Mythology: The Ahalya Story

Most Indians would agree with me - the characters and situations of Indian Mythology make story telling both easy and challenging at the same time. Easy because they are fascinating, out of the world, captivating, rich in imagination - multidimensional in imagery. In contrast, the modern cartoons including Chota Bheema pale in front of them. I am saying this with experience. Challenging because no story can be told as it is. They contain elements that at times only an adult can appreciate. Some of those stories have to be re-edited online before presenting it to a child.

Children love Ramayana. They can listen to it end to end unlike Mahabharatha which has to be told only in bits and pieces selecting stories that can be independently presented. My daughter, 5 years old, is no different. There are minor challenges though - like she never understands why Ravan abducted Seetha - which I have managed to navigate to some extent. To avenge the insult to Shoorphanaka has never sounded convincing to her, but she has come to terms with it. That he wanted Seetha to be his partner is something that I am going to tell her after another 7-8 years. But I have negotiated this challenge well.

Not some others. Like the Ahalya story. I often try to jump saying Rama entered Ashrama of Sage Gouthama and Ahalya was relieved of her shaapa and tried to move on.

"Appa, why was she cursed?"

"Because, she had done a mistake."

"What mistake?"

"She did not listen to her husband's words?"

"What words did she not listen to, Appa?"

At this stage it gets difficult. I mumble something saying she was not doing pooja as she was supposed to do, but it only rebounds with another 'Why, What'. I end up deflecting and digressing - eventually use the TV, Video, outdoor game to escape from her clutches.

Of late, another complication has risen. All these days I told stories from the Valmiki Ramayana of Amara Chitra Kathe. She has now stumbled upon Tulsi Ramayan of the same Amara Chitra Kathe. What big deal? It is a big deal. The same Ahalya story is a different in these versions. In Valmiki Ramayana, Sage Gouthama curses her to be invisible in the Ashrama doing penance until Rama enters the Ashrama. As soon as Rama enters the Ashrama she is relieved of the curse. However, in Tulsi Ramayan (Ram Charita Manas) Sage Gouthama curses her to become a rock. When Rama's feet touch her - she is relieved of her curse.

Now, my daughter loves this Tulsi Ramayan version of the Ahalya story. Its dramatic Ahalya becoming a stone and then coming back as a human being. My mind wants her to accept the Valmiki Ramayana version - less controversial, sounding less harsh. However, no amount of convincing works with my daughter. She has outrightly rejected the Valmiki Ramayana version saying that not the right version, thats not right and I should only tell her the Tulsi Ramayana version.

"Its getting interesting" I tell myself. Every story provides some such insight into my daughter's mind while narrating. It does not matter if I manage to convince her to my way - as long as I gain insight into the mind of a child - my daughter.