The story of Bhramari Devi comes to us from Andhra Pradesh’s Mallikarjuna temple. It is said that there was an asura called Arunasura. He had asked for protection from all creatures that have no legs, two legs or four legs. This meant he was protected from every fish, bird, beast and human being. He thought this would make him immortal. So, he kept troubling the gods. The gods invoked Bhramari Devi. She, in turn, produced six legged insects from her body that attacked the asura and killed him. Thus, nature creates things that we cannot imagine. This theme is found in Hindu mythology repeatedly. An asura asks a boon, which allows him to think he can outsmart death. But the gods find a weakness in the book and exploit it. Arunasura’s story  brings the insect world to the centre stage.

Insects are not a common theme in Hindu mythology. Amongst all the insects in the Hindu mythology, the one that gets prominence is the honeybee. Primarily because bees go to flowers and make honey. We find the honeybee connected with the god of love. It is said that Kamadeva,  the god of love, has a bow. The bow’s limb is made of sugarcane and its string is made out of bees. Thus, bees become a metaphor for the lover and the beloved. Honey represents the emotion of love and affection.