Apollo and Daphne

IN Greek and Roman mythology, Apollo was the god of light, truth and prophesy and music and poetry. He was a handsome athletic youth with shimmering golden locks.

Once, he spotted Cupid (god of love) playing with his bow and arrows. Apollo chided him saying, “Child, don’t play with my weapons. They are fit only for a strong warrior like me.”

Miffed, Cupid retorted, “Your arrows may bring down giants, Apollo, but now you will see the power of my arrows.” Cupid raised his own bow and drew two arrows from his quiver, one made of gold and the other of lead. He shot Apollo through the heart with the golden arrow which excited love.

Apollo’s sights fell upon a beautiful nymph named Daphne, the daughter of Peneus, the river god and he fell hopelessly in love with her. But the nymph was just as much repelled by him because Cupid had shot her with the lead arrow, which filled a person with hate.

Every time Apollo got close to Daphne, she fled as fast as she could. He pursued her for long, enchanted by her beauteous form, flowing tresses and wind-blown garments. Desperate to escape from Apollo’s clutches, Daphne cried, “Help me, father!”

Suddenly a miracle happened. Daphne became rooted to the spot and her form began to change. Her slender arms grew into branches while her tender skin toughened into bark. Her lovely face became the crown of a tree with her hair forming the leaves. Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree! Apollo was heartbroken. He embraced the tree and wept inconsolably. He declared, “I shall tend to you as my tree and wear your leaves as my crown, as will great conquerors. And, just as I am eternally young, so shall you be evergreen.”

Thus the laurel tree became associated with the worship of Apollo.

3540 / © 2018 Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan