वो दूसरों के मामलात में चुप्पी साध लेते हैं
जो पहले अपने ही गिरेबान में झांक लेते हैं।
आग से खेलने का अंजाम बखूबी जानते हैं
सुरक्षित अंतर के साथ हम आंच सेंक लेते हैं।
ऐसे दिलबर जो सिक्कों पर दिल फेंक देते हैं
हम बड़े ही सलीके से उनसे मुंह मोड़ लेते हैं।
अब तो चेहरा दिल का सब हाल बता देता है
एक नज़र में ही हम उनका इरादा भांप लेते हैं।
मौसम की तब्दीलियां इशारा तो दे ही देती हैं
जो समझते हैं इन्हें वो बदलाव को आंक लेते हैं।
Indian Mythology- part 2
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Indra is a very vibrant individual disposition, the fade and flood of his vocation and the moving drop and grows of his power gives captivating section to Hindu mythology. Indian Mythology introduces him with the description of as the chief God of Indian Mythology (an apex grade stature in the midst of gods), known as “Thundered” provide rain to the earth and also as the ‘Hammer God’. He is considered as the God of productivity and “Friend of Man”. He is considered as the God of fertility considered the maker of earth with the help of his Hammer and became known for protector and savior of cows, chief priest and Gods. The meaning of the word ‘Indra’ is greatness and who is best in his field. Indra is not a person but it is a position among Gods. In Indian Mythology it is considered that Indra is only one person, but it is partially accepted. According to Puranic (ancient) and historical scripture it can be discussed that Indra is the position and according to time , his behavior, ability, eligibility, his deeds, performance and honesty they were in the changeable positions. It symbolizes that if one is selected for the post of Indra then he will be called Indra and he will be considered as the king of Devas. He will be settled in heaven and will perform his duty, will be on the highest position of Devas , can rule on Agni, (Fire) Vayu (Air) sun, moon and all other Devas. The word Indra can be seen from another view that it symbolizes greatness but not fully goodness. After getting power and positions even Indra can do wrong act and because of it is removed from heaven to hell (Patal Lok). Indra cannot be considered as supreme because the supremacy is to three God as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Indra is the conditional post among Devas. Indra is the synonyms for the greatness it may be related to human (Manvendra ) Devas (Devendra ) Munis (Munidra) and Rakshsa (DaityaIndra). After this much discussions it can be said that Indra is not one person but a post in category.
“Indra is actually a position which the aspirant god attains if his divine conduct is beyond any blemish. According to the mythological details even a moral being or a man could get it, like king Nahush got once. But he fell from grace when he tried to lay hold on the previous Indra’s wife. Hence whoever becomes the Indra has to guard his position by his good conduct.” 32
As we have seen and accepted the characteristics of Epic hero, tragic hero, there is also the characteristic of Indra (position).
1 Indra must be knowledgeable and must have power which he can only used for the betterment of Devas as well as for the people of earth.
2 Dharma should be the priority of the Indra and he cannot go against it.
3 At the time of the war he should be at the front position (ahead) to fight to protect his soldiers.
4 Indra must have decision making power and it should be in favor of Devas and for the humanity.
5 Indra must have honesty, dedication, interpretation and judging ability.
As per the description of Vedic Myth it is believed that Indra has got his first victory soon after his birth. The character of Indra came out as the heroic person who is always ready to do combat and sacrifices for others. Indra has taken lots of help in creating the universe. They are Brihspati ‘Lord of Prayer’ who came together with Agni, (Fire) and Vishnu (Grace) and Savitri who came in association with the God of Sun.
“His shadow is immortality; his shadow is death.”33
Another word which is very closely related with God Indra is ‘Apasaras’, The Kingdom of Indra (heaven) is full of Apsaras .Aprasaras may be defined as ‘Water Spirit’. The Apsaras may be seen as-
“Identified as musicians and protective deities of gamblers bringing good fortune, they may also bring insanity.”34
Along with Apasara Indra is notorious for his act when he tried to seduce the virtuous Ahilya who was the wife of the sage Gautama. Rishi Gautama heated Indra for his misbehavior and cursed him to have many wounds will be similar to female appendages. But after asking for mercy and apologies his wounds converted into thousand eyes. After this incident Indra is known is ‘Sahasra chakshu’ means “thousand eyes”.
It is believed that Indra was having Airavat elephant (king among elephants). “Airavat” came out from the water as “Samundra Manthan” was done by the other Gods, because of it only his name was “Iravat” means “Come out from water”. The name of the wife of Airavat is ‘Abharana’. Airavat is also known as-
1 Ardh-Matanga means the elephant can be considered as cloud
2 Akasodara means brother of Sun
3 Naga- Malla means the elephants that can do fights
According to Vishnu Puran, “Airavat has four tusks and is spotless white he was made king of all elephants by Prihu.”35
During the time of Ramayana Indra is defeated by the son of Ravan- Meghnad and after winning the heaven and Indra, Meghnad is known as ‘Indrajeet’. After this incident Brahama has to buy Indra’s freedom by providing evil spirit boon for the everlasting life. Even during the time of Krishna Indra did wrong by spreading rains to sink the Brajbhumi people, but Krishna saved the people of Brajbhumi by lifting the Goverdhan Mountain on his little finger. Krishna defeated and taught Indra lesson but Indra again did the same thing when Krishna went to Swarg (heaven) to bring the divine tree Patijata then Indra opposed Krishna and fought. At last Indra defeated by Krishna. In Indian mythology or in religion there is no temple of Indra for worship. But it can be said that in all Indian mythology the appearance of Indra becomes important in all religious actions to give moral message and to show the winning spirit of truth and defeat of wrong.
Indra is considered as the chief God of Devas but along with him there are many deities which made Indian mythology as one of greatest mythologies in the world. Agni the God of fire is very closest Dev to Indra and it is believed that Agni is considered as the twin brother of Indra. It can be said that they are the chief God of Devas because around 250 hymns were dedicated to Indra and around 200 for Agni. It can be said that Indra gives air of life to the people and Agni is there to give imperative glow to that air. The God of fire is everywhere as the air is everywhere.
“The devouring is the only permanent entity, the nature of creation and its creator. It is a function in which the devoured and the devourer are engaged as transient beings. This function is particularly apparent in out of the elements fire, which grows at once when fed and dies as soon as it starves.”36
Post Vedic description symbolizes that Agni is seen on the universal basis and believed that Brahama was there at that time in form of Agni and then Gods and men came into existence. Agni stands for its purity and holiness. Agni is the symbol of Pavitra (blessed burst into flames).
“The fire god was the divine priest as contrasted with Indra, the divine warrior.”37
It can be said that there are evidence of the birth of fire in Vedic chants. One mantra talked about Agni as a child whose birth was a secret and no one can describe his birth. It is believed that her mother has concealed him and after sometime Agni is seen when he was grinding his weapons from a long distance from his unoccupied house. Another belief about the God of fire is that at the time of his birth he eats greedily eat fire sticks and these fire sticks produced the holly fire from the rubbing activity. It is also believed that Agni had ten mothers in form of twin sisters. Another belief is that Agni born out of ten fingers of his mother. Another saying about Agni is that Agni is the Son of Kasyapa and Aditi. But another saying about Agni is that He was the son of Angiras and Sandila was his grandfather who is considered one sage of seven great sages of the Indian Mythology. But on the other hand as per the description of Vishnu Puran it is believd that Brahma is the father of Agni and he is the eldest son of his. Swaha was the wife of Agni and from her Agni have three sons- Pavak, Pavman and Suchi. Agni has forty six grandsons. According to HariVansh Agni was in black clothe and having burning and flaming spike. There is the description of Agni Puran in Indian Mythology and it is believed that Agni himself narrate it to Rishi Vashisht. Agni Purna describes many methods of worship through ritualistic and mystic ways, also describes the skills of combat, the commandment for Hinduism and the praise of God Shiva. It is believed that the vehicle of Agni is run by She- Goat or by Res horses or by Parrots. It can be said that Agni was having seven arms and lots of different weapons he carried. The characteristic of fire become visible in the form of existence and its symbols. It can be said that Agni symbolizes the cosmic sacrifices. Agni can burns, get through and digest everything. It is considered that Agni is also known as the God of Law who has the power and ability to burn vices and can save virtue. For example in Indian mythology Holika burned because of her vices in spite of having the boon that Agni cannot burn her but comparatively Sita was saved by Agni because she was pure by heart. She was rewarded her chastity by Agni. These two different ages example symbolizes that Agni the Fire God works on justice. The Fire is the Life in red yellow color (golden red). Agni is also friendly in spite of his flames and burning ability, but it requires care and attention to handle. The fire God is known for sacrifices those who wanted to fulfill their wishes or wanted to do Yagna then it is not possible without fire. This is the reason that Agni is also called ‘Wealth Giver.’ It is recurring activity among Aryans that they were always doing constant invoice by saying that “Come! Agni! O’ God, accept our offering and blessed us! Agni works as the messenger of God, he works as the bridge between people and God, works always for mankind and humanity. People can make him happy by doing Yagna and sacrificed in Havan kund (Agni Kund). It is believed that while doing Yagna with Agni and doing sacrifices Agni went to sky and bring water in form of rain. Agni is also known as the sky and storm god. People do prayer to Agni as for - O! The God Agni prevails over our opponent and disaster; keep all the diseases away from us and through all the Rakshash to the deep in water (Patal). As Indra took away the Soma Rasa, Agni was also fond of it. Agni is in the category of Brahama who gives birth.
“Actually the gods do not eat nor do they drink, but seeing the offerings they are pleased only through fire can the gods be reached hence. Agni must be worshipped before all other deities.”38
Along with Indra and Agni, Vayu/ Vata/ Varun (God of wind- Pawan Devta) has got chief place in Indian Mythology. The wind God is considered the rival of Indra. Varun devta is the preserver of the universe and because of him people can breathe and live happily.
“In Southern India he is still worshipped during periods of drought, particularly in coastal regions where he is thought to live in trees.”39
It is believed that he is also regarded as the son of Kardama and companion of Gouri. It is also believed that the Vayu god was the chariot runner of God Agni. He is in the category of Vishnu (Palanhari) and people worshipped the Varun Devta with spirituality, wonder and terror. It is believed that Varun -the wind God is the avatar (form) of Roudra and people considered them as one.
“It is he who makes the sun to shine in the heaven; the winds that blows are but his breath; he has hollowed out the channels of the rivers which flow at his command, and he has made the depth of sea. His ordinances are fixed and unassailable; through their operation the moon walks in brightness, and the stars which appear in the nightly sky, vanish in daylight. The birds flying in the air, the rivers in their sleepless flow cannot attain knowledge of his power and wrath. But he knows the flight of the birds in the sky, the course of the far- travelling wind, the paths of ships on the ocean, and beholds all secret things that have been or shall be done. He witnesses men’s truth and falsehood.”40
The next deity of Indian mythology is Surya- the Sun God. Surya is one of the rulers God of Vedas. The Sun is the son of Aditi. The other name for Surya is Savitri which means Brilliance. The Mantras of Gayari is used for Surya too to please him. He has chariot which is in golden color run by seven mares, he has hair, arm and hands which is also in golden color. The Sun God symbolizes the beginning of life and provides energy to humans. It run earth and people do prayer early in the morning. It is believed in Indian Mythology that 300 years ago the legend was there who suffered from Leprosy. To be cure the legend prayed to the God Surya and then he inspired to write Suryaashtak containing eight verses. At the last verse he regained his heath and became free from Leprosy. The same verse is given to the Shambhu the son of Krishna in his dream and accordingly he has to repeat these mantras two times in a day to cure his sickness. These verses contain 21 names of Surya. Suvarna and Chhaya was the wife of Surya. Suvarna is the daughter of Vishwakarma, she was not able to tolerate the power of Sun so she created her dummy image to escape from his heavy rays. After sometime Suvarna converted herself into mare to be with Surya and became the part of his chariots. From Suvarna Surya have three children.
1 Manu – Manu stands for justice.
2 Yama- the God of death
3Yami- the Goddess of death and later turned into river by adopting the name of Yamuna
According to the Mahabharata Karna is also considered the son of Surya by Kunti. Karna is considered as the illegitimate child of Surya. It is believed that Sugreev the monkey king is also considered the son of Surya. Aruna is the charioteer of Surya.
The Eclipse is also related with Surya. There are two types of Eclipse one is Solar and second is Lunar. These scientific Eclipses have mythological elucidations also. It is believed that at the time of Samundra Manthan (sea churning) the nectar came and Demons and Gods started fighting for this nectar. Then Lord Vishnu came in the form of Mohini and tried to give nectar one by one; first the nectar will be given to Devas (Gods) and then to Danavas (Demons). Lord Vishnu in form of Mohini poured the nectar to the Gods, one of the demon understood the planning of the Vishnu and came in the queue of Devas and drink the nectar. Lord Vishnu soon came in his original form and cut the head of the demon by his Sudarshan Chakra but the head became immortal as the nectar came in throat. After this incident the head is known as Rahu and Dragon’s tail is known as Ketu. Rahu and Ketu both in revenge gulp down the Moon and the Sun. Because of this incident the Solar and Lunar Eclipse came into being. In India the God Surya has only one temple in Konarak in Orissa known as “Surya Mandir”. (Sun Temple)
In contrast to the sun in Indian mythology Moon is there. The Chandra God embodied as moon also and can be recognized with Soma and Dikpala. The chariot of Moon is run by ten white horses. The color of Chandra is white. In Indian Mythology Chandra worshipped for the long age of the husband. Indian women worshipped God Moon on Karvachoth or Teej. According to Indian Astrology, God Moon stands for the mental balance of living creatures and their behavior. It is believed that Budha is the son of the God Moon. The Chandra God is known as the God of productiveness and expansion. There is complete description of Soma (moon) in the ninth book of Rigveda. If fire is a living then soma (moon) is in the form of movement.
“This Soma is a god; he cures
The sharpest ills that man endures
He heels the sick, the sad he cheers,
He nerves the weak, dispels their fears;
The faint with martial ardor fires,
With lofty thought the bard inspires,
The soul from earth to heaven he lifts,
So great and wondrous are his gifts;
Men feel the god within their veins,
And cry in loud exulting strains:
We’ve quaffed the Soma bright
And are immortal grown:
We’ve entered into light
And all the gods have known.”41
If fire is in yellow and red color then moon is in the form of dark nighttime. The moon gives peace to mind and happiness to heart.
“The fiery is golden red, the offering dark blue.”42
Along with the Sun and the Moon Yama is also considered principal god of man as well as Devas. Yama is the God of Death. He is the son of Vavasvan and Saranyu, and also believed that the son of Surya and Sanjana. Yama is considered as the God of Judgment about death, heaven and hell. Yama has twin sister named Yami. She is also regarded as the Goddess of Death and later became in form of river Yamuna on earth. The vehicle of Yama in Indian Mythology is Black big Buffalo having Vraj (the iron rode) in his hand. The black color symbolizes Yama and death. The helper of the God Yama is Chitragupta who keeps the record of living creatures of their bad and good deeds. According to Chitagupta if a person has done wrong deeds throughout his life then Yama the God of Death will send him to hell and if a person has done good work then Yama will send him/her to the heaven. There are three wives of Yama.
1 HemaMala means who is having fair swag
2 Shushila means that is having nice nature
3 Vijya means conquest
Yama had two dogs who is born to Sarama one dog guards the heaven of Indra and second dog guard the hell of Yama. The Dogs were having four wide, bright and shining eyes even in night their eyes can be seen easily. The death God Yama is related with Savitri. Savitri met Satyavan – the son of the king who is exiled from his kingdom and lived in the forest in poor condition. The astrologer of the King Satyavan already discussed that Satyavan will die after the one year of his marriage. But Savitri and Satyavan got married even knowing the fact. After one year Satyavan die. Savitri did not want to beg in front of the Gods for the life of his husband. So she decided to chant the mantras to make happy the dead God Yama. After many days of chanting of Mantras Yama became happy, asked Savitri for boon to fulfill her wish. Savitri asked Yama to provide her boon of giving birth to hundred Sons. In hurry Yama gave this boon to Savitri but without husband it is not possible to give birth to children. Now it is compulsory for Yama to give back the soul of Satyavan to Savitri. Savitri asked Yama to give back the kingdom of his father in law and his husband must be the king of Kingdom.
There are many Suras and Asura in the Vedic Period along with all the chief Gods and Devas. The Suras were related with Devas and the Asuras were related with Demons. There is no discrimination between Suras and Asuras till the early Vedic Period but later at the time of Rigveda the definition of Suras and Asuras can be seen separately and Asuras can be seen against Devas. Indian Mythology also deals with Daityas or Danvas, Nagas, Cobras, Rakshasas in form of Gorrillas, Yakshash, Gandharvas, etc.
Indian Mythology can be seen from different perspective. One of them is Sexual Metaphors and animal symbols. Indian mythology is related with religion and how to relate the religion with these sexual symbols in metaphors is the topic for long and serious discussions and debate. Then the question raised that Can the Mythology seen from sexual and symbolic view point. Here we will try to discuss and justify the statements. To understand these symbolic sexual metaphors it is unavoidable to refer the task.
Sexual Fluid 43
Cosmic Body Ritual
Sex Food Food
Female Water, rivers Menstrual blood (Puspa, Rajas) Milk
(Payas) Water, fire
Seed (Rati Rasa)
Androgynous Essence (rasa)
(in plants, women, men) Blood
(rakta, sonata) Blood Poison Butter (ghee)
Male Rain (vrsti), ocean Semen (retal virya, bija) Semen Soma, fire
It is believed that all the sexual fluid may be in form of food. The sexual fluids can be seen in the relation with sky, cow, and horse; with men and women. Even sexual fluids can be seen in Androgynous section but it can be seen in different form as per the above chart. We have seen many elements which is related to sexual fluids as blood, semen, female seed, blood /milk/butter, milk and semen, milk and soma along with it one can see sexual fluids in form of seed as food, Androgyny and Unilateral creation through milk, woman as field. These categories can be seen on the basis of Vedic or Post Vedic view point.
Vedic Perspective-
Blood is common in male and female and even in Androgynous category. It is believed in Indian view that most of all the body fluids including sexual fluids based on blood. In Rig-Veda it is considered that blood symbolizes body of the earth in form of subtle way. Blood is also related with demons who were accused that they were muddy with the men blood, animals like sheep, pig and horses. Demons were also known for their stealing of the cows’ milk. In this way Demons symbolizes that they have taken away two life essence blood and milk. Here blood is not related with menstrual blood of female but with the sexual blood of female that symbolizes creativity or fertility – an act of having sex with a woman and to finish her virginity. But another opinion about “Purple and red stain” (blood) is the unsafe feminine fortitude who is considered as witch who have the power to make his husband weak and ill. There is the description of blood in Upanishad where it is believed that blood is integrated into the mold of the body, it is believed that water is the main contains.
“When water is drunk, it is converted into the urine, blood and breath: when a person dies and the elements of the body disperse, the blood and semen enter the water.”44
As discussed blood is common in male, female and Androgyny. Semen symbolizes only male but there is no use of semen without female. Semen is used for productivity for female as ‘Gharbha’ (womb). But in Vedas the metaphysical meaning of semen is fruitful rain from heaven and works as ‘Kernel of cloud’. It can be seen from the different perspective as ‘Vrsti means rain and Vrsan means a dissipated man or bull. This process is having divine seeds of heaven.
Female seed is also important part of Indian mythology, known as “Virile milk”. It is believed that symbolically female seed is the earth and the male Semen is the sky. They both merged and give birth to child that symbolizes ‘continuity of earth and sky’ (creativity/ productivity)
“The Upanishad instructs a man who is about to impregnate his wife to say to her, - ‘I am heaven, you are earth: let us embrace and place together the seed to get a male child, a son.”45
Another chief thing which is related with blood is milk and butter that metaphorically symbolizes hidden meaning in Indian Mythology. There is the description in Vedas where Braham merged blood with milk in the feminine form. Somewhere blood, milk and butter shows positive and negative inner emotion or feelings or understanding of humans. To understand it in proper way Bhrigu has given one example. Once he went to another world where he had seen two women one is beautiful but another one is not. Then he came across with the blood river and this river protected by one black man who was completely without cloth. Then Brighu had seen river Butter River again protected by man but this time the man was in golden color. Varuna the father of Bhrigu explained him that the woman who was beautiful was a kind of symbol of faith and the next woman symbolized deficient in trust. The black man symbolized anger and the golden man symbolized hope. The glittering bowl (a golden man having in his hand) symbolized womb- a symbol of desires, hope and creativity. The blood river represents negative aspect of female. Butter symbolizes female and is protected by golden man.
For example-
1 Blood against Butter symbolizes semen and milk
2 Gold against Black
3 Feelings – Negative and Positive
4 Women against Men
5 Fatalities against Living
The Post Vedic Perspective-
In Vedic concept it is believed that blood is bisexual and related to both man and woman. The Post Vedic concept is that mother becomes the source for the child to give blood in his veins and father provides bone to the child. Blood generally seen with female (uterine blood) merged with males’ semen and produced the child. It is believed that man created blood when he faces the death and woman created blood when he creates new life.
“With women the channels of the vessels carrying the menstrual blood, after conception, becomes obstructed by the fetus. Hence, with pregnant women there is no menstrual discharge. Obstructed below, the blood…… reaches the breasts. Hence the breasts of pregnant women grow large and projecting.”46
Post Vedic perspective regarding semen is again different from the Vedic Perspective. It is considered that Upanishad describe that food gives energy to man and that converted into Semen. Man’s power (shakti) is his food that he used as semen and create new life. Female having greater insight power and energy (shakti) and females obtain shakti also in intercourse. Female have lots of power and but they can maintain this only if she is chaste to her husband.
“Females, however, can increase their shakti at a faster rate merely being chaste wives.”47
This is another way to see mythology from Vedic and Post Vedic Perspective with some symbols and hidden meanings. Mythology is not only related with legends, sagas or just telling the stories but also shows the works as an entrance to society, shows passageway to the hallowed to the society and teaches the human that what is reality? How it is related with right and wrong? Mythology teaches the rules and regulation of the society and for the society. It can be said the mythology is a world of Micro-organism where we need deep reading, knowledge and understating to see the changes of the society and its effect in human life. Mythology also manages constant changes human affairs, shape their daily life, their individuality. Mythology gives people proud that they have something different and unique which separated them from the others in the world. Mythology gives importance and role of nature and sequence of creation, talked about human tendency of the trial and error pattern, provide information about death and further than, hunt for firmness, and also talked about established truth and new and changing creation.
It can be said that myths are evidence of the saintly ability of human life. Experience of life is the word to define myth. Reading of myth will give the experience and will teach the importance of symbols in contemporary modern context. Mythology is always remains applicable at any dot of moment. Their provisions indicate their important consequence with the history which has universal appeal. Mythologies have varied origin which is difficult to understand as separated by roaming folks, wandering and moving people. Mythologies instruct sympathy and charity. It is difficult to judge myth from the religious or folk tale perspective. Myth itself deals with spacious series of enlightenment, symbols, messages and facts and findings. Every culture considers myth not only very seriously but also trains human to let the myth an important part of human life.
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Indian Mythology- part 1
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Religion is the chief element of Indian Mythology. There were many God, Goddess and Asuras are in Indian Mythology. There were many Devas and Danvas having their own unusual and attractive characters.
1 Brahma- It is believed that Brahma has produced the universe having five heads, but he is not loved and respected as Vishnu and Shiva.
2 Vishnu- Vishnu is considered as the protector of the universe. He fought against the evils of the universe.
3 Shiva- He is considered as the obliterated of the universe. He was like vicar who is not interested in worldly affairs and in luxurious life. But he has the family with wife and son.
4 Parvati- Wife of Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikey. She is considered as the goddess of power and energy. Another name for Parvati is Annapurna.
5 Kali- Kali is the Avatar of Parvati, made by God to kill the demons and evils.
6 Saraswati- She is the Goddess of Knowledge and intelligence. She is the wife of Brahma.
7 Lakshmi- She is the wife of Vishnu and the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
8 Krishna- Krishna is another part of (avatar) of Vishnu. He fought against injustice and destroys the wicked. He is the important part of Geeta. He is the chief character in Mahabharat. His intension was to set up Dharma on the Earth. He has many avatars like Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narsimha, Vamana.
9 Rama- Rama is the chief character of Ramayan the Indian Epic. He killed Ravan.
10 Kalki- It is believed that he was a worrier and will come again when the earth is about to finish. He is riding a white horse, having glowing sword.
11 Varun- The God of assurance, will always maintain the order of the universe.
12 Indra- He is considered as the king of heaven and main God in Indian Hindu mythology. He is the God of all the Devas, considered as the God of Sky.
13 Yama- He is considered as the God of Death. He has two departments Heaven and Hell.
14 Agni- He is the God of Fire. All the pure and sacred work cannot do without the Agni.
15 Ganesha- He is considered as the God of fortune and success, son of Shiva. He has the head of elephant and body of man. He rides on mouse.
16 Kartikey- He is the eldest son of Shiva, rides on Peacock.
17 Asuras and Rakshash- They are the creator of evil and fought with Devas.
The other characters are like Nagas, Yakshash, Gandharvas, Kinnars, Apsaras, Vidyadharas, Rishish who are playing important role in Indian Mythology.
As we have discussed many mythologies of the world which gives necessary details to understand myth and mythology. But it is believed that there are two chief mythologies that can be dividing into two major divisions.
1 Indian Mythology
2 Classical Mythologies
Indian Mythology and Greek Mythology (Classical Mythology) has already discussed above but not in profound way. The detail description of Indian and Classical Mythology will give more and clear analytical perspective on Myth and Mythology. The detail description of Indian and Classical mythologies will talk about the symbols, images, personifications; the symbols and images gives some messages used with purpose in the mythologies. Mythologies always say something not in direct way but by using hidden hint and if one want to know mythologies then it is necessary to find out hidden indications of it.
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Greek Mythology
Dr. Swati Joshi
Among all the mythologies Greek mythology is one of the best known mythology of the world. Many mythologies were from Greece and in Rome. It is also known as Classical Mythology.
The characters of Greek Mythology are-
1 Agamemnon- He was the King of Mycenae and Clytemnestra was his wife and he led the Trojan War.
2 Ajax- He was the son of Telamon of Salamis.
3 The Amazons- It was the group of women who lived near Black sea. It is believed that these women’s had only one breast because they wanted to use their stoop easily. They produced only female child and killed male child. They fought in the battle of Troy.
4 Anteros- Aphrodite face Eros the Anteros as the mate in the play. The work of Anteros was to punished people who do not return love or talked wrong about love.
5 Aphrodite- She was the Goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was the wife of Hephaestus but having children from Ares, Dionysus and Hermes.
6 Apollo- He was the son of Zeus, brother of Artemis. He was considered as the God Sun, God of Disease, and plague. But he had the department of medicine and cures also.
7 Ares- He was the Greek God of war, son of Zeus and Hera. He had three children from Aphrodite but she was not his wife. His twins Phobos and Deimos always follow him at the time of war. He was also known as Mars by the Romans.
8 Artemis- Daughter of Zeus, she was the twin sister of Apollo and she considered as the goddess of wild.
9 Athena- Daughter of Zeus and considered as the virgin goddess of war.
10 Atlas- He was the Titan and the son of Lapetus.
11 Cerberus- He was 3 headed watchdog of underworld.
12 Chaos- It is considered that he was shapeless person and his name came from the Greek word ‘Khaos’ which means ‘Gaping empty space.’
13 Clytemnestra- Wife of Agamemnon, killed her husband and then declared her son Aegisthus as the king of Mycenae.
14 Demeter- She was the Goddess of crop and productivity, daughter of Kronos and Rhea.
15 Dike- She was the Goddess of Justice, daughter of Zeus. Her name symbolizes behave as per the instruction of God.
16 Dianysus- He was the son of Zeus and Semele and he was the God of Wine and Vegetation.
17 Electra- She was the daughter of Agamenon and Clytemnestra.
18 Eros- Born of Ares and Aphrodite, God of love and sexual desire.
19 The Fates- They are three Goddess Atropos, Clotho and Lachesis. They control the fate of mortals.
20 The Furies- Three daughters of Gaea, Magaera, Tisiphone and Alecto.
21 Gaea- It is believed that she was the Earth and gave birth to the God of sky and later who became her husband.
22 The Gorgons- They are three sisters. Stheno, Medusa, and Euryole.
23 Hades- He was the son of Kronos and Rhea.
24 Helen- She was the daughter of Zeus and Leda and wife of Menelaus the king of Sparta.
25 Hephaistos- He was the son of Zeus and Hera.
26 Hera- She was the wife and sister of Zeus and considered as the symbol of women, wedding, and wedded love and birth giver.
27 Heracles- He was the son of Zeus.
28 Hermes- He was considered as the envoy of God and considered as the guardian of voyager, shepherd.
29 Homer- He was the Greek poet who has written Iliad and Odyssey.
30 Io- She was the daughter of Inachus, a river God.
31 Kronos- He was the son of Ouranos and Gaea.
32 Laocoon – He was the pastor of Apollo.
33 Leto- She was the daughter of Titans Coeus, mother f Apollo and Artemis.
34 Pandora- she was considered as the first woman as similar to Eve.
35 Persephone- She was the daughter of Zeus.
36 Phoenix- It was a mythical bird lives for 500 years and when the time came of its death then itself give to aflame and from the ashes it recreate itself.
37 Rhea – she was the wife and sister of Kronos.
38 The Trojan War- war between Greece people and people of Troy.
There are other characters like Minatour, Oedipus, Oedipus Rex, Themis, Poseidon, Prometheus, Siren, Sisyphus, Medusa and Ouranos.
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Zoroastrianism Mythology
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
It was an early Monotheist religion established by Zarathushtra. The religion is based on Avesta and written in old Iranian Language. The main motto of this religion was the expansion of spirituality and peaceful attitude, done by the Persian people. Now a day it is called Iran. The leader of this religion was known as Ashriman. Judaism and Christianity were also influenced by this religion. After some time this religion was divided and some people shift to India, some to Iran and the rest to North America.
1 Ahura Mazdah- He was considered as the supreme God of Zoroastrian. It was believed that heavens and earth was created by him.
2 Avesta- It is the holly book of Zoroastrians and written by Zorathushtra himself. But the original book was tearing downed by the Alexander. After some time the books is recollected around the 13th century. The Book has four parts-
(A) The Yansa – having songs
(B) The Yashts- Appraisal hymns
(C) Videvdat- based on holly rituals
3 Ahriman – He is considered as the darkness symbolizes evil and always in the opposition of Ahura Mazdah. For long time they fought and in the end Ahura Mazdah won as he represented good and virtue.
4 Zarathushtra- He was the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is believed that when Zarathushtra was child some evil tried to kill him but he was saved. Till 650 he was the part of the supreme authority of Persia.
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
Roman Mythologies
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
It can be said that Roman People adopted Christianity under the influence of the myth of Hellenes the ancient Greek. Romans knew very well that Greeks are their defeater even though Romans were ready to adopt good virtue from their religion and they incorporated Greek mythology into their mythologies. Roman continued with these mythologies even when they dominated Europe, Northen Africa, and Minor Asia. It can be said that Roman mythologies having merged mythologies of Greek, Italy, Roman and Etruscan civilization. Roman characters of the Myth are-
1 Cupid- It is believed that he was the God of Love, came from the Greek God Eros, son of Goddess Venus. He described as a boy having quiver of arrows. He had the power to create love and hatred.
2 The Furies- The Fruries means three daughters of Terra Meter created by Uranus. They are Megaera, Tisiphone and Alecto. The duties of these three were to give punishment to the assassins. They came from Greek myth as Erniyes.
3 Hercules- The name came from the Greek hero Heracles.
4 Janus- He was an Italian God and the word January came from his name Janus. He had two faces; one was on front and second was on back.
5 Juno- She was the Roman Goddess of Sky, and wife of Jupiter. Juno gave birth to Mars. She was categorized to the Greek Goddess Hera.
6 Jupiter- He was a Roman God of Sky, storm, thunder and lighting. He can be categorized with the Greek God Zeuz.
7 Justitia- He was the Roman Goddess of Justice. She described as having blindfold on her eyes and having sword and scales. She can be recognized with the Greek Goddess Dike.
8 Mars- He was the father of Romulus and Remus, the creator of Rome.
9 Mercury – He was working as the Roman messenger of God, similar to Greek God Hermes. In Celtic mythology Lugus and in Germanic mythology Odin was classified as mercury.
10 Neptune- He was the Roman God of Water and fertility identified as the Greek God Poseidon.
11 Ops- She was the Roman Goddess of harvest, wife of Satun and mother of Jupiter. She resembles with the Greek Goddess Rhea.
12 Pax- She was the Roman Goddess of Peace.
13 Penates- Gods who protected storages of Homes.
14 Quirinus- He was the God of war and considered as the head God of Romans.
15 Romulus and Remus- They were twins, sons of Rhea Silvia and Mars. They fought with each other and Romulus killed Remus and after that ruled on Rome.
16 Saturn- He was an Italian God of corn harvest and categories with Greek God Cronos.
17 Sol- He was the God of Sun, originally from Mesopotamian Mythology.
18 Tellus- She was the Goddess of Earth and productivity.
19 Venus- She was the Goddess of agricultural, recognized with Greek Goddess Aphrodite.
20 Vulcan- He was the God of Fire and Volcanoes in ancient Rome resembles with the Greek God Hephaistos.
Mythologies of the world
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
There are lots of mythologies of the different culture in the world. Every mythology discusses about their customs, society and traditions and also talked about their glorious and un forgettable past years. There are Biblical stories considered as mythology, Celtic mythology, Egyptian Mythology, Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology, Japanese Mythology, Mayan Mythology, Mesopotamian Mythology, Norse Mythology, Zoroastrianism Mythology, Arabian, Armenian, Aztec, Christian, Chinese, Guarani, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Korean, Polynesian, Romanian, Slavic, Turkic, and Micronesian Mythologies.
1 Biblical Stories-
It is considered that Biblical Stories are from Bible. Bible is related with the religion of Judaism and Christianity. It has two parts. First is Tanakh (The Old Testament) which is related with Christian and second is The New Testament, which is related to Jesus. The Old Testament is having 24 books which are divided into 3 books. It is original written in Hebrew Language.
1 The Torah – It means to give instruction or act. It is again divided into five books as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
2 The Nevi’m – It deals with history of Jewish and divided into eight book as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Twelve.
3 The Ketuvim – It talked about King David, King Solomon and the Prophet Jeremiah. It is divided into eleven books as Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Songs of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, and Chronicles.
The New Testament is another next element of Christian Bible having 27 books, written originally in Greek. It has six pasts as Gospel, The Acts, The Epistles, Revelation and Apocrypha.
Gospel has four narratives that talk about birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. The Acts talked about the foundation of Christianity, talk about what is death and how it is related with new born, and renaissance of Jesus. The Revelation talked about Messiah, the end of Satan and the beginning of the peace in that era. The Apocrypha which means hidden writing describes the life of Jesus.
2 Celtic Mythology-
As Greek and Roman Mythology the Celtic Mythology is not renowned in the world. There are lots of Celtic Gods and Goddesses. Even at the rise of the Roman Empire Celtic people maintained their religion and culture which converted into mythology. But after some time Celtic people merged with Roman and Germans. Celtic Mythology is having Goulish Mythology, Scottish Mythology and Irish Mythology. Gaulish Mythology again came together with Roman because of its nearby culture and traditions and of influence. It can be said that it is a part of French Mythology. Scottish mythology became the part of Celtic Mythologies because the myth and legend can be directly seen as only one of its kind or explicit to Scotland. Irish mythology deals with Mythological cycle, the Ulster cycle, the Fenian cycle and historical cycle.
3 Egyptian Mythology-
Egyptian Mythology is completely based on animals because they worship animals as God and Goddesses. The Egyptians are of opinion that the sanctified god and goddesses turn into human appearances. Ancient Egyptians believed that the Earth is in the form of disc and the centre part is Egypt. For them underworld is under the water which symbolizes bad things. They have different opinion about the creation of the universe, one myth is about Ptah who created the universe and another is Khhum who did the same by using potter’s wheel. In Egyptian Mythology there are lots of characters who symbolize different myths. The characters of the Mythology are-
1 Amon- Amon is considered as the main God of Thebes. Nut was his wife and Khensu was his son. He is seen as the Sun in this mythology.
2 Atum- He is considered as the first who come directly himself. He had produced Shu and Tefnut.
3 Duat- Egyptian myths are divided into three categories the Earth, Sky, and Duat. It is believed that the sun wonders whole day and at night he fell down in Duat and then no one can see the sun.
4 Geb - It is believed that Geb is related with earth and called God of Earth. He is considered as the chief of the goose.
5 Hathor- She is believed to be the Goddess of love, productiveness, and the Carnivals. She is always seen in the form of cow.
6 Horus - It is believed that he is the God of sky, the son of Osiris and Isis. He killed his Uncle Set because his uncle killed his father.
7 Isis- She is the Goddess of nature, sister and wife of Osiris. When set killed his husband into 14 pieces she collected all the pieces and it is believed that she recreated his husband. She represented as cow.
8 Veith- She is considered as the Goddess of war and hunt.
9 Nut- She is Goddess of sky and the sister and wife of Geb. She was the mother of Osiris, Set, Isis and Nepthys.
10 Osiris- He was the God of underworld. He was the son of Geb and Nut. Osiris had brother set and sister Isis to whom he marry. He focused more on charity, services and cultivation. His brother set killed him and cut in 14 pieces and spread in Egypt. Osiris is also known as Serapis in Egypt Mythology.
11 Ptah- It is believed that Ptah has produced universe and considered the principal God of the Memphis people.
12 Ra- Ra is believed as the God of Son. It is believed that he can be seen in form of hawk and lion. He was like king and performed his duties well but when he become old he had to send the Goddess Hathor to the Earth in the form of Eye. Then Thoth became his heir when Ra was doing his journey towards Duat. Geb and Osiris became the replacement of Ra.
13 Set – He was Evil God. He killed his brother Osiris and set was killed by Horus the son of Osiris.
14 Tefnut- It is believed that Atum created him.
15 Thoth- Thoth is considered as the God of Wisdom, magic and arts. It is believed that he was the creator of literature, geometry, and astronomy.
4 Japanese Mythology-
It is believed that Japanese Mythology is based on Shinto religion but another belief is that Buddhism influenced this mythology and after some time they adopted Buddhism. The Japanese God and Goddess are-
1 Amaterasu- It is believed that she is the goddess of sun. It is considered that Jimmu the grandson of Amaterasu, went to earth before 3,000 years after this incident Jimmu is considered as the first sovereign of Japan. The three goddesses were produced by Amaterasu at the time of the struggle with her brother. In this struggle Amaterasu ran away and hid her in a cave. There was darkness in Japan because of her nonexistence. This incident resulted in the death of crops and suffering of people was at their highest point. God then decided to call Amaterasu on her position.
2 Izangi Izanami - Izangi means a male give invitation and Izanami means a female gives invitation. They are the 7th generation in Shinto’s religion and they got place to live in a form of island Onogoro. They both decided to marry and wanted to create new generation. For marriage they have done marriage rituals but in excited Izanami spoke which was bad omen. As per the rule a female should not speak a word during the rituals. The result was distorted infant in a shape of parasite. Izangi and Izanami both decided to find out the reason and went to heaven where they have done again the marriage rituals. From that ritual they have created eight big and small islands in Japan. After this event they both produced divine being of sea, wind, mountains, rivers, trees. After remarriage Izanami gave birth to the fire as God but because of fire Izanami burned herself while giving birth and then she died. Death created many God burns and the tears in the eyes of Izangi turns into anger, cut Kangutuchi into pieces. The pieces became God and blood converted into the stars of Milky Way. Izangi wanted his wife back and for that he went to the Yomi, the underworld where her wife refused to come back because she has eaten the black food of Yomi. Izangi tried to see her in the darkness with the torch light and frightened because at that time her body was decaying. He tried to run away but Izanami stopped him. Izangi created barricade between the living and dead world. Then Izanami asked for 1000 living in a day if he will go. Then Izangi replied that he will provide her 1,500 living every day. Because of that incident the death occurs on the Earth. Inzangi captures himself into the river and from his left eyes Goddess Amaterasu got birth, from his right eyes Tuskiyomi came out and Susono came from his nose. It is the myth that Izangi is still resting on the island of Honshu and even today he is worshiped by the people.
3 Yamata no Orochi- Orochi was in form of a serpent dragon with 8 heads, eight tails and it is believed that Orochi’s huge body can cover 8 valleys and 8 hills. At the time of the banish of Susano saw that one couple was crying because every year Orochi eat their daughters and today is their last daughter Kusinada who has to be ready for Orochi. Susano offered marriage proposal for Kusinada to save her. She became ready for the marriage and then Susano converted her into a comb and keep her in his hair. At last Susano killed Orochi.
4 Susano- Susano was the brother of Amaterasu and Trukiyomi and he is created and after some time banished by Izangi. Susano did not like earth and wanted to go to the underworld of Yomi. Izangi asked him to go but before that say farewell to your sisters. Then Susano went to the earth where his sister Amaterasu became insecure. She asked for competition. But after competition Susano become furious and Amaterasu tried to hide herself in the cave and then Sun also hide. So it is now compulsory to take back Amaterasu from the cave. Finally she came out and Susano went to the Yomi.
5 Tsukiyomi – She is created by Izangi and she is given the authority of night sky and moon. She shared the sky with her sister Amaterasu, the goddess of the Sun.
5 Mayan Mythologies-
It is considered that Mayan Mythology is prior to the European world. Now a day’s Mayan Mythology is known for its creation of the calendar method. At the end of the classic period Mayan religion turn down with the reasons as overpopulation, mutiny, battle, disease, and draught. After this incident many building recreated but some of them are more focused on Yucatan Peninsula united, one law for all. The contact between Maya and Spanish happened in 1511 but around 40 years Spanish took over the Maya region. After this defeat Christianity became main religion of Mayan community. It is believed that among all the cultures of the world only Mayan had developed written language. Mayan Mythology had the contact with Aztecs and Mesoamerican religions. The characters of Mayan Mythology are-
1 Horaca- Horaca was the God of Strom and it is believed that he was always the part of humanity when it was created. He did all the work of humanity with the help of Kukulkan and Tepeu. Horaca the word means one legged. It is believed that the word Hurriacane comes from the word Horacan.
2 Kukulkan- He is the God of Mayan Mythology. The name Kukulkan means “feathered Serpent.”
3 Popol Vuh- It is believed that it is the text of Mayan people. The text talked about the creation of myth, gave description about the stories of heroes as twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque. The end of the text talked about mythical past of the K’’iche’’ kingdom and it symbolizes relations with the divine. The Popol Vuh manuscript was evidence by catholic priest, Francisco Ximenez.
6 Mesopotamian Mythology-
Babylonian, Assyrian, Akkadian and Sumerian considered as the part of Mesopotamian Mythology. In this type of Mythology every community has their own religion and belief but they are connected to each other in one mythology. This mythology is having influence of the Hittites and the Phoenicians. It is believed that the area between Tigris and Euphrates of southwestern Asia was the area of Mesopotamian Mythology. Today, we can call it Iraq. But in 1258 Mongols demolished the Mesopotamian. After that other religion like Islam, Judaism and Christianity came out. Abgal, Apsu, Anu, Dagon, Ea, Enlil, Enuma, Elish, Gilgamesh, Ishtar, Marduk, Nablu, Nimah, Ningizzida, Scorpion men, The, Shamash, Sin, Tiamat, and Zu are the characters of this mythology.
7 Norse Mythology-
Germanic, Nordic or Scadinavian are the other words to define Norse Mythology. It is believed that for many years Scandinavian people stored the myths of this community in verbal form, after long time Norse mythology came in the written form. Ragnarok means pre fate death which is related with this mythology. Norse mythology talked about the main God Esir and Vanir and about lots of giant. The characters of Norse Mythology are,
1 Esir- Esir is related with war, energy and death where as Vanirs deals with expansion and productiveness.
2 Angrboda -a giantess and mistress of Loki. She has given birth to Fennir, Jourmungand and Hel.
3 Bestla- Bestla was also giantess, wife of Bor and mother of Odin, Villi, and Ve.
4 Bor was the son of Buri and a giant. But it is believed that his birth has lots of doubts and uncertainty.
5 Buri – She was in the form of cow Audhumla.
6 Einherjar was also the important part of Norse mythology. Einhejar means “Lone Fighters”.
7 Fennir- He was the son of Loki and frost giantess Angrboda. He was in the form of wolf and worked as the beast of Ragnarok, the disaster of the God. Fennir was very furious animal no one has dared to feed him, only Try can feed him.
8 Fjorgyn- She was considered as the Goddess of Earth and she has given birth to Thor.
9 Freyja- She was the daughter of Sea God Njord. She was considered as the goddess of Productivity, love and lust. She believed in the heroic death. It is believed that she has lost his husband.
10 Jormungand- He was known as Midgard Serpent. He was the son of Loki the fire God and giantess Angrboda.
11 Loki- He was the son of frost giant Farbauti and the Giantess Laufey. He was very mischievous and always interested in tricking others. It is believed that he has given birth to eight legged Sleiphir.
12 Njord- He was the considered as the God of Sea and father of Frey and Freyja.
13 Odin- He was considered as the main God Germanic Mythology. He was the son of Bor and Besta. He was very popular with the name of “Father of Slain”. Odin was killed by Woolf Fenir.
14 Ragnarok- Ragnarok was the place where Gods and the Frost Giants fought for the final epic battle. It marked the end of the war, end of old world and marked new world.
15 Thor- Another name for Thor is Thunder God; he was the son of Odin and Fjorgyn – the Goddess of the Earth. It is believed that he has got magical Hammer. Another chief myth about Thor is that on him name Thursday the name came as the fifth day of the calendar.
16 Try- He was the God of war and son of Odin and Frigg. It is believed that on his name Tuesday the name as the third day of the calendar.
17 Valhalla- This was the big hall of Einherjar created by Odin for the heroic death of warriors in the war. There were around 500 doors and they are very vast and great that 800 warriors could do march out together.
18 Vanir- She was the deities of lushness.
19 Ve- He was the son of Bor and Besta and brother of Odin and and vil.
20 Vigrid- It was the final battle field between God and Giants.
21 Villi- He was the son of Bor and Besta and brother of Odin and Ve.
22 Snorri Sturlson- He was the poet and historian whose works talked about Norse Mythology.
Dr. Swati Joshi
Gujarat
