# Concerning Sish explained — The Gods of Pegāna

> Chapter companion for The Gods of Pegāna by Lord Dunsany.

## What happens

This chapter introduces Sish, the Destroyer of Hours, who ceaselessly moves forward, with Time as his hound. It describes how Sish once rested in the garden of Wornath-Mavai, a place spared from decay, but now he sends his hours to destroy cities and all things. The chapter ends with the prophecy that Time will one day turn upon the gods, except Māna-Yood-Sushāī.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time and Inevitable Decay

Sish personifies time as a relentless destroyer, with his hound Time devouring all things, leaving only decay and dust.

### Cosmic Cycles and Creation

The chapter contrasts the youthful garden of Wornath-Mavai with the later destruction wrought by Sish, hinting at cycles of creation and decay.

### The Search for Meaning

The prophet's fleeting glimpse of Wornath-Mavai and Sish's pursuit reflects the human longing for a lost paradise and the inevitability of time.

## Character check-ins

### Sish

The Destroyer of Hours, who ceaselessly moves forward with Time as his hound, destroying all things in his path.

### Kib

Mentioned as being before Sish, propitious to Wornath-Mavai.

### Pegāna Mung

Goes behind Sish, and withheld his footsteps at the borders of Wornath-Mavai.

### Māna-Yood-Sushāī

Referenced as the one whose dreams are the gods, and who alone will not be slain by Time.

## Key lines

> Time is the hound of Sish.

Time serves Sish like a hunting dog, chasing down all things.

_Establishes the central metaphor of time as a relentless pursuer under Sish's command._

> Very pleasant are all things before the face of Sish, but behind him they are withered and old.

Everything is beautiful before Sish passes, but after he passes, it becomes decayed and aged.

_Illustrates the dual nature of Sish's presence: life before him, decay behind._

> For the minds of the gods relent towards their earliest memories, who relent not otherwise at all.

The gods show mercy only to their own early memories, and are otherwise unyielding.

_Explains why Wornath-Mavai was spared from destruction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_peg_na_se/chapters/concerning-sish
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_peg_na_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_peg_na_se/chapters