For women, the best aphrodisiacs are words, says Isabel Allende. For men, I say, it's probably power
Legend has it that Ravana, the ruler of Sri Lanka, coveted Sita, the wife of Rama, exiled ruler of Ayodhya in north India. He kidnapped her and spirited her away to his island kingdom. And Rama went in search of him.
On the way, Rama met Sugriva, brother of Vali, ruler of south India. Sugriva coveted Vali's wife, Tara, and Vali's kingdom, so he struck a deal whereby Rama would kill Vali in exchange for military assistance from Sugriva. This Rama did — in one of the earliest recorded cases of assasination for political purposes.
Sugriva acquired his brother's wife and yea, did fornicate for many a day until a seriously enraged Rama threatened him with dismemberment. Suitably chagrined, Sugriva assembled his forces, and they marched across the ocean (they built a bridge) to Sri Lanka. After killing Ravana and rescuing Sita, a triumphant Rama returned to north India to secure his kingdom.
This coveting business by those in power has been around for a while...
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
And he wrote, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
And David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son.
Centuries later, Henry VIII turned coveting into an art of sorts. He married many, and executed them when he tired of them.
Closer to home, Dingaan killed Shaka, though it's not clear whether he was after his brother's wives or power.
But in more recent times, the ground rules for coveting became more complex. Open coveting was Not Acceptable.
So, (legend has it), John F Kennedy's White House aides arranged his rendezvous with prostitutes and then threatened the women with prison if they talked about the trysts.
Today, the most powerful man in the world, Bill Clinton, finds himself in the soup for being accused of doing what those in power have done throughout history.
In a $700 000 lawsuit, Mrs. Paula Jones alleges Clinton exposed himself and asked her for fellatio. She was a state employee at the time and claims Clinton later used his influence to land her in a dead-end job.
Also, three troopers scheduled to give depositions at that trial next week have contended they helped set up sexual trysts for Clinton when he was governor.
What will the legends say about Bill Clinton decades from now? Pity the poor man - even if innocent, the example of history has already damned him.
Anyway, to return to our story, Rama's return to Ayodhya is still magnificently celebrated today with song, dance, good eating, and fireworks as Deepavali, the festival of lights.
Which suggests that were it not for Ravana's coveting, our lives would be darker today.
From me, a Happy Deepavali to y'all.