Feasting on more Indian Mythology
- Ricesome
- Mar 29, 2024
- 4 min read
Some months ago I wrote a movie review for the film "Annapoorani" which has been taken off Netflix for including a controversial statement about Lord Ram and regarding his eating habits in Ramayana. I am traversing dangerous waters this time, and I need to be more careful (not that this blog is popular...but still).
This move by Netflix only shows how much people in India care about food and its association with mythology and religion. But, I don't think mythology has anything to do with religion per se. They are two different entities. As Vir Das once said, "If you take religion away from mythology, what is left is a really cool story." The earliest and most popular stories ever made were mythological stories. Writing about them here gives me a trip down memory lane, something interesting to dig into and dissect about our food habits, and for you? Well, you should let me know in the comments!
Our first story is about one of the most popular Indian gods, Ganesha. I made a mistake in my previous "Feasting on Indian Mythology" article by not starting it with a story of Ganesha as it is our tradition here. How can I talk about food and mythology without talking about THE Hindu god who loves to eat?
This story is called "Kubera's Feast".
Kubera, the God of Wealth, once went to Shiva and invited him to the lavish feast that he was throwing for him. He wanted to show all the gods and mortals his wealth and prestige. Shiva understanding his intentions declines the offer but agrees to send his son, Ganesha to the feast. Kubera being satisfied with the answer goes to prepare for the feast.
On the day of the feast, Ganesha comes to Kubera's house and announces that he is hungry. Soon, he starts gobbling up every plate of food that he lays his eyes on, and soon after Ganesha says, "I need more food!". Kubera astonished by Ganesha's hunger, orders his cooks to prepare more food, which eventually isn't enough either. Ganesha frustrated by the pace of the feast, enters the kitchen and starts eating everything there from food in vessels to the vessels themselves. Kubera being shocked by this goes to Mount Kailash to plead forgiveness to Shiva for his actions and asks him to stop Ganesha.
Shiva smiles approvingly and asks his wife, Parvati, to prepare "Paramannam" for Ganesha, which Kubera takes it to him. Ganesha after savouring the meal cooked by his mother finally says, "I'm full."
On the other end of the same spectrum, there exists another food-loving God, the mighty Krishna and we listen to the story of Krishna's encounter with his old friend Kuchela/Sudama. Kuchela and Krishna were close friends since their Gurukul days and grew up together. After their education was completed, they went on their separate paths. Krishna went back to Mathura and Kuchela went back to his village and became a Vedic Scholar.
Although Kuchela was highly literate, he was poor and lived in rags. He never begged for money from anyone and his wife was satisfied with what he provided her. Only that she was concerned for her children's well-being. After sleeping hungry for many nights, Kuchela's wife urges him to meet Lord Krishna and ask him for his help. She assures him that Lord Krishna will help anyone who goes to him with love and devotion and certainly wouldn't leave his dear friend in need.
Kuchela decides to obey his wife's wishes and decides to meet his long-lost childhood friend. Since it is not customary to go to someone's house empty-handed, Kuchela's wife gives him some "Poha" or flattened rice tied in a cloth. Kuchela sets off to visit his dear friend despite his hesitance. Krishna after hearing that his old friend came to visit him after a long time, rushes to meet him and embraces him very dearly. He showers Kuchela with his hospitality and grace personally. He asks his friend what he had brought him as a gift, and notices that he is trying to hide a bag behind his back. Seeing that it is one of his favourite foods, Krishna exclaims with happiness, grabs the poha from him, and takes a handful of it to his mouth. After eating two handfuls, his wife Rukmini stops him from eating further.
Kuchela leaves back to his home after spending time with his friend. On the way, he encounters many thoughts in his head. He feels happy that his friend recognized him after a long time and feels guilty that he couldn't bring himself up to ask anything for his family's welfare. He returns to his hut only to find a mansion in its place filled with servants and workers, with his wife and kids adorned in the finest clothes and jewellery. He understands that it is Krishna's 'Leela' who made this happen and feels gratitude for his friend's help.
These two stories stood in my mind the most and not just because it is about eating. Food in these stories signifies a symbol of status for those characters and both of them are proven wrong in their respective ways. Earlier, as I talked about here, there is no status of prestige or wealth inherently attached to food unless you do it yourself. These so-called "Myths and Legends" allow for truths like these to reach the masses at a time when it was difficult to spread them, and this is still the case even in the modern era. Only that it has evolved into something more...
See you next week!
Super bro