This story has roots, all the way in Greek Mythology and it's very interesting to find out the role of a Pomegranate Fruit, in shaping the Seasons according to Greek Mythology.
Persephone, an innocent girl who loved playing in the open spring kissed fields and her life was never the less of a Queen. She was the daughter of Zeus, the king of all Gods and Demeter, the Goddess of agriculture and fertility.
Hades the God of Underworld and the brother of Zeus, wanted to marry Persephone. Zeus, was in no position to agree with his brother or accept, so Zeus told Hades that Persephone's Mother Demeter, didn't like Hades marrying her daughter. Zeus's double stand in Persephone's marriage, aggravated Hades to come up with an abduction plan. With or without the approval of Zeus, Hades resolved to abduct Persephone.
One day, when Persephone and her maids went out to collect flowers, Hades suddenly thunder down to the plains, in his four jet-black horse chariot and took off Persephone with him. The abduction and disappearance was so swift, none neither understood nor knew.
Only select few, had access to the doors of underworld, as the doors are guarded by a three headed dog, the demon of Hades. Persephone, unknown to the happening in the upper world was currently with Hades in underworld.
Hades, at the same time was also worried about holding Persephone in his possession. Hades was soon with an idea that would change the course of history. If Hades was able to make Persephone wilfully eat anything from his hands, she will be held to the underworld forever; it was a rule in underworld. Persephone the innocent maiden didn't know about this.
Demeter was searching for Persephone and travelled to all corners of the world. She was so angry that she even killed all live stocks and destroyed fields of agriculture in her way. Nine days have passed by now and the entire world was suffering by her anger, on the tenth day when Hecate, the Mother of Angels and the Cosmic World Soul, with the help of Helios, the sun God, told Zeus and Demeter, what had happened.
Demeter was so angry and she never wanted her child to be ditched in the sunless under world. As Demeter was boiling in anger, she spelled a big coerce; till she gets her child Persephone back, there will be only bitter cold weather, no sun in the upper world and she won't return to mount Olympus.
Zeus was so worried for her daughter and his wife. He tried sending a group of Gods and Goddess to consolidate Demeter and restore peace and stop miseries in the world. But Demeter refused it. Zeus had no choice but to promise Demeter that he will let Persephone stand by Demeter in Mount Olympus.
Worried Zeus had to act again, he sends Hermes to the underworld to bring back Persephone. Hades agreed to let Persephone go to upper world as she hasn't eaten anything from the day she was brought to underworld. Hades tricked Persephone, by offering her a Pomegranate Seed. Persephone accepted the fruit as she thought it was a kind act from Hades. "Anyone who tastes the food of Hades must remain in the Underworld". This was the general rule of the underworld and thus Persephone was bound to live with Hades in the underworld forever.
Rhea, the mother of Zeus, Demeter and Hades, was soon to help. Rhea proposed a Compromise plan, which every one accepted. The plan was simple, since Persephone had Pomegranate Seed from underworld, she have to live in underworld, but every year 6 months, (some says 4months and some 3months), Persephone will return to mother Demeter, and join her in mount Olympus and the rest of the year she will be the Queen of Underworld.
After agreeing to the deal, Demeter restored Earth's fertility and returned to Olympus with Persephone. But when the time came for Persephone to return to the Underworld, the earth became colder and less fertile until her re-emergence, months later.
Since the abduction of Persephone, spring and summer have given way to autumn and winter, and the earth's fertility has followed the progression of seasons. And the story ends happily.
Greek Mythology and Hindu Mythology are considered to be two of the best elaborately written literature / scripts of the ancient world. I never mean that other religious books and scripts are short, they too are elaborate, but when taken in to accounts in the inter connectivity of the subjects and vastness of the books, they stand apart.
So thank you for listening to this show. Expecting to see you soon with yet another interesting article.
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