Be of service to humanity

Hermes, in Greek mythology, was the son of Zeus and Maia. He was the messenger and herald of the gods; god of science, eloquence, and cunning; patron of thieves, travellers, and commerce; protector of boundaries; guide of souls on their way to Hades: identified with the Roman god Mercury.

The number of portfolios he holds, reminds me of some of our very own, mundane, and present day politicians; who not unlike Hermes, would cling to and keep as many positions as is possible.

Notwithstanding the numerous charge they hold, whether they are of any service to their fellow countrymen, excepting to themselves and their immediate kith and kin, is anybodies guess. Celestial beings, unlike, humans, can afford to be complacent and unconcerned. No sin accrues to them, or if it did, we are not aware of it since we do not live in their realm.

However, the privilege of being born a human is to be of service to humanity. If one is selfish, unconcerned or ignores this fact, as often happens with the self-conceited, the purpose of one's life is wasted; and like Hermes, these purported servants of the people, self-acclaimed do-gooders, will also enter the realm of mythology, and not become a part of history.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite, also of Greek mythology, needs no introduction. Possessing the roaming eye; and, casting a hungry eye on very many of our own home grown Aphrodite; many of my brethren in this paradise isle would be familiar with Aphrodite; the daughter of Zeus and Dione; the goddess of love and beauty; said to have been born from the foam of the sea; identified with the Roman goddess Venus.

Her name may also trigger to memory the countless aphrodisiacs that abound our country, and with which the Sri Lankan brotherhood may be familiar.

The son of Hermes and Aphrodite is Hermaphroditus. The fact that gods thought nothing of marrying their sister, though born of different mothers, and only mortal men were, usually, not permitted the fruits of such indiscreet joy is a matter to ponder, even though in some human societies such as the royal lineage of Hawaii, it was the norm.

Hermaphrodite

I must resolve myself to be born a god in my next birth, so that no pleasure whatsoever which the gods enjoy is prohibited to me; and, even if I might be engulfed by boredom due to the rest of their lifestyle.

On the other hand, constant pleasure may by itself become tedious, tiresome, unexciting, and boring. Hence, on second thoughts, let me seek another resolution for I may not want to be a god! However, to revert to Hermaphroditus; he, after loving the nymph Salmacis, became united with her in a single body combining both sexes.

Thus was born the term hermaphrodite: having the characteristic of both sexes; bisexual; or fully lacking the attribute, defining quality, of either man or woman; a person in whom two opposite forces, or qualities, are combined; that which is a combination of disparate, or contradictory, elements.

The Sinhala language has many a juicy expression, terminology, for persons of such character, which in translation loses its pith. Hence, I will not attempt to translate; for justice will neither be done nor seem to be done, if I do so. Further, this exercise is not about comparative language - the study of which I will leave to the more qualified, capable, and able professorial types amongst my friends - nor intended to denigrate or denounce those of the intersex.

I believe that if nature really offers us more than two sexes, then it follows that our current notions of masculinity and femininity are cultural conceits. Besides, irrespective of whether or not they were socially tolerated, or accepted, by any particular culture, the existence of intersex people was a fact known to many ancient and pre-modern cultures.

The earliest record of such people is during the Sumerian civilisation some 5000 years ago.

A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences.

Less commonly, in translations of ancient texts, "eunuch" may refer to a man who is not castrated, but who is impotent or celibate. Castration was often carried out without consent, in order that the person might perform a specific social function. This was common in many societies.

The earliest records for intentional castration to produce eunuchs are from the Sumerian city of Lagash in the 21st century BC. Over the millennia eunuchs have performed a wide variety of functions in many different cultures: courtiers or equivalent domestics, treble singers, religious specialists, government officials, military commanders, and guardians of women or harem servants.

Confidence

Our own kings of yore made use of eunuchs to guard their female quarters. As is evident from our history, no man or woman, howsoever highly or lowly born, was trustworthy in those days - especially in matters of fidelity.

Hence, the royalty - our kings and queens - found it judicious to place their confidence, trust, and hopes on a third sex.

To judge by the goings on in modern day power circles, this lack of confidence, this distrust, and this suspicion, seems to prevail true to this day. Today, as found in the historical period of kings, and queens, real hermaphrodites and eunuchs do not find themselves in the service of modern day power brokers - the politicians.

Instead, a new breed of people: emasculated, effeminate, subservient, and servile - similar to that of the third sex - having more or less the same characteristics; the same attributes, attitudes, and qualities; have been created a new, in place of the hermaphrodites and eunuchs.

Their special nature, distinction, position, rank, standing, and status within the circles of power, their capacity and capability to cringe; makes them identifiable to even the novice. They convert this thrice blessed and serendipitous land into the land of the hermaphrodites and eunuchs. To be more precise, these modern day hermaphrodites, and eunuchs, are also known as the servants of the public; though we all know who they serve in the final analysis.

We Sri Lankans have shown the world that we are capable of overcoming any adversary; however cunning and fearsome they may be. We fear not adversities. Effeminacy is hardly our trait. We are effervescent, efficacious, and effusive by nature.

We are born good; grow up good; and live good. Yet, we become wimps - a cowardly or unadventurous individual - in front of these self-seeking do-gooders and their cohorts - the third sex. We help them convert our beautiful land into a land of the hermaphrodites and eunuchs.

It is time we deliberate, muse, and ruminate, as to why we tolerate this travesty. Let year 2012 be the year of change in our attitude.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let the commencement of each year find you a better person than in the previous years.

See you this day next week. Until then, keep thinking; keep laughing. Life is mostly about these two activities.

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