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TED: Who is the fastest creature in mythology?

Welcome to another event in the Myth Olympics—
the eternal arena in which creatures and deities
from global mythologies compete for glory. I’m
Shamash, the Mesopotamian god of judgment, and
today we’re gathered to witness this year’s clash of
stunning speed. Keeping track of our racers with
me is last year’s champion, Hermes— the
swift-footed messenger of the Greek gods.

Oh, I'm delighted to hang up my winged sandals

today, Shamash. But I am keeping my helmet on
because we are in for a wild ride!
It’s true! Almost every mythical tradition claims
one creature as the fastest of them all. From
goddesses who run like the wind to creatures who
outstrip every captor, mortals of all cultures are
fascinated by superhuman swiftness. So, Hermes,
who are this year’s contestants?

Well, the Norse gods have sent Sleipnir— son of

Loki and the greatest of Asgard’s steeds. He’s
usually spotted gallivanting between the realms
with Odin. But today, Sleipnir is riding solo.
Also competing is Raiju, the Japanese beast of
thunder and lightning. When the weather’s nice,
they like to nap in mortals’ belly buttons. But when
clouds darken, Raiju leaps into action alongside
Raijin, the Shinto god of storms. With this
fearsome competitor, lightning can strike at any
time.
But storms don’t scare Idaten. This Buddhist deity
has a record of outrunning the weather— his name
is even part of the Japanese expression for “run like
the wind.” Idaten’s definitely got some tricks up
those steel sleeves.

Perhaps, but our last competitor has tricks of his

own. Savitar is the Hindu deity that sets everything
in motion, from moving the Sun to chasing away
sorrow and sickness. Yes, today’s roster contains
many mythic interpretations of speed. From
personifications of the unpredictable elements to
creatures capable of outrunning reality itself. But
perhaps the myth of speed is really about the
elusive nature of all supernatural beings.

Those are some, uh, neat ideas, Shamash— but this

race is the real deal! Our noble competitors will run
the equivalent of 100 marathons through a
hazardous natural obstacle course.
And our racers are taking their first steps right
now!
Idaten takes the lead, but don’t let that calm
exterior fool you— his determination is legendary.
When a literal speed demon stole one of Buddha's
teeth, he raced over mountains and rivers to capture
the culprit.
Don’t forget Sleipnir— he’s cleared hurdles in his
time, too.
I’ll say! On his mission to retrieve Baldur the
Bright from the fortress of Hel, he rode for nine
days straight— clearing the gates of the
underworld without breaking a sweat.They don’t
call him the sliding one for nothing— he appears to
slide on the wind itself! Of course, wind is often
personified as a sacred being that—

No time for a history lesson! That wind is picking

up! Like the force of nature they are, Raiju brews a
storm to scorch the competition.
It’s certainly possible. Raiju is known for their
destructive storms. But they’re also our most
chaotic racer, frequently crashing to earth and
getting tangled in flimsy mortal nets.

They’re unpredictable! Chaos is often associated

with mythology’s fastest creatures, from the
shapeshifting Flemish Kludde who preys on
travelers to the smelly Japanese spirit Nuppeppō
who moves too fast to be caught.
True, but there are also steady agents of speed.
Here comes one now!
Lending his boundless energy to the Sun, Savitar
breaks through Raiju’s storm! This golden-handed
protector of the universe can manipulate the
elements— and all moving things for that matter!
A valiant effort to redirect the wind by Idaten... but
not valiant enough. The path seems clear for
Savitar. But is that the gallop of hooves I hear?

What a beautiful blindside! It’s Sleipnir hurtling

out of another dimension! it seems the shamanic
steed shares Odin’s ability to travel between the
realms. This racer might not have to play by
Savitar’s rules. But... wait a second, am I watching
this in slow motion?
No! It appears the god of motion is slowing the
speed of his opponent, suspending him centimeters
from the course’s conclusion.

Sleipnir’s stampede slows to a snail’s pace as

Savitar leisurely glides over the finish line! What a
finale! Savitar’s mastery of motion immobilized
his fastest foe!
It seems Sleipnir’s not too happy with this
controversial result, but hey, there’s always next
year. And one might say that we’re all winners for
witnessing the mind-bending speed of so many
myths and legends.