A Tales of Curses

A Tale of Curse reveals the hidden blessings within adversities

This is from the 85th chapter of the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata.

People who are sidelined or marginalized, can they come back to the mainstream? Are adversities fully negative? Could there be unseen gains from adversities? This is the answer to these questions.

Bhrigu Maharshi cursed Agni Bhagavan because he didn't protect his wife from a demon. Agni Bhagavan got disillusioned and decided to go away from the Devas. He went into hiding. The Devas initially did not bother. In the meantime, two important events happened.

Tarakasura got a boon from Brahma and became invincible. He started troubling and tormenting everyone. The Devas thought if a son is born to Mahadeva, he will be more powerful than Mahadeva himself and his rage could be a threat. So they spoiled all attempts by Devi Parvathy to conceive. When Devi came to know that the Devas were behind this, she cursed all of them to be childless. Devas means the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas, the 33 Devas.

When Agni was there, he was the commander of the Deva army. Now that he is gone, they wanted somebody to lead them. They can't have children. But if a child is born to Lord Shiva, he will be a great warrior. But all wishes of Devas materialize through yagas. How can there be yaga without Agni Deva?

So all the Devas went searching for Agni Deva in all directions, everywhere. They couldn't find him for a long time. He was hiding in Rasatala, one of the netherworlds. The water in Rasatala heated up due to his heat. It is this hot water that comes out even today through geysers and hot springs. A frog that was living in Rasatala, unable to bear the heat, came up to the surface of the earth. When he saw that the Devas were searching for Agni, he told them where he was. When he came to know about this, Agni Bhagavan cursed the frog's tongue. But Devas consoled him by granting him some boons that even if he stays in a hole or burrow for a long time without food, he will still be healthy. Also, they got night vision. The frog's descendants also got these powers.

In the meantime, Agni left Rasatala and occupied an Ashwattha tree. An elephant which was passing by saw Agni hiding in the tree and informed the Devas. Agni cursed the elephant's tongue. Devas consoled the elephant, saying that in spite of the cursed tongue, the elephant will be able to communicate using some peculiar sounds. Also, its tongue can manipulate big chunks of food easily. Remember that frogs, elephants, and all could speak like us before this.

Agni left the Ashwattha tree and hid himself in a Shami tree. A parrot saw him there and informed the Devas. Agni cursed the parrot's tongue also. But again, Devas consoled the parrot, assuring it would not completely lose its ability to speak. Moreover, its voice would become so attractive that people would love to listen to it and give it whatever it needs.

The Devas found Agni there, in the Shami tree. They told him their predicament and requested him to come back and save them from Tarakasura by helping Mahadeva to have a son. Agni told them to churn the Shami tree and bring him out. Even today, in yajnas, Agni is generated by churning logs of Shami wood.

Then later, a yaga was conducted, leading to the birth of Lord Karthikeya, which we will discuss some other time. But the point is:

Agni regained his honor and position even after being cursed. Adversities, while challenging, can be periods of reflection and growth. They offer a chance to rebuild strength and re-emerge with renewed purpose.

Despite being marginalized and sidelined, Agni was essential for the Devas to achieve their goal of defeating Tarakasura. His return was crucial for performing the yaga, which eventually led to the birth of Lord Karthikeya. Those who are sidelined or marginalized still possess inherent value and can play critical roles. Their contributions are often indispensable to the collective success or transformation of a community.

Each creature that encountered Agni faced a curse but also received unique boons. The frog gained night vision and health in difficult conditions; the elephant retained communication abilities despite its cursed tongue and could manipulate big chunks of food easily; the parrot’s voice became melodious and attractive. Adversities often come with hidden benefits or opportunities for growth. Challenges may lead to new skills, strengths, or insights that were previously unimagined. However, we are often so engrossed in the problem emotionally that we seldom realize what we are gaining from it.

After being cursed by Agni, the creatures were consoled by the Devas, who provided them with compensatory boons. This act of reconciliation helped mitigate the effects of Agni’s curses. Reconciliation and forgiveness can transform negative situations into positive outcomes. Offering consolation or support in times of distress can heal wounds and create pathways for mutual benefit.

Agni’s decision to hide and the Devas’ efforts to find him demonstrate how actions and reactions are interconnected, leading to a series of events that eventually brought Agni back to his crucial role. Every action, even those that seem inconsequential or detrimental at the time, contributes to a larger chain of events. Understanding this interconnectedness can help us navigate our actions with greater awareness and intentionality.

The Devas' relentless search for Agni, despite initial failures, underscores the importance of persistence. Their determination led to the eventual success of their mission. Persistence and sustained effort, even in the face of repeated setbacks, are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving significant goals.

The legend illustrates that adversities are not merely negative but can be transformative, leading to growth, new abilities, and crucial roles in larger endeavors. It emphasizes the resilience of those who are marginalized and their potential to contribute significantly when circumstances align.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi