This photograph, if my memory serves me correctly, was from a giant float/exhibit at Thailand’s Suvarnabhoomi airport. Its a scene from Indian/Hindu mythology of the very ancient legend of the churning of the Ocean by the Devas & Asuras in search of the nectar of the gods, “Amrita” (possibly Ambrosia in other mythologies).
It is quite common to see similarities between Indian legends and those from other South East Asian countries (Sri lanka, Indonesia, Thailand). References to Gods with similar descriptions & names and Legends such as Ramayana & Mahabaratha are very common and are in fact, directly linked.
What is however more intriguing to me is the significant commonality between Hindu & Greek mythology.
To start with, in contrast to other religions, the presence of multiple gods in both Hindu and Greek mythology is in itself a common foundation. In terms of themes, the constant fight between the two factions of Gods – Asuras v/s Devas and Gods v/s Titans, is a strong thread running across both.
And then the similarities in personalities: the Sea God – Poseidon/Varuna; Sky & Overlord – Zeus/Indira, Weapons – Zeus’s Thunderbolt /Indira’s Vajra; Underworld&Death – Hades/ Yama; Sun God – Helios/Surya; Creatures - “Erymanthian” boar /the Varaha. There is also a reference to Greek history being split into four ages, much the same as the four yugas of the Hindu world.
It must be noted that while many elements are significantly similar, in some cases, while appearing superficially to be the same, they are however mismatched in terms of either time or role.
Having said that, there seem to be far too many common threads for this to be a case of reading too much between the lines!
Let me end this with the other end of the story… while the picture on top is that of the Deva’s churning the ocean holding the tail of the snake, the one below completes the scene with the Asuras holding the other end, the head of the serpent.
[...] has a nice post at his site on how Greek and Hindu deities are so similar. He also looks at the spread of Hindu myths across Asia. The wider point is that the similarities [...]
What is this “pingback”?
Anyway, it was strange of you to mention the concept of “brahman” in your comments. Most people mistake it for the caste system – whereas this Brahman is a very different concept, with limited in no relation to the caste system. But the reason I felt it was strange, was that another very close friend of also recently brought this up in a discussion. And both of you are two of the most profound thinkers I have met. Interesting…
Anyway I think my own understanding of brahman is I think elusive to me, thus far… a longer conversation with you might help in getting me a little more grasp of it.
A pingback happens when I refer to one of your posts in my blog. WordPress sends a message to you that I have linked back to you. The reverse also should hold, if you refer to one of my posts, I should get a pingback or trackback.
The “brahman” of vedanta is different from brahman caste and is different from Brahma, the God of creation. This is the supreme reality. In advaita terms, it is what everything is in reality. All “atmans” are “brahman”.
Other Hindu philosophies regard “brahman” as separate from normal souls. You might look at brahman as Vishwaroopa of Vishnu for example, which may be perceived, but cannot be described.
It is interesting indeed to spot similarities between the various mythologies. Why stop at Greek/Hindu? Look at Norse. Isn’t Thor the king with the thunderbolt as his weapon of choice? What is interesting to me is that so many older peoples have similar nature Gods.
We in India are lucky in a sense that our old religion and mythology survives to this day. And indeed the “anthropomorphic” view of the Gods has been discussed in our religious philosophy. Over a thousand years ago Adi Sankara, who propagated Vedantic thinking encouraged the worship of a personal god if that allowed one to channel ones prayer better.
Before anyone asks what the anthropomorphic view is, it is the theory that man has created god in his image rather than the other way around. Sankara realized this, which is why he is at pains to point out that the reality (Brahman) is unknowable using the senses and intellect alone.
I wrote a little bit on vedanta in a recent post. http://www.eyeofsiva.com/2010/01/03/vedanta/
Actually neither do I think that these similarities are coincidences nor do I view them as a “wow, we have so much in common” thing! It seems more like there was a common link between all these cultures long ago.. Was it
1) a successful civilization that travelled far & left its impressions on various cultures?; or
2) was it a case of trade that flourished so well at one time in the ancient ages that there was so much cross-pollination; or
3) was it a case of super-humans/ aliens who came and left their mark (intentions the subject of numerous sci fi movies!)?
The anthropomorphic view is interesting and fits more with hypothesis 1 and 3. It would be safe to say (at least as safe as stretching a theory goes!) that man did create his image of a super human in that of God. Question is was it 1) fiction or 2) was it based on reality or 3) a figment of reality stretched by desire? If it was 2) that would really mean there’s a lot more to life as we know it.
Good ideas to chew on
The ancient religions always stemmed from fear/awe of nature (In clear distinction from the newer ones like Christianity, Islam…)
Another interesting similarity is the depiction of these Gods (natural forces/elements) in a humanized form. To me this is quite puzzling – why represent sky, fire, even a boar in a human like form!? Because its easier to relate to? But people do tend to attach human qualities/limitations to them. They have to have a wife/husband, can be brave/kind/… etc etc. Then start the tales of their interactions and adventures.
One significant difference is the concept of “Bramhan”. While there is some role for creator/father in the myths, Bramhan is not just that.
Hmmm… and you’ve thrown in quite a few more to ruminate on! As I would have expected of you.
While you casually mentioned i, this is a very interesting perspective, the distinction between ancient religions and relatively newer religions. While differences in the age of origin appear quite clear (though it may be debated), I never thought of that angle when putting religions/ beliefs in context. Quite a new lens to look at this topic from.
Getting back to your first comment, I am not sure about the fear/awe part regarding nature. I would like to believe it probably stemmed more from an integration point of view… oneness of all with all the elements of the world, God is present in all elements. Links up with the larger theory of a presence of a/ the Force in all elements. In some ways, this religious belief also links up to some of the scientific theories that are being tested with sub-atomic particles. I know the convergence seems very far off, but just because we cant see the larger picture with the stage of development that Man is presently in, doesn’t mean that the two, religion & science, don’t converge at some point.
Anyway on that comment about nature, I think (or would like to believe) that its more to do with a larger & magnanimous view of the world, than to do with fear/awe.
The depiction in a humanized form… now that really throws the floor open! Could it be that this arises from:
a) Need to enforce social values: Depicting the values in a humanized form so we can imprint on minds (of men) what they should view as right/ wrong; or
b) Need to enforce power: Same as above, imprinting on the nubile minds of men, but driven by a certain set of people with vested interests to gather power; or
c) Super-race: Maybe there really existed a super-race that had many superior qualities and were human-ish; or
d) Alien/ Other world theory: Same as super-race, but maybe these were from non-earthly origins; or
e) God: Yes, maybe the straight forward simple concept of God is all there is to it.
On the concept of Brahman, it is quite set apart.. you are right. But maybe sure there is some fitment/ matching piece somewhere in other ancient religions… maybe just haven’t seen it yet.