Storieo

Tag: myth

  • The Flute of Destiny

    The Flute of Destiny

    In the mystical realm of ancient India, there lived a divine being known as Lord Krishna. Born as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, Krishna embodied love, compassion, and wisdom. His story, filled with enchanting miracles and profound teachings, captivated the hearts of countless devotees for generations to come.

    In the kingdom of Mathura, a cruel and oppressive king named Kamsa ruled with an iron fist. Deeply aware of a prophecy that foretold his demise at the hands of Devaki’s eighth child, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva. Despite the dire circumstances, the cosmic forces were aligning to fulfill a greater purpose.

    On a stormy night, as the heavens roared and rain poured relentlessly, Devaki gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Understanding the significance of the moment, a divine intervention occurred. Vasudeva, aided by divine intervention, carried the newborn across the treacherous river Yamuna to the safety of a humble village called Gokul.

    In Gokul, the infant Krishna was raised by Yashoda and Nanda, simple cowherds who showered him with unconditional love. The young Krishna soon revealed his divine nature through his playful and mischievous nature. His endearing smile and enchanting flute melodies won the hearts of both humans and animals alike.

    As Krishna grew older, tales of his heroic exploits began to spread far and wide. He fearlessly confronted and defeated demons that threatened the people of Mathura, ensuring the safety and well-being of all. The most famous of these battles was his epic encounter with the serpent demon Kaliya, whose poisonous presence polluted the waters of the Yamuna River. Krishna fearlessly danced atop the serpent’s many heads, ultimately subduing him and restoring purity to the river.

    Krishna’s divine charm attracted the love and adoration of the gopis, young cowherd girls who were mesmerized by his captivating personality. He played the flute, enchanting them with its melodious tunes, and danced with them through moonlit nights, symbolizing the divine union of the soul with the Supreme.

    One of the most cherished moments in Krishna’s life was the Bhagavad Gita, a conversation between Krishna and the warrior prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. In this pivotal moment, Krishna revealed his profound wisdom, teaching Arjuna about duty, righteousness, and the eternal nature of the soul. His teachings continue to guide and inspire humanity to this day.

    Ultimately, Krishna fulfilled the prophecy that had haunted Kamsa. He returned to Mathura, confronted the tyrannical king, and vanquished him, liberating the kingdom from his oppressive rule. Krishna’s divine mission had been accomplished, and he established a reign of righteousness and peace.

    “The Flute of Destiny: The Mythology of Lord Krishna” narrates the awe-inspiring journey of a divine avatar, whose love, wisdom, and valor continue to resonate in the hearts of devotees worldwide. Krishna’s timeless message of love, devotion, and self-realization serves as a guiding light for all seekers on their spiritual path, reminding us of the eternal presence of the divine within us and around us.

  • 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 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.