Why does this belief hold such significance across so many cultures?

It probably originated as a means to offer people a beacon of hope in times of adversity, to show that life’s trials and tribulations mould one into a stronger incarnation. That even from the darkest depths of death arises new life, teaching the people of these old civilisations that change is not to be feared and one can evolve exponentially from it.

The tale of the mythical phoenix serves as a great embodiment of this belief. A bird of majesty and immense power, towards the end of its life a weakened Phoenix ignites its own funeral pyre to be consumed by flames, to then rise out of its ashes.Now renewed and invigorated with a promise of a new beginning the Phoenix emerges from the ashes of its past.

In Hindu culture and mythology, this theme takes centre stage, as evident in the core teachings of the religion. The belief in reincarnation where the soul undergoes multiple lifetimes, continuously evolving and growing. The myths such as those of lord Vishnu’s many avatars and the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction represented by the Trimurti. Even the symbols of fire and ashes signify purification, just like the tale of the phoenix.

But it is not a theme limited to the world of mythology.

The Vijayanagara empire is one such example of this present in history. Amidst the turmoil of 14th-century Southern India, invaded by forces from the north, this empire emerged from the battered remnants of the former kingdoms as a beacon of hope and strength.

Today, as historians piece together the fragments of this lost empire and its legacy, they tread a fine line between history and myth, as they endeavour to resurrect that which was almost forgotten. The legacy of this great empire dwells in a twilight realm of sorts, where history intertwines with legend. To borrow a quote from one of my favourite authors, J.R.R Tolkien

“ And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth,” finds a fitting resonance in the narrative of this once-majestic empire.

There are two such myths associated with the founding of the empire,

The first tells a story of how HariHara and Bukka Raya, the founders of the empire, were hunting across the wilderness pursuing their quarry when one of their hunting hounds, typically fearless, is chased away by an unremarkable hare. Bewildered by this curious incident, they sought counsel from their Guru, the sage Vidyaranya, who declared to them that this spot was holy and possessed a divine aura and advised them to lay the foundations of their new empire here.

The second legend recounts how Harihara and Bukka Raya, who were then entrusted with the sacred task of laying the foundation stone of the empire by their revered sage, Vidyaranya. He foretold them of the mighty destiny of the empire and instructed the brothers to lay the foundation stone at the precise moment they heard his conch blowing – a signal that would mark the birth of an empire destined to endure for 2000 years. The brothers set out to fulfill the sage’s prophecy. When the echoes of the conch reached their ears, they swiftly planted the foundation stone, believing it to be the sage’s signal. However, their joy turned to alarm when, moments later, the sound of another conch resounded through the air. This turned out to be the one that they were supposed to have waited for. Realising their error, the brothers hurried back to their guru. Sage Vidyaranya, calm and composed, shared a divine revelation he received from the goddess Sardamba herself. She had visited him, revealing that the moment was not yet ripe for the emergence of an everlasting empire. Instead, she foretold a glorious reign for the empire that the brothers had just founded, which would flourish for around 250 years. The goddess further whispered a prophecy, assuring that the sage’s desire for a 2000-year empire would eventually come to pass – manifesting around 500 years after the fall of Vijayanagara.

These legends, rather than being strict historical accounts, encapsulate the mythical origins attributed to the founding of the Vijayanagara Empire. They’re steeped in symbolism and spiritual significance, depicting the aspirations, values, and cultural heritage of the Empire and also reflect the profound impact of myths and storytelling on shaping historical consciousness.