INDIAN MYTHOLOGY
2. Vishnu Outwits Two Demons
The
sage Suta went on narrating the episodes of bygone times to the other sages.
“The power of the Divine Mother is infinite. People worship many gods. But from
where do the gods derive their strength? It is from the Divine Mother, the
Supreme Shakti,” said Suta, and he went on to illustrate his point:
There
was a time when even Vishnu, the great God who sustains the universe, was lying
as an infant on a banyan leaf that floated in the Sea of Consciousness. In that
condition he had no memory of his past, nor any knowledge of the future. He
wondered and desired to know who he was. It was in her infinite campassion that
the Divine Mother had manifested before him. At her sight, Knowledge flashed in
the infant Vishnu’s mind. The Divine Mother is the repository of all knowledge,
love and strength.
Once
when everything was water, two demons, Madhu and Kaitav, had a glimpse of the
Divine Mother. Inspired by the vision, they spent a thousand years in prayer to
invoke Her Grace. At last the Divine Mother was pleased and appeared before
them and offered them a boon.
“Grant
that we would die only when we wish to die,” the demons begged of Her.
“Your
wish is granted,” said the Divine Mother and disappeared.
The
two demons grew so proud that they soon challenged Vishnu to a fight. When
Madhu was tired, he took rest while Kaitav continued to fight. When Kaitav was
tired, Madhu fought. But there was nobody to come to Vishnu’s help. Soon Vishnu
was tired and proposed that they stopped fighting for a while.
The
two demons agreed to the proposal. During the respite Vishnu concentrated on
the mystery of the demons’ zeal. The knowledge then flashed in him how they had
obtained a boon to die only when they wished.
Vishnu
prayed to the Divine Mother to come to his rescue. The Mother was pleased. She
withdrew that part of Her power which works as intelligence in all beings. As a
result, the two demons began swelling with pride.
“I
have fought many a demon, but never have I seen brave ones like you, Why don’t
you ask me for a boon?” asked Vishnu.
The
demons laughed. “Vishnu! You are the one who is about to be vanquished. How can
we, the victors, pray for a boon from the vanquished? Better you ask for a boon
from us! We shall grant it,” they promised.
“Very
well. Grant that you will die in my hands!” said Vishnu.
The
demons were outwitted. “Let it be so,” they said. Vishnu now killed the demons.
It was out of their fat or Meda that the earth was made. That is
why the earth is called Medini.
The
sages asked Suta, “You had a friend in Shuka, the son of Vyasa. When and how
was he born?”
Suta
narrated the story: Once Vyasa, while gazing at a flame, thought, ‘I wonder if
there is a woman who is capable of giving birth to a son as pure as this
flame!’
Just
then a beautiful nymph called Ghritachi was passing by, followed by Madan, the
god of Love. Vyasa was charmed by her, but he tried to take his attention away
from her, lest the nymph one day deserted him, as Urvasi had deserted
Pururavas.
“Will
you please tell us what really happened to Urvasi and Pururavas?” the listeners
asked Suta.
Long
ago, there was a king named Pururavas. He had such powers that he could pay
visits to the heavenly abode of gods. One day, he saw Urvasi, the celebrated
nymph, in the court of Indra. The mortal king and the immortal nymph were
attracted towards each other.
As
she showed weakness for a human, she forfeited her right to dwell in heaven.
She came down to earth and lived as Pururavas’s wife. The joy of the lovers
could hardly be described! The couple lived happily.
However,
Indra could not tolerate the absence of the celestial danseuse from his court.
He asked his courtiers to do all that was necessary to make her return to
heaven.
Meanwhile,
Pururavas had to comply with some conditions so that Urvasi would stay with
him. He was never to be seen clumsily dressed like other mortals. Urvasi would
not stand such a sight.
Urvasi
had two pet lambs. One rainy night the gods came to steal them away. The lambs
bleated in panic. Both Pururavas and Urvasi woke up. Pururavas jumped out of
his bed in order to chase the thieves. He had no chance to wear his clothes
properly. Just then there was a flash of lightning and Urvasi saw how clumsy
Pururavas looked.
At
once she had to return to heaven. The seperation from Urvasi made Pururavas go
almost mad. He roamed about here and there looking for her. One day, he caught
a glimpse of her near a lake. His voice charged with emotion, he said, “Come
back to me, O Urvasi, for I cannot live without you. Haven’t I loved you more
than mylife? Haven’t I done everything possible to please you?”
“You
have, O dear King. But such is the fate that an immortal cannot live with a
mortal forever. That is why we are bound by certain conditions. O King, forget
me, and give all your attention to the affairs of your kingdom,” said Urvasi
and, with a sigh, she disappeared.
Although
Vyasa remembered this incident, he could not check his love for Ghritachi. It
was this nymph who gave birth to Shukadeva.
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