Tiny Tales: Traditional Stories in 100 Words: Extra: India

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~ 30. The Story of Tataka ~

There were many rakshasas who had been attacking Vishvamitra's ashram, but the most vicious and dangerous among them was Tataka.

Tataka had once been a beautiful yaksha on whom Brahma bestowed the strength of a thousand elephants.

When the rishi Agastya killed her husband, Tataka vowed revenge, and Agastya in turn cursed Tataka, turning her into a monstrous rakshasi.

Enraged, Tataka and her sons, Maricha and Subahu, attacked every rishi and defiled every sacrifice.

That is why Vishvamitra brought Rama into the forest.

"You must kill Tataka and her sons!" he commanded.

"I will do as you say," Rama vowed.

Inspired by: The Ramayana (Bala Kanda).
Notes: It is Maricha who will lure Rama away from Sita, allowing Ravana to steal her. There are versions of the Ramayana where the princesses of Mithila are present at Vishvamitra's ashram, so this is when Sita and Rama meet for the first time. See Pattanaik's Sita, p. 37.

(Taraka)

~ 177. Valmiki Becomes a Poet ~

Laura Gibbs · 177. Valmiki Becomes a Poet

Two cranes, devoted to one another, lived by a river near the rishi Valmiki's ashram.

One day as Valmiki watched the birds making love, a hunter shot an arrow from the bushes. One crane fell to the ground, dead, and his mate screamed in grief as she gazed at his blood-spattered corpse.

In anger and sorrow at this reckless slaughter, Valmiki cursed the hunter in verse:

The hunter who this loving bird did slay

For his great crime a grievous price will pay.

These lines of verse were the first poem in the world, and Valmiki was the first poet.

Inspired by: The Ramayana (Bala Kanda).
Notes: Here is a link to the Sanskrit of the verses that Valmiki spoke to the hunter; there's even audio you can listen to.

(krauncha birds)

~ 24. The Devas Make a Plan ~

Laura Gibbs · 24. Rama, Prince of Ayodhya

As Rishyashringa was conducting King Dashratha's ritual, the devas begged Vishnu to take birth as Dasharatha's son.

"As Dasharatha's son, O Vishnu, you can put a stop to Ravana's cruelty," said Indra. "He torments the whole earth! You are the only one who can save us."

"Ravana won protection from devas and danavas, from nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, and so on," Brahma explained. "But in his arrogance, he did not request protection from humans."

"I will do as you ask," Vishnu said to the gods. "Prince Rama of Ayodhya will be my avatar; I agree to be born as Dasharatha's son."

Inspired by: The Ramayana (Bala Kanda).
Notes: The backstory of how Ravana got that boon of protection comes in the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana, a book added on at the end which gives backstories for many of the main characters.

(Vishnu)

~ 26. Rama Amazes Kaushalya ~

Laura Gibbs · 26. Baby Rama's Cosmic Form

One day Kaushalya left Rama in his cradle and went to offer prayers. She was amazed to find Rama there, eating the puja sweets! "How can he be both here and there?" she wondered.

As she stared, Rama displayed his cosmic form: infinite beings, millions of universes contained in every part of his body. All of time, all of existence radiated from him.

Kaushalya bowed her head. "O Lord, I beg you to let me forget what you have shown me here."

So Kaushalya forgot, and in obedience to his mother Rama never revealed his true form to her again.

Inspired by: Tulsidas's Ramayana.
Notes: This episode does not occur in Valmik's Ramayana, but it does appear in Tulsidas, and it such a great scene! Krishna makes a similar revelation to his foster-mother Yashoda, who sees the cosmic manifestation of Krishna when she looks inside the baby's mouth. Vishnu's cosmic form is called Vishvarupa, All-Form; learn more at Wikipedia.

(Vishvarupa)

~ 115. Hanuman Leaps ~

Laura Gibbs · 115. Hanuman Leaps

Encouraged by Jambavan, Hanuman grew in size, rocketing up towards the sky. Hanuman soon towered over all the other monkeys, who stared at him in awe.

Mighty Hanuman then climbed the towering Mount Mahendra, and as he squeezed the mountainsides in his ascent, the mountain bellowed like a trumpeting elephant. The ground shook violently, and all the animals who lived there looked around in terror as they saw the colossal Hanuman climbing up the mountain.

When Hanuman reached the mountain top, he saluted Surya, Indra, Brahma and his father Vayu the wind-god. Then, at last, he launched himself towards Lanka.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 67 and Book 5: Sundara Kanda, sarga 1.

Hanuman leaps

~ 114. Jambavan Inspires Hanuman ~

Laura Gibbs · 114. Jambavan Inspires Hanuman

"You are the greatest among the monkeys," Jambavan said to Hanuman, "but you have forgotten your powers. Your father is Vayu the wind-god, and you can fly as high and as far as you want, just like the wind. As a baby, you flew into the sky to grasp the sun. The gods have bestowed blessings upon you."

Hanuman stared at Jambavan in surprise.

"You must remember who you are!" Jambavan told him. "Then you will be able to make this leap to Lanka to find Sita and to learn how Rama might rescue her. You must jump, Hanuman: jump!"

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 66. Jambavan does not tell Hanuman about how he lost his self-knowledge but you can read a story about that here: Hanuman's Curse.

Hanuman and Jambavan

~ 91. Another Story of Hanuman ~

Laura Gibbs · 91. Another Story of Hanuman

This is another story of Hanuman's birth:

Anjana was an apsara, a celestial dancer, but cursed to be born on earth as a monkey, a shape-shifting monkey able to change her form.

One day Anjana put on a human form and walked across a mountaintop where Vayu, the wind-god, saw her and was captivated by her beauty.

"I am Vayu," he said to her, "and I love you! You will bear my son, and he will be able to move as the wind does, flying as high as he wants."

So Anjana conceived Hanuman, the monkey-son of Vayu the wind-god.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 66. Jambavan tells this story to Hanuman in order to make Hanuman aware of his divine powers.

Vayu, the wind-god

~ 113. Who Will Jump to Lanka? ~

Laura Gibbs · 113. Who Will Jump to Lanka?

From Sampati, the monkeys learned Ravana had taken Sita to Lanka.

"Who among us is strong enough to leap one hundred yojanas over the ocean to Lanka?" asked Angada.

"I can leap ten yojanas," said one of the monkeys, "but no more."

"I can leap twenty," said another.

"Thirty," said another, "but that's all."

Thus they could find no monkey able to reach Lanka to look for Sita there.

Then Jambavan, the king of the bears, spoke up. "There is one among you who can do this, but he has forgotten his own powers," he said. "That monkey is Hanuman."

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 65.

Jambavan and the monkeys

~ 109. The Monkeys Enter the Cave ~

Laura Gibbs · 109. The Monkeys Enter the Cave

Hanuman led the search party southwards, and they fell into a vast cave, filled with trees and lakes, mansions and palaces.

There they met Swayamprabha.

"What is this place?" Hanuman asked her.

"Mayasura built this place for his beloved apsara, Hema," she replied. "I guard it for her."

Then Hanuman told her of their quest.

Swayamprabha smiled. "Normally those who enter here do not leave, but I will use my powers to help you. Close your eyes."

The monkeys put their hands over their eyes.

Then Swayamprabha transported them out of the cave, towards the south, ever closer to Sita.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 50-51-52. It is called the Riksha cave in Valmiki's Ramayana, and the description of the cave is filled with beautiful detail. The story explains that Maya had acquired a boon from Brahma; this protected him from Indra, so Indra used Hema to seduce Maya (a role apsaras often play, acting as agents for the gods). You can read more about Mayasura at Wikipedia; his daughter with Hema the apsara is Mandodari, Ravana's wife. According to some, this Mayasura is different from the Mayasura who appears in the Mahabharata, the idea being that "Maya" is more like a title rather than a personal name.

yogini

~ 108. Hanuman Heads South ~

Laura Gibbs · 108. Hanuman Heads South

Fulfilling his promise to help Rama, Sugriva assembled the monkeys and sent them in the four directions to search for Sita. To the south, he sent Hanuman and Angada, together with Jambavan, king of the bears.

"I give you one month's time to return with news!" commanded Sugriva.

Rama then spoke with Hanuman. "Take this ring, engraved with my name," Rama said. "Sita gave it to me. Now give it as a remembrance to Sita so that she will know you are my messenger."

Hanuman took the ring and bowed, and then he flew away with his companions, heading south.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 41 and 44. This ring must be important to Rama as he kept it even though he set aside all his other fine clothing and royal insignia, wearing only clothes made of bark during his exile. Perhaps this is the ring that Sita gave him at their wedding ceremony!

the monkey search parties

~ 106. Sugriva Is Crowned King ~

Laura Gibbs · 106. Sugriva Is Crowned King

It was time to crown Sugriva as king of Kishkindha.

"Noble Rama," said Hanuman, "we ask you to come to the royal city and conduct the coronation ceremony."

"Dear Hanuman," Rama replied, "by my father's order I may enter no city or village during my exile. I will stay here on Rishyamukha Hill with Lakshmana, awaiting the end of the monsoon. Then we must rescue my Sita!"

"I will come as soon as the monsoon season ends," vowed Sugriva.

So Hanuman and the monkeys went to the city where they made Sugriva their king, with Vali's son Angada as crown-prince.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 26.

Rama and Sugriva

~ 105. Tara Mourns Vali ~

Laura Gibbs · 105. Tara Mourns Vali

As he promised Sugriva, Rama fatally wounded Vali.

Vali's wife Tara wept, and Hanuman consoled her. "Vali's great deeds earned him a place in heaven; don't grieve," he said. "You must help your son Angada honor his father with funeral rites."

Before dying, Vali gave his amulet of invincibility to Sugriva. "It mustn't touch my corpse," he told his brother.

Then Vali died, and all the monkeys bewailed him.

Tara begged Rama to slay her with the arrow that slew Vali, but Rama refused. "God made us as we are," he said. "There's no escaping our destined happiness and sorrow."

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sarga 21-22-23-24.

Vali's death

~ 102. Hanuman Meets Rama ~

Laura Gibbs · 102. Hanuman Meets Rama

When Sugriva saw Rama and Lakshmana approaching Rishyamukha Hill, he was afraid. "They're agents of Vali coming to kill me!"

He sent Hanuman, disguised as a brahmin, to find out what the strangers wanted. "What brings you here?" Hanuman asked. "I inquire on behalf of my king, Sugriva."

Hearing Sugriva's name, Rama rejoiced. "We ourselves are seeking Sugriva!"

"So we are well met!" exclaimed Hanuman. "Get on my back, and I'll take you to him."

Hanuman changed into his monkey form, growing large enough for Rama and Lakshmana to ride on his shoulders, and he carried them to meet Sugriva.

Inspired by: Valmiki's Ramayana
Notes: This is from Book 4: Kishkindha Kanda, sargas 2-3-4. This is the first appearance of Hanuman in Valmiki's Ramayana.

Hanuman carries Rama and Lakshmana

~ 50. Sita Looks at Ayodhya ~

Laura Gibbs · 50. Sita Looks at Ayodhya

One day Sita said to Rama, "There are so many old houses in Ayodhya! I think every house should be a beautiful new mansion filled with splendid furnishings."

Rama smiled. "I disagree, my dear," he said. "If every house were new and perfect, what would the carpenters or masons or painters do? What would furniture-makers make? What would carpet-weavers weave? God has created the world so that it is always a work in progress. There is good and bad always, new and old everywhere, with an infinite variety of ways to be and things to do. That is God's world."

Inspired by: Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
Notes: This is story 12 in the book. You can read more about Queen Sita and King Rama at Wikipedia; they ruled the city of Ayodhya.

Rama and Sita

~ 200. A Story about Shiva ~

Laura Gibbs · 200. A Story about Shiva

The world's maya is like a magician's magic. The magician is real; the magic isn't. The illusion lasts for only a moment.

Shiva was sitting atop Mount Kailasha with his bull Nandi. Suddenly, a loud shout reverberated through the air and the earth shook.

"What was that?" asked Nandi.

"Ravana is born," replied Shiva.

A few minutes later there was more shouting and the earth quaked.

"What was that?" asked Nandi again.

"Ravana is dead," replied Shiva, smiling.

Birth and death are like bubbles in water; the water is real, but the bubbles arising from the water appear and disappear.

Inspired by: Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
Notes: This is story 141 in the book. You can read about Ravana, antagonist of the Ramayana, at Wikipedia, along with articles about Shiva and Nandi.

Shiva and Nandi

~ 51. Will Rama Renounce the World? ~

Laura Gibbs · 51. Will Rama Renounce the World?

King Dasharatha wanted Rama to succeed him, but he worried Rama would renounce the world and become a forest rishi. So, he sent Vashishtha, the royal priest, to investigate.

"Tell me, Rama," Vashishtha said, "do you want to renounce the world?"

Rama stared at the priest thoughtfully in silence.

"Do you want to renounce God?" Vashishtha continued.

Rama understood: to renounce the world would be like renouncing God. "Now I see," he said, smiling. "God has become all things everywhere, in the palace and in the forest." Then he added, "Tell my father I am ready to be Ayodhya's king."

Inspired by: Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
Notes: This is story 132 in the book. You can find out more about Prince Rama and his father King Dasharatha, and also Vashishtha, at Wikipedia.

Dasharatha and Rama

Tenalirama the Optimist

Tenalirama's neighbor sent his son to boarding school.
"My heart breaks seeing him go!" his neighbor sighed.
"That's good," Tenalirama said.
The neighbor thought Tenalirama was being cold-hearted, but he kept that thought to himself.
The boy finally came home, but broke his leg falling off his horse.
"My poor boy!" sobbed the neighbor.
"That's good," Tenalirama repeated.
This time the neighbor spoke out. "Those are cruel words!" he said.
Tenalirama did not reply.
The next day soldiers came to dragoon recruits for the army; they did not take the boy with the broken leg.
"That's good," Tenalirama repeated, smiling.

Inspired by: Fix Your Problems the Tenali Raman Way by Vishal Goyal
Notes: This story is on p. 219 of the book. Compare the story in the Koran when Moses learns that God's purposes are not always clear: Moses Meets with Khidr.

Tenalirama and his Horse, Shankara

A villager's donkey-cart fell into a ditch. The donkey was killed; the cart was stuck. Tenalirama's farm was nearby, and he offered to help. "My Shankara can get the cart out!"
The villager knew that horse. "Your Shankara is old and blind; he'll never do it."
Tenalirama just smiled and led Shankara to the ditch.
"Soma, pull! Pull, Vijaya! Rajulu, pull! Pull, Shankara!"
Sure enough, Shankara pulled the cart out of the ditch.
"Why did you call all those other names first?" asked the villager, dumbfounded.
"When Shankara thinks he's part of a team, he can pull anything," Tenalirama explained.

Inspired by: Fix Your Problems the Tenali Raman Way by Vishal Goyal
Notes: This story is on p. 54 of the book.

Tenalirama and the Candy

The courtesan Rangasani had pranked Tenalirama, so Tenalirama used a delivery boy to get revenge.
"Here's some candy to reward you," she said to the boy.
"Can I have more candy?"
"Yes," she said, and gave him more.
"I want more!"
Rangasani had no more candy.
"More!" he shouted. "You said I could have more! More! More!"
"Help!" she yelled.
Tenalirama appeared, with candy in both hands. "Which is more candy?"
The boy pointed to the hand with more.
"Take it!" Tenalirama said. "Now you have more candy. Go!"
Tenalirama smiled slyly at Rangasani. He had pranked her this time!

Inspired by: The Wit of Tenali Raman by Devika Rangachari
Notes: This story is on p. 85 of the book. The original story presents them as rivals in logic, and Tenalirama forces her to admit that she is trapped in her own words before he frees her with the trick of "more candy" in one hand as opposed to the other.

Tenalirama and Kali

Tenalirama, still just a boy, went to Kali's temple and chanted all night. The goddess appeared, showing him her thousand faces, but he wasn't afraid. Instead, he laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" she shrieked.
"O Mother," he said, "you have just two hands and a thousand noses. What do you do when you catch cold and your noses are all runny?"
Kali was enraged. "I curse you to be a vikatakavi, a jester."
The boy laughed again. "A jester backwards and forwards!" (vi-ka-ta-ka-vi)
Even Kali had to laugh at his cleverness. "I bless you to be jester to the king."

Inspired by: Folktales from India, edited by A. K. Ramanujan
Notes: This is "How Tenali Rama Became a Jester" (p. 57). As you can see, the word is a syllabic palindrome, not letter by letter, but syllable by syllable. Tenali Rama was the most famous jester of southern India; you can read about him at Wikipedia, and also about the goddess Kali. This was a story that Ramanujan heard as a child growing up.