Tales froM Indian Mythology

Author(s): A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular

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Tales from Indian Mythology
He shed no tears, because his secret sadness was too intense for them; she thought that he was after all happy about their journey ahead.
Hardly had they walked a few steps when they saw in the distance the villagers surging towards the ashram screaming for rain. Their voices seemed familiar and intimate to Kaveri. She said: "Let us prevent them from disturbing the life at the ashram. Will you fetch them here? Perhaps we can satisfy their demands."
Agastya climbed a rock and from there beckoned to them at the top of his voice. They soon arrived there trembling with anger.
"Who are you?” asked Agastya.
"Who are we? Is not the answer written on our faces ? This is the fifteenth drought in succession, and we can suffer it no longer."
“But hermits cannot help you,” declared Agastya. “You must go to the king.”
"No, he will not help us either. He is interested only in his taxes, and drought or no drought, he must collect them ! Only you rishis can help us."
"But how?” asked Agastya.
"Now we need rain and you alone can induce it through penance. Our prayers to God have remained unanswered."
"We have no interest in mundane problems. We have renounced the world as you understand it. We can live on air."
"But then what can be the purpose of all your austerities? Do you want to ascend to Heaven ? What is Heaven anyway? How can you live in a Heaven where there are only smiles and no