Traditional Tales
Be inspired and uplifted by these traditional stories from Sri Lanka, retold to us by one who heard them as a child and has loved them ever since. They are offered here, recorded in English and in Tamil, originally published as blogs in YogaMysticism.Today, offered by Svaroopa Vidya Ashram. You will find more stories there.
Listen on:
Thank you to Nirooshitha Sethuram, Yogaratna in the Svaroopa Yoga tradition. Her offering of these treasured stories comes from her deep heart as well as her expansive knowledge of the tradition. Gurudevi Nirmalananda partners with her in polishing the English presentation, while preserving the foundation in devotion to the Gods.
Our team of narrators are all Svaroopa Yogis, offering their time as a gift to you. May you be enriched by their storytelling - a community effort, just the way the tradition has survived through time.
For more stories, visit www.YogaMysticism.Today.
Episodes
Jun 4, 2023
Jun 4, 2023
14 min
Following Sage Vyasa’s advice, Arjuna at once got ready to depart. Draupadi wished him good fortune. Draupadi also reminded how all their lives were dependent on his mission. She prayed to Gods and other divine powers for his success. After taking leave from his brothers and Draupadi, Arjuna set out for the Himalayas. He reached the foothills in no time, with the knowledge he had acquired and been blessed with. He crossed the Gandhamardan range and reached Indrakeela Mountain. There he met an elderly sage who asked…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 40 | YogaMysticism.Today
Apr 18, 2023
Apr 18, 2023
13 min
Women were threatened for their safety. The people questioned, “If Bhishma and Drona could not guard the honor of Draupadi, what would their fate be?” They also recognized that the evil force behind all these terrifying events was Shakuni, the brother-in-law of their King Dhritarashtra. Soon after the departure of the Pandavas from Hastinapura, Sage Narada appeared in Dhritarashtra’s court. He told the king that he came to inform him that whatever the evil deeds Dhritarashtra allowed to happen in his court, he must repent. Narada cautioned that, in about thirteen to fourteen years, the…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar, Part 39 | YogaMysticism.Today
Mar 5, 2023
Mar 5, 2023
15 min
The only Kaurava brother who protested was Vikarna. He couldn’t bear Draupadi’s suffering. He addressed the assembly saying, “Honored royal members, why are you being so silent? I am compelled to speak because you all are being silent. Even though I am young and very much a novice compared to your experiences and wisdom, I am unable to bear what’s been happening here. Yudhishthira was deceitfully pulled into this gambling game and tricked into staking Draupadi. She doesn’t belong only to him and, after losing himself, Yudhishthira doesn’t have any right to stake her…”
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 38 | YogaMysticism.Today
Jan 22, 2023
Jan 22, 2023
13 min
In the royal game of dice, what else could Yudhishthira stake? Shakuni asked Yudhishthira what else he could stake! Shakuni further provoked Yudhishthira by saying that he has brothers who might bring some luck to him. Yudhishthira pointed at his brother Nakula and said he would stake him. Shakuni threw the dice while shouting.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 37 | YogaMysticism.Today
Dec 11, 2022
Dec 11, 2022
11 min
After the yaj~na ceremony was completed, Sage Vyasa came to say goodbye and to bless Yudhishthira. He also advised Yudhishthira that he should be prepared for some unpleasant events and misfortunes soon. Yudhishthira decided that he would always be polite with all his relatives and not give them any cause to become agitated. This decision indeed cost him and his family great sorrow later.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 36 | YogaMysticism.Today
Oct 30, 2022
Oct 30, 2022
10 min
The fierce duel began. It attracted a large crowd of people. For thirteen days Jarasandha and Bhima remained engaged in a ferocious battle with no winner in sight. On the fourteenth day, Krishna addressed Bhima encouragingly, “The enemy looks very tired so don’t attack him with all your force, as it’s sure you would kill him if you did. Also don’t use your divine powers, with which you are so blessed by the Wind God.” Bhima got the message that it was time to put an end to Jarasandha’s life on earth. Bhima attacked Jarasandha in full fury, lifted him up…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 35 | YogaMysticism.Today
Sep 18, 2022
Sep 18, 2022
12 min
A stranger arrived and bowed to Krishna, explaining he was sent by the kings imprisoned by Jarasandha, the mighty king of Magadha. He said he came seeking help to save the kings from the tyrant Jarasandha. He also said that Jarasandha was planning to capture as many kings as he could, to do a sacrifice to Rudra. While Krishna was trying to console the stranger, and the stranger was praying to Krishna to save the kings, Sage Narada walked in.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 34 | YogaMysticism.Today
Jul 31, 2022
Jul 31, 2022
14 min
Krishna wanted to tease Rukmini, so he started with a questionable statement, “My dear Rukmini, I could never understand why you chose me out of many great personalities in the royal order who wanted to marry you...” Upon hearing this, Rukmini cried as if being drowned in an ocean of grief. She lost all her reasoning powers and became so weak that…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 33 | YogaMysticism.Today
#spirituality #yogamysticism #traditionaltales #svaroopayoga #meditation #Gurudevi #svaroopa #divine #swaminirmalananda #gurudevinirmalananda
Jun 19, 2022
Jun 19, 2022
10 min
Narakasura was brought up pious and humble until his association with the asuras. The demons changed him into one of them. He became so powerful and mighty that he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Then he started harassing the devas, the heavenly beings. Even the mighty Lord of the Devas couldn’t withstand his assault. Indra fled the heavens. This made Narakasura the king of heaven and earth. He didn’t stop there…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 32 | YogaMysticism.Today
#spirituality #yogamysticism #traditionaltales #svaroopayoga #meditation #Gurudevi #svaroopa #divine #swaminirmalananda #gurudevinirmalananda
May 22, 2022
May 22, 2022
12 min
As Subhadra was already promised to be married to Duryodhana, a promise made by Balarama, her other brother, there was no way for Arjuna to win her through the traditional way. For him to marry Subhadra, the only other way would be to kidnap her by force. In this case, force would probably not be necessary since Subhadra was already in love with him. She was not at all happy about her arranged marriage. Maybe an elopement! That’s it. Arjuna realized that was the meaning of Krishna’s hint given the night before! Now Arjuna need only to wait for an opportunity to carry out his plan…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 31 | YogaMysticism.Today
May 8, 2022
May 8, 2022
12 min
Arjuna reached Manipura and went to the King and introduced himself. The king was delighted to have mighty Arjuna in his court and gave him a warm welcome. The king requested Arjuna to be his royal guest, so he was given accommodation in the royal palace. One day Arjuna got a glimpse of the king’s daughter, Chitrangada. He was totally bewitched by her masculine beauty and wanted to marry her. He went straight to the king and requested his permission to marry her. As Chitravahana did not have…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 30 | YogaMysticism.Today
Mar 27, 2022
Mar 27, 2022
10 min
Only a few who lived in the Khandava forest escaped the fire. Among them were the four Saranga birds. They lived with their mother bird, Jarita. Her husband had left her for another female bird. The male bird was a sage named Mandapala. He had to come back from the heavens to fulfill the karma of having children in order to stay in the heavens. He had to experience a married life and have offspring, therefore he had to be born again. Eager to return to the heavens, he chose to be born as a Saranga bird so that he could have many children and complete his karma within a short time. Once the eggs were laid by Jarita, even before his offspring were born, he left her for…
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 29 | YogaMysticism.Today
Feb 13, 2022
Feb 13, 2022
14 min
The Pandavas returned to the royal kingdom of Hastinapura with their new bride. Yudhishthira was crowned King and given half of the kingdom to rule. Duryodhana would rule the other half. The Pandavas were given barren land, unused for a century. Many of the citizens followed Yudhisthira, along with cattle, craftsmen and gold to build a city. Arjuna helped Agni burn an overgrown forest. Then they were given a divine architect to build the city, restoring kingdom to its old glory.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 28 | YogaMysticism.Today
Feb 12, 2022
Feb 12, 2022
11 min
The marriage of Draupadi to Arjuna and his brothers took place. The story spread like wildfire. Arjuna, disguised as a brahmin, beat kings and princes in archery to win Draupadi’s hand. He then defeated their attack. Vidura decided to reveal the news of the Pandavas survival to his brother, King Dhritarashtra. He told Dhritarashtra that the young brahmin who won Draupadi’s hand was Arjuna. Hearing this, Dhritarashtra was terribly disappointed.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 27 | YogaMysticism.Today
Dec 19, 2021
Dec 19, 2021
11 min
In Panchala, Draupadi’s bridal competition was ongoing with many unsuccessful suitors. Her father, Drupada, dreamed of Arjuna marrying his daughter, although he thought that Arjuna perished in a fire. Yet Arjuna was alive. Disguised as a brahmin, he requested permission to participate in the contest. He won! Drupada, his son and daughter were pleased with the brahmin’s success. However, the unsuccessful suitors were jealous, humiliated and insulted. They wanted to teach him a lesson.
Read the blog: Krishna Avatar Part 26 | YogaMysticism.Today