Thursday 24 July 2014

183. The legend of the Black Cave.

         The saintly lady looked very beautiful. She, with a trace of smile on her lovely mouth was simply staring at them. As there was no response from the saintly lady, Hanuman continued "Overtired with hunger and thirst we entered this cavity, which is overspread with darkness, with the hope that we may get some water to drink and some grub to eat. On seeing these diverse and marvellous mansions we are absolutely amazed. We got agitated, too and agonised as well.
         "We find that the edibles, tubers, and fruits are all depurated. 
       "Also we wonder how the lotuses born in the limpid water are golden, and how the fishes along with tortoises are ostensibly golden! Are they so because to the innate prodigy of yours?"  
        At last the saintly lady deigned to reply. She said "This is the handiwork the marvellous and fantastic craftsman named Maya.
     "Once he was the chief architect to the danavas. This divinely golden and superb mansion was constructed by that wonderful craftsman Maya.
      "Performing ascesis for thousands of years in this horrendous forest, he obtained a boon from God Brahma by which he usurped the entire knowledge of the Sage Shukra.

Comment.
Sage Shukra, better known as Shukraacaarya, was the mentor and clan-priest of Asuras(=rakshashas). He was an astounding expert in Architectural Engineering, creating paradisiacal constructions, materialising materials just from out of thin air and the like. Many humans beseech gods near at hand, to bestow wealth (i.e. knowledge, technique etc.), with the belief that when Shukraacaarya could deliver material comforts to asuras from out of thin air, gods too would be  able bestow riches on them, (as if gods have no other function than this). Hence, this asura Maya wanted to surpass his own priest Shukraacaarya in Architectural Engineering and the like. And Brahma granted it, as a crosswise benefit to gods.
End Comment.
      "That dynamic one methodized everything and then resided comfortably in this great forest for some time, enjoying everything he desired. Indra, did not like this. Hence he coolly eliminated Maya at the time when that eminent Maya was engaged with an apsara, called Hema. This marvellous woodland, these everlasting wish-fulfillers, and this golden mansion were endowed by Brahma to that Hema.
       "I am the daughter of Merusaavarni, named Swayamprabha and I am looking after this on behalf of Hema.
          "Hema is a virtuoso in dance and music and my dearest nymphean-friend, and she bestowed a boon upon me [by which none can dishonour me, and thus] I am safeguarding this superb mansion without any worry or fear.

Comment.
The Architect for Indra is called  Vishva Karma who is endowed with high-class proficiency right from blacksmith art to that of an outstanding engineer. His works are always guided and as directed by Indra. Indra does not like any competitor for his Vishva Karma in any of the worlds, like one Indra for all the worlds. After their clan-priest Shukraacaarya's treasure of architecture is lost to Maya, the asuras get works done through the heavenly Vishva Karma, instead of appointing their own architect. This treasure of architecture of Shukraacaarya is usurped by this demon Maya, through Brahma. As Indra cannot defy the boon of Brahma, he baited this Hema, the apsara, to make Maya to woo her. Accordingly, Maya brought the nymphal-virtuoso Hema to this cavernous paradisiacal mansion and was subjected to elimination by Indra. After the elimination of this Wonder Architect, Hema departed to Brahma's abode, bequeathing this mansion to Swayamprabha. From then on Hema resided in brahma loka.
End Comment.

          "How come you fellows happen to pass through this impervious forest, and how you have discovered this forest?
      First dine on these wholesome edibles, fruits and tubers, as well as  drinking soft drinks. After satiating your thirst and hunger tell me about yourselves."
            Hearing that all the ravenous vanaras pounced on the eats and drank the sweet drinks.
=======================================================

No comments:

Post a Comment