Tales froM Indian Mythology

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

Page 61

Kaveri and Agastya
37
tears, only light and no darkness, only triumphs and no defeats ? Of what use is your immortality when you are forgotten by us?”
"We do not seek anything except peace and tranquillity. We wish to be left alone."
"Like the dead."
"Whatever you may say, we are not prepared to meet your sordid demands."
At this stage, Kaveri, intervening, observed: "Agastya, can you mention any maharshi in whom does not lurk at least one mundane desire ? Are we not all drawn towards the earththe gods, the sages, the elements, the spirits. So is it not necessary that the austerities of the rishis should have the sole purpose of removing misery from the world? There is no Heaven or Hell other than the abode of mortals."
At once the whole concourse exclaimed: "A goddess has spoken !". They prostrated themselves before her. She assured them thus: "Now you should all go back to your villages. I shall persuade my Gurudev to perform a big sacrifice to propitiate Varuna, the God of Rain.”
They bowed to her and, infused with new hopes, retraced their steps.
"Now, Agastya, let us resume our journey," suggested Kaveri and he instinctively followed her instead of leading. On the way they amused themselves with blossoms and butterflies. 'But Agastya found it very hard to hide the heaviness of his heart. The peacock saw the clouds gathering in the sky and at once spread his plumage and began to invite them. It was the month of Sravan, and clouds could be easily sum