The Ramayana

Hello, this is Jhana and I'd like to wish you all a very happy The Vali, which in case

you don't know is the Hindu festival of light. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness

and good over evil. And for the Vali this autumn, we are starting our version of the Indian

epic, The Ramayana. We will feature the voices of Tom Ferenc and Berti.

Chapter 1 The Gods Have A Problem

Deep in a dark forest of India, a holy man that's hovering slightly off the ground, just above

the carpet of leaves. This wise man, known in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit as

a Rishi, had once been a king, wealthy and powerful. In old age he went without food, company

and sleep. After depriving his body and focusing his mind for many years, he had achieved

the power of levitation. And as he sat deep in a trance, his body rose into the air. He

was not without an audience. Argni, the bright god of the flames, flickered and danced before

him. The eyes of animals and birds, delinted like stars among the trees as they watched

him perform the miracle of mind over matter. His low chant carried throughout the wood.

May all parts of my body, including those of speech, life, vision, hearing, become

strong by being close to Brahmana. Let there be peace in me. Let there be peace around

me. Peace be to the world. Peace to the world. Peace to the world.

The mantra was pleasing to the divine ears of the gods and brought harmony to the world.

But the chanting sage annoyed some of his neighbours in the forest. His endlessly repeating

voice did nothing to soothe them. In fact, it grated on their nerves. These enemies of

harmony were demons, known in Sanskrit as Raksasas. One was Dada Gha, a princess reborn

as a winged monster. She had the face of a woman, but her body was feathered, and her

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