12 Similarities between Hindu and Greek Mythology That Will Take You By Surprise

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 13:00

Mythology is the cradle of any civilisation that it is a part of, and represents the cultural moorings and traditional hallmarks of the tribe that was born in it. Almost all mythologies around the world have similar characters, from the category of celestials.

India and Greece are widely known for their rich civilizational and mythological backgrounds that are mostly similar with respect to the mythical characters that figure in their descriptions. Both Hellenic or Greek and Indian mythologies are the oldest known set of ancient evidence that are interconnected with each other in essence, with marked similarities. Let us see how Zeus or Dionysus of Greek Mythology compares with Indra or Shiva of Indian or Hindu Mythology and so on.

Hindu And Greek Mythology: Similarity Of Background

As per the research studies on ancient scriptures and the history of both civilisations, the Greeks and Sanatana dharma have an inseparable connection through their myths that dates back a very long time in history. Mention of Greeks is found in the Vedic Literature, Puranas, Tamil Sangam Literature and Tamil Epics as per which, Greeks have also been known to be co-dwelling with the Vedic Hindus from times of yore. The word "Yavana" that is used to distinguish the Greeks the mainstream Vedic Hindus has a distinct background that originates from the Bharath of Ancient times. As per the findings, the Greeks participated in the Kurukshetra War along with Duryodhana after consulting Karna. India and Greece's trade relationship and route is as old as 300 BC.

The Yavanas (in Indian literature) or Greeks, were treated as a part of Mlechcha, a name given to those who had deviated from the mainstream culture of Vedic Dharma. Therefore, there is a strong belief that everybody, including Greeks were following Sanatana Dharma. Greeks had a caste system ingrained in their culture that closely resembled Hinduism wherein most of them were found to be Kshatriyas or Vaishyas. A part of the epics says that Yavanas were the descendants of Turvasu, one of the cursed sons of King Yayati who had cursed his four sons except for the fifth son Puru whom he considered eligible for kingship so that his lineage could continue. Pauravas or sons of Puru ruled the Yayatis empire from the plains of the Ganges, and later created the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms. They followed the Vedic culture thoroughly.

Yavanas who were Kshatriyas, later on, by giving up the brahminical culture, became mleccha-yavanas. Mahabharata carries the descriptions for the Yavana clan in its Adi Parva 85.34. Turvasu's country was conquered by Sahadeva, the Pandava prince. So, the Yavana joined hands with Duryodhana and fought for the Kauravas upon the request of Karna. In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.4.18 it is predicted that the Yavanas would invade India one day in the Kaliyuga. The prediction was proved true in 326 BC.

1. Similarities between Sharvara and Cerberus

Sharvara is a famous mythical hound from hell whose owner is Lord Yama. The Greek counterpart to this is the Cerberus that accompanied Hades, both of which guard the gates of the netherworld.

2. Similarities between Sita and Persephone

While Sita was abducted by Ravana, Persephone was carried away by Hades. It was carried out against their will. They also merge into mother earth under different contexts.

3. Similarities between Kamadeva and Cupid

Kamadeva and Cupid are known by different names but they function in the same way. Both shoot arrows into the hearts of people to make them fall in love.

4. Similarities between Mount Kailasha and Mount Olympus

While Olympus is the mountain that is a celestial abode for 12 Greek gods, Kailasha, the home of Shiva, is extolled as a primordial pillar that the world is based on. Both exist even in today's times.

5. Similarities between Karna and Achilles

Zeus and Indra, the most skilled warriors of their times, are strikingly similar with respect to their impenetrable armour that made them indomitable. Both were demigods and were requested by their mothers not to participate in the ensuing war. With the death of these two warriors the great war saw an end.

6. Similarities in the concept of Holy Trinity

The concept of the Holy trinity is the same to both traditions. We have Gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar who are a part of the holy trinity, Similarly Greek mythology has Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon who respectively rule the heavens, whereas the underworld rules the seas.

7. Similarities between Yama and Hades

Hades and Yama, although are lords of the netherworld, are not seen as evil Gods. Their job is to just assign a person based on his accumulated virtues or vices, his place in heaven or hell.

8. Similarities between Saptarishis and Seven Sisters

Saptarshis are the seven Rishis who accompany God in the great deluge and its aftermath. They are capable of stopping Lord Sun in his tracks. Greek mythology talks about seven sisters namely Pleiades who are also a cluster of stars just like the Saptarishis.

9. Similarities Between Jatayu And Sampati , Icarus And Daedalus

The Icarus and Daedalus story finds a parallel in Indian Mythology that describes the story of Jatayu and Sampati. Once upon a time, when they both flew in the sky, Jatayu, got close to the sun, to protect whom, sampati covered Jatayu with his wings, but his wings, due to getting close to the Sun, were burnt and he fell on to the ground. Greek God Icarus has a similar story.

10. Similarities Between Narada and Hermes

Both of them are messengers of gods in Indian and Greek Mythology. Being cunning and scheming in their character, they share similar parentage as both were born to powerful gods. They were known to be tricking and misleading people with their verbal being tricky and misleading people with their usage of words.

11. Similarities Between Krishna and Heracles

As per the Greek ambassador Megasthenes, Lord Krishna is thought to be similar to the demi God of Greeks, that is Heracles. The word Heracles comes from ‘Hari-kula-es' which means the clan of Hari. This connects to the clan of Krishna as Krishna is an avatar of Hari. The incident of Lord Krishna fighting with the serpent Kaliya can be likened to Heracles fighting the many headed serpent called Hydra.

12. Similarities Between Indra and Zeus

There is a close resemblance between these two commanders in chiefs of the celestial army. They possessed the same weapon and live on mountains; Indra on Meru, and Zeus on Olympus. Both of them share similar personality traits.

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