This is a tribal myth from the Gond community, told during harvesting as part of ‘bidri rites’ or sowing time in the month of November.

Once Earth and Sky fell madly in love with each other. They decided to approach the creator Bhagwan and confess to him about their love.

Bhagwan was very happy and said” Let us get you married, and I will offer the bride”. Having said this, Bhagwan made grand preparations for the wedding and invited each and every creature to celebrate the event. All the creatures rejoiced as the festivities began. But the Jackal was grumpy and stayed aloof with a smirky smile. He did not take part in any of the festivities, nor helped Bhagwan to entertain the guests. As the moment of wedding approached, Bhagwan brought out the coy bride Earth clad in red wedding saree, adorned with the finest jewellery to offer her hand in marriage to the Sky. As she was about to offer her hand to the Sky, Jackal shouted in a loud and clear and contemptuous voice,” Surely Bhagwan has gone mad. The world is coming to an end!” Everyone in the wedding hall turned their heads towards the Jackal in shock. Earth, visibly startled and confused, halted her hand midway. Many were angry. But Jackal kept on repeating that Bhagawan is making a big mistake by agreeing to the marriage of Earth to Sky. “We are all doomed if Earth and Sky are married “he said adamantly.

Bhagwan patiently approached Jackal and asked him why he was uttering such unholy words during an auspicious moment. The cunning jackal replied, ” Oh Bhagawan! How come you have forgotten a simple truth? When Earth and Sky have their conjugal embrace there will be no space left between the two, and all the creatures living on Earth will be crushed to death. We all will die.”

Bhagawan at once realised the seriousness of his comment and immediately cancelled the wedding. Earth was married to Sun.

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Story Collected by : Vidya Kamat

Source: Folktales from Central India by Durga Bhagvat

Location : Madhya Pradesh

Image Copyright: Vidya Kamat