Reflection on Michelle Storud's Earlist Memory

"But there may be circumstances in which, if the life or soul remains in the man, it stands a greater chance of sustaining injury than if it were stowed away in some safe and secret place. Accordingly, in such circumstances, primitive man takes his soul out of his body and deposits it for security in some snug spot, intending to replace it in his body when the danger is past."

When reading Michelle's blog about her earliest memory, about being in the toy store and mistaking a stranger for her dad, I could relate.  I think that at one time or another every child or person encounters mistaking someone you don't know for someone you do.  That instantaneous fear and panic that takes over your body and emotions is very powerful.  This can then leave you jilted and unnerved by the whole experience.  So I decided to research and see what kind of myth I could come up with in regards to mistake identity. 

This is what I was able to uncover: It is a Hindu Myth called, The Two Bachelors.

Narada, the celestial sage, was a confirmed bachelor, but one day he saw Princess Shrimati and fell in love with her. To his dismay another sage, Tumburu, was also smitten by her and wanted to marry her.

Both were devotees of Lord Vishnu and both sought his help. Narada asked that Tumburu's face should change into a bear's at the Swayamvar at which the princess would select her husband.

Tumburu, not knowing that his rival had already approached Vishnu, made a similar request. He asked that Narada should appear to have a monkey's face.

At the Swayamvar, the princess trooped down the long line of suitors with her garland. Narada and Tumburu stood out among the others, but when she went closer, Narada's face suddenly seemed to change and take on a simian look. She hastily turned to Tumburu, but to her horror he now looked like a bear. As she stood there in confusion, she suddenly saw another man standing between Narada and Tumburu. It was Lord Vishnu himself. He had come to find out how his devotees were faring. The princess, however, did not care who he was and why he had come. She was so relieved to see a normal human face that she immediately put the garland round his neck.

Narada and Tumburu did not mind losing to Lord Vishnu, but each was secretly glad that the other had not got the princess!!!