MORE CAUTIONARY TALES FROM OUR EPICS
The New Indian Express|December 02, 2024
Encouraged by your response to last week's Jataka, I am tempted to share two other stories from scripture that similarly serve as stark cautionary tales.
RENUKA NARAYANAN
MORE CAUTIONARY TALES FROM OUR EPICS

The story of King Saudasa is from Chapter 65 of the Uttara Kandam of the Valmiki Ramayana. This seventh section of the Valmiki Ramayana is held to have been added later by someone else.

The story goes that Sri Rama's youngest brother, Prince Shatrughna, was out leading his army on an expedition. On his way, he arrived at the hermitage of Sage Valmiki. The sage welcomed him with fruit and water.

Refreshed, Shatrughna looked around and asked who the fertile lands east of the hermitage belonged to. Valmiki told him a strange story that made even the brave warrior prince's hair stand on end.

"O Shatrughna, hear to whom this region formerly belonged," said the rishi. "One of your ancestors was King Saudasa who was valiant and virtuous. One day, while out hunting he saw two tigers killing and eating antelopes."

Forgetting the laws of nature and that he himself was out hunting to kill, Saudasa was furious and killed one of the tigers with his arrow. The dying tiger turned into a rakshasa. The surviving rakshasa wept in grief and rage.

"King, you have killed my friend, who did you no harm. One day, I shall take my revenge," he snarled, and vanished.

In due course, Saudasa's son, the good, brave prince Mitrasaha, was to come to the throne. Before that, Saudasa undertook the Ashwamedha sacrifice on his son's behalf near Valmiki's ashram, with Sage Vasishta as the officiating priest.

This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 02, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESSView All
Rajkumar Periasamy teams up with Bhushan Kumar
The New Indian Express

Rajkumar Periasamy teams up with Bhushan Kumar

AMARAN filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy and T-Series managing director and producer Bhushan Kumar, have announced a new project.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
'Independent cinema doesn't have a support system in India'
The New Indian Express

'Independent cinema doesn't have a support system in India'

Producers Guneet Monga and Achin Jain reflect on the shrinking space for indie projects in the country, the rising costs of filmmaking and distribution, and why Kill got a lukewarm response

time-read
3 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express

GOOD BAD UGLY TO HIT THEATRES IN APRIL

ON Monday, the makers of ajith Kumar and adhik ravichandran’s Good Bad Ugly announced that the film is all set to hit the theatres on april 10.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
First look out for GV Prakash's Kingston
The New Indian Express

First look out for GV Prakash's Kingston

ACTOR Sivakarthikeyan, on Monday, unveiled the first look poster of actor-music composer GV Prakash's Kingston.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
BRING IN SOME BURSTS OF COLOUR
The New Indian Express

BRING IN SOME BURSTS OF COLOUR

If you've visited a plant nursery recently, chances are you've spotted petunias everywhere. Colourful and vibrant, these stunning blooms are hard to resist.

time-read
1 min  |
January 07, 2025
Growing roots of an urban home
The New Indian Express

Growing roots of an urban home

\"I USED to be like many urban people, dreaming of moving to the mountains, owning an acre of land, and growing food,\" muses Anita Tikoo, a landscape architect by profession, urban gardener by passion, and home chef and blogger by delight.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Saddled up for success
The New Indian Express

Saddled up for success

FOR most of us, the idea of riding a horse sounds like a fairy tale - galloping through fields, wind in our hair, like something out of a movie. But for the young riders at the Chennai Equitation Centre (CEC), this is reality.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 07, 2025
A Legend Celebrated
The New Indian Express

A Legend Celebrated

Known for revolutionising Carnatic music by emphasising laya control and simplifying gamakas, Gudalur Narayanaswamy Balasubramaniam's (GNB) contributions to the art form have left an indelible mark.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
The New Indian Express

Seeking the divine in steps

According to mythology, Lord Krishna is believed to have said that among the months He is Margazhi, indicating its auspiciousness.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025
Raising the bar pays off for hockey coach Sangwan
The New Indian Express

Raising the bar pays off for hockey coach Sangwan

A SNUB can either break one down or spur the individual on to scale new heights. Unfortunately, a majority of people end up heartbroken. But a better future awaits those who manage to swallow the bitter pill. Haryana hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan falls under the second category.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 07, 2025