0064. Atreya's Heaven

From Indian Fables and Folklore by Shovona Devi, online at: Hathi Trust.

Notes. You can find out more about the sage Atri and about his son Atreya at Wikipedia, and you can also read there about the god Visva-Karma, the All-Maker.

Summary: After a visit to the heaven of the god Indra, the sage Atreya decides that he wants to create a "heaven on earth," but things do not turn out as he expected.

Read the story below:

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ATREYA'S HEAVEN

(Vishwakarma)

Once upon a time there was a renowned Sage, Atreya by name, so called because he was the son of the Sage Atri. He had acquired the power of transferring himself anywhere and everywhere at will.

One day he took it into his head to visit the Heaven of Indra, and the King of the Gods welcomed him with all fitting honours. He was entertained with the dances of the Apsaras (nymphs) and the songs of the Gandharvas (elf musicians), and had a dainty repast in place of his usual fare of herbs and roots. He enjoyed his sojourn in Heaven, as you might well expect.

He then returned to his poor cottage, disgusted with his proper belongings and surroundings. "Give me something to eat," said the Sage to his wife, for his appetite had grown with the delicate fare of Heaven. The poor Brahmani brought him a dish of boiled herbs and roots, all she could find in the wood.

"Ah!" said Atreya, with a grunt, turning up his nose at the dish before him. "What! Shall I have no more of the dainty sweets I had yesternight?"

"My lord forgets," replied the wife, meekly, "he was in Heaven yesternight; but this is his humble cottage, and not Heaven."

"Then I must turn this cottage into a Heaven," exclaimed Atreya. "This very instant will I summon Vishva-Karma, the Artisan of the Gods."

Vishva-Karma was summoned, and presented himself at once before the Sage. "May I know your desire, O great Sage?" said the Artisan-God, in fear and trembling.

"O Vishva-Karma," said the Sage, "build me a Heaven like unto that of Indra, furnished with all celestial delights—Apsaras, Gandharvas and all—and parks beautifully laid out with sparkling fountains and trees of silver and gold."

Vishva-Karma dared not refuse, for Sages were known to be master-cursers. And lo, there arose before Atreya's eyes a new Swarga or Heaven, in no way distinguishable from Indra's. Atreya was delighted with the Heaven thus built for him, and dismissed the Smith-God with a Brähmin’s blessing for reward. Now was his cup of happiness full to the brim.

But there had been an age-long feud between the Gods and Giants, and the latter had made many attempts to invade and ruin Heaven. One day the Giants discovered by chance the Heaven of Atreya.

"What!" said they to each other; "has Indra built a new Heaven on earth? Let us glut our ancient grudge against him and level it to the ground."

Thus saying, they attacked Atreya's Heaven with loud yells. The Sage was then lying on his couch of gold, listening to the enchanting songs of his Apsaras. He jumped up from his seat and went out to see what was happening, and was terrified almost out of his wits to find an army of Giants hurling boulders and trees against his Heaven.

Bruised and stunned by the hurtling rocks, Atreya cried out to the Giants, raising his right hand with the sacred thread wound round the thumb: "Stop, stop, O ye Giants! I am not Indra, your ancient enemy, but a poor harmless Brahmin, as this sacred thread, the badge of my caste, betokens. Stay your hands and receive a Brahmin’s blessing as reward for your forbearance."

His Heaven was by this time in ruin on the ground.

"What is a Brahmin doing playing at Indra?" exclaimed the Giants. "Put away the dress of our enemy and put on a hermit’s bark. And learn to keep within your own degree, lest evil again befall your presumption."

"I have acted foolishly," said the Brahmin, "and it has come near costing me death at your hands. Never more will I court disaster thus."

The Giants then went away, and no sooner were they gone than Atreya again summoned Vishva-Karma. "What is your will, O Sage?" said the Artisan-God, presenting himself before him. "Alas! What destruction has o’erwhelmed the beauteous Heaven I created for you!"

Atreya told him how the Giants, mistaking it for Indra's Heaven, had demolished it by hurling rocks and trees against it.

"Shall I then build you another Heaven?" asked Vishva-Karma, laughing.

"Nay," cried the Sage, "give me the home that tempts no enemies. Be pleased to replace the wreckage of my Heaven with mine old humble cottage."

Vishva-Karma did as he was bid, and then re-ascended to Heaven, much amused.

And back to his cottage and his dish of boiled herbs and roots went the Sage Atreya, never to grumble again.

Though Heaven's joys be his, the fable shows a mortal cannot combat Heaven’s foes.