Death and Destruction in Hindu Mythology
HISTORY
Project 1
Death and Destruction in Hindu Mythology
Thomson Muriyadan
F.Y.B.M.M Div: A
Roll no. 38
If one's perception of mythology is that of mystical creatures, gods and demons and boons and curses, then Hindu mythology fits the bill perfectly. A glance at the introduction of any of the books written on the subject could make one dizzy at the sheer number of gods, demons and stories about the world it encompasses. The Hindu view with respect to birth, life and death is very diverse and the myths leave enough room for logical interpretation. An outsider (non-Hindu) would find these myths to be very nonsensical whereas the Hindus are taught from the younger age to interpret these myths in their own personal ways though they continue the accept the larger truth about them.
DEATH. Death has been one of the strongest reasons why man continues to follow a particular religion. Though one might say a person is always born into a religion and hence, is a believer by this virtue and also might disown religion at sometime of his life, there are a mighty few numbers who keep their stand on being an atheist till death. Death can be viewed as the ultimate truth of life and the most inevitable event in one's journey of life. No religion, accepted in considerable numbers, promises immortality of the body. But religion kicks in to console the believer the immortality of the soul. Many religions consider death to be an event where the soul is liberated from the body and is free of the problems and desires of this world. Every religion gives the faithful a different world view and puts the responsibility of one's death in the hands of one or more supernatural beings who form the basis of each religious theology. In Hinduism, death is not viewed as a great calamity at all. This is because of the prevalence of a concept called samsara (Sanskrit word meaning the bondage of life, death and rebirth). It is the cycle of birth and rebirth or metempsychosis
Project 1
Death and Destruction in Hindu Mythology
Thomson Muriyadan
F.Y.B.M.M Div: A
Roll no. 38
If one's perception of mythology is that of mystical creatures, gods and demons and boons and curses, then Hindu mythology fits the bill perfectly. A glance at the introduction of any of the books written on the subject could make one dizzy at the sheer number of gods, demons and stories about the world it encompasses. The Hindu view with respect to birth, life and death is very diverse and the myths leave enough room for logical interpretation. An outsider (non-Hindu) would find these myths to be very nonsensical whereas the Hindus are taught from the younger age to interpret these myths in their own personal ways though they continue the accept the larger truth about them.
DEATH. Death has been one of the strongest reasons why man continues to follow a particular religion. Though one might say a person is always born into a religion and hence, is a believer by this virtue and also might disown religion at sometime of his life, there are a mighty few numbers who keep their stand on being an atheist till death. Death can be viewed as the ultimate truth of life and the most inevitable event in one's journey of life. No religion, accepted in considerable numbers, promises immortality of the body. But religion kicks in to console the believer the immortality of the soul. Many religions consider death to be an event where the soul is liberated from the body and is free of the problems and desires of this world. Every religion gives the faithful a different world view and puts the responsibility of one's death in the hands of one or more supernatural beings who form the basis of each religious theology. In Hinduism, death is not viewed as a great calamity at all. This is because of the prevalence of a concept called samsara (Sanskrit word meaning the bondage of life, death and rebirth). It is the cycle of birth and rebirth or metempsychosis