Icarus in the Indian Household

My son's name is Icarus, which is slightly unusual for an Indian boy. People ask me the reason for selecting the one sounded just like Christian name. On the very first thing, I want to clarify that it has no linkage with Christinity. In fact the name is found in Greek Mythology.

While I was doing my Post Graduation in English Literature then I saw lot many references to the characters from Greek mythology. The stories behind these characters were having many parallels to Indian mythology. This aroused my interest further and I started going deeper, reading further. Vedic Lord Indra's fight against demon Visvarupa, who had hidden his cows in a cave, invites comparison with Greek character Herakkes' encounter with Kakos who had done the same to his cows and bulls.

Icarus and his father Daedalus were first mentioned by epic writer Homer who was born on a Greek Island of Aegean Sea some time around 850 BCE.

So as the legend goes Icarus  was son of Daedalus.

 Daedalus was known in the entire country for his skill full craftsmanship. In fact the best temple of Appolo was built by him only. Reference of Daedalus came first in the writings of great epic writer Homar as the creator of a wide dancing ground for Ariadne. It is also believed that He created a Labyrinth on Crete in which Minotaur (part man part Bull) was kept. The 

King was very happy to see the creation but order to shut up Daedlalus in a tower to prevent his knowledge of the labyrinth spreading to public. He could not leave Crete by sea or by land route as the King kept strict vigil on all vessels permitting none to sail without being carefully searched. Since Minos controlled the land and sea routes, Daedalus set to work on strategy flying in the air. He procured feathers secured them at the midpoints with stings and the bases with wax. He taught his son Icarus also to fly but warned him : 

'Now, Ikaros, listen carefully !

Keep the middle way.

If you fly too low, the water will clog your wings; 

If you will fly too high 

They will be scorched by fire.

Fly between sea and sun'

Like a bird leading its fledging from the nest Daedalus tried to keep an eye on Icarus as he flew, but

'All his adventurous flying went to Ikaros' head.

He ceased to follow his leader; he had fallen in love with sky,

And soared up higher and higher.

The scorching Rays of the sun grew closer and soften the fragrant wax which fastened his plumage.

The wax dissolved; and as Ikaros flapped his naked arms,

deprived of the wings which had caught the air that was buoying them upwards,

'Father! he shouted, again and again. But the boy and his shouting

were drowned in the blue-green main which is called Icarian sea'

There are many theories, some suggest that he could not be saved but there are are other allegories which says that he was saved.

Myths are myths but there are some truth also behind that as well as you may draw lesson also.

Here is a story of a father very creative, innovative gave wings to his son to fly , also warned his son to follow a middle path, out of his ambition as well as thrill he was failed in the mission. But in life failing or success is not that important, it is more pertinent that you have started some thing new and given wings to your aspirations. So this character Icarus or Ikaros (in Greek) is known for ambition, innovation and aspiration. I decided that in case I will be blessed with son , I will name him Icarus.

But much later, I came across lot of similarities among Greek, Scandinavian and Indian mythology. In Ramayan  Sampati and Jatayu were the two sons of Garuda - represented as eagles or vultures. The two sons always competed with each other as to who can fly higher, and at one such time Jatayu flew too close to the sun. Sampati intervened, protecting his little brother from the fiery sun, but gets burnt in the process, loses his wings and falls to the earth. So this precisely a parallel of Greek story of Daelalous and Icarus! It is little difficult to find out who was inspired by whom.

So this is in brief story of Icarus in our home!