EDEN : an indian exploration of Jewish, Christian and Islamic lore by DEVDUTT PATTANAIK

Author:DEVDUTT PATTANAIK
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin random House India
Published: 2020-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Solomon’s Judgement

Solomon was famous for his intelligence and judgement.

A vineyard owner wanted compensation from a shepherd whose sheep had destroyed his grapevines. Solomon told the shepherd to take care of the vineyard till all damages had been repaired and it had been restored to its former condition. Until then, said Solomon, his sheep would belong to the vineyard owner, who would benefit from the wool of the sheep.

Two women approached Solomon, each claiming the same baby as her own. So, Solomon asked that the baby becut in two and one half given to either. One of the women opposed this barbaric solution, and Solomon declared that she who cared for the child, rather than her victory, was the true mother.

At another time, a man with two heads, the son of a demon father, demanded double his share of property as he had two heads. But Solomon argued that he would get only one share as he had one stomach despite having two heads.

When God offered him boons, Solomon did not seek wealth and power but knowledge. And so, he was able to speak to animals, control the elements and demons, and make djinns work for him. Since he understood the language of animals, he was able to take his armies on paths that did not destroy the kingdom of ants, earning for himself much fame in the animal kingdom.

The story of the two-headed man comes from Jewish legends; the story of the baby and two mothers is popular in Christian traditions; and the story of the vineyard comes from the Quran itself. All three establish Solomon as the wise king.

In the Quran, Solomon is referred to as Suleiman. He is considered both a prophet (nabi) and king (malik). His father David (Dawood) was malik, nabi as well as rasul, and he was linked with a book called Psalms. Suleiman could speak to animals and control djinns. He also had control over the winds and could cause metal to melt and flow. In other words, he was linked to magic. Saul (Talut) was malik (king) but not (nabi) or prophet. Following him came David (Dawood), who was malik and nabi as well as rasul (messenger). David’s son Solomon (Suleiman) was malik and nabi, not rasul.

Suleiman could speak to animals and control djinns. He also had control over the winds and could cause metal to melt and flow. In other words, he was linked to magic.

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