July 2018

Strawberry- Legend of the Fruit of Love.

Food Mythology

The tempting luscious plumpy Red strawberries are irresistible. They are defined as a symbol of love and passion. The bright red color that they possess is a symbol of passion and the shape defines a heart filled with love. The strawberries have been a popular flavor for cakes, cookies, ice creams and desserts. The strawberry is also a known Aphrodisiac and the perfect shape and size for dipping in chocolate; strawberries are perfect as a simple tool of seduction. As per some Legends, it is said that if you break a double strawberry in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will fall in love with each other. In the French countryside, there was once a tradition of serving newlyweds cold strawberry soup to help promote the aphrodisiac of honeymoon romance. The Native Americans also believed that if a pregnant woman carried strawberry leaves in her pocket they would relieve the pains of pregnancy and support to clear toxins and aid in child-rearing. In 2600 years B. C, The Chinese Yellow Emperor used the leaves of the strawberry plant in a weak tea to detoxify and reduce the effects of aging. The Romans used Strawberries to lift the spirits and relieve bad breath as well as to treat a variety of digestive complaints. The popular reputation of love fruit has roots in ancient cultures, the fruit is associated with the goddess of love and fertility across civilizations. Here’s how the fruit got originated and associated as the fruit of love.

Tears of Separation – A Greek Narrative.

The legend is connected to Myrrha the mother of Adonis, who was a mortal lover of Aphrodite.  Myrrha was a daughter of King Cinyras  and Queen Cenchras. Myrrha once got filled with lust and fell in love with her father. According to Greek tradition having one’s father was a grave crime. However, Myrrha tricked her father into having sexual intercourse with her for nine night in complete darkness. Her father then chased her and she was transformed into a myrrh tree and as per some legends, Aphrodite’s curse her to get transformed into a tree. As myrrh tree, Myrrha gave birth to Adonis. Aphrodite found Adonis and asked Persephone, the queen of the underworld to raise him. Soon the Adonis turned out to be the most handsome man on earth, causing a dispute between Aphrodite and Persephone. To solve the conflict Zeus appointed the Muse Calliope as judge of this dispute who gave a verdict that Adonis would spend one-third year with each. Aphrodite and Adonis spent hours together in arms of each other. Aphrodite also used to advice Adonis to hunt animals that were safe and not chase the wild beasts. But one day Adonis had an encounter with a wild bear. The bear happened to would Adonis badly and he was groaning in pain, As soon as Aphrodite came to know of this she ran and held Adonis in her arms. Adonis could not survive and died groaning in arms of Aphrodite. Aphrodite wept tears of sorrow and separation. The tears Aphrodite wept were heart shaped and became the strawberry and tears that mixed with the blood of Adonis became the Anemone flower. 

The Nordic Holy Fruit.

The strawberries in the Viking Age were considered sacred and a forbidden fruit to be consumed by mankind. The fruit had a strong association with Friga, the Norse Goddess of Marriage. It is said that Friga was jealous and possessive about strawberries and required all strawberries be left for her. Her possession can be defined by a rule that if anyone approached the heavens with traces of strawberry juice on then they would not be allowed. It was also said if a Viking Baby died they ascended to the heavens in the form of strawberries. The seeds of strawberry were symbolized of the souls of the babies. The Vikings believed that eating a strawberry is as good as eating a baby.

Uniting Lovers- A Cherokee Legend

The Cherokee is one of the indigenous Native American tribe of the Southeastern Woodlands. The Cherokee word for strawberry is ‘ani’. The old Cherokee country was known for its abundance of strawberries and other wild fruits. Strawberries for Cherokee are a symbol of peace and good luck. The Cherokee legend defines the fruit to be tempting and also part of the first creation. The legend says that o-gi-do-da ga-lv-la-di-he-hi, the primordial father and Cherokee creator, created the first man and first woman. They built a house at the far end of a dense forest. They were a happy couple but had occasional disagreements. Once so happened that they were arguing over something and the first woman got so annoyed that she decided to leave and never return. She started walking towards the west and never looked back. After a few days, the first man also followed the same path to get her back. Seeing the first man disturbed the Sun asked him if he was still angry and would he like to have the first woman back. The First man readily told the sun that he was not raged anymore and would love to have her back.  However, the Sun found the first woman was still angry. To calm her anger the sun grew pretty looking large and ripe blueberries. But the first woman ignored the berries. The sun further caused to grow luscious dark and plumpy blackberries. But even these were ignored by the first woman. Once again the sun grew some dainty raspberries but even this attempt went in vain. Finally, the sun made a plant that was never seen before to grow. The plant covered the ground in front of her in the area and the air with its luscious aroma.  This time the first woman stopped to look at this plant. The plant had shiny leaves and the most tempting and luscious red berries that she had never seen. The first woman immediately picked up one and tasted the irresistible berry. As she ate the strawberry her anger just vanished and her heart was filled with love. She now wanted to go back to the first man. She gathered some berries and started to walk back towards the east. She on her way met the first and both shared berries and walked back home.

The Bavarian fruit for elves.

The Bavarians consider the Strawberries to be the offerings for abundance and fertility. The country practices the ritual tying small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. The elves are said to be fond of strawberries and this offering brings healthy calves and abundance of milk in return.

The Virgin Mary connection.

The middle Christian art and folklore identify strawberry to be the symbol of spiritual purity, decency, righteousness, and perfect nobility of spirit.it is also believed that on the St. John’s day that falls in the month of June, the Virgin Mary accompanies children to go for strawberry plucking. The three leaves of strawberry also symbolize the holy trinity and eternity of Mary’s loving mediation in Heaven.

Death of one enjoyment of another: A Nordic Ritual

World Mythology

Death is certainly a loss, of loved ones. The news of death brings fear into people’s minds and hearts. Death speaking philosophically is a transition to another life or world. The world has seen many funeral customs and traditions. The popular means have been cremation and burial. There have also been “luxurious burial” such as Egyptians, The Pharos used to be buried with their gold, pet, belongings, and many riches, So that they can have a luxurious afterlife. The Chinese burnet paper money so that the afterlife can be luxurious. But this was not the case with Vikings; the death of the king gave enjoyment to many and brutal pain to one. The token to the afterlife was a woman raped and then burnt alive. As mentioned in works of 13th century Baghdadi traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan.

The king of the Vikings would sit on a huge throne studded with precious stones. The king would never leave the throne. He would always be accompanied by four hundred of the bravest soldiers and trusted companions. The companions would die with the King and offer their lives to protect the king. These brave warriors sit below the throne. Along with the warriors, the king would be accompanied by slave girls. The slave girls would do personal service, prepare food, and also serve him in bed. The king would have a total of forty beautiful slave girls at his service. Whenever the king had an urge to satisfy his desire he would satisfy with slave girls. If the king wanted to ride the companions would bring his mount to him. If there was a war the king would send his vicegerent to fight and stand for him. The king would never have a need to leave the throne.

When the king would die, the slave girls would then be asked “who would want to die for their master? The dead king was put in a temporary grave, which was covered for ten days until they had sewn new clothes for him and prepared the slave girl for sacrifice. One of the girls would then volunteer to be the sacrifice. There would be two other slave girls assigned to serve this volunteer. The slave girl would be guarded and served day and night. The slave girl would then be fed with plenty of alcohol every day and would sing merrily.

Meanwhile, a Long wooden ship would be bought to the shore. A bed with logs of wood would be made on the ship. An old woman who would lead the rituals called “Angel of death” would place cushions on the bed. The king would be offered with alcohol, fruits, and a Pandora in the grave.

By the time the preparations are made, the Slave girl would visit men from one tent to another and have sex with them. Men would rape the girl as a sign and symbol of love and loyalty to their masters. The number of men that would rape the slave girl would vary, but certainly, it would have been in double or triple digits.

The king’s body would then be dug out from the grave and along with all the offerings. He would be clothed in newly sewn trousers, leggings, boots, kurta and a silk caftan with golden buttons.  The body of the king would then be carried and placed on the bed. They would then bring two horses and sweat them before slaughtering them. Along with horses two cows, a cock and a hen would also be sacrificed and their meat is thrown in the ship.

One evening the slave girl would be brought at a constructed door frame, where she would place her feet on men and be lifted above the door frame.

The girl would be lifted three times, the first time the girl would see her parents, the second time her ancestors, the third time she would see her master and she would describe her master being in paradise and say that her master is calling her. Then she would be handed a hen, whose head she would cut off.

The slave girl would then be brought to the “Angel of death”. Where she would first remove her bracelets and hand over to the girls who have been taking care of her and guarding her. The men would then come with shields and swords. The slave girl would be given a cup of alcohol and be made to enter the pavilion. The angel of death would then drag the girl in the pavilion and summon six men. The men outside would make loud noise banging the shield and sword so that the girl’s screams are unheard. The six men in the pavilion would then rape the slave girl. Then two men would hold her hands, two her feet, while the girl lay beside her master. The “Angle of death” would place a rope around the girl’s neck and hand it to two men. The “angel of death” with a dagger would stab her chest brutally while she is been strangulated by two other men. This would happen until the girl dies.

The Kings Kin would come there naked, with a burning piece of wood. The kin of the king would then set fire to the ship and walk back towards the people with the burning piece of wood. After which all the people would throw burning pieces on the ship and then set the ship to sail.

Some Insight

The slaves have always been considered as an object or possession. The king has always had an upper hand at all times. The kings would enjoy all aspects of life. Slaves whether male or female was only meant to serve the king. In the Nordic faith, the king was given great importance. The liberation in the Nordic faith was to be brave and come to Valhalla to serve Odin. The Nordic believed that intoxicating the girl would put the girl in ecstatic trance and give her psychic abilities that will enable the girl to peak into the realms of the dead. The lifting of the girl through the door frame is symbolic of this peaking. The door frame represents the threshold between the mortal world and the world of the dead, when the girl is lifted above the frame that gives the girl the ability to see the world of the dead. According to the Eddic poetry, Odin established a certain law that the dead should be burned and along with their belongings and their ashes should be thrown into the sea or buried in the earth.  Thus the concept of human sacrifice of the slave girl is more ever clear. But the Raping and brutal murder of the slave girl is somewhat unclear. There seems no motif to rape the slave volunteer and brutally murder her. Since the Nordic have been barbaric and intoxicated most of the times it all seems an acceptable ritual. The raping of the girl only gives pain to the girl but sense gratification to the men. The brutal murder is also a kind of sense gratification as people love good violence. It all seems to be acceptable.

The Milk of Skies

Indian Mythology

The Galaxy we live in is called The Milky Way, I am sure everybody knows about it. But ever wondered why it is called the Milky Way? Let’s look as how science explains this concept. The science says that the descriptive “milky” is derived from the appearance from Earth of the galaxy, which is from stars that cannot be individually distinguished by the naked eye. Its descriptive in mythology is different it is in the form of River or ocean of Milk.

Kshir Sagar of Puranas

The Puranas give a various account of the ocean of milk. The Puranas say that there is an island known as Svetadvipa there flows an ocean of milk, and in the midst of that ocean, Lord Vishnu lies on Ananta. He is also called Ksirodakashayi Vishnu as he resides on the ocean of Milk.  Ksirodakashayi Vishnu is the incarnation of the quality of goodness and also believed to be an expansion of Aniruddha (one of four vyuha expansions). He is the universal form of the Lord and expands Himself as the Supersoul within every living entity.

The water of the seas and oceans of our planet are salty, but other planets within the universe contain oceans of sugarcane juice, liquor, ghee, milk, and sweet water.  Srimad Bhagavatam mentions two such places apart from the Svetadvipa where the ocean of milk flows. There is one mountain called Trikuta, it is eighty thousand miles high and is surrounded by the ocean of milk. And the second one is an island called Krauncadvipa which is surrounded by an ocean of milk, is 12,800,000 miles wide and is also divided, like the others, into seven regions, each with a large mountain and a large river.

The Puranas also talk of the story of the churning of the ocean of milk, where the demons led by Bali and Gods led by Indra churned the ocean of Milk. Mandara Mountain became the churning rod; Vasuki became the rope for churning. Lord Vishnu took the Kurma avatar to become the base. Many valuable things such as Kalpavriksha Tree, Amrita, Lakshmi, and also the most dangerous poison Halahal emerged from it.

The Greek Spluttered milk

The creation of Milky Way is credited to Heracles. Zeus, as we know, had many affairs, this time with a mortal woman named Alcmene, The God of the sky disguised himself as this poor woman’s husband in order to make love to her and consequently impregnate her. Hera seeing that his husband was involved with another woman was filled with rage and wrath for Alcmene and Heracles. Alcmene was terrified that Hera would harm her son, so one night Alcmene took infant Heracles and left him in the fields beyond city walls. Zeus did not want his son to die but become godlike and immortal.

The next morning Zeus asked Athena to help him. The very next morning Athena took Hera for a walk, to the fields where Alcmene had left baby Alcaeus to die. ‘Oh, look!’ suddenly cried Athena, pretending to be surprised and running towards the baby lying on the ground. ‘What a beautiful, healthy baby! Who would have left him to die, I wonder?’ She picked the baby up and gently cradled him in her arms. ‘His mother must have been mad, to leave such a lovely child to die!’ cried Athena. Hearing this Hera came running to take a look, Athena asked Hera to feed the child and Hera held out her arms and suckled the hungry Heracles. Heracles sucked Hera’s breast with such a force that she cried out in pain. She pulled the baby away from her and a spurt of milk flew from her breast forming the Milky Way. Hera then realized that this baby was the son of Zeus and having drunk the milk from the goddess the child had become immortal.

There is another legend that is also adopted by the Romans in their pantheon. According to the legend, Rhea was the wife of Cronus, Uranus father of Cronus had prophesized that he would be deposed by one of his sons. So Coronus started to swallow his sons as they were born. Seeing this Reha was upset and she wanted to save Zeus. Rhea somehow managed to hide infant Zeus in a cave in Krete (Crete) guarded by shield-clashing Kouretes. On the advice of Uranus and Gaia, Reha took a stone wrapped it in the baby clothes and handed over to Cronus. Before devouring the stone Cronus asked Reha to nurse the baby once. Just as Reha pressed her nipples with the stone a spurt of milk flew forming the Milky Way. Cronus then promptly swallowed the rock.  

Fighting the Fever Demon.

Indian Mythology

In ancient times, diseases were often considered as curses or wrath of gods. Since there was no proper medication for common diseases such as fever, malaria, skin disease and many such common diseases. Since there were no medications available the common disease would at times be fatal. This gave rise to stereotyping disease as demon or curse. As the medicinal science grew and people became aware these diseases were counteracted by gods of health. Gods or health are predominant across religions and culture. There is demon dedicated to causing and gods dedicated to curing the diseases. The most common disease in ancient times was a fever. The fever as we know caused high temperatures and needed cooling. The Indian Mythology gives us the story of Jvarasura a fever demon and Shitala the goddess that cures fever.

Jvarasura and Shitala- Heat vs Cold

According to Devi Bhagavat, once Mother goddess incarnated as Katyayani, daughter of sage Katyayan. While she was playing with her friends a demon named Jvarasura started to inflict fever to the children and people. Jvarasura, a fever inflicting demon was born from the forehead of Shiva while he was meditating. Seeing her friends and loved ones in trouble Katyayani assumed the form of Shitala. Shitala means one who provides Shitala or cooling effect. Shitala is depicted as a four-handed young girl, riding a donkey and holding a short broom, pot of cold water, winnowing fan, a drinking cup or Neem in her four hands.  Katyayani with her healing powers cured every one of fever. As per some legends, Katyayani then fought Jvarasura and took control of him or her friend batuk who assumed a form of Bhairava and killed Jvarasura. Jvarasura is resurrected who later agrees to serve Katyayani.

Another legend says that once when Vishnu was in Hayagriva form, Jvarasura inflicted fever to Hayagriva, Vishnu then cut Jvarasura into three pieces using Sudarshan Chakra. Jvarasura’s separated body parts grew head and libs. Later Jvarasura was resurrected by Brahma who joined his three parts. Jvarasura is thus depicted with three faces, three feet and an ability to move in all directions at once. Some denote Jvarasura to be the consort of Shitala.

Interpretation

Let us look at the iconography of Jvarasura once again, Jvarasura has “three faces, three feet and ability to move in any direction”, The three heads can be symbolized as the effect of fever on the head where eyes start to burn and headaches badly. The three feet can denote the condition where the limbs start to weaken or even rapid growth in temperature. Multiple feet is a symbol of speed. The iconography of Shitala is holding a pot of water, fan, broom, Neem or drinking cup. The cold water, fan and drinking cup is a symbol of cooling effect that is needed to bring down the temperature. The broom, however, can be a symbol of purification or as a means to ward off evil spirits. Broom has always had a close association with evil eye and spirits. Neem since ancient times is considered as a natural antibiotic and a natural healer. Thus the goddess holds Neem as medication against fever. The Neem tree is also known to give cold breeze which symbolizes the cooling effect. Pairing the demon of fever and Shitala together certainly means a cure to the fever.