Storieo

Category: Mythology

  • The devout clash

    The devout clash

    The house turns upside down when one sister pulls the hair of another or brothers smack each other. It’s even worse when our parents fight for petty as well as gigantic issues. Wars between countries lead to immense misery and anguish. Think of what mass devastation would take place when gods battle each other in order to attest that they are more powerful than the other.

    “I am mighty powerful. I am the preserver. I guard every little being on our holy planet. There would only be sorrow and hardships in the absence of my existence” spoke Lord Vishnu in a proud tone.

    “Don’t forget that I am the creator Vishnu. Had I not created the universe, you wouldn’t have had anything to protect” said Lord Brahma in a conceited tenor.

    “More people worship me. More people believe in me. Their devotion for me is exemplary. I take avatars to shield the world whenever it is threatened with malevolence, chaos and vicious forces” replied Lord Vishnu in a superior pitch.

    “I have created knowledge and the universe. I don’t see any point in you winning this argument” answered Lord Brahma smirking.

    The fight seemed to go out of hand and would prove to be damaging, hence other gods went to Lord Shiva and asked him to intervene and bring an end to the futile dispute. Lord Shiva promised all other gods to handle the state of affairs and take care of it. He told them not to fret and stay in peace.

    While the two deities were quarrelling with each other and exchanging heated glances, all of a sudden a colossal pillar erupted between them. The pillar was so extensive that neither Lord Vishnu nor Lord Brahma could make out the commencement or conclusion of it. Their fight was forgotten and the two collectively set out on a mission. Lord Brahma embarked to find out the starting of the soaring pillar and hence took the avatar of a swan. Lord Vishnu departed to find out the end and took the avatar of a boar.

    Lord Brahma flew higher and higher but still couldn’t get any success. His mind was darting with distasteful thoughts that what would happen if Lord Vishnu reached the finish and returned before him. Lord Vishnu would make fun of him and tell him that he is so much better than him. Lord Brahma soared higher with greater verve and spotted a Ketaki flower on the pillar. He asked the striking flower as to what it was doing all isolated on the pillar. The blossom responded saying that it had been offered for prayer to this pillar years back and since then it has been blowing down but the pillar never seems to come to an end. Lord Brahma pleaded Ketaki to lie to Lord Vishnu that he reached the top and join him in this woven story. He looked at the flower very desperately and Ketaki gave in to his appeal. Lord Brahma carried the flower in his beak and flew to Lord Vishnu.

    Lord Vishnu, who was still digging swiftly and was pretty worn-out by now, looked at Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma told him with a pompous expression that he had reached the top before Lord Vishnu could dig to the bottom and hence he had proved his supremacy. Lord Vishnu was reluctant to accept this. Then came a crackling noise and the pillar diverged into two parts. Out of that, stepped the three eyed god, Lord Shiva. The pillar was a linga which was a form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva reminded them that each one of them had a purpose that was to create, preserve and destruct.

    Lord Shiva was furious to witness such a disgraceful deed done by Lord Brahma and Ketaki. They both were terrified and felt reprehensible.

    They apologized for their act. But Lord Shiva wasn’t done yet. He cursed Lord Brahma. He told him in a raging tone that Lord Brahma would never be worshipped like the rest of the other two gods and that Ketaki would never be offered for prayer from then on.

    Lord Shiva from then on, is prayed in the form of a linga, which is regarded as his pictogram the form in which he first appeared to stop the brawl between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

    Lord Brahma does not enjoy popular worship in present day Hinduism and very few temples in India are dedicated to his existence.

    This tale not only tells us that lying is an awful routine, but also teaches us that nothing great comes from it. No matter how much you lie, and make yourself stand finer in front of others, the seeds that you sow, will one day or the other reap and the weeds would be enough to obliterate the wholesome crop that could have grown from it.

  • Mahabharata in Ramayana

    Mahabharata in Ramayana

    When Characters of Mahabharata meets Lord Ram!

     

    Since Lord Rama was sentenced of the fourteen year exile, he always used to go out for hunting everyday. And as usual was out for hunting when suddenly a bullet gushed out of a high tech automated shotgun from somewhere in the woods and passed through a deer’s head. Lord Rama was amazed at the very sight that he had witnessed and wanted to meet the person who fired the shotgun. And to find the man possessing the shotgun Lord Rama and Laxman searched every corner of the forest, and found a tall man wearing sunglasses, he had a very nice physique and looked very strong. Lord Rama was surprised to see such a guy in the forest. He went towards the guy to have a few words with him.

    Add a gesture of courtesy Lord Rama took off his Cowboy hat and bowed towards the guy, and spoke, “Hola Amigo, chaps call me Rama here, Lord Rama! Who are you young man??”

    The guy with the shotgun then replied, “Bonjour Monsieur! Je m’appelle Arjun!” and bowed towards Rama and removed the sunglasses.

    “Oh! So you are Arjun, the man with the Hawk eye!” Lord Rama exclaimed.

    “Viola! Viola!” Arjun replied with content.

    Lord Rama was very pleased to meet Arjun and was in the middle of a conversation when they all felt the ground below their feet shake, and suddenly Lord Rama shrieked out, “Oh Good Lord! What the hell is going on in the forest?”

    “Don’t worry Pal! It’s just my brother working out.” replied Arjun with a very relaxed face. And then Arjun called all his Brothers and they all met Lord Rama. They all were having a good conversation when suddenly they heard a woman screaming, “ Arjun… Bheem… Yudhisthira… Nakul… Sachdeva…”

    After that very moment all the brothers spoke in one voice, “Oh it’s Mom, She might be calling us for Lunch, it’s time we should go!” as they finished a lean yet very fair Lady reached up to them.

    “Lord Rama!” she exclaimed as she got nearby. All the brothers were surprised on hearing their mother say.

    “Where is he?” they all asked in confusion.

    “You Nincompoops! The guy you are standing next to is Lord Rama!” she screamed at them.

    “I am sorry for their foolishness Lord, please forgive them they are unknown and naïve.” Kunti said to Lord Rama and bowed down to touch his feet when Lord Rama bent towards her and touched her feet and he spoke, “I am the one who should now down Madame! Non vous! Madame Kunti!”

    Kunti then took blessing from Lord Rama, and asked, “Have they been troubling you?”

    “Non non! In fact I am very pleased to meet them!” Rama replied, “they are all very well spoken, well behaved and well bright up, they were a wonderful company for my time here today and I leaned a lot of new things from them.”

    Soon Lord Rama was indulged in a very deep conversation with Kunti about the situation that landed them into exile when they were interrupted by another entity.

    “Lord Rama! Madame Sita awaits your presence for Lunch now” spoke Jatayu.

    At that moment Rama realised that he had been so into the conversation that he had no track of time, and was about to wish farewell and depart from the site, when he thought that it would be nice to invite his new friends to his place for lunch. And thus he requested Kunti for accompanying them for Lunch, at first Kunti was a bit hesitant. But looking at the content of Lord Rama’s face and the happiness in the face of her sons, she  agreed to Lord Rama’s offer.

    After that day, Lord Rama was accompanied by the Pandavas every day for hunting, and even when Madame Sita was captive in Ravana’s Kingdom Lanka, they helped Lord Rama in his fight against Ravana. And they all became the best of friends thereafter.

  • Could You Measure Your Devotion?

    Could You Measure Your Devotion?

    This is a review of the book Thirukkolur Ammaal Varththaigal by Madhurakavi daasan TCA Venkatesan based on the narration by Swami Ramanujar. its about various milestones in the History regarding Lord Vishnu according to the Hindu Beliefs.

     

    In life, self satisfaction leads to happiness. But when it comes to the point of devotion, it depends upon the Lord’s satisfaction in our service and devotion to him, that gives us His blessings and happiness. Self pride and contentment should be avoided in the act of devotion. Considering Hinduism, there is no strict rules and constraints been framed for its followers. It has given greater freedom so that people expose love on their religious beliefs rather than just following the boring rules.

    The story is about Thirukkolur Ammaal who places 81 questions while answering Sri Ramanujar’s question of her leaving Thirukkolur, a holy place where everyone actually wants to have a life even by struggling for food and clothing. Thirukkolur Ammaal meets Sri Ramanujar on her way while leaving that place. She is extremely devoted to the Lord Vishnu yet she places various historical incidents as a comparison of her devotion to the Lord. Hinduism believes that Lord Vishnu has taken about 9 forms (avatars) and the 10th one is yet to come at the end of this world. The questions of Thirukkolur Ammaal revolves around the incidents that happened during these 9 forms of the Lord and also about the Aazhvaars. Aazhvaars are those devotees, who are usually poets and sages that spend their life in servicing Lord Vishnu and there are 12 devotees who has been given the status of Aazhvaar. Here we shall look at few questions placed by Thirukkolur Ammaal.

     

    Note : The book is basically in Tamil (the regional language of Tamil Nadu), and hence a translation of the questions in English is being included at the end of each explanation.

     

    Chapter 1:

    In her 36th question she asks “iru maalai eendheno thondaradippodiyaar poley?” which has a beautiful story behind it.

    Thondaradippodi Aazhvaar is the one, who lived in Srirangam, a place at Tiruchirappalli.  In order for serving the Lord with flowers, he maintained a garden in his personal care. From that garden, everyday, he used to make beautiful garlands and present them to Sri Ranganatha, ( The form of Shri Vishnu at that temple ). The word “iru” in this question of Thirukkolur Ammaal has two meanings – one is “great” and the other is “two”. In the first sense, it may be regarded that the Aazhvaar provided wonderful flower garlands and also provided great word garlands to the Lord. They were great because Aazhvaar considered himself as the dust under the feet of the Lord and gave the garlands only as pure service to the Lord. In the second sense, it may be regarded that the Aazhvaar provided two wonderful garlands to the Lord. One was a ‘poo maalai’ – that is, a flower garland and the other was a ‘paa maalai’ – that is, a word garland. It is also believed that the number two refers to the two word garlands that Aazhvaar wrote – Thirumaalai and Thiruppalli Ezhuchchi. Thirukkolur Ammaal is asking “Did I provide the Lord with such great garlands, as Thondaradippodi Aazhvaar did?”. From this question, we could see how she explains the Aazhvaar’s greatest devotion to the Lord in his best works and compares herself as not so great as the Aazhvaar.

     

    Chapter 2:

    In her 38th question she questions, “avan mayni aaneno thiruppaanar poley?”.

    Thiruppanaazhvaar who was born in a field in Uraiyur, near Srirangam was picked up by a person from the clan of Pana’s (singers) and brought up. Standing in the banks of Kaveri river with a veena in his hand he used to sing the praises of Lord Ranganatha. The Lord decided to get him to Srirangam and acted a play through His brahmin devotee Lokasaranga Muni. One time, when he saw Thiruppanaazhvaar singing, he tried to attract his attention to ask him to move away while he fetched the water, but as Aazhvaar was immersed in singing he did not take notice. So, Lokasarangar threw a stone at him to get his attention. The stone hit his head and caused him to bleed. Aazhvaar then realized what was happening and stepped away. Lokasarangar then returned to Srirangam, where the Lord asked him to apologize to the great devotee ThiruppanaAazhvaar and bring him into Srirangam. Lokasarangar returned to Aazhvaar and offered to carry him on his shoulders. When Lokasarangar brought Aazhvaar in front of Lord Ranganatha inside the Srirangam temple, Aazhvaar sings the magnificent Amalanadhi Piran pasuram enjoying the view of divine body of the Lord from feet to the head. ( This method of visualizing the Lord from toe to head is called as Paadhaadhikesa dharisanam ) At the end of the ten pasurams, Aazhvaar disappeared from this world and attained to lotus feet of Lord Ranganatha. Thirukkolur Ammaal is asking “Did I become the target of His divine grace and attain His divine feet like Thiruppanaazhvaar did?”

     

    Chapter 3:

    In her 43rd question she questions “Poosa kodutheno kooniyai poley?”

    Krishna entered Mathura along with Balarama on the invitation of Kamsa through Akrura. He first met a washerman, asked for some new clothes. But the washerman, who worked for Kamsa, refused. So, they defeated him, took some clothes, put them on and left. Next, they met a florist and accepted fragrant garlands from him. Then, as they were walking, they saw young and pretty lady who had a hunchback ( that’s why Thirukkolur Ammaal calls her ‘kooni’ which means hunchback). In her hand, she was carrying many types of fragrant sandal. Krishna looked at her and said “O beautiful girl! Who are you taking this sandalpaste for?” She replied “O beautiful one! I am taking this sandalpaste for Kamsa”. Krishna and Balarama asked her for same sandal. She gave them some and they rejected it as artificially scented. She gave them a different variety and they rejected it as being meant for kings. Pleased that they were able to discern good fragrance from bad, she gave them sandal paste that matched their divine bodies. They wore it with pleasure.

    Thirukkolur Ammaal is asking “Did I give fragrant paste to the Lord like the hunchback did without thinking about consequences?”

     

    Chapter 4:

    In her 51st question she asks “ingum undu enreno prahlaadhanai poley?”

    Hiranyakashpu, an asura, was very cruel just as his brother Hiranyaksha who was killed by Lord Vishnu. So Hiranyakashpu developed great hatred toward Him. He performed great penance toward Brahma, obtained several boons from him and started ruling this world and put forth the command that no one should worship Sriman Narayana (Lord Vishnu) and instead everyone should worship him. Prahlada was the son of Hiranyakashipu. Despite being born to this evil asura, Prahlada was a great devotee of Sriman Narayana and prayed only to Narayana. This infuriated Hiranya and he began many attempts at torturing and even killing him. Prahlada’s mind was always set on Narayana and as such Hiranya was unable to do anything to him. In spite of everything that Hiranya did to him, Prahlada showed no anger toward him. Instead he advised Hiranya “Vishnu is the antaryami to everything in this universe. Being that the case, where is the idea of considering some as friends and some as enemies.  Just as He is inside me, so too He is inside you. He is present everywhere.” At that time, Hiranya showed a pillar and asked Prahlada if He was in it. Prahlada answered that He was everywhere including that pillar. When Hiranya wrecked that pillar, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha (one of the avatars) and killed Hiranya by ripping him with his finger nails.

    Thirukkolur Ammaal is asking “Did I say with great conviction that He is everywhere including here (in this pillar), like Prahlada did?”

     

    Inference:

    In every incident that happened with the avatars of Lord Vishnu there was wonders that people couldn’t believe so easily. Extreme devotion and sincere prayers has made such events occur and thus Thirukkolur Ammaal reveals all these novel events through her questions. She considers herself inferior in devotion by comparing with all these Aazhvars and sages. Hence, she doesn’t pose self satisfaction in her devotion to the Lord and seeks for His grace. Considering the moral of this book,

    TRUE DEVOTION TO GOD SHOULD BE IMMEASURABLE.

    If we show real love towards god without any expectation, he will surely shower his valuable blessings that we deserve for our faith on Him.

  • Loved By The Dark Lord

    Loved By The Dark Lord

     
    “How wonderful and strange it is to be loved by something that hates all else”
    Taking a different turn from the most common versions of the original Greek myth, this story showcases the possibly of what could’ve happened if the God of Death had gone against all his ruthless Godly instincts and instead followed his heart in winning over his beloved maiden’s heart. 
    Mustn’t it be a great feeling to be able to witness the love of of the God feared by all Gods and being able to be loved by the Dark Lord.  

    Persephone, the  Queen of Underworld was abducted and tricked into living with the lovelorn Greek God, Hades.

    Did she learn to love him with time, as the myth suggests or was she just another victim of Stockholm syndrome?

    What could’ve been had he pursued her like a normal suitor and made her fall in love ?

     

    It was just another afternoon, the sky was clear and birds could be heard chirruping. It was one of the days when Hades had decided to ascend from the underworld on hid chariot. He often visited the earth to escape his dismal kingdom. The God of Death was riding through the meadows, seeking peace when he spotted a young maiden picking wild flowers from the field.

    On a closer look he realised that it was none other than Persephone, his brother Zeus’ daughter and beloved of her mother Demeter, the goddess of harvest presiding over the grains and fertility of the earth.

     

    Hades had never seen such beauty who oozed of innocence his entire life. He decided to wed Persephone and make her his Queen. He rushed to Olympus to meet Zeus and ask him his daughter’s hand for marriage.

    “ What brings you to my humble abode, dear brother?”

    “I am in love with your daughter Persephone and wish to marry her. Give me your permission so that I can make her my queen.”

    Zeus is amused by his brother’s confession for he didn’t think he was capable of love. Though Zeus had no objections with the wedlock of the two, he knew Demeter would never allow it for she could not bear to be apart from Persephone. Moreover she would never let her daughter live in the gloomy underworld.

    So being the mighty God, he tacitly advised Hades to abduct his daughter. However, Hades being truly in love vowed to make Persephone fall in love and with him and willingly become his queen.

     

    Hades hurriedly returns to the meadows where he first saw the innocent maiden and approaches her with a bunch of wild flowers. Persephone is astonished to see Hades there, however she is unable to comprehend the sudden pull she she feels towards the God of Death for she was aware of the stories of his countless misdeeds and ruthless actions.
    Persephone was also aware of her mother’s possessiveness regarding her and knew she would never allow her to accept any suitor, especially Hades, the God of Death.

    But soon started the love escapades of the two lovers.
    Serenading each other near the water clearings, meeting secretly behind the valley, Hades had never felt so alive. He had never thought that he could ever find such happiness and forget his distressful life in the Underworld.
    As the meetings increased and Persephone started to see what a caring and loving being Hades was, she could not fathom the cruelty things she had heard people say about him.
    Little did she know that the “Bad Man” of every human and God’s dream was good only for her.

    Hades was becoming impatient and could not wait to make Persephone his queen any longer. One fine day he asked her to accompany him to the Underworld as his queen. Not wanting to disappoint him and hurt him, she reluctantly agreed, on the condition that she would return to earth and only become his queen once they have her mother’s blessings.

     

    Hades kingdom was nothing like she had expected it to be. Left to explore the palace all by herself, Persephone wandered in the gardens admiring the beauty of life in the world of death. She had never seen prettier flowers or more ripe fruits than the ones Hades’ gardens.
    Having eaten nothing since morning, Persephone gave into temptation and tasted the pomegranates that grew in the garden, unaware of the prying eyes of the gardener.

    Naive little Persephone did not know that she had sealed her fate as the Queen of Underworld for anyone who ate the food of underworld had to live there lest they shall die.
    After a while, Hades and Persephone return to earth, only to face the wrath of a fuming Demeter.
    Demeter believed that Hades was not a suitable suitor for her daughter and that he had tricked her into falling in love with him. She orders Persephone to go home and cut all ties with the God.

    “ Persephone shall return to Underworld with me as my Queen for she has tasted the food there. If you care for your daughter and wish for her to live you will not object it” , says Hades.

    Demeter is heartbroken and looks towards her daughter to see any sign of disapproval, only to see Persephone crying and nodding her head yes.
    As much Persephone’ tears were of sorrow for leaving her beloved mother, she was ecstatic to live the rest of her life ruling beside Hades as his Queen and wife.

     

    Feeling miserable on hearing such news, Demeter vows to step back from her duties of harvesting earth in grief of losing her daughter to the underworld. Fearing that there will be nothing left for humans to offer Gods, Zeus descends from Olympus and offers a solution to the whole ordeal.
    He decides to give Persephone half months on Earth with her mother and other half months in the underworld with Hades. Though none of the two parties were pleased with the alternative nevertheless they had no other option but to accept it.
    During the six months that Persephone was apart from her mother, Demeter was upset and not in the mood to carry out her duties, leaving the earth to decline. These months were of Autumn and Winter where there was no harvest and growth.
    Persephone became the Goddess of Spring as when she came to spend time with her mother, the earth would yield and become fruitful for Demeter would shine from happiness.

    Thus the lovely maiden Persephone became the rightful wife of Hades and Queen of Underworld without hating her husband in the initial phase of their life as is suggested in the original myth of Greek Gods.

  • Gods of Rain

    Gods of Rain

    Chaac and Tlaloc, two gods of rain for two tribes were as similar and as different to each other as they could be.

     

    In the Pre-Colombian Mesoamerican traditional religious beliefs, Chaac and Tlaloc are two important deities associated with rain and fertility. Whereas Chaac is worshipped by the Mayans, Tlaloc is by the Aztecs.

    The Mayans are a group of people who are aboriginal to Mesoamerica. They populate Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The Aztecs are a group of people of a specific ethnic group of Central Mexico, who mainly spoke the Nahuati language. Though both these gods are portrayed to play the same function in both the societies.

    But they are quite different in other aspects of life like the animals they are associated with. Chaac is said to have the power over the rain and agriculture and fertility.

    He is said to be have four incarnations linked to the four cardinal directions with relation to the colours green, red, white and black respectively.

    Chaac is known to be one of the oldest Mayan deities and is illustrated as a human with animal features, that of an amphibian, i.e. with scales over his body, a long-curly nose and a large, protruding lower lip. He is also said to bear a stone axe which he uses to generate rain and thunder by striking the clouds with it.

    Among the many rituals that were to be done so as to please the rain god, the most intriguing one would be the sacrifice of four boys for the four cardinals, chanting as frogs for rain and better crops. It is believed that since Chaac was helped by four dwarfs in the time of distress, the sacrificial offering of children is preferred. In some traditions, it is presumed that there were demigods, known as Chaacob and to humans, they appeared as dwarfs or giants.

    Chaacs’ alter ego, Tlaloc is said to be the god of rain and fertility and vegetation for the Aztecs. He is considered as the ruler of the 3rd sun and has been portrayed as a human with circles around his eyes and fangs like that of a jaguar, with skin, the colour dirty yellow. Tlaloc is often associated with the mountains and is said to have a group of demigods, known as the Tlaloque.

    Tláloc is also said to have had two wives: first Xochiquetzal, the flower and fertility goddess but she was abducted by Tezcatlipoca. Later, he took a second wife, Matlalcueitl, another rain deity.

    Tlaloc is said to have had both, helpful and harmful aspects. He carried four water jugs: one gave rain, but the others poured disease, frost, and drought onto the world. He is said to create rain by clashing both of his jugs together. Tláloc was also believed to rule the other-worldly paradise of Tlalocán, where the victims of floods, storms and diseases such as leprosy were accepted after death. The deceased bodies were not incinerated but were buried. Just like the other deities,

    Tlaloc also required human sacrifice and priests often offered him the lives of children during the dry season. It was speculated that the tears in the eyes of the children during the sacrifice meant intense rainfall.

  • The Legend of the Sliver Tongue

    The Legend of the Sliver Tongue

    Our world is filled with legends and stories that explain it to us. This story story is a legend about a god born and how he created the season of autumn. But don't be fooled not every one can comprehend the truth in these legends. not every man can register the consequence of asking a question and having to live with the answer.

    Dear reader you have been warned.

     

    “Listen well my lady, I won’t repeat myself. I neither have the strength nor time to fuel your curiosity. Even scribes are children of eve, just like you and me”

    “What legend you wanted my lady? Pause ah….the legend of the silver tongue…one rather nasty bit of magic that is…not for purer of faith. Oh well I’ll tell u anyway.”


    It was long before god had separated the realms in heaven and earth and hell didn’t exist. Pleased with his plans for the Arthema, he entrusted his work to 3 sons of Adam and one daughter of eve- the god born.


    This tale, mind you, was during the seasons of civil of between the gods born for the control of Arthema. One faction led by Annilise- the god born of war and the other by Karvelar- the god born of chaos. It was a dark time for the Arthema kind. There were more souls in purgatory than on the lands itself.


    But here my lady is the real reason why the war ended, karvelar’s second in command- scion – the god hand of seasons had lost his heart to Annilise seasons before the civil unrest. But his loyalty to his brother in arms tore them apart. Love….young lady, vile little thing that is. Better stay away unless you can endure its curse.


    But I digress.


    But like most in love they’d celebrate their love in secret. Disguised as mortal children they’d meet in the gardens of the temple of the god born.

    But alas my lady as all tragedies go their secret eventually got out. Betrayed by her own, they were discovered and captured by the general of Karvelar and dragged before his war counsel.


    What you need to remember here my lady in those seasons of the ancients the ruling of prisoners of war was silver imprisonment. Same even say the pair being proud swan of the only god had made peace with their fate.


    It was a dark night, no stars shone that night nor did the moon lay its grace on the lands. The council had gathered and the ruling was to be passed.


    But crafty as the god born of chaos was-  he and his council offered Annilise a deal – to bow down to Karvelar and they’d spare scion the silver imprisonment and she’d just be a hostage of war till order was restored. Naturally for the sake of her only love she agreed and the entire army of ranks upon ranks had been broken to obey Karvelar.


    When all was said and done, Annilise called upon the contract with the god born and his council, but drunk with power and pride, Karvelar had his prisoners brought to court and in the full view of the Arthema that watched he thrust his silver septre at Annilise’s heart.


    In an attempt to save his love scion pushed her aside and took the blow. He crashed into her embrace, the spell turning him into silver.
    Enraged, that he was cheated of his grand plan, the god born of chaos pushed his septre through scion into Annilise’s heart. , the winds held their breath and all life drew into themselves.


    As the God born and her love lay there as their energy source deserted them; scion called unto all life on Arthema for help.
    Saddened by their plight, the trees answered and pushed their life source into their god hand, as they did so, their leaves wilted and fell their wood ran dry and the weather grew cold…thus was created the winter.


    Even though they couldn’t be saved that night; it is said just before every winter the trees continue to offer their life source to revert the spell, hence the season of autumn.


    And when the spell shall fail,
    In all glory and might,
    Love lost shall unite,
    Even though it has been before,
    There shall be autumn no more.

    “But scribe….why is it called the legend of the silver tongue…” asked the day.


    “Well….” He said “…it must have been some kind of translation error…you see the syllable for tongue and god sound the same in the language of the ancients.”


    “But scribe how do you know that there will be no autumn anymore?” questioned the lady as she teased the candle light with parchment knife. But she got no reply so she turned to force her answer but the scribe was long gone.


    All that was there was a vine that has started to outgrow the scriptures. The Flowers that bloomed fell off their holds and hung in the air with a yellow glow.

    Thin stream of snowflakes began to drop where she stood and an ominous voice muttered “because my lady, in in no need of the life source anymore.”


     

  • The Myth of Narcissus

    The Myth of Narcissus

    This story is about Narcissus, a man who fell in love with his own reflection and later died because he couldn't find the love of his life which was his own reflection only.

     

     Echo was a mountain nymph who lived on the Mount Kithairon. She was a beautiful voluptuous woman with the perfect body one would always crave for. After all she was a nymph and they were known for their youthful skin and long dark hair. Echo was especially known for her full figure and her hypnotic way of attracting men.

     

    Zeus, the famous Greek God was frequently attracted towards nymphs and he would often go and meet them. His wife, Hera, was jealous of the innumerable affairs he had. She sometimes tried to catch him, going after the women he used to visit. Echo was a clever woman . She would engage Hera in so long conversations, that she would also get to give the required time to Zeus and didn't allow Hera to find out it too.

     

    One day Hera came to know of Echo's intentions. Here's face turned red like fresh blood. She was too angry. She started breaking all the urns and the pots in the hall. It seemed as if she was possessed by some angry devil. She felt betrayed. She was so annoyed and outraged by her deeds that she cursed her.

     

    "May you suffer and feel the pain I am going through now. May you only be able to repeat the last words that anyone has said!"

     

    Echo felt doomed. She was afraid that the curse might affect her life too much.

    As she was worried and devastated and roaming around the woods one sunny day, Echo came across a handsome young man named Narcissus. He had a physique that no other man ever had on earth. His jawbones were shaped perfectly. His gait was that of a prince and his golden brown curly hair suited him so well. The green eyes were too beautiful for his long face. His nose was as sharp as the woodpecker. The bow he held in his hands looked more beautiful and royal. His chin reminded her of the well sculpted figures in the temple she used to visit.

     

    Narcissus, was the son of Cephisus, the river God and Lyriope, a nymph. He was one of the favourites of God Apollo for his charming looks and great personality.

     

    When Narcissus was young and used to go on hunting sessions, he was roaming the woods too and Echo saw him and fell for him. It was love at first sight. She was madly in love with him. But Echo could not talk to him because of the curse. Hera had ruined her life forever.

     

    Echo started stalking him in the woods. Narcissus had gone to hunt that day. He had lost track of his friends while searching for a pink coloured rabbit which had sneaked into a hole. Narcissus felt as of someone was constantly following him. He was suspicious. He soon started yelling,

     "Is someone there around? "

    As Echo was cursed, she couldn't talk to him. So she repeated the words. Narcissus heard some voice and he responded to it and shouted again,

     "Let's come together and meet! "

    Echo was so ecstatic. She felt her heartbeats beat faster than ever . She was going to meet her love. Echo repeated his words and ran like a mad woman to see him and talk to him.

     

    She came panting near a river where Narcissus was standing with his bow. Narcissus looked at Echo and made a scowling face. It seemed as if he was disgusted even by Echo's presence there. He said,

     

    " So it is you! The well known nymph Echo! Well, what brings you here? And you with that starry eyed look, don't expect anything from me. I don't find you to be worth it. You are not that beautiful. "

     

    "But I love you. You are the most handsome man I have ever met. Come with me. I will take care of you."

     

    But Narcissus rejected her and he sat down by the river. Echo was shattered. She felt heartbroken. Her charming prince didn't find her to be the one. The one and only woman of his life. She sat there beside the river leaning against a chestnut tree and weaped and wailed all day long.

     

    Meanwhile, Nemesis, the Goddess of Revenge, was listening to the story and she decided to teach Narcissus a lesson. For all that ego he had in himself for being the most charismatic man, Nemesis had a great plan.

     

    Narcissus was sitting calmly by the river on the opposite bank and he was insensitive of Echo's feelings for him. He was feeling thirsty. He wanted to quench his thirst and decided to drink some water. Soon, he saw his reflection in the crystal clear water and was astonished by the beauty he saw. He fell in love with it. He put his hand inside the water as he was longing to touch it. He mused,

     

    "I was searching for you only, my love! Where were you? I want you to marry me! You are so mesmerising!"

     

    Nemesis was laughing at him. She was making fun of his stupidity and his useless brain. She was relieved now. Narcissus was punished.

     

    Narcissus had got lost into the beauty of his own reflection. He sat there on the river bank all day and night only to admire his reflection in the water. He was amazed. He was in love with himself. One day, he wanted desperately to kiss his reflection. He bent down to the river water and tried kissing it but he lost his balance and fell into the river. He got drowned. While getting deeper into the waters of the river, Narcissus thought,

     

    " Why can't I get him? He was so perfect for me. He was like an angel. I wanted him. How come a handsome person like me not get what I want? "

     

    Narcissus had got drowned into the deepest trench of the river. On hearing of his death, Echo came running to the river bank and she longed to see him again. But he was gone. Echo was broken to peices. Only her sweet echoing voice was left behind in the woods after her death.

     

    People of Greece today also say that Narcissus is still enchanted by his beauty in the Underworld when they look at the waters of the Styx.