Discover the secrets of Hindu Mythology. Learn about its most important Gods, origins and legends known worldwide.
Hindu Mythology
Hindu mythology comes from Hinduism and is believed to be the oldest religion in the world; it is considered more as a way of life than a religion itself. It is very different from other religions, to this day there is no record of the exact date of its foundation or the existence of a founder. It has no institutions or churches and is not based on a single book of religion.
Hindu mythology is extremely extensive and is expressed through endless narratives of hundreds of deities with multiple actions, they build and destroy the universe, they relate to humans and each other, they are kind and malevolent, and so a lot of actions that complement them.
Origin of Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology originates from India and is linked to the history of this place. From the beginning, in one of the oldest civilizations in the world “the Indus Valley“, there lived an indigenous population called the “Dravidians“; they had their own practices and beliefs.
The Aryans, coming from Asia, arrived in India and expelled the Dravids to the south; thus becoming the two indigenous populations residing in India. Before the existence of the term Hinduism, it was called “Sanatan Dharma”; its meanings were “faith”, “eternal rule” or “religion”. And the word “Hindu” is of Persian origin.
Nowadays, Hinduism is considered a mixture between the religion of the Dravidians and the Aryans. It is an Indian phenomenon, and more than a religion it is a way of life; therefore Hindu mythology is an essential part of the Hindu tradition and “affects all facets of life”.
The exact definition of Hindu mythology cannot be defined, but its practices are based mainly on the teachings of ancient books and holy men of their religion.
Stages of Hindu Mythology
This mythology presents a great diversity of Sanskrit literature, which is full of incredible epic tales. This material was enough to give rise to two main stages of Hindu mythology that proceed its myths. These texts describe the principles of Hindu mythology, but mainly tell us about “the holy trinity”.
Vedic period
This scripture was discovered around 700 B.C.E.; in this period we find the most primitive texts up to 1500 B.C.E. and are considered an oral wealth. The texts of this period comprise magical powers and truths of religion; it is a classic heritage of Hindu mythology that contains its most primitive myths and beliefs and contains a great variety of interpretations.
The texts of the Vedic period speak of a trinity constituted by the sons of Prayápati, who is considered the creator deity of the universe; his sons were Agni, Indra and Suria.
Puranic Period
Its composition began around the year 300 B.C.E.; during this period priority is given to a sacred trilogy named Brahma, Shiva and Vishu. This sacred trilogy is the one that has prevailed until today within this mythology. The purasic period is characterized by the beginning of the texts that establish the principles of Hindu mythology.
The Purans begin to be recognized during this period as the most essential genre for accessing the best-narrated knowledge and stories of Hindu mythology.
Symbology in Hindu mythology
In Hindu mythology, beauty and exoticism comprise the resulting characteristics within its myths. For this reason, it could be said that its symbology is oriented to the pedagogy of several characters that describe their inspiration in different defects and virtues.
Through which they make us a demonstration of how to face certain conditions of life. The characters that we mainly get in their mythology are gods, demigods, demons, people and animals.
We are enveloped by mystical tales that revolve around these characters with a touch of drama where they seem like never-ending stories. Their symbolism is of such outstanding importance within their mythology, that the belief persists that in ancient times all mankind were actually gods.
They abused their divinity, causing it to be taken away from them by the god of the heavens; hiding it inside each man so that they could never find it. This belief is the revelation of Hindu mythology that invites man to look beyond his horizons to find the divine enlightenment so desired.
Gods of Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology is characterized by a great diversity of gods that are an essential part of it. The great majority of its myths present these gods with physical characteristics similar to human beings; they present magical powers and special abilities of supernatural origin.
In the most famous legends of Hinduism, these characters are the main protagonists and the main deities make up the sacred trilogy, although other recognized gods also stand out among its myths.
- Indra: is considered the king of the gods; his duty is to protect humans and the rest of the gods from evil forces. It is believed that he lived in heaven and had the power to resurrect warriors. His element is air and he is also attributed as the god of war and thunder.
- Agni: they call him the god of wisdom; he protects man and is the messenger between him and the gods. He gives immortality and is in charge of forgiving the sins of man on his deathbed. His elements are fire and earth.
- Kall: she is the great goddess of death, called the Hindu mother; in some myths she is presented as the goddess of destruction, but it has been concluded that it is only done so that the world remains in order. She is characterized by having multiple arms.
- Sacred trilogy: it is formed by three important gods. Brahma, who is the creator of the whole universe. Vishnu, presented as the one who preserves the whole universe. And Shiva, destroyer of worlds or the universe.
- Kama: named after the god of love.
- Hanuman: this god is the god of music.
- Ganesha: this goddess is the one who provides prudence and wisdom.
- Ganga: named after the goddess protector of the Guandes rivers.
Myths of Hindu mythology
Hinduism has a variety of myths full of mystical stories where their gods are the main protagonists, the most recognized myths and that have more influence within this mythology we have the description of their beliefs and their divinities.
Amrita the elixir of immortality
This story is originally written in Sanskrit. It tells us that Deva, a name used to refer to the superior gods, held a meeting on Mount Meru (Kailash). The reason for the meeting was to express their need to find the nectar of immortality, which was known as “Amrita”.
It was found at the bottom of the sea of milk; they developed a plan and executed it. But they realized that alone they could not find it, so they decided to make a pact with the demons. This union between good and evil caused the moon, the sun, the sea and the goddess Lakshmi to emerge. When they managed to get hold of the Amrita, there was a war between good and evil, from which the gods emerged victorious.
Lakshmi and the washerwoman
A very humble young washerwoman’s luck changes when she crosses paths with the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi. The story begins in northern India, the king of that land gave a pearl necklace to his wife the queen. He wanted her to wear it during the Diwali Festival.
One day the queen was taking a bath in the river, when suddenly a crow appeared and tore the necklace from her neck; taking it far away. The queen was furious and ordered the guards of the kingdom to look for her necklace. The necklace just happened to fall in the village where the young washerwoman lived; when she found it, she offered to take it to the queen without asking for a reward in return. However, she made a wish.
She wanted that while the Diwali Festival was taking place all the lights of the kingdom were off, and only she could turn on the lights of her humble abode, the purpose of such a request was that with that act would draw the attention of the goddess Lakshmi, as she was devoted to it. When the king fulfilled his wish the goddess visited the humble washerwoman.
His request to the goddess of prosperity, was to accompany her and her family for 7 generations; and so did the goddess. From that moment on, the humble washerwoman and her family were prosperous and fortunate people.
The cosmic egg
This story is considered the “Hindu myth of creation”; and was originally written in Sanskrit. It presents us with the ideology of the cosmos presented in the form of an egg. This cosmic egg was called “Hiranyagarbha”, which means “golden womb”. It was believed that the universe came from it, and that Prayapati (God Brahma) comes from it.
One day Hiranyagarbha split in two, one part became gold and the other part became silver. The shell that became gold represents the sky; and the silver shell represents the earth. The membranes covering the outside represented mountains and rivers, also the ocean; and from there the sun was born.
Sacred texts of Hindu mythology
The Vedas
These are the so-called “canonical books of revelation”; they are part of the oral tradition of Hindu mythology. They were first transmitted orally until they were written down in 800 B.C.E.
They are considered as the true books of revelations; and the rest of the sacred texts of Hinduism are derived from the vedas. They are classified into four types of texts:
- The Rigveda: contains the prayers and forms of devotion to be offered to the divinities, epic songs, mythology and worship.
- The Samaveda: contains only melodies.
- The Yajurveda: contains the priestly rites, ceremonies and ritual formulas, mantras and all that is contained in its esotericism.
- The Atharvaveda: contains all the information for exorcisms and magical rituals.
Brahmanas
Its composition dates back to the end of the second millennium B.C.E.; its content is mainly about adorations to the deities and contains the rituals of sacrifice. The most common of them is the “Aitareia-Brahmana”.
Araniakas
Meaning “of the forest”, the book consists of commentaries on the Vedic books. They were composed by ascetics or also called hermits. The most recognized of these is the “Taitirlia-araniaka”.
Upanishad
They are considered as the most important Brahmanic literary work; because they symbolize and describe the end of the Vedic religion and the beginning of the Hindu religion.
Their composition began in the 7th century B.C.E.; the content of these texts is far from ritualism. They contain secret doctrines, as well as are filled with many mystical and metaphysical thoughts.
how does Hindu mythology influence today?
The influence of Hindu mythology on daily life is very noticeable. This fact can be observed in the names of the planets and even in the different existing life forms.
Hindu mythology has become over the years more than a religion in traditions. At present it could be said that it is a polytheistic culture, due to the belief in a great diversity of gods.
Conclusion
Hindu mythology is arguably one of the most complex in the world. It encloses a set of beliefs and myths originating in India described in its sacred texts vedas and puranas.
These texts describe mystical stories of their different gods and characters that greatly influenced the culture of the region of India; where each story contains a hidden message about human values and ethics. However, for Hindus, their customs are totally different from their mythology. This mythology is very rich and has the facility to captivate you.
