Raphael Warjri
The Khasi myth about the sun and the peacock narrates a romantic tragedy between the couple that caused them to shatter due to the conjugal fidelity of the peacock, as he betrayed his wife, the benign sun. The folktale could otherwise be interpreted in a modern context that is relevant to the prevailing situation in the society, where usually certain handsome men pampered in their whims and fancies, although the reality is the clarity that they would cast away from their apparent sight.
The sun was happily married to the peacock and she was faithful and dedicated to his endless demand for personal desire at the cost of the welfare of all creatures on earth. The sun was obsessed with the magnificent peacock that she remained indoors at her celestial palace depriving sunlight to the other creatures on earth. Thereafter, the lack of proper sunlight has drastically affected the proper growth of vegetation and thus decline the harvest for food of all creatures. All the creatures looked upon humans for a solution and one of the witches, ‘Sabuit’ (evil cast/ jinx) was given the responsibility to salvage the situation, even as she suffered from the same fate. She was in dire poverty that she could not think of an idea to lure back the peacock to earth when the peacock has all the grand luxuries in the heavenly realm. Sabuit was reluctant to share any of her personal resources because of the scarcity of edible stuff, and by nature, she is a miser. Nevertheless, she suddenly remembered the tiny golden flowers that used to sprout from the plantation of the most ordinary mustard seeds and accordingly conveyed her consent to the other creatures to take up the mission. She must have had a striking impression on the vast mustard field during harvest season.
The adage ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ came into play and allowed Sabuit to create a scheme to divert the attention of the peacock. She put up certain conditions to all the creatures that no one should disrupt her job. After the assembly of all creatures promises to abide by her conditions, Sabuit sow in the mustard seeds in the field in such a manner to create an image that will trick and mesmerise the peacock. She committed to the congregation that after thirteen lunar months, the peacock will return to earth and sunshine will become normal once again. When the petals from the buds bloom, the field appeared like a spectacular creature. The plantation was made in such a manner that from a distance it could appear like an elegant creature. During that transitional period the peacock had lent a cold shoulder to his spouse, the sun in spite of her devotion and faithfulness. Therefore, when the bright golden flowers of the mustard swayed to the rhythm of the cool breeze, the peacock was instantaneously attracted and tempted to fly back to earth in search of that beautiful creature. The sun was aware of his fantasy and did everything to prevent him from such a blunder; however, he was hell-bent to sacrifice the beauty at hand that he must have been bored. His vanity had even pandered to in conceiving an idea of his wife’s jealousy. To the best of her capability, the sun tried to keep his heart at her bosom; nevertheless, he was extremely indulged with his conceit and arrogance and betrayed her genuine love. Finally, he resorted to treachery and flew away to the earth and the sun wept incessantly while the teardrops fell on his feathers and created a vibrant and colourful impression. As he soared downwards, the torrential tears of the sun fell upon his wavering tail. The peacock descended on earth with all his pride and the lust for his promiscuous lifestyle. While approaching the destination the peacock was convulsive that he instantly realised that the beauty from far is far from beauty. With ruthless discontentment he was reaching the normal mustard field, the peacock regretted finding an ordinary plantation of mustard flowers. The peacock could not blame anybody but himself for the betrayal of his own false desire. He felt severely ashamed and humiliated because of his own blunder. He had swirling memories of his lavish life and pleasant encounter with his wife, the benevolent sun at the heavenly abode. He remembered how the sun pleaded and persuaded him not to leave, lest he repented for his foolish misadventure. Hence, without a second thought, he spread his wings and tried to soar upwards and discovered that it was farfetched for him to even attempt such a futile exercise. Thereafter, the peacock stamped his feet hard on the ground while trying to fly back to the sky but he failed miserably.
If the tale is a myth, there is a proven testimony to the impression created and the peculiar behaviour of every peacock even to the present day, that substantiated the story. The spotted vibrant colour of the peacock feathers appears like a solar flare that sprinkle on his tail. At dawn, the peacock always agitates and excites to witness the sunrise and it is always found that peacocks are very fond of spending the rest of their leisure time in the mustard field during harvest, while the bright yellow flowers are blooming. The metaphor to the contemporary social situation is laid bare for every person to ponder and learn the lesson of being swayed away by narcissism.
