is suffering one of the worst terrorist attacks on Indian soil in years…In deference to the enormity of this tragic event and in support of our countrymen in their time of need, amma’s tales dedicates this blog space. We are fighting to preserve a way of life, heritage and history. May we come out of this stronger than ever before! Jai Hind!
Month: November 2008
Ganesha’s da man!!!
Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of Hindu mythology, has been quite beloved of all, children and adults. He is credited with a lot of intelligence and wisdom ..and come on…you just have to love a cute elephant!!! That too,one with a penchant for eating binges!!! Tales of his intellectual prowess abound in Indian mythology and amma says, the story that follows is a well-loved one. It also results in the establishment of a well-known temple, Palani, for its other protagonist, Muruga, Ganesha’s brother (watch this blog space for an upcoming series on temple tales). The story goes:
Once upon a time, the gods in heaven, set up a task force headed by Brahma to give a mango that contained all the knowledge of the universe to the most deserving god. Brahma approached Shiva and Parvati who were spending some quality time with the kids, Ganesha and Muruga, in the Himalayas. Brahma said, “O Shiva, here is a fruit that represents the knowledge of this universe. We would like you to give it to the most deserving god.”
Shiva said, “All right Brahma I will do it. Parvati, can you suggest to whom I should give this to?”
Parvati said, “I think Muruga and Ganesha are both equally deserving of this fruit. One is unmatched for his bravery and knowledge, the other for his intelligence and grace. How do we decide?” (no nepotism, of course, since gods are impartial!!!) Brahma and the retinue of devas agreed with Parvati.
Shiva mulled over this problem for a bit and said, “I have it! They can have a race to see who wins! The winner will get the fruit” (a strategy used by most parents even today to achieve results with siblings).
“But what kind of race?” asked Parvati.
“Well, let them go around the world thrice and whoever comes back here first will win the mango,” said Shiva.
So he called Muruga and Ganesha to him and explained the rules and what the prize would be. Both the brothers were excited at the prospect.
Muruga said, “Hah! Ganesha, you on your silly little mount (a rat) won’t even have taken off and I will be back to win the prize!”
To which Ganesha said, “Well since you’re so confident, and I know I can beat you, how about I give you a handicap? You can even do an entire round before I even start.”
Muruga decided his brother had gone crazy or was being lazy and wanted to finish his lunch instead. So after bidding his parents goodbye and taking their blessings, he sat on his mount, a beautiful peacock, and took off around the world. After he finished one round, he saw Ganesha still seated where he was and finishing the remains of his lunch, with one modaka left on his plate. He thought to himself, “There’s no way Ganesha can beat me now!!!” He waved at Ganesha, who waved back, and went on his way.
Now Parvati watched the whole exchange between the brothers and asked Ganesha worriedly, “Aren’t you going to at least TRY to win the fruit? Muruga has a huge lead over you. And not that I don’t love you, but you’re a little out of shape!!! You had better hurry up!!”
“Dont worry, ma,” said Ganesha. “I’m giong to win.” Burping a little since he’d overeaten as usual, Ganesha washed his hands and face and smoothed out his clothes. He then summoned his little mount and approached Shiva and Parvati who were seated together. He said, “O mother and father, Shiva and Shakti, together you represent the entire universe. All the elements of the universe are enshrined within you. For me, you are the entire universe.” He prostrated before them and with his hands folded went around them thrice lost in deep meditation and with utmost devotion. Amazed by his grace and knowledge and devotion, Shiva, Parvati, Brahma and the assembled gods blessed Ganesha and gave him the fruit.
Just then Muruga entered their presence with a triumphant smile when he saw Ganesha. He assumed Ganesha hadn’t even tried to win. When he saw him holding the fruit instead, Muruga was furious. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. “I won the race and HE got the fruit?”
When Shiva explained what had happened, Muruga stormed off in anger to roam the earth and was later pacified as the deity of Palani (read temple tales in this blog space).
And so, Ganesha is revered by all for his knowledge and wisdom and is beloved throughout India. Go Ganesha!!
To listen to a blogcast edition of this post click below. Happy listening!
Episode 1 Amma’s Tales- Audio File (mp3)
Why the cuckoo doesn’t build a nest
Update:
This story is one of my most favourite ones! It was the first story we ever published as a picture book and gave us a sense of how Amma’s Tales would look! Illustrated by the supremely talented Archana Sreenivasan, this story has featured in workshops, discussions, in fan conversations and so much more! You can see snippets of the published books right here (a new print is in the works now or you can order your very own copy) and you’ll know why it was such a hit with the kids! (Pls note all images are the copyright of Amma’s Tales and any plagiarism or utilization of this content without written permission from Amma’s Tales will be contested.)
Here’s the original blog post from 2009!
My daughter D came home one day from school with a strange question: Why doesn’t a cuckoo build a nest? Turns out, they had been on a nature walk with a birdwatcher who had picked the cuckoo as an easy bird to talk about to 5-year-olds. He’d also individually hand carved bird whistles for the children and they all got a cuckoo whistle (see picture). At some point in his talk he had mentioned the cuckoo lays its eggs in other birds’ nests and doesn’t make its own. I was reminded of a story amma had told me years ago. The story goes:
Once upon a time, Brahma, The Creator, assembled all the birds in front of him. “I have made all of you and soon you will begin to lay eggs. You must build nests to keep the eggs warm so that they can hatch. Tomorrow, you must assemble at dawn here and I will teach each of you how to build a nest. But don’t be late,” he warned. “I may not be able to teach you anything then.”
So there was much excitement among the birds and they went home to sleep early so they could meet the next day at Brahma’s house. The weaver (baya) bird couldn’t sleep for excitement. “Oh, I should get there first,” thought the little bird. “I want to build a beautiful nest to keep my babies safe and warm.” And so she kept everything ready and even before dawn could arrive, she was the first one standing at Brahma’s door. All the other birds started filing in behind her.
Everyone chattered excitedly and as Brahma opened his door everyone suddenly turned quiet. Brahma saw the long line of birds and got started on his task. For the punctual and sweet weaver bird he reserved his best nest as reward. She learnt how to make the most beautiful nest and line it well so her chicks would never be wanting for warmth. And so he progressed down the line, to the peahens, the quail, the hens, giving each one a special nest they could build for their children. The last bird in line was the crow. “Aha!” said Brahma, “overslept as usual, have you? I’ve told you not to be so lazy! Now I can only teach you how to make a rather crude nest of sticks.” The crow was sad but thought, “I have only myself to blame. At least my children will have a nest.” After Brahma had finished teaching the crow how to make its nest, he looked up and saw the sun was climbing higher in the sky. “Ah! My work is done,” he thought. But something niggled at him and he felt his work remained unfinished. He was just about to shut his door when he heard flapping of wings above his head. He looked up startled to find the cuckoo landing at his feet. “Oh Brahma,” sang the cuckoo (for she had a really lovely voice that she was very proud of!), “Forgive me for I am late! I was up last night singing to please my friends and I just couldn’t get up in time. Could you please teach me to build a nest now?”
Brahma was very angry. He said “You are a vain bird, cuckoo. You couldn’t even be bothered to come here though I had warned you against coming late. As punishment,your eggs will never have a nest of their own.”
Brahma was about to slam the door when the poor cuckoo fell at his feet. “Oh Brahma, you are the Creator!! If my eggs have no nest how will my chicks survive the winter and snakes and other animals that want to eat them? The world will never have cuckoos and children will never hear us sing again. Oh, please don’t punish me like that!” she wailed.
Brahma’s heart softened. The cuckoo was right. Children would never be able to hear the beautiful voice of the cuckoo if she didn’t have a nest to bring her chicks up in. So he said, “All right. You will forever be a thief trying to hide your eggs in other birds’ nests. If they are kind they will bring your children up as their own but beware, some are not. But that will be your punishment. You can never bring up your own children and will have to depend on others to do it for you.”
So to this day, the cuckoo lays her eggs in the nests of the crow or other birds that look like her and hopes for the best and flies away. Sometimes she is mean and pushes out the other birds’ eggs to make place for her own. At others, she just leaves the egg and goes away. So, children today can hear the cuckoo’s song only because of the kindness of birds who bring up her children as their own.
Ganesha and the moon
It’s a tradition possibly now forgotten that one does not look at the moon on Ganesh Chathurthi. Amma says:
Once Ganesha was returning home on Chathurthi night. After having feasted on all the offerings made by his devotees, Ganesha was quite full. Burping his way back home, he passed by the neighbourhood pond. Something inside the pond caught his attention and he leaned over to look at it. “I wonder what that is?” he thought leaning over to see the shining, white thing that had caught his eye. It was thin, white and curved. “Mmm, I think it’s a piece of coconut,” thought Ganesha, greedily, although he was quite full after eating all the prasadam that day!!
Now the moon was watching from above with a lot of amusement because Ganesha was looking at the moon’s reflection in the water. On Chathurthi, the moon looks like a sliver of coconut and that was why Ganesha was fooled. The moon kept silent to see what Ganesha would do next. Ganesha clambered down to the banks of the river and dove into the water to grab the “coconut.” Of course it wasn’t there and then the moon started laughing at the wet and upset Ganesha. At this, Ganesha was furious that he had been fooled and how he had let himself get fooled. He looked up at the moon and said, “For playing a mean trick like that on me, I curse you that if anyone looks at the moon on Chathurthi day, all their pujas will bear no fruit. I will not grant any of their wishes.”
And so to this day, if you ask Ganesha for something on his birthday it’s best you avoid looking at the moon so that your wish is granted!!!
Clarifier
My blog here is just what it says…a collection of stories. I claim no knowledge of vedanta/philosophy of any kind and know nothing more than what I was told and what I have read. So this is just my way of remembering things that are dear to me in story form. I am not expounding or propagating my religious views at all except to state them as I grew up with them. And over time I would like this blog to include little tales from other traditions as well.
Also I would love readers to tell me if they like what they read and how I can improve. If you have stories to share I can put them up (with credit of course) or tell me the gist and I can reimagine them for you. For now, I eagerly read all comments (writers are terribly attention seeking 🙂 ) and would love the input. And please feel free to forward the link to others who may like it too.
Thanks to all who read this blog!!!
Onion and garlic, anyone?
My mother hails from a rather conservative Tamil Brahmin family. They were Iyers from Palakkad settled in Chennai. From all accounts, my great-grandmother must have been a terror to live with. Lots of rules, usually for women, and enough rituals to make people want to adopt Buddhism instead!!! Cooking was strictly regulated in the house, of course, and women bathed in the morning before even entering the kitchen. Onion and garlic were taboo until about 20 years ago. My summer hols were spent dreading extended stays in my mother’s maternal home because I LOVE onion…adore it in all its forms and a month without it in my diet seemed like torture. Anyways, to children keen to explore a world outside their home, this little tale was told to keep them on the straight and narrow onion- and garlic-less world!!
The story goes:
Many of us know the story of the churning of the ocean. The devas and asuras come together to churn the ocean and obtain the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu takes up his second avatar as a turtle, koorma avatar, and helps them by keeping the mountain used for the churning, upright and afloat.
Out of the churning waters first comes out a poisonous vapour that is caught and drunk by Shiva (the story of Neelakantha). After that follow various other things and finally, in a pot, appears the nectar from the depths of the ocean. Vishnu then appears in the form of a maiden, Mohini. A perennial cheat, Vishnu pretends he will dole out the nectar of immortality to the rakshasas as well as the devas but ends up giving it only to the devas. At this there is obvious outrage and a huge battle follows (considering the devas had the advantage of never dying, the battle was rather one-sided!). During the battle, two asuras, Rahu and Ketu, steal the pot of nectar and try to escape with it. Vishnu spies them and just as they try to drink the nectar, Vishnu’s Sudarshana chakra takes off their heads before the nectar goes down their throats!! The saliva of the asuras lands on the ground and becomes onion and garlic. And so their pungent smell is because they’re from the saliva of asuras (of course, no one thought to mention they’re healthy because they have the nectar of immortality in them, but that’s another story!!).
Thus, the world got the wonderful bulbs onion and garlic. And if you ever thought of them as the saliva of rakshasas (or anyone at all) I am sure you’d think twice about eating them, too!!!
A match made in heaven
This is a little tale I made up for my daughter D when I was trying to get her to eat (no small feat, let me tell you). As it happened she was eating thairu saadam (curd rice) and keerai kootu (spinach/dal mixture) a combination I was telling her was a match made in heaven and she wanted to know what that meant. And so the story goes thus:
Once upon a time, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu were huddled in conference. Brahma said, “People are losing faith in us. They are tired of having to go the temple to think of us and they’re too lazy to pray at home. What do we do?”
Shiva said, “I have an idea. Let’s give them something they can see every day and because of how great it is they will say ‘it is something made in heaven’ and think of us.”
Vishnu nodded in agreement. “What will make them think of us?”
And so the three thought long and hard but couldn’t come up with anything. Then it was time for lunch. Saraswati, Parvati and Lakshmi called their husbands for lunch. “It’s going to be a light lunch,” said Parvati. “Someone forgot to get the vegetables from the garden,” she said, glaring at Shiva, who looked at his plate sheepishly.
“Oh, that’s all right. We have things to discuss…not think about food,” said Brahma importantly.
And so the wives served their husbands rice with keerai kootu made with the keerai Parvati had hastily plucked from her garden. The three gods ate their food without paying attention to it. Brahma and Shiva were careful to wipe their plate clean because if the gods wasted even one speck the whole world would go hungry. But Vishnu was careless and left a bit of the kootu behind while waiting for the next course. Without noticing this, the wives served the rice for the next round and poured a lot of fresh tasty curds (yogurt) over it. The gods absentmindedly mixed their rice and curd and began to eat. Suddenly Vishnu’s head shot up and in an amazed voice he said, “This is something heavenly!! Supercaliflagilisticexpialidocious fantastic!!”
“What are you talking about?” said Brahma and Shiva impatiently. “This is just thairu saadam.”
Vishnu looked at them doubtfully, and thought maybe he was wrong and went back to eating. He ate another mouthful and he said again, “This is something heavenly!! Supercaliflagilisticexpialidocious fantastic!!”
Now Brahma and Shiva got irritated and said, “Vishnu! Can you be serious?!! We’re eating the same thairu saadam and it doesn’t taste that different from every day. So stop getting distracted.”
Then Vishnu looked at his plate and saw that his thairu saadam looked green. Brahma and Shiva also noticed that. But theirs was white as usual. “Vishnu, why does yours look green?” said Shiva. Vishnu said, “Here taste some of mine! I promise you it is Supercaliflagilisticexpialidocious fantastic!!”
Hesitantly brahma and Shiva took small mouthfuls from Vishnu’s plate. Their eyes lit up and they said “”This is something heavenly!! Supercaliflagilisticexpialidocious fantastic!!”
Hearing all the noise the gods were making, their wives came running in. “What’s the matter?” asked Saraswati.
So Shiva explained how Vishnu’s thairu saadam alone tasted so good. Lakshmi took one look at Vishnu’s plate and said,”You really are too much! I am sure you didn’t wipe your plate clean after the keerai kootu! So wat you are eating is a mixture of the keerai with the thairu saadam. That’s all. And now I have to make sure the poor people in the world aren’t hungry because of your carelessness.”
The three gods turned to each other and said together, “We have found what we were looking for. Thairu and keerai are a match made in heaven. Whenever people eat them together they will say ‘Ah! a match made in heaven’ and they will think of us. Our search has ended.”
And so from that day forth, when people eat thairu and keerai together they say it is a match made in heaven and think of how great the gods were to discover two things that tasted so good together!!!
Amma's Tales 