The myths behind the story
Hindu epic
Prince Ram, his wife Sita and his devoted ally Hanuman against the rakshasa king Ravana. Sita was born from the earth at Janakpur, in today's Nepal, where Ram broke Shiva's great bow to win her hand.
In the storySeason 2, The Bow of Janakpur: the last of Ravana's army hunts a shard of that bow, and Aman must face Hanuman's test.
Hindu epic
The great war of Kurukshetra. Nepali tradition remembers the Kirat king Yalambar, who set out to join it and whose head the Newars still honor as Akash Bhairav; Bhimsen, strongest of the Pandavas, became a god of Newar traders; Shiva came as a Kirata hunter to test Arjuna.
In the storySeason 3, The Kirat War: Yalambar's army rises, and the hunter on the mountain tests Aman.
Hindu
Ancient histories of gods and demons: the churning of the ocean for the nectar of immortality, Shiva swallowing the poison that rose with it, Durga's war with Mahishasura.
In the storySeason 1 ends at Gosaikunda; Season 4, The Churning, is the war over immortality itself.
Buddhist
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, in Nepal. Mara's armies attacked him on the night of his awakening, and he turned even the killer Angulimala toward peace.
In the storySeason 5, The Road to Lumbini: a warrior named Peace learns what that word costs.
Newar folklore
A furry household ghost that lives in the dark corners, attics and stairways of old Newar houses, and hears everything said in them, by the living and the dead.
In the storyBhulu, a Khyak from a Bhaktapur potter's roof, hears the news before anyone else, and pays for following Aman out of the Valley.
Hindu / Buddhist
Yakshas are mighty nature spirits who guard the treasures of the earth for Kubera, lord of wealth, in the far north near Mount Kailash. In Buddhist art they stand as fierce temple guardians.
In the storyAman, a mortal, was the greatest champion they ever hired, until he refused to finish a massacre. Kanakaksha, his old lord, now hunts him.
Hindu
The goddess Durga defeated the buffalo-demon Mahishasura after nine nights of war. Nepal celebrates her victory every year at Dashain.
In the storyEpisode 5: the Buffalo King smells Durga in Nani and burns his way up a ridge village on Dashain, where the villagers remember Aman as the butcher.
Buddhist
The tempter who sent armies of demons and illusions against the Buddha on the night of his enlightenment, and failed.
In the storyThe Buddhist arc: Mara's armies besiege a Himalayan monastery, and tempt Aman with the one thing he wants.
Buddhist
The Valley was once a lake. The bodhisattva Manjushri cut the Chobhar gorge with his sword of wisdom, drained the water, and revealed the lotus of Swayambhu.
In the storyThe Nagas lost their kingdom that night, and have waited a thousand years to take it back.
Newar / Buddhist
King of the serpents, given the pond of Taudaha as a new home after the lake was drained.
In the storyThe tragic antagonist. He needs divine blood to seal the gorge and bring the water home.
Newar / Hindu
The goddess Taleju left a Malla king after a game of dice, and promised to return only inside a young girl, the Kumari, who steps down when she bleeds.
In the storyNani was cut. Taleju is trapped inside her and will burn her out in seven days.
Newar
A demon who agreed to protect Kathmandu, honored at Indra Jatra with masked dances.
In the storyAchedya is a real Lakhe, and Aman's ally in the Battle of Durbar Square.
Newar
A child-eating demon, tamed and fed a feast at Tundikhel each year so he leaves the city's children alone.
In the storySet free by Kanakaksha and the Nagas to hunt Aman north. At Gosaikunda the ice opened under him.
Newar / Hindu
Eight mother goddesses whose shrines ring the Valley as a protective mandala.
In the storyEach guards a gate out of the Valley. They test, not fight: Brahmayani tests pride, Chamunda tests rage.
Hindu / Newar Buddhist
The fierce form of Shiva and guardian of the Valley. His devotees wear the tripundra, three lines of ash, on the forehead.
In the storyAchedya wears his mark. In Episode 6, Bhairav judges Aman on the burning ground of Pashupati, and at Gosaikunda he passes sentence.
Hindu
Shiva struck the mountain with his trident to make a lake and cool his throat after swallowing the cosmic poison.
In the storySeason 1's finale. Like Shiva, Aman drinks a fire no mortal should hold, and walks into the lake to cool it.