Kal and Arka: The Puranic Stories
Two ancient legends.
According to the Puranic tradition, the names Kal
and Arka are associated with two ancient and curious legends.
Kal is identified with Brahma. In one story,
Brahma became drawn toward his own daughter and followed her, an act that
deeply angered Lord Shiva. Shiva then struck Brahma with his trident, and
Brahma fled in fear to save his life.
Arka is linked with the sun. In the Vamana
Purana, a demon named Vidyunmāli was granted a radiant golden aeroplane.
As it moved behind the sun, its brilliance was so intense that night seemed to
vanish. The sun god, enraged by this dazzling radiance, destroyed the aeroplane
with his fierce rays. This, in turn, provoked Lord Shiva, who attacked the sun
god. The sun god fled and finally fell at Kashi, and the place thereafter
became famous as Lolarka.
Poetic stanzas:
Kal, they say, was Brahma’s name,
Who once forgot his godly fame;
He followed after his daughter fair,
And stirred the wrath of Shiva’s glare.
Then came Arka, the radiant sun,
Where golden visions brightly spun;
A demon’s chariot blazed afar,
And stole the peace of every star.
The sun-God burned that splendour bright,
Till flame consumed its dazzling light;
Then Shiva rose in holy wrath,
And turned his fury on the path.
At Kashi’s banks, the sun withdrew,
And Lolarka’s sacred name grew true;
Thus legend keeps in ancient rhyme
The memory of that distant time.
