mamtc

mamtc

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Prometheus and Ganesha - Trickster Robin Hoods

Greek mythology:
Prometheus - Son of titan Iapetus and the nymph Asia.
He made human from clay - mud and water and combined it with wind - entire babyhood skipped and Athena brought it to life by breathing life into clay.
Prometheus made clay Pinocchio :)

Settling of accounts: Mortals and Immortals
In the trick at Mecone, a sacrificial meal marking the "settling of accounts" between mortals and immortals.
Prometheus placed two sacrificial offerings before the Olympian:
-a selection of beef hidden inside an ox's stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior),
- the bull's bones wrapped completely in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing exterior).
The obvious selfish Zeus chose the latter and realised that he had been tricked.

Bring back fire to the humankind:
He stole fire back in a giant fennel stalk and gave it back to mankind.
Punishment:
-Settling of accounts - Zeus hid fire from humans
-Bring back fire to the humankind - Pandora, the first woman was sent to live with men.
Eternal punishment :
Chained to rock in Caucasus and his liver is eaten by eagle daily and regenerated by night.

Hindu mythology:
Ganesha - Son of Shiva and Parvati
He was made from sweat, scruff and turmeric paste by his mom and she gave him life - entire babyhood skipped.
Parvathi made scrub Pinnochio :)

Settling the ideal spot for idol: Devas and Asuras (Demigods and Monsters)
"Ranga Vimana" - Lord Vishnu's supreme idol was a gift given to Asura Vibhisana for his backstabbing service offered against his brother Ravana in Ramayana. He was supposed to take the gift to his hometown in SriLanka and wasnt supposed to place it on ground, because if he did so, it could never be lifted off from ground again. So, he flew with the idol to Sri Lanka.


On his way to Lanka he saw Cauvery river and wanted to freshen up. Lord Ganesha disguised himself as a cowherd boy and presented himself in his vicinity. Vibhishana asked him to hold the idol and instructed him to not keep it on the ground till he finished bathing in the river. Lord Ganesha agreed and when Vibhisana dunked into river, Ganesha placed the idol on the ground in right spot. And that become one of the holy places for Lord Vishnu Srirangam. (Similar story exists for Gokarna, same kind of story but with Ravana and Mahabelshwar Temple - Lord Shiva and same trick by same Ganesha)
Punishment:
-When he spoiled Asura Vibhishna's plan, he chased him and hit him on his forehead before he revealed himself.
Eternal punishment:
Every trick of his would end up as good thing for human but instead he would have been punished for that, thus he is a prime god with deformities, he has elephant head, with one tusk and pot belly and is short and stout. He is a evergreen bachelor and a virgin god.

MORAL OF THE STORY:
John Gray's "Woman - you cant live with them, you cant live without them" is so true right?

Greek gods decided to send the first woman Pandora with a box to avenge their vengeance.
Indian gods ripped this guy of his good looks and made him totally repulsive to woman and forever bachelor.

"I have body of a god, but unfortunately Buddha - should actually be Ganesha"

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On side note, I am going on vacation and I maynt be able to catch up with regular posts of yours or comment on those, will check in between, sorry about that.

If you havent watched Prometheus movie yet, watch it, worth the watch. I liked the movie, too many open questions and if I have to predict the future, the sequel is going to be terrible and stupid.

The creator/engineer of human with helmet kinda looks like Lord Ganesha with trunk- proboscis and has of an elephant  just like Ganesh :)