The story of Shikhandin from the epic Mahabharata is particularly intriguing because it highlights his trans-transgender disposition. Born as a girl child to Drupad the king of Panchal, and named Shikhandini, she goes on to live the life of a male archer eventually killing the great teacher Bhishma. In Mahabharata Shikhandin’s trans-gender state is attributed to the story of Amba who takes revenge on Bhishma. Here is another version that explains Shikhandin’s story of gender transformation.

According to the South Indian version of Panchatantra, there was king who was childless for many years. After performing many vows and sacrifices, his wife finally bore him children. But to his disappointment all the children were girls and the King longed for a boy. Frustrated the King decided to abandon his queen and remarry so that he could get a baby boy and the heir to his kingdom. But as the queen was pregnant again with a child, his minister pleaded with him to wait till she delivered, as the astrologer had predicated that the heir to the King would be born this time.The King agreed to wait.

But alas! Once again it was a baby girl. The minister was distraught and worried and he decided to hide the baby girl and sent the astrologer to the King with the news that a baby boy was born, but as the birth was during an inauspicious moment, the father should not see the face his child for the next sixteen years. Else, it would cause grave danger to the King’s life. Thus the baby girl grew up in the palace hidden from the view of everyone.

As soon as the prescribed fifteen years passed, the minister approached the King and said” Oh King! Our prince has grown into a handsome young man and we need to find a suitable girl for him before he turns sixteen. Please allow me to approach the neighbouring King for his eligible daughter.” The minister then marched to the neighbouring kingdom and asked the King to surrender his daughter for the prince, and the neighbouring King gladly agreed.

Meanwhile back at the palace a Brahmarakshasa who happened to see the beautiful hidden princess fell madly in love with her and begged the minister to allow a meeting with her. The cunning minister said “Well ! Brahmarakshasa, I can allow you to meet her but only on the condition that you will exchange your manhood with the princess for the coming six days.” Bhrahmarakshasa agreed and thus Bhrahmarakshasa turned into woman and the princess turned into a man. Minister immediately arranged the wedding of the ‘prince’ with the daughter of the neighbouring King.

The six days of the agreement passed and the ‘prince’ had to return his manhood to Brahmarakshasa and take back the womanhood. The Prince with a heavy heart went to Brahmarakshasa and said “ Oh Brahmarakshasa , here I have come to return your manhood as we had agreed. You can turn me back into a woman again.” But to his surprise Brahmarakshasa begged him to continue as a man. “ Oh prince I beg of you to allow me remain in my current female form. I am now madly in love with another man and pregnant with his child. There is no way I can turn back into a man in this state. So please.”

The Prince returned joyfully to the palace as a man and took the reigns of the country as the new King.

The story goes on to state, it was the same Bramharakshasa who was born as Shikhandin in his next birth.

Story collected by : Vidya Kamat
Source: Tamil Temple Myths By David Dean Shulman
Location : Tamil Nadu
Image Copyright: Vidya Kamat

Son in laws occupy a special position in Indian house holds. He is always welcomed as an important and special guest of the family and offered with choicest gifts, clothes, and food delicacies, whenever he visits his wife’s parental home.  He addressed as Jamai in Hindi or Javai or pahuna literally meaning guest in rural Maharashtra in Marathi and Zavuim in Konkani.  However, he is also a target of ridicule and the butt of many jokes . In Goa, a tiny state in western India there are many folktales dedicated to the Son-in law presenting him as foolish, greedy, outright ignorant, and even as a dullard and therefore a target of mockery.

Here is a story that gives an idea of the social jibes meted out to the son in law, subtly humiliating his position and unwarranted pride.

The son in law had arrived during lunch time and mother in law hurried to the kitchen to set up a menu. It happened to be a Monday, and the family followed the routine of a strictly vegetarian lunch on Monday’s . Since it was a vegetarian meal, the mother in law had cooked few additional dishes to satiate the palate of the son in law. The table was loaded with local varieties of traditional delicacies. Vegetarian dishes like Khatkhatem ( mixed vegetable stew), tambadi bhaji  vegetable made of amaranth stalks freshly cut from the backyard garden, potato, lentils soups, raw mango curry, and pilau made out of best variety of basamati rice, along with side dishes in the form of chutneys, pickles, and salads were on the table along with the customary Sol kadhi  or  coconut milk curry. The son in law feasted on each and every dish lovingly served on to his plate. There was hardly any space left in his bulging tummy but his greed did not allow him to stop. And when he was about to belch, the mother in law came with a pot full of vermicelli payasam. “Try this son. Even gods can’t resist this sweet dish” she said trying to pour the sweet milky white porridge on to his plate.

Now the son in law had never seen or tasted vermicelli payasam before. He was repelled to see vermicelli that appeared like  worms in the milk and shouted “ NO! I don’t like it Mother in law. Please excuse me.” blocking his hands over the plate . Confused and disappointed mother in law stopped midway, and quietly walked back to kitchen after serving others in the family. Son in law looked around and saw every one was happily relishing the dish served on their plates. “What is so special about this dish that even gods love it” he thought to himself.

Then he saw few drops of milk syrup had dripped on his palm. He looked around and quickly licked the syrup from his palm. “ Hmmm… this really tastes divine. He thought to himself as the taste lingered in his mouth. He thought regretfully “I should have listened to mother in law and eaten that sweet”. But it was too late.

The second Sunday of the month of May is celebrated globally as International mother’s day. Anna Jarvis an American activist in the early 20th century was instrumental in proposing the idea of a world mother’s day as recognition of the invaluable role played by mothers across the world in nurturing and bringing up the children of this world.

However, the UN-sanctioned mother’s day celebration is often scoffed at as a western imposition by many in India. Is there a mother’s day in India that is part and parcel of the country’s culture? According to Dr Ashok Rana, the celebration of ‘Jivati Amavasya’ in rural India can be considered India’s own mother’s day.

Jivati is a goddess who is said to protect a newborn child and is worshipped as Jivati or Jivantika in Maharashtra. In rural Maharashtra women observe a ‘vrat’ or a penance rite on every Friday of the Hindu lunar Shravan month where they draw a picture of deity Jivati on the wall with sandalwood and worship her. Along with this rite, there is the tradition of inviting a married woman with their children for lunch. The menu would include ‘puran poli’ and various other Maharashtrian delicacies. The mother of the household would perform this pooja for the long and healthy life of her children. At the conclusion of the rite, women would narrate the story of Jivati.

The following story is part of the ‘Jivantika vrata’.

In India, Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is grown in every home. Locally known as tulasi, its numerous medicinal benefits are well known to its people. In fact this plant is revered in India as a sacred plant – holy basil and worshipped everyday in a form of a goddess. There are many stories in Puranas narrating how a humble wild herb turned into a goddess.

The Curse

Saraswati, Ganga and Lakshmi were wives of Lord Mahavishnu. The Lord loved all three wives equally, but each one of the wives wanted his undivided attention and love. Once all three of them along with Lord Vishnu were sitting together in the garden when Ganga lustfully glanced at Mahavishnu, which was immediately noticed by Saraswati and Lakshmi. Saraswati got angry and caught hold of Ganga by her hair, and dragged her to ground, and a catfight broke out between them. Seeing this Lakshmi intervened and caught hold of Saraswati preventing her from further assaulting Ganga. But Saraswati who was in a state of extreme anger poured her rage on Lakshmi by cursing her to be born as a plant on the earth. Ganga cursed Saraswati that she would be born as a river on the earth. Saraswati then cursed Ganga that she too would be born as a river on the earth. Once the whole drama settled down, Visnu called Lakshmi to his side and said, “ Oh Devi do not worry. Things have happened as predestined. You shall go to earth and take birth as the daughter of Dharmadhvaja. Your divine grace will transform you into a plant, sacred enough to make all three worlds pure by your presence and that plant will be known as ‘Tulasi’. A demon named Shankhachuda who shares part of my virile strength will marry you and I will retrieve you from him and thus you will be my wife once again”.

Birth of Tulasi

Dharmadhvaja and Kushadhvaja did penance and propitiated Mahalakshmi and persuaded her to be born in their homes as their daughter. Thus Kushdhvaja’s wife Malavati gave birth to a daughter and they named her Vedavati ( Sita), who later married Shree Ram.

Meantime Dharmadhvaja’s wife Madhavi delivered a pretty daughter, and they named her Tulasi meaning, the matchless one. But Tulasi after renouncing all worldly pleasures went off to Badrikashrama, praying for Mahavishnu to become her husband. Eventually, Brahma appeared before Tulasi and asked her the purpose of her penance, and she told him that she wants to marry only Mahavishnu and no one else. Brahma said “Devi, it is very difficult to marry Vishnu on this earthly plane or bhu-loka. Instead, why don’t you marry Sankhachuda as he is part of Vishnu himself? This Sankhachuda is none other than Sudama, a friend of Krishna. Once you are married to him, Vishnu will come seeking and marry you in the form of a Tulasi plant. Thus Tulasi will become the dearest plant for Vishnu, and you will be always be united with him in this bhu-loka”.

Marriage of Tulasi

Due to the curse of Radha, Sudama, the childhood friend of Krishna was born as the demon Shankhachuda. Sankhachuda did penance to propitiate Brahma, seeking Vishnu-Kavach. Brahma was pleased by Sankachuda’s penance and granted him the boon that death will touch him only when Vishnu -kavach is removed from his body, or his wife’s chastity is lost. Meanwhile, Tulasi met Sankhachuda as per Brahma’s advise and married him. Having acquired Tulasi in marriage, Sankhachuda became arrogant and started teasing Devas by boasting that he has the most prized woman in all three worlds – the most beautiful and chaste woman, his wife Tulasi. He also knew the boon he had received from Brahma had made him invincible. His arrogance caused innumerable troubles to the Devas, who then approached Mahavishnu. Mahavishnu sent Shiva to kill Shankhachuda. Shankhachuda took leave of Tulasi to fight with Shiva. As Tulasi was at home alone, Mahavishnu assumed the form of Shankhachuda and entered the home of Tulasi. As the dutiful wife Tulasi ‘entertained’ her husband. But soon realised the man in her bed is not her husband but an imposter. Thus Sankhachuda was defeated and killed in the war against Devas because Tulasi lost her chastity.

Tulasi cursed the imposter for defiling her. Mahavishnu assuming his real form told her “Oh Devi, don’t worry, you had prayed and asked me to be your husband on this bhu-loka. I will marry you in the form of a plant here on this earth and our marriage will be celebrated by all of mankind and thus your wish to be my wife will be fulfilled.” The body of Tulasi decayed and became the holy river Gandaki, and her hair became the Tulasi plant.

Alternate Myth

The demon Jalandhar was becoming more and more powerful day by day. He had already conquered Patal and Dharti and was gaining on the kingdom of Devas, i.e. Swarga. Gods began to panic as they knew Jalandhar was invincible and the defeat of gods was imminent. They approached Vishnu and pleaded with him to help the gods. Vishnu knew that Jalandhar ‘s power lay with his chaste wife Vrunda. Her chastity was his real strength. One day when Jalandhar was away in battle, Vishnu assumed the form of Jalandhar and entered Vrunda’s home. Not knowing the man is not her husband, she entertained him as the dutiful wife. But then Vishnu assumed his real form and Vrunda realised that she has been ‘defiled’. Meanwhile, as a result, Jalandhar lost the battle with the gods. Vrunda turned herself into the holy basil or Tulsi plant and she cursed Vishnu, and asked him to redeem herself from the blot of shame. Vishnu accepted her plea and told Vrunda that he would marry her. Following that promise, Vishnu/Krishna comes to marry Vrunda every year under the bright moon of 12th day, in the month of Karttika according to the Hindu calendar.

Ritual

Skanda Purana describes the festival dedicated to Krishna from the 9th to 12th bright Karttika month, culminating in the marriage of Krishna /Vishnu with Tulsi Plant.

‘A gold idol of Vishnu is brought home accompanied by musical instruments and the chanting of Vedic mantras. Tulsi plant and idol of Vishnu are then joined in wedlock during the dusk strictly following all the wedding rites which include, kanyadana, saptapadi, hastagrahan, lajjahome etc’.

Story collected by : Vidya Kamat

Source: Bhartiya Sanskruti Vishva kosh Ed By Lakshmanshastri Joshi

Location : Pan India

Image Copyright: Vidya Kamat

In many folk traditions in India the first creator is always the Mother- nature.

The following tale is collected from the Nukulamma temple of Ankapalle town of Vishakhapatnam District in Andhra Pradesh. This tale presents ‘Para Shakti’ or the supreme feminine power as the first creator of this universe. To create the universe she laid three eggs. Two of them remained unhatched but the third one hatched and Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara ( Shiva) were born. Parashakti as a young devoted mother suckled and nourished them into strong healthy adolescents. When they came of age she gave them each their own cities to dwell and rule. Shiva was given the city of Devagiri to rule. But over a period of time all her three sons turned rogue and disobedient and disregarded her authority as their mother.

One day Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva gathered in Devagiri, enjoying their time together and as usual ignoring their mother. Parashakti decided to teach the boys a lesson. She transformed herself into a twelve hooded cobra and coiled around the city of Devagiri. A fierce battle broke between Parashakti and her three sons- Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva. Parashakti easily won the battle and she killed her sons by biting them on their heads. But, being the loving mother she was, she became very sad and unhappy, and she brought them back to life, whereupon Brahma Vishnu and Shiva admitted their wrong doings and surrendered themselves to her power and authority. She forgave them and established them as ‘Gods’ who would always look after the interests of mankind and take care of them.

Some Folk-myths try to remind the supreme position of the Mother Nature. Lest we forget.
———————————————-
Story Collected by : Vidya Kamat
Textual Source: Shree Padma, Vicissitudes of the Goddess, OUP, New York, 2013
Location : Andhra Pradesh
Image Copyright : Vidya Kamat

There are some stories you never forget. I heard this story from my grandmother.

There is a belief in the Indian subcontinent that on the the sixth day of a child’s birth, Goddesses of fate or Vidhidevata writes down the fate of the child on his or her forehead. Among the Christian community in Goa the sixth day of child’s birth is celebrated with a ladainha or litany of Virgin Mary. On this day and the following night a strict vigil is organised by the family members. It is believed, if the mother falls asleep on this day, Satvai or goddess of fate snatches away the life of the new born child. The new born child and the mother is placed/hid in the darkest room of the house, under the watchful eye of a midwife. Family members and neighbours kept vigil by singing songs and telling stories about fate. Chips of fresh coconut and boiled grams are distributed among the people.* Vidhi or fate is imagined as a woman called ‘Vidhiamman’ in South India, and ‘Satvai’ in Maharashtra and Goa, and ‘Setvi tayi’ in north Kannada.

The following story is a told during the sixth day of the vigil for new born in Goa.*

Once upon a time, there was a young King and his Queen with his two new born sons ruling the land. The King was very was popular among his subjects for his bravery as well as his good governance and fair justice. His subjects were very happy and in his kingdom there was peace and prosperity. Everything was going well for the King and Queen and they enjoyed the blissful life for which they thanked god.

One day as the Queen was seated in her garden playing with her young sons, a bird darted into the garden and began fluttering around the trees and flowers. All of a sudden it flew to the Queen and perched on her shoulder and whispered in her ear “Ask your husband when should I come? Now or later?” The Queen was puzzled, but ignored the bird. The next day the bird came again, buzzed around the trees for a while and then flew close to the Queen and whispered in her ear “Oh ! Queen did you ask your husband? When should I come, now or later?” Bewildered and scared the Queen reported to her husband about this strange bird. King was intrigued by the bird’s message, but he consoled his queen “ Don’t worry my dear. If the the bird comes again and asks you the same question tell her to come now. Let us see what happens”.

So next day the Queen waited for the bird. And sure enough it flew into the garden just like the day before. As usual it flew all over the place and then sat on her shoulder and asked “ So ,My dear Queen, did you ask the king when I should come?” The Queen promptly replied ” Oh bird! I don’t understand your question but my husband the King of this great land has asked me to tell you that you can come now.”

Hearing Queen’s words the bird flapped its wings and said “ So be it”, and launched itself into the palace through the front door, flew around and through each and every room of the palace and vanished out of back door, never to be seen again. Meantime Queen and the King forgot all about the strange bird and got on with their lives. Soon, the king’s fortune took a turn for worse. That year the kingdom came under a severe draught followed by a famine. People began to die due to hunger. The King tried to help his people by opening his granary and offering it his subjects but it too did not help. The neighbouring King attacked the kingdom and King and Queen tried to flee their country.The King is caught and disgraced and separated from his wife, who is sold off as a maid servant. Suffering, defeat, exile, and poverty became their life.

Many years passed, and finally one of their sons who grew up to become wealthy managed to rescue his parents and thus they were united at last, old and weak. As the old King hugged his Queen, she asked ,” Didn’t you know when the bird asked when she should come, she implied our fate? Why did you not ask the bird to come later?

King replied, “ My dear wife, the wheel of fate is inescapable.  Not even the great and brave Pandavas could escape their fate of misfortune. It is better to face your misfortune when you are young and capable than in your older age, and hence, when the bird who was none other than the goddess of fate asked whether she should come now or later, I said come now, because I preferred to face and bear misfortune during my younger days than when I am old and weak”.
* The ritual of keeping vigil on the sixth day of birth of new born is no longer observed in Goan homes.

Story collected by Vidya Kamat
Text Source: as told by grandmother- Sitabai Panandiker ; also see Collected essays of AK. Ramanujan Ed by Vinay Dharwadker
Location: Goa, Karnataka

Who can forget the iconic image of Hanuman gracefully flying across the skies holding up a mountain in one hand while cradling his favourite weapon mace with the other? In the Yuddhakand of Ramayana, Valmiki describes the episode in detail. During the battle of Lanka, Lakshman was grievously wounded by Indrajit, son of Ravana. Seeing Lakshman was close to death, Jambavan the leader of bears commanded Hanuman to fetch immediately ‘Sanjivani booti’, a powerful medicinal herb that has the power to revive the dead found only on the Mahodaya or Dronagiri mountain. Hanuman leapt up and soared through the skies across a great distance to Dronagiri to fetch the life-saving herb. But having reached Dronagiri mountain Hanuman could not identify the plant Sanjivani. As he could not afford to waste time searching for the herb, he quickly tore up the whole mountain and flew back with it to Lanka.

However, there are two sides to this story that highlights how some villages adore Hanuman for bestowing gifts to them in the form of rare plants; while others fault Hanuman for ripping off their natural wealth.

There are many assumptions about the location and identity of the Dronagiri mountain in India. Some identify it as the present-day Dhauladhar range extension of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, near Kasauli & Dharamshala. The villagers of of the tiny hamlet of Dronagiri in Uttarakhand, identify the nearby mountain worshipped by locals to be the mythical Dronagiri mountain mentioned in the Ramayana.

There are quite a few stories about crows in the Ramayana. The black crow, also known as a raven in some regions is said to possess clairvoyance by which he can see different worlds. Although considered to be an ugly bird, crows are one of the most mystical and intelligent birds valued for its wisdom. It is believed that crows warn humans of oncoming danger by their frenzied cawing. And yet, many ancient cultures have attached negative connotations to these magnificent birds. In Hindu mythology, crows are considered to be both auspicious and inauspicious when sighted within the context of a particular ritual or ceremony.

The most well-known example of a story featuring the crow is the tale of KakBhushundi, mentioned in Tulasi’ Das’s epic poem ‘Ramacharitamanas’. Bhusundi who was an ardent devotee of Ram had no respect or devotion for any representation God other than Lord Ram. His guru sage Lomas tried to correct this attitude by teaching him to develop devotion for nirguna brahman or the formless aspect of God. But Bhusundi ignored his guru’s teachings and kept on worshipping Ram as the Ultimate Truth. In a fit of anger Sage Lomasha cursed Bhusundi to become a crow because of his repeated rejection and arguments against the sage’s guidance and advice. When Lord Ram intervened on behalf of Bhusundi, Sage Lomas relented and recalled Basundi who was now in the form of a crow as ‘KakBhushundi’ or Bhusundi the crow and taught him Ramcharitmanas, stories about Rama’s spiritual journey. Thus KakBhusundi in the form of a crow became the ultimate narrator of the events in the life of Lord Rama. He was also blessed with the ability to travel through time and recreate the story of Lord Rama.

There are also other stories about crows that get a mention in various localised versions of the Ramayana. Tulu Ramayana known as ‘Seetha Kalyana’ mentions an episode in Rama’s life that is connected to crows.

Once the crows in Janak’s’ kingdom grew in numbers and started creating chaos in his all over his land. King Janak was so troubled by the menace of these crows that he announced that anyone who can get rid of crows from his kingdom would be eligible for marrying his beautiful daughter Sita. Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana managed to kill all the crows and restored peace in Janak’s kingdom. As per the announcement, Janak offered Sita’s hand to Lakshmana. But Lakshmana refused to marry Sita, stating that as per the custom, he cannot get married unless his elder brother Ram gets married first. Lakshmana then requested Rama to marry Sita. This episode in Tulu Ramayana is a substitute for the Shiva Dhanush episode in Valmiki Ramayana which leads to the marriage of Rama and Sita.

Yet another folk narrative of Ramayana explains why crow looks at the world through one eye. The peculiar habits of the crows to look sideways through one eye has generated a belief that crows can see only through one eye. According to the tale, once Sita went to have a bath at a nearby water tank. While she was having her bath a crow pecked at her delicate foot creating a wound. As Sita cried in pain, Ram who was standing nearby in attendance saw the culprit crow flying away and quickly shot an arrow. The arrow struck the crow in the eye making him blind in one eye. Since then crows can only see through one eye.

Durga Bhagwat who first noted this folk tale observes that this story incorporates the prevalent belief in Maharashtra and central India that if a crow touches a woman, her sexual desires get aroused. Kaksparsh  literally meaning the touch of a crow is considered inauspicious and seen as a bad omen. On the other hand, during the shraddha ceremony or oblation offered to ancestors, a ball of cooked rice ( pind) is offered to the dead ancestor. If crows eat ( touch/peck) it, then it is assumed that the dead ancestor’s soul has been released from his or her bindings with the physical body and has embarked on the continuation of the soul’s journey to the next level of existence. In this rite, crows touching the rice ball is considered auspicious and is also seen as a good omen.

The crow remains an intriguing symbol in mythological tales

Story Collected by : Vidya Kamat
Source: inputs from Adimata by Ashok Rana
Location: Pan India

Image Copyright : Vidya Kamat

Very little is known about the personal life of Kalidasa, one of the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist of India. Many scholars have propounded that Kalidasa might have lived around 4th and 5th CE under the patronage of Chandragupta II. It is said, Kalidasa is the poet’s pseudonym and not the birth name. Interestingly there are many folklores about the playwright, explaining how he transformed from a village simpleton into the greatest poet and writer of India, authoring classic plays like Abhijyanshakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, and poems such as Raghuvamsha, Kumarsambhav, and Meghadutam to mention the few from his oeuvre

Following oral narrative was told to me by a friend from Kerala. There was a boy in a village in Kalinga who never got the opportunity to get an education as his parents died when he was a small child. The village children took great pleasure in bulling him for being an uneducated simpleton. As he grew up the villagers considered him to be a dimwit.

One day the princess, a beautiful and arrogant woman as she was, announced that she would marry only a man who could match her intelligence. Many eligible men and scholars approached the princess seeking her hand in marriage, but she belittled all of them by her sheer brilliance and intelligence. This infuriated the men in the village and they decided to play a wicked game by sending the dimwit boy as the eligible groom for the princess. They dressed up the dimwit in elegant clothes and brought him to the palace and presented him as the wisest man of the town, who was observing a strict vow of silence and communicate only through gestures. The men had tutored the dimwit to communicate through gestures. Princesses interrogated the dimwit who replied through the gestures he had learned. The princess misinterpreted his gestures as profound responses to her questions. Pleased with his answers, princess married him.

After a whole day of wedding celebrations, at nightfall as the princess entered the royal bed chamber in anticipation eagerly wanting to share her thoughts with her husband. But she was shocked to hear the dimwit respond with incomprehensible statements backed with foolish grins to her romantic overtures. To her horror, she realised that she has married a dolt and how the jilted countrymen had played a cruel joke on her by presenting a dullard as a wise man under a vow of silence. The angry princess stomped out of the bed chamber after insulting the foolish young man by calling him a donkey.

The dimwit was deeply hurt by the princesse’s words and he left the palace sorrowfully and vowed to return one day as a great scholar and poet. But how? He had no education, no knowledge or wisdom to be a writer. The villagers advised him to approach goddess of knowledge for help.

He went to the Kali temple and decided to pray to the goddess to make him into an intelligent man. Foolish as he was, he went to the Kali temple, got directly inside the sanctum sanctorum, bolted the door from inside and started praying. But the Goddess who had stepped out to visit her devotees, when she returned to her abode, she found herself locked out. She knocked on the door but the dimwit would not open it. After hours of knocking and waiting, she asked him what he wanted in return for opening the door. The dimwit haltingly narrated his plight and pleaded with all his heart to her to bestow intelligence and knowledge on him. The Goddess was moved by his sincerity and his wish to be a man of culture and knowledge and for not coveting worldly riches or power. She asked him to stick out his tongue through a gap in the door and the goddess wrote her name on his tongue with her finger nail. Thus he was endowed with great knowledge of Sanskrit language and poetic intuition and he began composing poems in praise of the great Goddess Kali.

From then on he called himself ‘Kalidasa’ which means the servant of Goddess Kali , and went on to author the great classics of Sanskrit literature that have stood the test of time..
Story collected by Vidya Kamat
Source: as told by a friend  P Radhakrishanan
Location: Kerala
Image copyright: Vidya Kamat

Gajendra-moksha or the salvation of elephant king Gajendra is a very popular story in the Hindu religious texts. Gajendra Moksha tale gets prominent mention in Bhagvat Purana, Skanda Purana, and Vishnudharmottara Purana with a few variations in the narrative. The tale is recounted as the example of Bhakti tradition in Vaishanv cult.

According to the tale in Bhag. P. A herd of elephants lived on the Trikuta mountains led by an elephant named Gajendra. The herd would graze in the nearby forest and drink water from the lake close to the mountain. Following this routine, one day the herd after having their fill of fruits and foliage from the forest went to the nearby lake and began frolicking in the crystal clear waters peppered with lotus flowers. As Gajendra the elephant stepped into the lake, a large crocodile clamped its powerful jaws on to his leg . The massive elephant tried with all his might to extricate himself from the iron grip of the crocodile, but in vain. The tussle between the elephant and crocodile went on for hours but the crocodile wouldn’t let go and the exhausted massive elephant started sensing defeat and the approach of his inevitable death. As a last resort he started praying to lord Vishnu for help.

When Hari ( Vishnu ) heard the desperate cries and prayers of the elephant, he came riding on the wings of his vehicle Garuda. At the very same moment the elephant caught sight of Lord Vishnu, he was dragged violently into the lake by the crocodile, and as the last act of devotion before his death, the elephant plucked a lotus flower and offered it to Vishnu and saluted him. Hari (Vishnu) was so moved by this act of devotion by the elephant, he rescued it by slashing open the jaws of crocodile with his Sudarshan chakra. Thus the elephant Gajendra was saved from certain death.

It is Skanda Purana that gives us the back story of the elephant and the crocodile and the reason for their enmity. According to Skanda Purana, the crocodile was a noble Gandharva in his previous birth by name Huhu who was cursed by sage Devala to turn into a crocodile. When Vishnu flung his sudarshan chakra on the crocodile to save the elephant, the curse was broken and the Gandharva freed from the sage’s curse regaining his original form and was free.

The elephant too was the victim of a curse by sage Agastya. In his previous birth the elephant was a Pandya King by the name of Indradymna. Sage Agastya had rebuked and cursed him for neglecting his duties as a king and for being unmindful of his responsibilities towards his subjects. It is said that when Indradymna in the form of the elephant let go off his pride and surrendered his life to Vishnu, he achieved moksha or salvation.

Vishnudharmottara Purana gives the same account with a significant variation. A crocodile and an Elephant lived in the vicinity of Jambudvipa on the top of the mountain called Sringavan. In their former births they were Gandharvas by the name Huhu and Haha. These two Gandharvas were well known for their singing skills. One day both of them got into an argument to decide who is the superior singing talent. They went to sage Devala for a asked him for his opinion and requested him to judge who is the superior talent. But when they did not get a favourable response, both of them insulted the sage Devala by saying he has donkey’s ears as far as the knowledge of music goes. The enraged sage cursed both the Gandharvas to turn into beasts. Accordingly Haha became an elephant and Huhu turned into a crocodile and lived that way until the day Hari ( Vishnu) pleased with their devotion rescued them from their plight by removing the curse.

Story Collected by : Vidya Kamat
Text Source: “ Gajendra Moksha”, Puranic Myth and Culture by S. A. Dange
Location : Pan India
Image Copyright: Vidya Kamat