Not Your Mother's Mahabharata

Today we are excited to welcome our old friend Kari Kusek to the show. Kari and Azure are taken on a surprise trip back to some of the earliest Mahabharata episode that precedes where we started on episode 1.  We explore 3 (of the many) examples of queerness in Hindu Mythology. Also featuring the moon, some tree spirits, and suddenly having boobs.    What was your favorite Gender twist in this epi...

Aaron Bodling joins us to hear the story of Drupada as he is attacked by the Kuru clan. Drupada is a good king who has ruled by the wisdom he has gained from his guru, so he has no idea why a bunch of teenagers are leading an army against him. Aaron and Azure love the flashback and different version of Drupada's daughter/son Shikhandi. Satish is thrilled to rediscover Drupada's importanc...

We welcome Shanan Custer to tell her the story of the exhibition. Drona wants to show off all he has taught his students, to bring unity to the Kuru clan and dazzle everyone with Arjuna's unparalleled skill. It doesn't go well.  ☹️ S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zi...

For this episode we continue our adventure with Nick Mroczek by introducing him to Ekalavya, the forest kid with archery skills that inexplicably are better than Arjuna's. He claims Drona taught him, but what is the real truth? Nick is skeptical of Ekalavya's methods, and Azure is disgusted with Drona's actions to keep his promise to Arjuna.    What do you think of Ekalavya using ju...

For this episode we welcome Nick Mroczek and introduce him to the pivotal character, Drona. We also meet Kripa and Kripi. ALL of whom were born without mothers! Bizarre right?!?! Nick 'enjoys' all the splurging. Azure loves the name 'Bucket.'   What do you think of Drona so far? Let us know in the comments section of the episode page. https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-08/   Nick Mrocz...

For this episode we welcome Mike Hallenbeck and tell him the origin story of Karna, one of the Mahabharata's leading characters. We first visit Karna in a previous incarnation and decide he was wearing a magical 'croissant' armor when fighting Nara and Narayana.  We explore the caste system of the Mahabharat through Karna's inability to find a teacher, and we question Parashura...

For this episode we welcome childrens book author Peter Pearson and tell him of the  Pandavas meeting the Kauravas, and the beginning of the deadly rivalry between Duryodhana and Bheema. We once again dive into the theories of celibacy and brain power, and question why the wives fight for who gets to join Pandu on the funeral pyre. Satish tells the story Bheem roughhousing the kauravas too much. P...

For this episode we welcome writer Evan Kingston and tell him the origin of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Satish tells the story of his favorite half-celibate, half-sex-crazy couple, Evan is not into buying Vayu's impressiveness because of his own biases against wind, and Azure is proud of Madri's divine threesome.   Which god or goddess would you like to have take you on a romantic spi...

Kate Shuknecht joins us to hear the tragic fate of Vichitravirya, and how Satyavati and Bheeshma argue on how to continue the bloodline. They discover a solution in Satyavati's secret son. Kate is sympathetic to kings and their responsibilities, and Azure, Kate, and Satish wishes Vyasa could have done something to mask his odor before sexy-time. Satish then tells the varying stories of Ghanda...

For this episode we welcome Aaron Fiskradatz and tell him the story of Bheeshma sticking to his vow, even if it means the end of the world. We hear how the powerless princess Amba is as relentless in taking matters into her own hands and is prepared to spend 2 lifetimes to get her revenge. Aaron is not surprised by Bheeshma's 'stick-to-itness.' and loves seeing how the story can be...

For this episode we welcome musician Rhiannon Fiskradatz and tell her the story of the tortured King Shantanu who only manages to catch a single break because of his devoted demigod son. Rhiannon needs moments of silence after Ganga seemingly murders her own children, and yells in defense of Bheeshma keeping his heritage.   How surprised were you to here Ganga's reason for her actions?  Let u...

Welcome to the first season of Not Your Mother's Mahabharata! Each episode you will hear Satish P. Jayaraj casually tell stories from the epic Indian work, The Mahabharata to his wife  Azure Anderson and a special guest.  You, dear listener,  are treated to their entertainingly honest first reactions. The conversational approach allows variations of the story to also be told, as well as the c...

In this first episode Satish and Azure welcome Mindy Mejia. While Satish tells the origin story of Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, Mindy and Azure can't help to draw connections to  Seinfeld and Twilight . Satish recalls his grandfather telling him the story of how the epic was first written down by Ganesha, and Mindy is fascinated with how Vyasa can negotiate with the god. Each episode...