Part I: MYTHS- Section 1-Introductio 1 of 4

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

I am presenting Part I of "Myths, Miracles and Mysticism" - which deals

with Myths. Section 1 Introduction is covered in 4 posts. This is 1 of

4. After going through all the posts on the subject, you may put in your

queries because some of your concerns will find answers in the

subsequent postings.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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PART 1 : MYTHS

SECTION 1 : Introduction

 

A 'Myth' is a traditional or legendary fiction, a fabulous narrative

founded on some event during the early existence of a people and

embodying their ideas as to their own origin, their gods, their heroes

and their cultural practices. A collection of such myths is called

'Myhology'.

 

In the West,the word 'myth' has been taken to mean that the narrations

are not factual but fictitious, not real but imaginary.There is a

considerable difference on the impact of mythology on the minds of

Indians and the Westerners. The Indian would seem to accept mythology

more readily without questioning - being highly imaginative and

credulous. The Westerner, on the other hand, being obsessed with

historical perspectives and scientific research mindset seem to be

inclined to skepticism and disbelief unless the contrary is proved. The

Indian mind tends to be swayed by the shroud of mythology than by the

surrounding facts. The Westerner tends to indulge in shredding,

vivisecting and discarding mythology in search for proofs so much as to

miss the very charm and purpose of mythology.

 

But, mythology has been an integral part of all religions the world

over. Religion dates back to several millions of years before history

began. History dare not peep into such hoary past and has, therefore,

consigned it to the incomprehensible heap called 'mythology'. The

concepts which mythology deals with are much older than anything history

or science can think of. History and Science will be powerless beyond a

certain point where only intuition and spiritual experience can have any

significance.

 

" Mythology and holy figures are necessary for any great culture to rest

on its stable spiritual foundation and function as a life-giving

inspiration and guide" 1

 

Mythology helps to put us in consonance with nature. Mythology helps in

relating the microcosm of the individual to the larger macrocosm of the

Universal spirit. Mythology sheds light on the Universal Consciousness

that reveals itself to the mind and not to the senses.

 

" Mythology is not a lie. Mythology is poetry. It has been well said

that mythology is the penultimate truth - penultimate because the

ultimate cannot be put in words. It is beyond words, beyond images,

beyond that bounding rim of the Buddhist 'Wheel of existence'. Mythology

pitches the mind beyond that rim, to what can be known but not told. So,

this is the penultimate truth...Thinking in mythological terms helps to

put you in accord with the inevitables of this vale of tears. You learn

to recognize the positive values in what appear to be negative moments

and aspects in your life"- 2

 

Also, what is truth has to be understood. The truth of the matter is

that there is no such thing as ' the absolute truth, the whole truth and

nothing but the truth' as they swear on oath in the court rooms. Sage

Tiruvalluvar defines truth as that which does not cause harm. Truth does

get qualified qualitatively according to circumstances. Myth combines

truth as we understand it ( but do not practice!) and truth as defined

above since its aim is not only not causing harm but also positively

ennobling character.

 

What fascinates kids and adults alike is a happy blend of fact and

fiction. Children all over the World are allured by characters appearing

in Aesoph's fables, Canturbury tales, Arabian nights, Walt Disney's

creations etc. Characters such as those of James Bond, Sherlock Holmes,

Perry Mason, Matlock etc. conjure up the imagination of 'grown ups'.

This is because the former are 'kidstuff' myths. For, the grown ups, '

ambition is made of sterner stuff '.

 

One thing in common, however, is the message of facts that these

fictions convey. We live in a celluloid world where the scenes depicted

on the screen (from 70 mm to the TV) seem so real as to leave an

indelible impression on the minds and psyche of the viewers. That these

images mold attitudes, behaviors and even character especially of the

impressionable segments of the viewers cannot be gainsaid. It is all the

more necessary for those responsible for their production to take care

that they convey the right kind of message which can chasten the mind

and not transmit the wrong kind of signals that debase and deprave

character.

 

Perhaps due to the cultural chasms that separate countries and nations,

stories such as the antics of Don Quixote. the travels of Gulliver, the

exploits of the knights of the round table in Morte D' Arthur, tha

sorrows of Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost, the perigrinations of Alice

in wonderland etc that fire the imagination of the West may not carry

the same amount of interest in others. Similarly, the allusions in the

Upanishads, the legends in the Puranas, the anecdotes in the Itihasas

relating to Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, Bhishma, Arjuna, Nalayani, Sita and

a host of such heroes and heroines in our scriptures have a special

significance to the Indian ethos which the Western mind cannot grasp or

grasp with as much vigor.

 

For the Indian mind, these heroes and heroines are not mere 'dramatis

personae', the events are not mere allegories unlike in the case of

Aesoph's fables etc. The characters in the Hindu pantheon throb with

vitality of real life. It is hard to find a parallel anywhere in the

history of world literature of such a vivid portrayal

(except perhaps in depictions in Greek and Roman mythology). Under the

panoramic canopy of Itihasas and Puranas, a vibrant array of

personalities march past but each one is a unique and immortal

figure,living in the very consciousness of the Indian multitude from the

Pre-historic through the Proto-historic to the present contemporary

scenario.

 

To millions of Indians down the ages and all over the world, Ramayana

and Mahabharata are not mere tales. They have more truth and meaning in

them than the events in their own lives. As plants grow drawing

sustenance from Sunlight, so the people of India draw mental strength

and culture by the enlivening inspiration of the epics. Meanings of some

lessons are patent; In others, they may be latent. A reverential

approach and a rational unbiassed reflection would reveal the

intellectual fare and invaluable morals hidden in them.

(Continued)