Oral Stories from Rural India, Tales from Rural India
Published on 21/03/2024
Comments 33

The Web of Illusion and the Story of Origin of the Ancient Indian Calendar

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Sage Narada could travel instantly to any part of the world whether it was the skies, the earth or below the ground. He did not possess a home or a vehicle, and was notorious for mischievously engineering many misunderstandings. However, he would always side with the truth and his words were taken seriously. His presence was always welcomed by devas, asuras and humans.

Narada advised everyone he met to become a sage like him and constantly pray to Vishnu. This upset his father greatly. Brahma said to his son, ‘Look, you are free to do whatever you want to do- you have few responsibilities and almost no attachments, but the common man on earth has much more to worry about and must undergo his share of suffering. Don’t think that you know what’s best for others, especially when you have no understanding of a mortal life, of marriage and children, of joy and sorrow.

Narada, however, did not heed his father’s words and only smiled mockingly at Brahma before going on his way.

A few days later, Narada visited Vishnu, and his conversation with Brahma came up.

Vishnu smiled mysteriously. Suddenly, he coughed and glanced at his devotee. ‘I am very thirsty. Will you please bring me a glass of water from the lake nearby?’ the god asked.

Narada promptly went to fetch water, kamandalu– an oblong water pot, in hand. While dipping the water pot into the lake, he saw a series of stunning white steps below the surface of the water. Curiosity got the better of him and he could not resist going down the stairs. As he had the power to wander anywhere. Narada was able to go deep under the water. A short while later, he came across a large palace. A beautiful maiden was sitting in the garden in front, making a garland.

‘Who are you?’ asked Narada in surprise.

‘I am the princess of this palace,’ the woman replied.

‘Who is this garland for?’

‘For Vishnu, of course. I am his devotee and I am getting the garland ready for a puja.’

Narada was charmed by the maiden’s devotion and beauty, and he joined her for the puja. By the end of it, he had fallen in love with her and asked her to marry him.

Shyly, she agreed.

The two were married in a grand wedding ceremony and Narada lived in the underwater palace with the princess.

Decades went by, and Narada became the father of sixty children. Life was utterly blissful.

One day, a terrible storm came out of nowhere, and the palace came tumbling down. Narada tried his best to save his famil, but failed. One by one, he saw all his children die before him. Narada and his wife cried bitterly at their helplessness. Suddenly, a bif wave emerged and his wife was swept away with it. Before he could react, he found himself staring at the eye of the storm. As Narada held on to a treefor dear life, he remembered Vishnu. ‘Please save me, please save me, ‘he chanted and closed his eyes in preparation for death. He became afraid and realised that the life he had was important to him. He wanted to live.

And then he felt someone tapping on his shoulder. When he opened his eyes, he found Vishnu standing beside him. The storm had subsided and everything was quiet and dry.

‘Narada, what is the matter?’ asked Vishnu.

‘Has the storm passed?’ Narada asked him in disbelief.

‘Why? What happened?’

Narada sobbed. ‘I lost my wife and my children, and now I have nothing! I don’t deserve to live without them.’

Vishnu chukled. ‘What are you talking about, dear Narada? I only sent you to fetch some water for me, and here you are sitting and daydreaming by the lake. Look around you. There is no storm. Tell me now, what’s bothering you?

Narada stared around him, flabbergasted, and told Vishnu the whole story.

The lord finally admitted, ‘I am the one who created that maya for you. You are neither married nor do you have children. May be now you can understand what attachment. feels like and how hard it is for the common man to be detached from it all. If an accomplished sage like you can get caught in this web of illusion, just imagine how others must cope with it. Your father is absolutely right, dear devotee.

Narada bowed his head in shame.

Vishnu smiled, ‘I want people to remember this unique incident, and so the names of your sixty children will represent each of the upcoming sixty months or 12 samvatsaras i.e. years on Earth, that is equivalent to One year on Jupiter. At the end of which India hosts the biggest pilgrimage festival the earth observes in Hinduism, the Kumbha Mela.

And this is how the Indian Calander or samvantara came into existence.

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

33 Comments

  4. gabychops says

    Every time, Narayan, writes a story based on the Hindu mythology, we know that it will be interesting and full of colour, because those tales are more complex and imaginative than stories from the ancient Greek or Egyptian ones. As the Indian civilisation is the oldest in the world, the ideas created seem inspired by the divine power. Today’s story has the feeling of the morality tale that advise keeping our emotions controlled will help us to chose the right pathway to a happy and safe life.

    As it is a pure common sense, similar advice was given by stoics during the times of the Roman Empire. Thank you, Narayan, for the valuable lesson in Indian history, and the image that speaks your words in colour.

    Joanna

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  6. Suma Reddy says

    Hi Sir ji, hope you are doing good. I am all good here n feeling blessed by visiting your blog today sitting here under the starry sky in a pleasant park watching the twinkling stars 🌟 oh! wow I was just visualing this wonderful story above the sky. It’s beyond the words to express truly.

    “Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! It’s amazing how Vishnu taught Narada a valuable lesson about attachment. The names of Narada’s sixty children representing each month and year on Earth is a wonderful way to remember this lesson. The creation of the Indian calendar or samvantara, is truly fascinating.”

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      So good to hear from you dear Suma. So long, and it’s such a moment that took me visually there, like I was sitting with you looking at stars and a story like this comes out to tell you something more, something important.

      Tha k you again dearest. Always heartening to hear from you.

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  9. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says

    An enchanting tale, beautifully told, Narayan! It teaches respect for the perspective of others.

    A wise person does not assume that everyone has the same abilities and privileges as himself. He should have empathy and not be too hasty in giving advice to others.

    Liked by 2 people

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  11. Michael Graeme says

    Thank you, Narayan, I can imagine this story being told by candlelight, down the generations. I was captivated from first to last.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Stella, oh, Stella says

    That is a great story, showing how difficult it can be to have empathy with others without having had similar experiences.

    I found it interesting that it was known already back than how long a year is on Jupiter. There is so much ancient knowledge on earth that either got lost or was not accepted by you know who 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you for such analytical comment dear Stella.

      It is pretty astonishing Stella, how ancient Indians were persistent in their need for knowing. We are indeed deeply indebted to them.

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  17. festo_sanjo says

    Am glad I was here! To be honest your story goes beyond Indian mythology, am intrigued by the story and how Narvada was gifted but used his gifts to his advantage, not considering the average human being. It teaches us to be considerate. Also it’s showing us how trapped we are to web of illusions and separation. Hopefully Narvada will never treat others wrongly again after that terrible circumstance he went through

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