their relatives, the Pandavas. The burning of the lac house–a well-known story from the #Mahabh...

Mark as Played

A self made man in a world where one's parentage and lineage decided one's future and worth! 

Karna was the secret son of Kunti. Unaware of his real parents and raised as the son of a charioteer, Karna went on to make a name for himself based entirely on his talents and skills in the art of warfare. 

Listen to the story of Karna's:

- Birth

- Adoptive parents

- Friendship with Duryodhana

- Enmity with Pandavas

- Coronation as the Ki...

Mark as Played

It's not a good idea to get on Drona’s bad side!

 

One of the most powerful and influential characters in the story of the Mahabharata, Drona, an expert in the art and science of weapons, was the preceptor of the Kuru princes. His deep-seated hatred for his former friend King Drupada was just as legendary as the way he exacted his revenge from his n...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.

    2. In The Village

    In The Village will take you into the most exclusive areas of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to explore the daily life of athletes, complete with all the funny, mundane and unexpected things you learn off the field of play. Join Elizabeth Beisel as she sits down with Olympians each day in Paris.

    3. iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    Listen to the latest news from the 2024 Olympics.

    4. Paris Summer Games

    The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the 33rd Olympic Games and you can follow Paris Summer Games to stay up to date on all things Olympics. We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Paris Summer Games so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.

    5. Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.