Hindu mythology is a term used by
modern scholarship for a large body of Indian literature that
details the lives and times of legendary personalities, deities
and divine incarnations on earth interspersed with often large
sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. Despite
connotations of fiction in common usage, the term myth, in
theological and academic studies, does not necassarility imply
that a narrative is untrue. It must be noted that many of the
topics that thus fall under Hindu mythology are cherised beliefs
of Hindus and have been proved to be historical accounts.
The mythological literature is intertwined with the ethos of
ancient Vedic religion and Vedic civilization, and fundamentally
constructed with Hindu systems of philosophy.
Definition and Misconception
Though they are often classified as 'Hindu' or 'Indian'
'mythology,' the label does not capture the centrality of
religious and spiritual affiliations of the texts that ring true
today for most Hindus. They are replete with long philosophical
discourses and are often seen as sourcebooks for Hindu ethics
and practice. It is also to be noted that historical evidences
of many acts or places of Hindu narratives have been found,
establishing them as historical facts rather than just 'myth' or
beliefs.
Vedic
mythology
The roots of mythology that evolved from classical Hinduism come
from the times of the Vedic civilization, from the ancient Vedic
religion and Indo-Iranian mythology.
The characters, theology, philosophy and stories that make up
ancient Vedic myths are indelibly linked with Hindu beliefs.
Sources
It is believed that the Hindu mythology dates back to around
7200 BC when the first hymns of the Rigveda were sung praising
the elements of nature, namely, the air, the water and the fire.
They found expression in the triad of the early vedic gods,
namely, Agni, Vayu, and Surya. According to modern scholars over
a period of time several vedic gods were conceptualized. Over
next several millennia, in the post-vedic period, and during the
period of the Puranas, the gods were personified and assumed
specific shapes and characteristics, with individual endowments.
This was followed by the period of the epics, when the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata were composed. It is believed that they
capture and depict, to a large extent, historical events and
happenings, and certain modern findings also corroborate this.
Epics
The most important of these are a voluminous group of works
known as the Puranas, of which there are eighteen main. The two
great Hindu Epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, are other
major works of Hindu mythology. Recent evidences are
conclusively proving that both are accounts of real events, not
merely beliefs.
The epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are very much religious
scriptures. Their stories are deeply embedded in Hindu
philosophy and serve as parables and sources of devotion for
Hindus into the present day.
Shrimadbhagavadgita is a part of Mahabharat. On occasion of
Mahabharat Sangram when Arjun was confused whether the decision
of war was right or not, Shri Krishna told him Bhagavadgita. It
has 18 chapters.
Cosmology
Hinduism presents a number of accounts pertaining to the
cosmology, and several explanations have been given as regards
the origin of the universe. The most popular theory is that the
universe emerged from Hiranyagarbha, meaning the golden womb.
Hiranyagarbha floated around in water in the emptiness and the
darkness of the non-existence. Ultimately, this golden egg split
and the cosmos was created. Swarga emerged from the golden upper
part of the Hiranyagarbha, whereas Prithvi came out from the the
silver coloured lower half part of the Hiranyagarbha.
The wars
While no Hindu epic or scripture fails to describe the horrors
of war and its fallout, major wars are fought with a religious
purpose: often to eliminate demonic beings, or lords and rulers
who pursue war wantonly for ambition and domination.
The most destructive wars in Hindu myth are often genocidal in
scale, they are driven with the mission of good triumphing over
evil.
Hindu teachings prescribe war as the final option, to be
employed only after all peaceful methods are exhausted. But when
this time comes, war is taught to be a matter of great personal
and religious importance, where every man must do his duty as a
warrior, exemplify courage, honor and fearsome prowess even
against all the odds, and even at high cost of life.
The Bhagavad Gita places duty above all gain and loss, triumph
and destruction, no matter how terrible or personal it becomes.
Fate is the driving force of all Hindu actions, and the awaiting
fate of death and ascent to heaven is the most important object
for ordinary human beings, thus making the destructiveness of
wars irrelevant so long as honor and courage are exhibited, and
a religious purpose is served.
The
weapons
There are several weapons used by the Gods of the Hindu
mythology, and such weapons included Agneyastra, Brahmastra,
Chakram, Kaumodaki, Narayanastra, Pashupata, Shiva Dhanush,
Sudarshan, Trishul, Vaishnavastra, Vajra, Varunastra, and
Vayavastra. A particular weapon was generally associated with a
particular god.
The first man was known as Aryaman.
The
Deluge
The story of a great flood is mentioned in ancient Hindu texts,
particularly the Satapatha Brahmana. It is compared to the
accounts of the Deluge found in several religions and cultures.
Manu, the composer of the Manusmriti, was informed of the
impending flood and was protected by the Matsya Avatara of Lord
Vishnu, who had manifested himself in this form to rid the world
of morally depraved human beings and protect the pious, as also
all animals and plants.
After the flood the Lord inspires the Manusmriti, largely based
upon the Vedas, which details the moral code of conduct, of
living and the division of society according to the caste
system.
Bharatavarsha
The first king to conquer all of the world was Bharata, son of
Dushyanta and Shakuntala. All of this world, Vishwa, is named
Bharatavarsha, or The Land of Bharata, or The Cherished Land.
King Bharata's conquests are described to have stretched over
all of modern India, and Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, as well
as the ancient Gandhara region of Afghanistan. No account has
been known to exceed these geographical boundaries.
