This is my100th post, and today is the eighth birthday of Alter Idem!! That's an average of a post per month......1.04 to be precise!!
I have always celebrated Alter Idem's birthday by sharing a short story that comes to my mind when I begin to write the 'birthday post'.
Today's story is from the Ramayana. I thought of it as I was unloading photographs from the phone a few minutes ago. The pic below was taken at Amritapura.
The Amriteshwara temple, like other temples built in the Hoysala style, has carvings on the outer walls depicting episodes from our epics and mythology. And, let me tell you, it is such a pleasure to recognise the anecdotes depicted by the sculptor!!
Looking for Seeta, Rama and Lakshmana reach Kishkinda and befriend Sugreeva. Sugreeva seeks Rama's help to kill his estranged brother, Vali. In return, he offers to help Rama track Seeta.
However, Sugreeva is not sure if Rama could match his brother's strength. To prove it, Rama shoots an arrow which pierces through a row of seven mighty trees. After piercing through them, the arrow touches the earth, and returns back to Rama's quiver! Convinced that Rama can help him, Sugreeva seals the friendship. As promised, Rama kills Vali - from behind a tree while the latter is engaged in a battle with Sugreeva and the story moves on...
Now, it is the snake in the carving that's intriguing. Rama seems to be standing on it. The arrow doesn't seem to strike it. So, what could be the story behind it's presence?
Over the centuries, stories have been added to, and perhaps removed from the original Ramayana. According to some versions of the Ramayana, a snake was used to align the trees in a straight line when Rama had to prove his strength to Sugreeva. According to some other versions, Rama hid behind seven trees and shot the arrow that killed Vali.
This version was probably prevalent during the Hoysala period. Because, I came across a similar carving at Halebeedu.
I have always celebrated Alter Idem's birthday by sharing a short story that comes to my mind when I begin to write the 'birthday post'.
Today's story is from the Ramayana. I thought of it as I was unloading photographs from the phone a few minutes ago. The pic below was taken at Amritapura.
The Amriteshwara temple, like other temples built in the Hoysala style, has carvings on the outer walls depicting episodes from our epics and mythology. And, let me tell you, it is such a pleasure to recognise the anecdotes depicted by the sculptor!!
Looking for Seeta, Rama and Lakshmana reach Kishkinda and befriend Sugreeva. Sugreeva seeks Rama's help to kill his estranged brother, Vali. In return, he offers to help Rama track Seeta.
However, Sugreeva is not sure if Rama could match his brother's strength. To prove it, Rama shoots an arrow which pierces through a row of seven mighty trees. After piercing through them, the arrow touches the earth, and returns back to Rama's quiver! Convinced that Rama can help him, Sugreeva seals the friendship. As promised, Rama kills Vali - from behind a tree while the latter is engaged in a battle with Sugreeva and the story moves on...
Now, it is the snake in the carving that's intriguing. Rama seems to be standing on it. The arrow doesn't seem to strike it. So, what could be the story behind it's presence?
Over the centuries, stories have been added to, and perhaps removed from the original Ramayana. According to some versions of the Ramayana, a snake was used to align the trees in a straight line when Rama had to prove his strength to Sugreeva. According to some other versions, Rama hid behind seven trees and shot the arrow that killed Vali.
This version was probably prevalent during the Hoysala period. Because, I came across a similar carving at Halebeedu.
You know, the monkeys in the first picture seem to be afraid and pleading, while the ones in the second seem to be revering Rama! Now, is that my imagination...or are/ were there other versions of this anecdote?!
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