Pandora's Box

We all would have heard the story of the curious young lady, Pandora, and how her curiosity is responsible for all the troubles we face today :) It feels good to have someone to blame for all our sorrows.
Here, I would like to narrate the story of Pandora's box as it is believed to be in the Greek Mythology. Yet again, there could be various versions of the story. The beginning, middle or the end of my story may be different from some of the versions.

Pandora's Box

Prometheus and Epimetheus were brothers, a pair of titans who represented the mankind. Prometheus was very kind towards human beings and hence stole the holy fire from the heaven and gifted the human beings the art of making fire. Zeus, the father of God and Men, was very unhappy with Prometheus as he felt that the art of making fire was precious and had to be known only to the Gods. He decided to teach Prometheus a lesson and called for his son, Hephaestus, the architect of Gods. He gave him the task of creating a woman out of clay.
The great artist that Hephaestus was, created the most beautiful woman out of clay. Zeus called other Gods and Goddesses and told them to gift the clay woman with various gifts. Athena clothed her in the best of clothes and Hermes gifted her with the power to lie. Other Gods and Goddesses gifted her with different traits. As she was all gifted, Zeus called her Pandora, the all gifted.
Zeus gifted Pandora to Epimetheus. Epimetheus was warned by Prometheus to not receive anything from Zeus. But the mesmerizing beauty of Pandora caught Epimetheus off guard and he readily accepted Pandora, who was sent by Zeus with Hermes, the messenger.
Epimetheus and Pandora lived happily as a couple. Epimetheus did everything Pandora ordered him to do except for one thing. Prometheus had left a huge cask with Epimetheus and had told him never to open the cask, come what may. Epimetheus had never opened the cask, as instructed by his brother. But Pandora questioned Epimetheus again and again about the contents of the cask and why he wasn't ready to open the cask. Epimetheus explained to her that he had promised his brother to take care of the cask, in his absence, and would make sure it wasn't opened.
Pandora wasn't convinced. The more Epimetheus discouraged Pandora, she became more curious about the contents of the box.
One day, when Epimetheus had gone out, Pandora slowly entered the room where the cask was kept. She tried to hear if there was anything inside the cask and heard a tapping noise from inside the cask. She slowly opened the cask, to get a peek. Before she realized, out came flying, sickness, hatred, death, war, sorrow, theft, violence, unrest and all the troubles that the world wasn't aware of till then.
She quickly closed the lid but it was already too late. All the troubles had flown out of the cask, into the world of men.
She sat there crying, holding her face in the palms of her tender hands. When Epimetheus returned, he was shocked to see Pandora in such a state. He ran towards her and asked her what had happened. Pandora narrated the entire episode to Epimetheus. Before Epimetheus could say anything, they heard a mild thud from inside the cask. There seemed to be a little voice asking to be let out. Epimetheus slowly lifted the lid, and out flew a beautiful, colorful being which twinkled like the stars in the night sky. Pandora could not hold herself and asked, "Who are you?" The tiny twinkling being replied "I am hope. I shall stay in the heart of every man, no matter how much trouble men get into, I shall never leave them!"

Nothing Lasts Forever

Here is yet another story told by a good friend of mine. It makes me feel good that I have people around me who care enough to tell me stories to make me understand life better.
My mood swings are digital. There are just two states- Very Happy or Very Sad. I am never just happy or just sad. In order to make me understand that no situation or nothing lasts forever, my friend would tell me this.
There are various versions of this story as well. Some say the king in the story was Akbar and the minister was Birbal. Others say the king was Krishnadevaraya and the minister was Tenali Ramakrishna. I would just call them "The King" and "The Minister" in my story.

Nothing Lasts Forever

A long time ago, there lived a brave king who had a great desire to expand his kingdom. He trained his men and increased his cavalry. He improved his army and when the time was right, went out on an expedition. He waged war after war and was victorious. Months passed thus and he returned home triumphantly with his army after conquering all the neighboring states. His kingdom had increased ten folds.

There were celebrations in the kingdom. All the subjects sang praises of the king. The people celebrated the victory with songs and dances. Everybody in the kingdom was happy. 

While rejoicing the victory, the king called his favorite minister and said thus - "Dear minister, Isn't this a beautiful day? As I always dreamed, I have conquered all the neighboring states. My Kingdom has expanded beyond imagination. All my subjects are happy. Even the subjects from the newly conquered kingdoms are happy to be under my rule."

"Indeed Sir! It is a very happy occasion" said the minister.

"But it worries me minister. All the victory and the glory might get into my head. It isn't untrue that I am truly rejoicing this victory and I am indeed proud of it but this pride and happiness should not get into my head. I would need your help in this." said the king.

The minister replied "Of course My Lord. You are a great king and I am sure you would handle every situation ably. But please let me know of what help I could be."

The king was thoughtful for a while and then said "I want something that would keep me stable and unperturbed, whatever the situation maybe."

The minister replied "Certainly My Lord. I will do the needful. Please give me a week's time."

The king happily agreed. The celebrations in the kingdom went on for days. A week after the King's conversation with the minister, the King met the minister in his private chambers.

The minister gave the king a box covered in silk. The King eagerly opened to see what was inside. He was curious to know what was inside that would cater to the demands made by him. He pulled the silk cloth and opened the box. Covered in silk, inside the box, there lay an armlet. He pulled the armlet outside and checked it. There were no gems, no precious stones. The armlet was not even made of Gold. It was a silver armlet. The king was surprised. He took the armlet closer to the burning light and there it was. Engraved in the armlet were the words "This too will pass." The surprise on the king's face turned to a smile and he warmly hugged the minister. "This is perfect!" he said.

The minister was rewarded for the armlet. He returned home happily.

The king always wore the armlet. He ruled the kingdom very happily for a few years. The invasion on the kingdom started slowly and before the king could call for a war, the situation was out of control. His kingdom was invaded from all directions and the enemy kings plotted to capture the king and kill him. The King escaped from his palace on his horse with a few close aides and hid in the forest. The enemy troupes attacked the King's men and nobody but the King was left. The King fled and ran deeper into the forest for shelter. He reached the end of a cliff and saw that there was no way he could escape from the enemy troupes. He decided to jump off the cliff as he felt it was a better way to end his life.

As he was about to jump off the cliff, his armlet sparkled in the sunlight and there he saw the words engraved "This too will pass". He stood there stunned for a moment and thought- "This moment will pass too. If I plan my escape this time, maybe I can think and plan about reconquering my kingdom." Thinking thus, he saw a small rock which concealed a little cave behind it. He slowly walked towards the rock and hid himself in the cave. 

The soldiers from the enemy troupes rushed towards the cliff and on not finding the king there decided that the king must have committed suicide by jumping off the cliff. They returned back to report the same to their army and their king.

The King slowly came out of the cave after the last of the soldiers was out of sight. He spent the next few days in the forest sheltering himself in the cave. With the limited resources available in the forest, he started making his own tools and weapons. After a few days, a few men from his kingdom who had come deep into the forest for collecting firewood spotted him and were overwhelmed with joy. They explained the dreadful situation in the kingdom and the ruthlessness of the new king. The King was very unhappy and told his men that they could form an army and fight the new king. The men readily agreed.

In the coming days, many more men joined the King and they formed their own army with a small number of very well trained expert archers and swordsmen.

The King's army plotted and attacked the new king, when the time was right, and defeated him easily.

The King was re-throned and all his subjects celebrated the victory with pomp and show. The sound of the drums reached the skies. All the people enjoyed the celebrations. The king who watched all this from his palace, looked at his armlet, read the words engraved in it and smiled to himself. 

"This too will pass" he thought.

World of difference

This story was told to me by a good friend to make me realize what difference every small deed could do whenever I said "What difference does it make?"
This story has done its rounds as a forward in most of our mail boxes but I would still like to narrate it here. Because to someone, it might make a world of difference.

World of difference

It was a beautiful morning and the sun was just beginning to show at the horizon. The sky looked beautiful with tinges of orange and yellow with white cottony clouds floating aimlessly. The sea gushed towards the shore in a hurry as if trying to get the secret out of its system that it had held too long in its stomach.It was the best weather for a stroll along the beach.

A middle aged man walked along the beach taking in all the marvelous treasures that nature offered his vision this morning. As he walked along the beach, he saw a girl picking something from the shore and throwing it back to the waves. It was as if she was sending back something back to the middle of the sea. Surprised by the girl's behavior, the man strode faster to get a closer look at what she was doing.

The girl continued her work unperturbed by the morning joggers and walkers flocking the beach. As he approached, he saw that the girl was doing what she was doing earlier at almost twice the speed. As he walked closer, he saw what she was doing. She was throwing closed clam shells that were brought to the shore back to the sea. This astonished the man as he saw thousands of such closed clam shells lying around and a hundred being washed to the shore with each wave.

Unable to hold himself, he walked closer to the girl and asked " There are thousands of such shells lying on the beach. What difference does it make?"

The girl continued her work and did not look up. She threw another shell back at the waves that were returning back to the heart of the sea and said "It may make no difference to anyone but it makes a world of difference to that one."

United we stand, Divided we fall

This, again, is not a forgotten tale. This story appears in the Aesop's Fables and is a very popular tale narrated to children to make them understand the importance of Unity. I am sure you have heard this earlier. Read it again and cherish your childhood memories ;)

United we stand, Divided we fall

A long time ago, there lived a farmer in a faraway village. He had seven sons. The sons neither engaged themselves in studies nor helped the old father with his work. They would quarrel with each other for no reason. 

The farmer realized that his sons could not live a peaceful life after his time. He felt that his life was about to move from dusk, further towards night and before the darkness encroached his life, he wanted his sons to understand the importance of unity.

Hence,one day, he decided to teach them a lesson. He collected seven strong sticks and tied them together with a rope. He called all his sons and said thus-"Dear sons, here you see a bundle of sticks. I want these sticks broken without the rope being untied. Whoever breaks it, will receive a special prize from me."

The sons looked at the bundle and at each other. They thought it would be an easy task and that they could easily take away the prize their father had just mentioned.

One after the other, each son tried to break the sticks in the bundle. They tried and tried and were unable to break it. The father observed this silently. When all the sons had tried and failed, they came to their father and told him it was impossible to break the sticks.

The father then told the sons to untie the bundle and asked each son to break a stick. The sons quickly untied the bundle and were able to break the sticks within seconds, with not much effort. They rushed to their father to claim the prize.The old farmer smiled at his sons and said-"These sticks are like you. If you stand united, like the bundle of sticks tied with a rope, nobody can ever break you. But if you quarrel among yourselves and stand divided, each one of you can be easily destroyed. This is the lesson each one of you has to learn and this knowledge is your biggest prize."

The sons understood the message and it is believed that they stayed united all their lives and prospered through out.

Siriyala

This is one story that I have heard at least a hundred times on my Grandpa's tape recorder. Yes, it was on tape and in the form of a Harikathe. Harikathe is a way of telling a story by mimicking the protagonists and including music, beats and a song or two. My Grandpa was very proud of his collection of tapes which had various stories told in the form of Harikathe. I hope I am able to do justice to the story.

Siriyala

A long time ago, there lived a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He was named Siriyala by his parents and was famous as Bhakta Siriyala (the great devotee Siriyala) among the people. Siriyala had a beautiful wife and she was called Changala Devi. She was a very pious woman and a devoted wife.

Siriyala and Changala had every luxury in the world. There was just one thing that bothered the couple. They had no children. The couple prayed to Lord Shiva and vowed that they would not eat anything in a day until a Jangama (a nomadic saint who has devoted his life for the Lord) was fed by them with whatever the Jangama demanded to eat.

Having vowed thus, Siriyala and Changala started feeding all devotees who came to their village and would have lunch only after all the devotees were fed. The devotees were not fed what was prepared but the preparation was made based on what the devotee demanded.

Within a year, Siriyala and Changala were blessed with a son. The couple were overwhelmed with joy. On the eleventh day of the child's birth, they decided to give him a name. While they were thinking what the boy should be named, an elderly gentleman suggested that he must be called Chilala, a combination of both his parents' name. The couple liked the idea and the boy came to be known as Chilala.

Siriyala continued to feed devotees as per his vow. Chilala grew up to be a little boy of five. He was a very humble, soft spoken child who also had immense faith in Lord Shiva.

Once, in Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, asked him thus "Oh my loved one! Tell me why you are so devoted to your devotees? Why are you willing to do anything to keep your devotees happy?" Shiva looked at Parvati and smiled. He replied "Dear Parvati, It is hard for me to not be devoted to my devotees. The love and affection they show towards me, just draws me closer and closer to them." Parvati said-"I don't understand. Can you tell me of one such devotee who would do anything for your sake?"

Shiva said-"I can show you many such devotees. But let me show you one of my most devoted devotees. He is called Bhakta Siriyala."

Parvati replied-"If you really think he is the best, let us go test him."

Shiva readily agreed. Shiva and Parvati came down to Siriyala's village, disguised as Jangamas.
In order to test Siriyala, Shiva made sure there were thousands of Jangamas who demanded various things. Siriyala and Changala happily served all the guests. The Jangamas kept pouring in and Siriyala's cooks kept cooking the feast that they demanded.
Shiva looked at Parvati and smiled and said "Didn't I tell you that Siriyala would do anything to keep up the vow?" Parvati was not impressed.She said- "You are asking him for something he has. Ask him for something he doesn't have or something he cannot give. Let us see how he does it!"
Shiva looked up at the sky and it started raining heavily. All the dry firewood became damp and wet. There was no fuel to keep the oven running and the demands of the Jangamas kept increasing.
The cooks came to Changala and said - "Madam, there is no dry firewood and it is impossible to cook all the varieties that the guests are demanding. Can we just tell them that we will cook from a general menu today and the Guests should oblige?" Changala was shocked to hear this and said- "Going against the vow we have taken in the name of Lord Shiva is worse than dying a dreadful death. Give me two minutes and I will fetch the fuel for the ovens."
She went into the bedroom and returned with two bags of her silk sarees and gave it to the cooks. She said "Dip these in oil and use it as fuel. Please feed the guests what they demand."
Shiva looked at Parvati and smiled. Parvati did not smile back. He said- "Wait and watch what Siriyala would do to keep up his vow."
Shiva and Parvati made sure that all Jangamas in the town disappeared and were sent to different pilgrimages. When Siriyala and Changala woke up the next morning, there were no Guests in the lodges. Siriyala went around the town and could not find any Jangamas. He returned home and told Changala that there were no Jangamas anywhere in the town. They both looked up at the sky and chanted "Om Namah Shivay" and remained hungry. This went on for 3 days. On the third day, Chilala was ready to go to school when his mother asked him to eat something. The little child said "Amma, until guests eat, Dad will not eat. Until Dad eats, you will not eat. When my creators remain hungry, it is unfair for me to eat anything. Om Namah Shivay" and he leaves for school.
Changala was happy that her son is growing up to be just the way they had dreamed. But the mother in her felt miserable that her son remained hungry with all of them.
Changala looked at an old servant and said "Sir, please have your food. You look so frail and tired." The servant replied- "Madam, do you think I am worse than the little child who is fasting with you? Until you and master eat, none of us will have a morsel of food. Om Namah Shivay."
Looking at this, Shiva was pleased and smiled all along. Parvati looked displeased, and said- "This is enough. I agree that Siriyala is a very devoted person and nothing can shake his devotion for you. Please end this ordeal and let us return." Shiva smiled and said-"You have asked me to test my devotee and I will only return after I have tested him completely. Like the gold gets its glitter after being heated in the kiln, my devotees will also be renowned after being tested rigorously. You just play along with me and I will show you the devotion that Siriyala and his family has for us."
Shiva and Parvati appeared as Jangamas in some part of Siriyala's town. Hearing about the two Jangamas, Siriyala rushed to bring them home to feed and entertain them. When he reached there, he was overwhelmed with joy and took the blessings of the Jangamas and invited them for lunch. Shiva (disguised as Jangama) spoke thus - "We have been meditating for hundreds of years and we do not eat anything that has lost its innocence. We do not eat the plants that have roots and grow from the mud." Siriyala was shocked and asked "Are you indicating that great mendicants that you are would like to have non vegetarian for food?" Shiva laughed and replied- "Do you think we would pollute our bodies by feeding on dead animals? We do not feed on animals." Siriyala looked confused. He asked -"You don't feed on plants, you don't feed on animals, then how can I feed  you? What is it that you wish to eat?" Shiva replied "We are cannibals and feed on human flesh." Siriyala was shocked and felt weak in his knees. He was about to fall. He composed himself and thought -"What better way to leave this world than to be fed as a feast to two mendicants?" He bowed low and said - "Surely dear ones. Please do come by lunch time and I will make sure your feast is ready."
Shiva looked angry and he said - "What nonsense! You are thinking of offering yourself? What makes you think we will feed on your polluted body?"
Siriyala felt his knees give away. He questioned - "What else can I feed you sir? If my body is polluted, then please tell me what is it that you are looking for?"
Shiva smiled and said- "We only feed on young kids between the age of five and six. The innocent kids who have clear minds and pure hearts."
Siriyala's eyes became clouded with tears. He replied - "Surely sir. Your feast will be ready. Please come home for lunch."
Siriyala returned home sadly and told Changala about what had happened. Then he said - "I am planning to check if someone would be willing to sell a child of five to six years of age." Changala was shocked to hear this and said -"Oh my dear one! What do the butchers who sell kids understand the pain of bearing a child in the womb for months and the pain of bringing a life to earth. And who are we to decide the fate if a child that is not even ours?"
Siriyala and Changala knew the solution to this but were not ready to accept it. Finally, Siriyala called a servant and asked him to fetch his son, Chilala from the school. The servant who had overheard the conversation bore a grave look and left to get Chilala back home.
As the old servant reached the school, he walked slowly with a heavy heart. He came close to where Chilala sat and asked his teacher's permission to take Chilala home. Chilala bowed to his teacher, took his permission and came with the servant.
Looking at the sad expression on the servant's face, the little boy asked - "What is wrong grandpa? Why are you sad?" The servant replied "Dear child, listen to me and listen to me carefully. It seems there are some mendicants who are in town and those cannibals feed on little kids. They are coming home for lunch today and your parents are helpless and have decided to feed them with you. So my dear one, please runaway from this town. Go far away where you will be safe."
Chilala looked at the old man and smiled. He said - "Oh grandpa! What is wrong with you? Elders like you should advice me to listen to what my parents say and here you are, asking me to runaway. Come, let's go home."
"Aren't you afraid my child?" asked the old servant.
"Certainly not Grandpa. If my parents have decided something for me, it should be right. It can't be wrong. Om Namah Shivay."
Parvati who was watching this, begged Shiva to stop his test right away. Shiva just smiled and asked her to watch on.
The child reached home with the servant. He walked towards his parents who sat in silence and looked helpless. He spoke to his father thus - "Dear dad, don't think twice about what you have to do. I already know the purpose of my being at home at a time when I must have been in school. What is this life? I will grow up, be an adult, grow old and finally die. I will be a part of the nature. Instead of waiting so long for salvation, isn't it a great thing to feed two hungry men who have dedicated their lives for the lord? Do not hesitate dear dad. It is getting late for lunch."
Listening to these words, Siriyala hugged his only child. Changala's sorrow knew no bounds. Siriyala carried an axe and went out with Chilala.
The Child's head was cut in a blow and different varieties of dishes were prepared with the flesh.
Finally the destined hour for lunch approached. The two Jangamas (Shiva and Parvati in disguise) came to Siriyala's house. The lunch was arranged for the two of them. The Jangamas sat on the mats that were spread for them.
Shiva called out for Changala and said -"Get another mat and keep a plate for the host Siriyala too." Siriyala and Changala looked at each other. Siriyala tried to resist. Shiva insisted that the host has to eat with the guest.
Changala did as she was told. Siriyala was forced to sit in front of the plate. Food was served.
Before having food, Shiva said - "Siriyala, please ask your wife to call your son."
Siriyala and Changala looked at each other again and Siriyala tried to say - "But sir... my son..."
Shiva looked at Siriyala with anger filled eyes and asked - "Are you saying you are childless? Don't you know we do not eat in the home of the childless. Call your son now or we shall leave."
Changala started to cry. She thought about all the servants who had not eaten for days. She thought about the son she had just lost. She didn't want to put her husband into another fix. So she stood at the door and looked outside and called out loud - "Chilala, my son! Come home soon! Chilala! Chilala!"
As she called out thus, all the flesh that was used in cooking came together and Chilala came back to life. He came running from outside the house wearing the best of clothes.
Looking at her dead son come back to life, Changala was astonished. Tears of joy flew down her cheeks. She kissed her son's forehead and hugged him tight and turned to tell her husband about it. She was shocked to see that her husband was down on his knees. The two Jangamas had transformed into Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Changala and Chilala also got down on their knees and prayed.
Shiva turned to Parvati and said -"Hadn't I told you that my devotees would do anything to keep up the vow they take in my name? Are you satisfied with my test? Don't you think Siriyala has come out clean and shining just like the gold from the kiln?"
Parvati smiled and replied "Of course my lord. Your devotees are my children. This test was just to show the world the greatness of Siriyala and his family and not to test his devotion towards you."
Shiva and Parvati blessed Siriyala's family and returned to Kailasa.

The story of the sunflower

This story is from the Greek Mythology. This story has a very special place in my heart. The story of unconditional love that was never returned.

The story of the sunflower

Apollo was the son of Zeus, the king of all Gods and Men. Apollo was the Sun God. He had a palace in the eastern direction and would ride his chariot of Gold and Ivory everyday in the skies from East to West. In the evening, he would end his journey at the far sea on the western end and would come back home on his Golden boat.
He was admired by one and all as he was believed to spread love and life to every being. He was known for his youthful and manly beauty. He had Golden hair and was the most handsome person that anyone had come across.
He was loved by all and a water nymph called Clytie was immensely in love with Apollo. She would watch him with unblinking eyes as he moved across the sky. He looked all the more handsome to Clytie. Unfortunately, Apollo ignored Clytie and never returned her love. Apollo was in love with Daphne, the beautiful daughter of a water God. Unfortunately for Apollo, Daphne did not return his love. When Apollo tried to forcefully convince Daphne, she asked her father to help her. He in turn, turned her into a plant. Apollo was heartbroken and his sorrow knew no bounds.
Clytie continued to watch Apollo as he passed through the sky. She sat on a rock for nine days without food and water and just kept looking at Apollo as he passed in the sky. Eventually, she was turned into a flower, which came to be known as the Sunflower.
It is believed that even to this day, the Sunflower keeps looking at the sun from the moment the sun rises till he sets.

Lilavati

This story, like many other stories, may not be able to tell us what really happened. I am only going to try to tell you the story I had heard as a child. I have read many different things which are different from the original story I had heard, but here, I will stick to the original one that my teacher had once told me. Only the people involved would know what really happened, and they would have taken their little secrets silently to their graves.

Lilavati

Bhaskara was one of the best mathematicians on the face of earth. He had profound knowledge in the field of mathematics and astrology. He lived with his wife on the banks of a beautiful lotus pond somewhere in South India, in a region which is believed to be to the South of Bombay (now Mumbai). Bhaskara's wife delivered a baby girl who came to be known as Lilavati. Lilavati was a very beautiful child. She was both intelligent and good looking which was a rare combination.
Bhaskara was apprehensive about his daughter's inquisitiveness and curiosity. The little girl asked her father many questions and gained a lot of knowledge this way.
As she grew up, Bhaskara decided to get Lilavati married. In the process, Bhaskara perused Lilavati's horoscope. He was shocked when he found out that Lilavati would not have a happy married life if she did not get married at a particular auspicious time. He did not tell Lilavati about this, as he despised hurting his daughter. He made all arrangements to make sure that Lilavati would get married at the auspicious time. In order to make sure that he did not miss this particular time, he kept a cup with a small hole at the bottom of a vessel filled with water, arranged so that the cup would sink at the beginning of the destined auspicious hour. He forewarned Lilavati not to go near the vessel.
When Bhaskara was not around, Lilavati, could not hold her curiosity and went to see what her father had devised.
When Lilavati went close to the device, she bent forward to get a closer look. A little pearl from her nose ring fell into the water. She rushed back in a hurry so that her father would not find out what she was up to.
The little pearl that fell into the water upset the calculations made by Bhaskara and the wedding took place, but not at the auspicious hour.
As destined, Lilavati's husband died a few days after the marriage. Bhaskara brought back his widowed daughter to his residence.
Lilavati's face had lost its initial charm. She seemed disinterested in the normal day to day activities. She sat by the pond looking into nothingness and wept. She remained silent most of the time. Bhaskara found it very difficult to see these changes in his beautiful daughter.
He thought of a way to get her out of her depressed state. He posed arithmetic problems at Lilavati about the things around her and asked her to find solutions to the problems. Lilavati, the brilliant girl that she was, solved all the problems posed to her.
Lilavati's mind which was busy in solving the mathematical problems posed by her father, never again got depressed. It is believed that the problems posed to Lilavati form the major portion of Bhaskara's treatise which is named after Lilavati.
It is believed that Lilavati was given and could solve complex problems which are now resolved using the Pythogoras theorem. Thus, Lilavati became one of the first eminent women mathematicians in India.

Note: 

It is believed that Bhaskara was also interested in poetry, as most of the problems in Lilavati, his mathematical treatise, are poetic. I have just listed a few of them below. Those interested can actually solve them too :)
1. Of a group of elephants, half and one third of the half went into a cave,
One sixth and one seventh of one sixth was drinking water from a river.
One eight and one ninth of one eighth were sporting in a pond full of lotuses
The lover king of the elephants was leading three female elephants; how many elephants
were there in the flock?
2. Oh! You auspicious girl with enchanting eyes of a fawn, Lilavati,
If you have well understood the above methods of multiplication
What is the product of 135 and 12?
Also, tell me what number will you obtain when the product is divided by 12.

Bhaskara concludes Lilavati by saying-
"Joy and happiness in this world shall continually increase for those who hold her kanthasakta, close in their arms or clasped to their bosoms"

Death speaks

Death speaks is not exactly a forgotten tale. It is written by Somerset Mougham and also reproduced in Jeffrey Archer's Collection of Short stories.

Death Speaks has been my favorite short story right from the day I read it, which was about 6 or 7 years ago. I have never read any other story which is barely close to this one. With least usage of words, sentences and punctuation, Somerset has come up with a tale that will stay with you for days after you have read it. I wish I could write a story which is 0.00001% as good as this one, and I would consider myself blessed.

Hope you enjoy reading this one:

Death Speaks:

There was a merchant in Baghdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master, just now when I was in the market-place I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture; now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there death will not find me. The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the market-place and he saw me standing in the crowd, he came to me and said, "Why did you make a threatening gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning?" "That was not a threatening gesture", I said, "it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Baghdad for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra."

The story of the astrologer's son

Well, yes, indeed all my posts are presently revolving around astrology, palmistry, tarot etc. With the wedding season which is coming to an end, when I look back at the month gone by, the weddings I have attended and the astrology and horoscope matching involved in the process, I am inspired to write about these topics.
Again, this story was told by one of my Sanskrit teachers (I am presently unable to recall which teacher told this story). Astrology is coming to be considered as a Science in itself and in my experience, I have come across some of the most learned and talented astrologers. Astrology is not about predicting the future, but it is the science which talks about the impact of the cosmic energy on man. Well, I am not a pro to talk about this point, so let me start with the story.

The story of the astrologer's son

Long time ago in India, there lived a great king. There were many learned men in his court. The king valued talent and knowledge and made sure that any person in the kingdom with knowledge was rewarded accordingly. The best men in various fields were rewarded with the King's friendship. One such person was Sumeru (I do not remember the name and Sumeru is the name I have given the character). Sumeru was well versed in Astrology and it was believed that his predictions never went wrong. 

Sumeru and the King were great friends. They were both married at about the same time. In a matter of months, the Queen and Sumeru's wife were pronounced pregnant by the chief medical practitioner in the court.

The King was overjoyed and arranged for a feast for all his subjects. Sumeru's happiness knew no bounds. Sumeru was happy for himself and for the king.

On a beautiful night when the moon and the stars seemed to compete with each other to throw light to illuminate the earth, the Queen gave birth to a beautiful child. It was a boy. The heir to the throne. The King hugged Sumeru and told him to announce that he would distribute clothes and jewelry to all the people in his kingdom. Sumeru got the job done by asking a few guards to announce the same.

Sumeru returned home happily. He saw a crowd in front of his house and rushed to see what was wrong. Everyone looked happy and an old lady came with a bundle tucked in her arms and gave it to Sumeru. "It is a boy" she said. Sumeru was overwhelmed with joy and could not stop looking at his son's face. After a few seconds, the expression on his face changed, he looked up at the old lady with his eyebrows pulled up and asked "When was he born?" The old lady told the precise time. A wide smile spread across Sumeru's face. It was the exact time when the King's son was born. 

Sumeru sat down for hours in the night under a tiny oil lamp and made several calculations and wrote down the Jataka/Kundali(birth chart) of the two children. It was exactly the same. He observed that the children were born with Gaja-Kesari yoga. People born with Gaja-Kesari yoga were believed to become rulers and were supposed to be very intelligent.

Sumeru had studied astrology from great masters across the world. He had experimented and researched and discovered many aspects too. But looking at the birth charts of the two children he was intrigued. He thought "If astrology is to be true, both my son and the King's son should have the same fate. They must enjoy the same royalties and suffer the same calamities. But is it really possible?" Sumeru did not share his thoughts with anyone including his wife and parents.

Eleven days after their birth, the naming ceremony was held and both the babies were given names. As time passed, the babies grew up to be very naughty little kids. They both were sent to study under the same Guru, to the same Gurukul. 

No other child in the Gurukul could match the two children's intellect, boldness and sharpness. When the two children were adequately trained, the Guru blessed the children and sent them back to their homes.

Both the King and the astrologer received their sons happily. The king checked with Sumeru and fixed a date for the Pattabhisheka (enthroning ceremony) for his son.

Sumeru thought "If the astrology that I have learned to this day is true, then the two children should have the same fate. If the prince is being enthroned on this day, then let me see what fate has in store for my son."

It was the day of the prince's Pattabhisheka/Enthronement. All people from the kingdom were present at the grand ceremony. The prince was enthroned and was made to sit on an elephant and go around the palace streets. All people gathered there sung praises of the prince.

Sumeru looked around and did not find his son. He rushed home to see if his predictions would come true. He saw a crowd at the end of the street on which his house was located. He ran towards the crowd to see what was happening there. As he approached, he saw his son surrounded by people. He was sitting on something and all people around were shouting his praises. He went forward to see his son dressed in his best clothes sitting on a baby elephant. Everyone around him was singing his praises and appreciating his valor. He had rescued the baby elephant which had fallen into a pit and also provided the required medical help. The baby elephant had thanked the boy in its own way and had let him ride him. The boys standing around the baby elephant proclaimed Sumeru's son as their leader and hero.

Sumeru smiled and thought "After all! Astrology that I have learned through the years did come true. My predictions for the boys came true too. The prince's destiny had him proclaim the throne and my son's destiny made him the local hero. It is the destiny of every person that decides how the astrological predictions work for each person."

He looked up towards the sky, as if thanking the Gods above for answering his questions.

The story of Panini

I found a new application on google play for my android device. The app claimed to help me predict my own future by reading the lines on my palm. It seemed interesting and I downloaded the same. I went through the predictions and wondered how a few lines on the palm could depict someone's destiny. It could have some basis and may be true. I am not going to bore the readers with my opinion about palmistry.
This little app, reminded me of one of the stories/legends that my Sanskrit teacher had narrated to us when we were in class 8.
This story is about Panini. Anyone who has studied even a bit of Sanskrit, would know Panini. For those of you who don't, let me introduce you to Panini. Panini is known as the Father of Sanskrit Grammar, which is known as the Mother of all languages. In short, Panini is the maternal grandfather of all languages. Well, jokes apart, let me tell you his story in my own words.

The story of Panini:

Long ago (around 600-500 BC), there lived a great scholar and astrologer by name Pani, on the banks of the river Indus. By the grace of Lord Shiva, Pani's wife delivered a healthy son. The son came to be known as Panini, the offspring of Pani.
The little boy was very active and was the apple of his parents' eyes. He grew up to be a sweet child whose smile reminded one of the moon on a full moon night.
One day, a great scholar, astrologer and palmist visited Pani. He was a great friend of Pani. Pani and his family treated the great man courteously. He was served the best food and was treated with the best services. After lunch, the great man called the child Panini and asked him to sit with him. Panini readily agreed and sat with the great man.
The great man looked at the right palm of the child. He sat there gazing at the palm for several minutes. The expression on his face changed from that of cheerfulness to that of concern. Looking at this change, Pani inquired the great man about what was bothering him.
The great man looked at Pani with pitiful eyes and said "Oh Pani! My friend! You are such a renowned scholar and people around the world come to you for advice. Alas! Fate has it that this child of yours will remain illiterate. He has no Education Line on his palm."
Pani asked his friend- "Please forgive me. I am not saying this because I doubt your expertise, but would it be possible that you haven't checked my son's palm correctly?"
The great man looked at Pani, whose eyes tried to hold their grief back, and said "My friend! I have checked the boy's palm thoroughly, not once but twice and there is no Education Line here. He is bound to remain illiterate."
Pani could no longer hold his grief. He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath "If the lord wishes it to be so, so be it!"
Panini, who was listening to the conversation, gently asked the great man "Sir, could you please tell me where on my palm would the education line be, if it had been?"
The great man showed the child the location of the education line on his own palm. He felt sympathetic towards the child, who was so well mannered and soft spoken.
The child ran out of the house and returned back in a few minutes. He held out his right palm and asked the great man "Will I be a scholar now? Will I be able to uphold my father's name?"
The great man and Pani looked at the child's hand and were shocked. Blood was oozing out of the palm and where there had to be the education line, there was a deep line which was etched with a sharp stone. The two men had no words.
As he grew up, Panini was educated by his father and Pani was astonished by his son's insatiable quest for knowledge. To attain more knowledge, Panini meditated on Lord Shiva and performed penance for many years. Impressed by the devotion he showed, Lord Shiva appeared before Panini. But Panini was so engrossed in his meditation that he did not notice the Lord's arrival. In order to wake Panini, Shiva sounded his Damaru. The Damaru beats reverberated and Panini woke up from his trance. The sound made by Shiva's Damaru kept resonating in Panini's ears. Panini bowed to the lord and the lord blessed him and disappeared.
Panini is believed to have formulated the rules of Sanskrit morphology, syntax and semantics in fourteen verses, which are believed to be the sounds of Shiva's Damaru, and called them Maheshwara Sutrani.
These Sutras are also known as Aṣṭādhyāyī, meaning eight chapters, the foundational text of the grammatical branch of the Vedanga. 

The End

Note:  You can get more information on Maheshwara Sutras at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Sutras
and on Panini at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81%E1%B9%87ini