Hindu mythology is replete with amazing love stories. Nowhere else have I found romantic love glorified and venerated in such pious and exhilarated way. Each of these stories depict varied aspects of love. The way these stories unfold the strength, the beauty and impacts of love not only on the individual but on the society as a whole, is really amazing. How our culture, faith and mythology eulogizes, idolizes this all-encompassing feeling, leaves me spell bound. Let us talk about a few mythological love stories.
Love story of Radha and Krishna is certainly one of the most enduring and immortal of all. This love story contains all the ingredients which could have made it the most disapproved affair. Radha and Krishna grew up in neighbouring hamlets. Even though Radha was married to some one else her love for Krishna reigned supreme in her being. Often neglecting the calls of duty she used to rush to be with Krishna. Krishna on his part after leaving Vrindavan almost never came to meet Radha. He married Rukmini and Satyabhama, yet Radha's whole being was infused with the love for Krishna. In my view this eternal love legend conveys that facts and statistics of a love story might be totally against the accepted social norms but it's the purity of emotions, the transcendental quality of love which makes it worthy of devotion and reverence. Radha's love for Krishna is akin to soul's longing to be ultimately submerged in the divine self. And Krishna, the incarnation of God, through his deeds and actions made it clear to the world what does Radha mean to him. He, the supreme lord is subservient to her, to her selfless love.
Radha, by surrendering herself totally to Krishna, glorified how one should give in to love and Krishna, by reciprocating equally, conveyed how the lover too should yield to the beloved’s devotion. On an earthly level we may conclude that there should be no ego between a loving couple.
Then there are Ram and Sita. Unlike Radha and Krishna they are a married couple but their undying love and support as if thrives in separation. The periods of joyful togetherness and loving companionship might be sparse but there is no denying of their undeterred faith in each other. This is the love story where physical togetherness is sacrificed on the alter of duty. This kind of love conveys that sometimes for greater cause one might have to forsake the pleasure of the company of the person one loves. One has to bear the agonies of abandoning the one without whom one can not bear to think of one's existence. But then love and relationship between a couple is also a part of the bigger scheme. Besides this the story of Sita and Ram also talks about anguished human heart and reveals that pain, anguish and hurt are parts of life.
The love story of Shakuntla and Dushyant is mentioned in the great epic Mahabharta. Dushyant was a king and Shakuntla, daughter of a sage. She was exquisitely beautiful. The story has a very interesting side plot as well.
Shakuntla was offspring of sage Vishvamitra and apsara Meneka. Meneka was sent from heaven to earth by Indra to entice and thus distract Vishwamitra from his tapasya.
Dushyant saw Shankuntla midst blooming flowers and green shady trees of ashram of the rishi. Well, cupid was sure to strike. Both of them fell in love. Gandharva vivah followed. After the honeyed period Dushyant returned to his kingdom, giving assurance to send an envoy to fetch his paramour. While departing he gave his signet ring to Shakuntala. Now a long wait starts for Shakuntala. She got pregnant but due to the curse of sage Durvasa to her, king Dushyant forgot all about his meeting and marriage with Shakuntala. She visits king's court but he failed to recognise her. On the way Shakuntala had lost the signet ring. Every thing was happening under the impact of the curse. After a long time, the ring was recovered from the stomach of a fish in king's kitchen. What a dramatic twist of fate! The ring was shown to king. As per the clause of Durvasa’s curse Dushyant remembered everything as soon as he laid his eyes on the ring. He searched all over for Shakuntla and ultimately he was reunited with his wife and son Bharat. Happy ending!
The story of Nala and Damyanti, from Mahabharata, is also a story of several trials and turbulations but ultimately love conquers and the separated couple meet to live happily ever after. In this story of a beautiful princess and a handsome prince, the swan played as cupid. Gods and goddess created many obstacles by trying to trick Damyanti at swayamvar, where all the devtas presented themselves disguised as Nala. Later on destiny designed Nala to loose all his wealth and status. But Damyanti never wavered. Surmounting all obstacles love conquers.
Above all is the love story of Lord Shankar and Devi Parvati. Not a love couple in traditional sense of the term but this is the couple living and reliving their togetherness for many lives. This transcends the limits of life and death. Their companionship celebrates equality and inter-dependence of man and woman. For Parvati it was not easy to win over the divine ascetic Shankar. She did tapasya under very tough circumstances but ultimately she won over him. She is a beautiful affirmation of positive women power.
There are other love stories woven in the tapestry of our mythology that unfold varied vistas and aspects of love. But each of them declares in unison that love can also reach an exalted level and it may infuse in us an uncharacteristic strength and courage to survive all odds. In its purest form love is akin to divinity. When we love someone more than ourselves it is uplifting. It is unifying.
(Disclaimer: all pictures from internet.)
IN FEB 2010,LUCKNOW
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