The magical fountain of youth revealed long life for mankind
The fountain of youth is a myth that comes from Persian literature. This water was believed to be a magical gift of god. There are so many folklores on this immortal water from legends all over the world. They had a belief that the person who drinks this water won’t get older or even die. Among them the common legends who wrote about this water were Herodotus and alexander. This fountain of life is only perfect in fictional stories. But in real there is no water that is compared to life or youth. But still many who believe in this water are found to visit the place St. Augustine.
Top 6 Stories Based On Fountain Of Youth
All of us who believe in Abrahamic religion must have learned that men are mortal. The death was declared by God when adam and eve became sinner being tempted by Serpent(Satan). Then god said that you (mankind) will die and you have no permission to eat fruits from the “tree of life” But reading bible and Quran people came to learn about fountain of youth. So all became insane to find that immortal water. They became legend in the history finding that fountain of life. Among them the stories of Herodotus, Alexander, and Al-Khidr were most popular to all.
1. Adventure Of Herodotus
Herodotus is called “The father of history” for his legendary writings. Among these he wrote about a group of people named “Macrobians” It was believed that the current Africans have come from this group or race. They are found in the history from 484 BC to 425 BC. These marcrobians were well-known for their eternal youth. So, the greek were tensed to find out the mystery of their youthfulness and longevity. Herodotus discovered the fountain of youth what he mentioned in his writing. He also wrote that they used the water that gave them the power of eternal youth.
In his writing he also said that the Ichthyophagi were wonder for long long years. Then he bring them near the magical spring. They washed their body with the water of this fountain. It turned their flesh into glossy and shinny that seemed like oil-bath. A fragrance came from the fountain of youth what smelled like violet flowers. The folklore also says that it made the water as soft as lighter substances could float on it. All these things went to the bottom of the spring. Since then greek people believe that this myth is true and the fountain of water for long-living.
2. Adventure Of Alexander
Alexander along with “Al-Khidr” (a muslim philosopher from middle east) went out in search of immortal water. They were crossing the “Land Of Darkness” also known as “Koh-i-Qaf” in Islam. While crossing the cave, the philosopher asked all his soldiers to collect stones fallen on dark cave. Some collected little and some more. When they came out of the cave, these stones turned into diamonds. Then Alexander and Al-Khidr divided into two teams to make their search easy. The Persian folklore says that Al-Khidr got the spring before alexander and drank water.
On the other hand Alexander lost all his soldiers leaving his cooks on adventure. They got hungry and stopped near a fountain. Then King ordered his cook to fry fish for meal. The cook had a dead fish and he took it to wash near the spring. Soon he brought the fish near water, it got alive and jumped into water. Then the cook realized that this is the fountain of youth. So he drank water from it and told alexander about this spring. This made alexander angry and he tried to kill the cook. But he was failed to kill him as he already had drank the immortal water.
3. A Sick Mother And Her Son
A mythical story found in Persian literature about a child and his sick mother. The boy was standing beside her mother. Then her mother told her baby to bring some water from fountain of youth. Then the boy asked what would she do with that water. Her mother replied that she had been sick and about to die. She also added that she wouldn’t want to die. If she died, no one left to take care of her child. The baby took pity on his mother and set out for collecting the water in a pod. When he reached near the river of the immortal water he became astonished.
The boy noticed that a lion was sitting beside the river. A deer was standing before the lion without any fear. He was wondered seeing all these. A few second later he noticed that the source of the water of life is very closer to the lion. He might have drank water from this river. As a result of it the lion grew older but not dying. The boy then realized about the power of this immortal water. He reached home with water and explained the truth of this water. Then his sick mother said that it is better dying than drinking water from fountain of youth.
4. Ab-e-Hayat
In Islam there is nothing magical like fountain of youth. In Al-Quran Allah says, “I’ve created every living being from water” (Surah Al-Anbya 21:30). We are created from water and it is proven. Our body contains liquids like blood and other substances. This water is called as Ab-e-Hayat or Aab-I-Hayat because it gives life to water animals like fishes. This substance is highly important for nature. During the age of prophet muhammad, cultivation stopped for lack of water. Then he prayed to Allah for raining. Almighty accepted his prayer and the rain supplied water to the crops.
When we wash our mouth to ritual purification, it washes our sins. So we became youth or like a child. In islam a child is never considered as sinner. So when our sins are washed by purification, we become like a youth or child. Again the water grows fruits and other crops. These are important for all the creation in this world for living. So allah said that he supplied water from heaven to grow fruits what we eat to live. Even the water sources like spring or pond are used as a living place for water animals. They live and balance the ecology so human can also live safely.
5. The Greek Goddess Hebe
This goddess is found in greek mythology. She was known as the goddess of youth. It was believed that she was formed from her mother. So people of greek used to worship of this god along with her mother. Her husband was called Heracles who got placement in heaven. Hebe was a beautiful daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was given a god gifted power through which she could give life to immortal. Even she could turn a youth into dead with the power. So she was imagined as a powerful goddess. She spread her power everywhere on this earth from human to animals.
She stored wine that is compared to the fountain of youth. She used it for other gods to holds their youth and immortality. It was believed that she had an eagle looked like phoenix bird. Hebe gave wine to her mythical bird for drinking. Greek had a folklore belief that these eagles has the power of eternity youth. It was thought that these eagles are connected with immortality. As a result of it the greek worship of eagles and phonix along with Hebe. They believe that the worship will bring immortality and youth. It will give them youthful state later in paradise.
6. Water For Heller
God has created mankind for his worship. They will be punished on the day of judgment if they don’t follow his guideline. In Islam Allah has created hell(Jahannam) for the wrongdoers or sinners. They will be burt in the fire for a period of time till their body turns into a coal. Then prophet muhammad will request his lord to stop punishing them and allow them to paradise. On request of Muhammad, Allah will take pity on them. Then he will throw the hellers into the water called fountain of youth. The angles will wash their body with that water and they will return to life.
In a hadith of prophet, Allah also said that he has given the immortal water to Muhammad. As per his plan, the prophet will give this water to those who had records of good deeds. During “Lailat al miraj” from Mecca to Jerusalem Allah has given this life saving water to prophet Muhammad. This merciful water was only for the Heaveners who will go to Jannah(Paradise). This water will keep them youth and immortal for good. So the water was named as Aab-i-Hayat(Water of life). The Heavener will drink it to stay there for eternal period.
