The Warli tribe settled along the Maharashtra and Gujarat state border are supposed to be one of the original inhabitants of the Konkan region. Over a period spanning a number of decades they have assimilated with many other tribals such as the Bhils, Kunbis of Konkan, and Kolis of Maharashtra. The mythological narratives belonging to Warli tribe reveal that their gods have been assimilated from various other tribes. According to K. J. Save, originally the god Naran Dev belonged to the Dodiya tribe. It is said that Naran dev did not like the songs sung in his praise by Dodiya tribals and ran away. As he was wandering through the jungle he heard songs sung in praise of the Sun by someone. He loved the songs so much that he decided to follow the person singing the songs. Bhagat the singer was from the Warli tribe and by following his song Naran dev ended up among the Warlis. Since then Naran dev is worshipped by both Warlis and Dodiya tribes.

Warlis narrate following myth about the birth of Naran dev

We all know that garlic is an important ingredient in Indian cooking. According to Ayurveda, the medicinal and healing qualities of garlic makes it a remedy for many ailments. There is an interesting tale mentioned in the Puranas explaining how garlic came into existence.

In the beginning the Gods and asuras decided to find nectar or Amrita, the potion of immortality that would make them immortal. They knew this nectar was at the deepest level of the cosmic ocean and the only way to bring it out of ocean was by churing the whole ocean, and it was not going to be an easy task. So the Gods and asuras decided to collaborate on the task with the understanding that once they get the nectar they would share it equally among themselves.

To churn the cosmic ocean they needed a giant staff and a giant rope. Gods requested Vasuki the great Naga K ing to be the churning rope and mount Mandara was to be the churning staff. Vishnu assumed the form of a tortoise and dived deep into the bottom of the ocean and placed mount Mandara on his back to prevent it from sinking. Once these preperations were in place, Gods and asuras stood on either side of the Mandara and started churning the ocean using Vasuki as the churning rope.

As they kept churning the cosmic ocean, fourteen ratnas or treasures floated out of the cosmic ocean, these included Lakshmi, Apasara, Kamadhenu, Airavata, Uchhaishravas, Kaustubh, Parijat, Sharang, Chandra, Dhanavantari, Halahal, Shankh Jyestha and Kalpavriksha. The last ingredient to come out was the coveted Amrit, the pot containing the nectar of immortality. The moment the pot of nectar emerged out of the sea, Rahu an asura jumped down and grabbed it and took off running. The Gods chased Rahu and as they were about to grab him, he began to gulp down the nectar because he knew the gods could snatch it away from him. Indra, the leader of the gods, realising that Rahu had gulped a mouthful of nectar swiftly chopped off Rahu’s head before the nectar could reach his body. Thus the gulp of nectar Rahu had taken in his mouth fell to the earth. Out of this mouthful of nectar that fell many medicinal herbs sprung up and Garlic was one of the plants that germinated from the nectar of immortality.

According to the belief, Garlic is never offered as naivaidya or religious offering of food to the gods because garlic germinated from the nectar that fell out of Rahu the asura’s mouth.

The story collected by: Vidya Kamat
Story sent by Ranjana Ashok
Location : Pan India

Image Source; Wikipedia

The dark monstrous creature had swallowed all the moisture from the atmosphere. Every drop of water he sucked from the air, his formless body,  that swell like a dragon- serpent, twirling and twisting against the bright sky. Asura- Vritra – had captured the heavens.

People on the earth began to die, as draught like conditions prevailed over earth. As people suffered for want of water, Asura- Vritra’s pleasure grew no bounds. He hissed in joy and rolled in the sky with malicious laughter resounding thunder. He would spew mist and shower hails to frighten the people, who ran helter-skelter with fear . Further, he would create chaos by suddenly darkening the sky by hiding the Sun behind his monstrous dark body. Asura Vritra was out to destroy the world.

Frightened and scared of Asura Vritra, people began to pray to Gods but none could help. Asura- Vritra was far more powerful than the Gods. Finally, Gods approached Indra- the bravest of all the King, to save the people from ultimate death and destruction.

Indra, son of Dyava and Prithvi, was bravest and a fearless warrior of his time. He ruled over the mid region or Atmospheric region. He rode on a chariot of four horses specially designed by Rhubhus, that moved faster than lightning. Indra was a tall man, with a muscular body, with four arms and golden coloured hair. But many believed he was also a shape shifter. His long flowing beard would often ruffle in breeze as he zoomed past in his chariot. He was addicted to drinking Soma- the elixir that gave him the strength to fight wars. But his greatest strength was his magical weapon – a thunderbolt made of hardest material called Vajra .

Accepting the God’s plea to save the earth, Indra challenged the Asura Vritra in battle. As they engaged in a battle – the whole universe trembled. Asura Vritra attacked Indra by crackling thunders and snorting mist. In return Indra threw his thunderbolt at Asura, lightening the whole sky. The battle went on for days. People on earth watched the battle with awe and fear. Finally Indra smote Asura Vritra in a fatal strike with his bolt that pierced him in his back.

Asrura Vritra cried out in a final thunder, as waters came gushing out his body and fell on the earth. Water from sky soon started flowing in streams and rivers. People on earth rejoiced with glee. They bowed before Indra . Indra had saved the mankind from extinction by rescuing the waters from Asura-Vritra. Men praised him and Gods crowned him as the King of the Gods. He was called “Vritrahan”- the killer of Vrita”

This is how ancient seers from Vedic period described the phenomena of ‘ rain ‘ in Rigveda. It is one of the most recounted tales and an important myth from Veda. Lot of rituals are constructed around this tale. A belief- still believed around India that God send us rains.

Story collected by : Vidya Kamat

Source: RV. I.32.5

Location : Pan India