# The Sayings of Slid explained — The Gods of Pegāna

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

## What happens

Slid, the small god of waters, declares that mortals should not pray to Māna-Yood-Sushāī, the god of Having Done, but to the small gods who made Death and Pain. He proclaims himself lord of all waters, with his soul in the sea, where he finds ease and exultation. He laments over the bones of those who followed his call to the sea, and foresees a final gathering of all lives at the feet of Māna-Yood-Sushāī.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Limits of Human Knowledge

Slid advises praying to small gods, acknowledging that even they may not restrain Time or show mercy, highlighting the uncertainty of divine response.

### Suffering and Death

Slid speaks of Death and Pain as creations of the small gods, and offers death as a gift when most needed, framing suffering as inherent to existence.

## Character check-ins

### Slid

The small god of waters who speaks, declaring his dominion over all waters and his soul's home in the sea.

### Māna-Yood-Sushāī

The god of Having Done, whom Slid says should not be troubled by mortal prayers or sacrifices.

## Key lines

> Let no man pray to Māna-Yood-Sushāī, for who shall trouble Māna with mortal woes or irk him with the sorrows of all the houses of Earth?

Do not pray to Māna-Yood-Sushāī, because he is too great to be bothered by human troubles.

_Slid establishes the distance between the supreme god and mortals._

> Pray to the small gods and hope that they may hear thee. Yet what mercy should the small gods have, who themselves made Death and Pain; or shall they restrain their old hound Time for thee?

Pray to the lesser gods, but do not expect mercy, for they created Death and Pain and will not stop Time for you.

_Slid underscores the limited power and mercy of the small gods._

> I am the Lord of gliding waters and of foaming waters and of still. I am the Lord of all the waters in the world and all that long streams garner in the hills; but the soul of Slid is in the Sea.

I rule all waters everywhere, but my true essence resides in the sea.

_Slid declares his dominion and his spiritual connection to the sea._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_peg_na_se/chapters/the-sayings-of-slid
- 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