Greek and Hindu Religion

[Guest guest]

Dear Mazur,

 

I am afraid your question is not clear. But, I am presuming that you have

asked the comparison between Gods in Ancient Greek Mythology and Indian

Mythology. Indian Mythology is a vast subject. Nevertheless, we can find

some similarities with Greek Mythology. I am writing down the similarities

I found. I would be glad to see if there are any corrections.

 

Greek:

====

According to Ancient Greek mythology there were 12 prominent Gods, who used

to live in Mount Olympus. Besides, there were many other Demigods. These

Gods used to have very nice life there. They used to drink Fruit Nectar and

Ambrosia (fruit). Their worshipers (humans) used to sacrifice animals

(sheep) in order to please them. The father of all the Gods is called Dias

or Zeus. He had many children and he was married to Hera. He also had many

girl friends and children born through them. Many of the names of the

planets that we have today have come from the Ancient Greek Mythology.

 

Indian:

====

Indian Mythological Gods live on Mount Meru. They also drink Nectar. Their

worshipers used to sacrifice animals in order to please them. The

father/mother of all Gods is called Vishnu/ Siva/ Shakti/ Ganapati /

KumaraSwamy / Soorya (Sun). These are the six schools of thought

(shaNmata). We have 18 (6 x 3) epics (puranas). i.e. Each set of three

epics support the idea of each of these Six Gods as the father/mother of

Gods.

 

We have 33 crores of Gods. Because, for Indians everyone is a God. It was a

very good socialist system that we used to have. Please see:

 

dEvAn bhAvayatAnEna tE dEvA bhAvayaMtuvaH

parasparaM bhAvayaMtaH sEyaH paramavApsyadhA || (bhagawadgita 3.11)

 

Because humans are socially dependent on each other, everyone is a God for

hindus. 33 crores was the known population in those days. Now, it should be

equal to the world population.

 

As per my understanding, here is a list of few that we have common in

Indian and Greek Mythologies:

===============================================================

1)

Greek: Zeus = Father of Gods. God of Hospitality. Planet Gupitor is named

after him.

 

Indian: Siva = Father of Gods. God of Hospitality

===============================================================

 

2)

Greek: Plutonas = God of underground. Planet Pluto is named after him.

 

Indian: Bali = God of underground (PAtALa)

===============================================================

 

3.

Greek: Estia = Goddess of the family and the house. Estia means House in

Ancient Greek.

 

Indian: Annapurna = Goddess of family and the house.

 

===============================================================

4)

Greek: Dimitra = Goddess of Agriculture. She got a daughter called

"Persefoni", who was kidnapped by Pluto. He abducted her to the underground.

Later Pluto marries her. Dimitra feels very sad and this is the reason why

we have 4 seasons. When ever "Persefoni" visits her mother it is Summer and

Spring seasons. When ever she goes back it is Autumn and winter seasons.

 

Indian: Bhoodevi (Earth) is the Goddess of Agriculture. She got a daughter

named "Sita", who was kidnapped by Ravana. Ravana abducted her to Lanka.

Sita is married to Rama, who kills Ravana. Bhoodevi gets in to arguments

with the Sun God because of which she gets terrible mood swings and that is

why we have four seasons.

===============================================================

5.

Greek: "Posidon" = The God of water. His weapon is a Trident. He has a Son

called Apollo. Apollo is very handsome and he is the God of Light and Music.

 

Indian: "Varuna"= The God of water. One of his weapons is Trident, which he

borrowed from Lord Siva.

 

===============================================================

6.

Greek: "Iphestos" = Son of God Zeus (the Father of Gods). He is disabled.

Because people didn't have fire and he gave fire to "Promitheas" who is a

human. For this reason Gods through him out of mount Olympus.

 

Indian: "Anura" = Born with the blessings of God Vishnu (the Father of

Gods). He is disabled. He is the brother of "Garuda". He is the

charioteer of the Sun God. He offers the fire (From the Sun God) to the

humans. Other Gods are jealous of him and they through him from Mount Meru.

 

===============================================================

7.

Greek: "Hermes" = He has wings and he fly. He is the messenger of Gods.

There is also a planet on his name.

Indian: "Garuda" = He has wings and he fly. He is the messenger of Lord

Vishnu, besides being a vehicle to carry him.

===============================================================

 

8.

Greek: "Aphrodite" = Goddess of Love and Beauty. Her name means born from

the waves of the sea. She is born in Cyprus near Paphos. She was so

beautiful that the rest of the female Goddesses were very Jealous of her.

She wears a diamond belt. Because of this belt many people fall in love

with her.

 

Indian: "Rati" = Goddess of Love and Beauty (wife of Manmadha). She is born

out of the waves of the Milkey Ocean. She also wears a diamond belt.

===============================================================

 

Besides the above list, there are many other Gods/Goddess that we can find

common. Please do not hesitate to make any corrections/comments that you

may have.

 

Best Regards,

Madhava

 

>

> Vivekananda Centre [sMTP:vivekananda]

> Sunday, June 27, 1999 11:12 PM

> dt.mazur

> Re: Greek and Hindu Religion

>

> We have asked our members to reply to your question and we will get back

> to

> you.

>

> regards

> jay

> Vivekananda Centre London

>

>

>

> Tomasz Mazur <DT.MAZUR

> 'vivekananda' <vivekananda

> 27 June 1999 20:47

> Greek and Hindu Religion

>

>

> >Dear Sirs!

> >I'am very interested in comparision of the ancient Greek and Hindu

> Religion.

> >I'will be very gratefull for any informations

> >sincerely Yours

> >T. Mazur

> >