Hindu Mythology
Hindu Mythology
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In India a different worldview evolved over four thousand years, with the concepts responding to various sociocultural phenomena and transforming with the words of wise men to satisfy the needs of the local population
There are many famous myths in Indian mythology, here are a few examples:
- The Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of his wife, Sita, from the demon king, Ravana.
- The Mahabharata, which is one of the longest epic poems in the world and tells the story of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura.
- The story of Lord Vishnu taking the form of a fish to save the world from a great flood.
- The story of Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati, and their son, Lord Ganesha.
- The story of Lord Krishna, who is considered a supreme deity in Hinduism and is known for his wisdom and his role in the Mahabharata.
- The story of the Trimurti, which tells of the three main gods in Hinduism- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
- The story of creation according to Hindu mythology is also an important one, which explains how the world and all living beings came into being.
Hindu Mythology Legends
Hanuman, the monkey king and devoted servant
Ganapati, the Remover of Obstacles
Ganapati, more commonly known as Ganesha, is a revered deity in the Hindu pantheon, known as the Lord of Beginnings, the Remover of Obstacles, and the deity of intellect and wisdom.
Iconography and Attributes:
Shiva, the Destroyer
Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Shiva is known as "The Destroyer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and...
Avatars of Vishnu
- Satya Yuga: Kurma avatar, Matsya avatar, Varaha avatar, Narasimha avatar...
Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning
Agni, the fire god
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. She is the wife and shakti (energy) of Vishnu, one of the principal gods in Hinduism. She is also an important deity in Jainism and found in Jain temples.
Lakshmi is c...
Indra, the King of Heaven and lord of the gods
Rama
Rama is a major deity of Hinduism, and a central character in the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana. He is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu and is known as the perfect human being, an ideal son, husband, and king. He is one of the most p...
Surya, the sun
Brahma, the Creator
Krishna
Hindu Mythology Creatures
Vanara
Gandharva
Garuda
Kurma
Yaksha
Kinnara
Makara
Apsara
Nagas
Nandi
Asura
Kumbhakarna
Hindu Mythology in POP Culture
Mayabazar
An Epic Tale of Love and Magic
Mayabazar (1957) is a classic Indian fantasy film directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy. The film is based on the folk tale of Bhakta Prahlada and is set in the backdrop of a traditional village. It stars N.T. Rama Rao, A.N.R, Savitri, and S.V. Ranga Rao in the lead roles. The story revolves around Ghato...
Hindu Mythology Books
The Mahabharata
The Bhagavad Gita
The Ramayana
Hindu Mythology Facts
- Restore Youth - Serpents can renew their youth because they have rolled on grass stained by the elixir of immortality.
- Pentagram - The pentagram is the symbol of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, and Shukra, guru of demons, and is associated with Venus, wealth, fertility, creativity, and erotic power in Hindu astrology, but is considered the mark of the devil in Christianity.
- Yoginis - The yoginis of Hinduism, who are handmaidens of the Goddess and are wild erotic creatures, recall the witches coven of the Christian mythosphere.
- Symbol of Purity - The white clothes that represent virginity and purity in the Christian mythosphere are associated with spirituality and otherworldliness in the Hindu mythosphere; are restricted to monks, priests, and widows; and do not form part of household rituals.
- Demon - Demon in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm is Evil being who opposes God but in Hindu Paradigm Demon is a Being who lives under-ground in bejeweled cities, fights gods, and possess the secret of rejuvenation
- Scarlet Woman - The red clothes worn by Hindu brides are associated with "scarlet women" in Christianity
- Symbol of Virility - The goat, the symbol of virility that is sacrificed to the Hindu Goddess, is the symbol of the devil in the biblical worldview.
- Dark drinker of the blood - 'described in Western literature as the "dark drinker of blood" and is associated with witchcraft.
- Resurrection - A demon can die, but can also be resurrected because he possesses the secret of reviving the dead.
- The Serpent - The serpent, which is associated with earth's fertility and occult wisdom in Hinduism, is considered a manifestation of the devil in biblical traditions.
- Draupadi's marriage - Shiva was pleased with Draupadi's devotion and offered her any-thing she wanted. Draupadi wanted a husband with five qualities. "I want a husband who is noble, who is strong, who is a skilled warrior, who is handsome, and who is wise," she said. Shiva misunderstood her wish and said: "So be it. You will have five such husbands."
- Swastika - To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.