6 similarities between Greek and Hindu mythology - Topcount 16 http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Haides.html Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, who is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. The terms and epithets for deity within the diverse traditions of Hinduism vary, and include Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Bhagavan and Bhagavathi. 10 strange similarity between Hindu and Greek's religious - Detechter Although the name Hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by British writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium bce or possibly . Just as philosophers were routinely represented in statues (but certainly not on coins) in Antiquity, the image of the Buddha would naturally have occurred on statuary only. In Hindu mythology, Kaliya was the name of a poisonous snake or naga living in the Yamuna river near Vrindavan. Although the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and Northern Asia is usually associated with the Kushans, a century or two later, there is a possibility that it may have been introduced in those areas from Gandhara "even earlier, during the time of Demetrius and Menander" (Puri, "Buddhism in Central Asia"). Many of us lead busy and stressful lives trying to balance work, family, and other commitments. The Hindu Trimurti consists of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. The Greek God of love is often depicted in the pictures or statues as a young, handsome male with wings. 2023 Times Internet Limited. 8 Incredible Similarities between Hindu and Greek Mythology Srimad Bhagwad-Gita says the final verses! It has always been the prime function of mythology and rite to supply the symbols that carry the human spirit forward. 14 http://www.koausa.org/Gods/God10.html This page is not available in other languages. But there were also quite afew who went east including a group we know were called the Aryans who settled in India and Iran. The anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha is totally absent from Indo-Greek coinage. There was 10 Homeric Hymns, http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomericHymns1.html Quite an informative post, Kishor! In addition to the worship of the Classical pantheon of the Greek deities found on their coins (e.g., Zeus, Herakles, Athena, Apollo), the Indo-Greeks were involved with local faiths, particularly with Buddhism, but also with Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Their origin is same, the names were simply changed since Romans disliked Greeks. In striking similarity in Greek mythology, Hera sent two serpents to kill baby Hercules as he lay in his cot. The field of Hindu mythology, and indeed Indian publishing itself, is male-dominated. The Relationships between Greek Gods and natural ladies are rough as kidnapping, enchantment, and assault. Saraswati on the other hand is the Indian goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, music and arts 14. Greek gods reside on Mount Olympus, while Hindu gods inhabit various celestial realms. While our very own Karn is a skilled . These seven sages are said to be those who made the Sun rise and shine. Hinduism has its three Supreme Gods - Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Protector and Shiva, the Destroyer. Putna tried to breastfeed him by poisonous breasts, but was killed by Krishna. 10 Fascinating Parallels between Greek and Indian Mythology 23 http://creative.sulekha.com/birth-of-bhishma-story-from-mahabharata_67978_blog June 15, 2015. Kailasha, the home of Shiva, isdescribed asone of the pillars of the world. 12 Similarities between Hindu and Greek Mythology That Will Take You By They did extraordinary things, frequently with the assistance of Greek gods. He spent a great deal of time, trying to win their affection. 7 http://bibhudev.blogspot.in/2014/03/hercules-and-balarama-symbolic-and.html Some Buddhist inscriptions also mention the name of Menander, suggesting intense Buddhist activity under his sponsorship: "On the 14th day of Krrtika, in the reign of Mahrja Minadra, (in the year), (the corporeal relic of the Buddha), which is endowed with life has been established. Lastly, the Indo-Greeks did at the beginning represent Indian (Hindu) deities on their coins (coins of Agathocles c. 180 BCE), but this happened only once, and the experiment was never repeated again by any king. She is the one who is considered as blessing all cultural and artistic fields. Going to the beach can be a fantastic way to relax and unwind. Correspondingly when Lord Shiv seemed stripped before the spouses of certain sages, they reviled Shiv to such an extent that he lost his genital. It is essential to improve your grip for better health & well-being. Poseidon is the name of the Greek god of the ocean, and in both cultures, they protect sea life. Greek mythology has a pantheon of 12 main gods, while Hinduism has a trinity of three principal deities. Both of them slay a sea-monster: Indras opponent is the serpent Vritra; Zeus fights andvanquishes Typhon. 9/38 9 4. 2 http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hmvp/hmvp32.htm Quoted in "Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythian and Indo-Parthian coins", Bopearachchi, p.19. Kleisobora and Jobares may correspond to Krishna Pura and Yamuna respectively. All rights reserved, Hindu And Greek Mythology: How Similar They Are, REMEMBERING SATYAJIT RAY ON HIS JAYANTI: HAIKU INSPIRED BY WORKS AND WISDOM, MICRO-POEMS IN HINDI ON LET GO, LET LIVE, PURE MIND, UNDERSTAND WHAT-IS BEFORE TREADING THE PATH TOWARD WHAT-OUGHT-TO-BE OR THE TRUTH: HAIKU AND QUOTE, pravrttim ca nivrttim ca karyakarye bhayabhaye, HINDI MICRO-POEMS ON BEING MEDIUM, VIRTUOUS AND EQUANIMOUS. The roots of these cultures go back very far. Both of their mothers were river goddesses while father were kingsRiver goddess Thetis and King Peleus22 of Achilles and River Ganga and King Shantanu of Bhishma23. They are both god of gods, have the same weapons - the thunderbolt - and also both reside on mountains. Next interesting thing is that Hades is also called as Pluto20, especially by the Romans, which is also the name of a planet. Uplifting stories, positive impact, and updates delivered straight into your inbox. Menander I, the "Saviour king", is documented to have converted to Buddhism, and is described in Buddhist texts as a great benefactor of the religion. The first known statues of the Buddha are also very realistic and Hellenistic in style and are more consistent with the pre-50 BCE artistic level seen on coins. He is prayed to on Thursdays. Hindu deities - Wikipedia Are Hindu Gods more powerful than Greek Gods? 1. The king of heavens, according to Hindu mythology is Indra or Devendra. Thank you! Both the religions have a messenger of gods who is shrewd and cunning and can mislead people by their words. In Hindu context, the dragon was known as Vritra while in Greek context it is Typhon. Hinduism Gods Vs Greek Gods; Hinduism Gods Vs Greek Gods. 193 Words 1 Page. When she was about to dip Bhisma, Shantanu stopped her from doing so. Such datation, as well as the general Hellenistic style and attitude of the Buddha on the Bimaran casket (Hellenistic treatment of the dress, contrapposto attitude) would make it a possible Indo-Greek work, used in dedications by Indo-Scythians right after the end of Indo-Greek rule in the area of Gandhara. Zeus: Sky/climate, Hades: The hidden world, Poseidon: Sea, Aquatics, etc, Brahman- surprisingly creature. Also, after the reign of Menander I, several Indo-Greek rulers, such as Agathokleia, Amyntas, Nicias, Peukolaos, Hermaeus, Hippostratos, Menander II and Philoxenus depicted themselves or their Greek deities forming with the right hand a benediction gesture[11] identical to the Buddhist vitarka mudra (thumb and index joined together, with other fingers extended), which in Buddhism signifies the transmission of the Buddha's teaching. In Indian mythology Narada is considered as the first Indian postman/journalist/messenger. Learn how your comment data is processed. The table is ordered by the Greek god's name. 21 http://blog.matrabhasha.com/2012/08/name-of-planets-graho-ke-naam.html Rhea is the mother of Gods including prominent gods like Zeus and Poseidon and also the goddess of female fertility, motherhood and generation. Hindu anthropomorphic deities were never again represented in Indo-Greek coinage (although the bull on the vast quantity of subsequent coins may have symbolized Shiva, as the elephant may have symbolized Buddhism. Datation of Greco-Buddhist statues is generally uncertain, but they are at least firmly established from the 1st century CE. Hermes is also said to have invented astronomy and music among other skills. It is one of the oldest mythologies known. Different divine gods had their positions. The Hindus have a dedicated goddess of learning, and that is Ma Saraswati. The representation of the Buddha may also be connected to his progressive deification, which is usually associated with the spread of the Indian principle of Bhakti (personal devotion to a deity). Thats true, Alok. The Gods of Mount Olympus represents good while their antitheses are the Titans, representing evil. Hindu Gods vs Greek Gods. Zeus and Indra make another strikingly similar pair of Gods. The point of time when bhakti fervour would have encountered the Hellenistic artistic tradition would then be around 100 BCE. Felix Baumgartner: Free falling from space, Om Jai Jagdish Hare: Basic mantra for Hindu puja. - Quora Answer (1 of 6): In my opinion For contending with all the Greek gods I just need one Hindu god. The earliest known image of the Buddha with approximate indications on date is the Bimaran casket, which has been found buried with coins of the Indo-Scythian king Azes II (or possibly Azes I), indicating a 30-10 BCE date,[19] although this date is not undisputed. Mythology says her milk formed a smear across the sky that can be seen to this day and known as The Milky Way. Surya is also known by other names like Aditya or Bhanu. Battle of the Ancient Mythological Deities( Vedic Hindu vs Ancient I think that much of these similarities go back to common origins of the Greeks and Hindus to the Indo-Europeans or Aryans. The inscriptions were found on a vase inside a stupa, dated to the reign of Menander or one of his successors in the 1st century BCE (Tarn, p391): "The meridarch Theodorus has enshrined relics of Lord Shakyamuni, for the welfare of the mass of the people". "Great protector of the Dharma") is said to have come from Alasandra (thought to be Alexandria of the Caucasus, the city founded by Alexander the Great, near today's Kabul) with 30,000 monks for the foundation ceremony of the Maha Thupa ("Great stupa") built by king Dutthagamani at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka around 130 BCE, indicating the importance of Buddhism within Greek communities in northwestern India, and the prominent role Greek Buddhist monks played in them: "From Alasanda the city of the Yonas came the elder Yona Mahadhammarakkhita with thirty thousand bhikkhus.". She has worked in finance for about 25 years. The main difference is that Greek divine entities appear to live on the planet, which includes mountains. However, another version of the story says that Thetis dipped Achilles in River Styx to make him immortal24. bramhagodsgreekhinduindraramaShivavishnuVishwakarmaYama. They are known as the Olympians, namely-Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, and either Hestia or Dionysus. The association of the Indo-Greeks with the Bhagavata movement is documented in the inscription of the Heliodorus pillar, made during the reign of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas (r.c. Both the religion have the mention of the netherworld and there is a special dog that watches the gate of it. After battling the Titans, he administered the world with his family. An interesting fact is that in both these mythologies, both good and evil are fathered by the same person. They flew into the sky to become the cluster of stars that today has their name. India and Greece both have rich, ancient civilisations. During the reign of Menander, the Greek (Pali: Yona, lit: "Ionian") Buddhist monk Mahadhammarakkhita (Sanskrit: Mahadharmaraksita, lit. What is the main belief of Methodism, founded by John Wesley? In early religious texts, Indra plays a variety of roles. Later in his life Bhisma gained a blessing from his father (for giving up his claim to throne so that his step brothers can take up the throne) that he could only die when he wished to die26, thus making him invulnerable like Achilles was.