Skip to main content

Coincidence?

Myths are regarded as stories that may or may not be true. Myths are often regarded as History without evidence. Sometimes Mythology is treated as religious texts or moral stories. Myths that however have historical evidence are termed "Itihash"

The famous city of Troy is an example of Mythology culminating in History. Everyone regarded Homer's Iliad and Odyssey as mere mythical stories. The discovery of the archaeological sites of Troy exactly resembling the original stories proved the Trojan War to be historical rather than mythical. I believe every myth has a historical source. Stories across the world cannot have the same versions everywhere if they are just made up for entertainment purposes.

  • Creation:

God created the world.

In the Biblical Psalm 104, The Bhagavat Gita and  Hymns to Aten written by Akhenaten it is mentioned that it is 
He alone who made the Earth according to His will." 
Every myth talks of the creation of the world. A generalised version is there and I am putting it forward as a short story.


Life first formed in water. There were fish-like creatures God created. Then came the amphibians and then the terrestrial plants and animals. This is a representation of the actual scientific analysis of how life came into being from water in the form of unicellular animals. Evolution happened from Invertebrates to fishes, amphibians, and so on till Humans.

  • The First Humans:

Most myths refer to a man and a woman as the first humans on earth. Izanagi and Izanami in Japanese Myths and Adam and Eve in Biblical versions are described as the first man and woman. In Hindu Mythology, the first source of life is Adi Shakti, the symbol of Feminity and nature merged, and from her emerged the trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Human Life came from Brahma's son, Manu. All these stories are meant to establish the fact that all humans are related to one another.

  • The Gods and Kings:

Jupiter Smyrna Louvre Ma13.jpg
Zeus
Strangely, more than one form of mythology refers to a God-King who is the God of thunder, lightning, rain or storm. This proves agriculture is the primary source of life and its dependence on rain. He is Indra in India, Baal in Ugarit Myths of North Syria, So in Benin myths of West Africa, and Zeus in Greek Mythology. Most of these gods are portrayed as arrogant, Lusty or insecure about their position. Yet he is a valiant warrior leading the army of gods against many demons. The significance of a king figure shows that society was a monarchial one.

The God of Death is described in Indian and Egyptian myths as the first person who died on Earth. In India he is also related to Yamuna, his sister, the water goddess. In Ugarit myth, the water god is Yamm much similar to Yaam of Hindu mythology. In Ugarit, he is the brother of Baal and in Hindu Mythology, he is the cousin. There is also a similar description of a war between the thunder god and the god of death over kingship in both mythologies. Some cultures have a Goddess of Death like Mot in Egypt.

The Sun god is the second primary god in every myth. He is often described as the creator god in Egyptian myths. The Amun-Ra and Aten are described as the sun god and the sun himself. Surya in Hinduism is the god and Father to many Valiant warriors. Jupiter in Greek mythology is the leader of the council of gods and is the source of all energies. This signifies that the sun is the source of energy and creates life.

Kali by Raja Ravi Varma.jpg
Kali
 The people in many myths are related to the Sun and Moon clans. The Incas worshiped the sun as their forefather. They believed that they are children of the sun. In India also there are kings from the Surya Vansh and Chandra Vansh according to their rules and principles. This trend is prevalent in many other cultures of the ancient world.
 
The Egyptians worshipped their Pharaohs as Gods. This signifies the fact that Kings or people of supreme power were worshipped by the commoners. Thus gods in temporary cultures were kings and significant people of the court. It is also a common description that gods live atop mountains. Even in medieval times palaces and forts were built atop cliffs and plateaus. This is so that the palace guards could see the whole city up to its walls due to security reasons.

Anubis standing.svg
Anubis
The Goddess of war in various cultures is described as a fierce warrior angry and ambitious in many cultures. She also has another form or avatar as the goddess of love and fertility. This dual quality in a female deity shows the fact that the women are tolerant and loving and producer of life. But when required there is a violent destructive side of her to protect herself and her children. In Ugarit Myths, Anath the goddess of war is the sister of the King. She invited her enemies to her palace, Killed them and bathed in their Blood. She wore their heads as a garland. This is similar to the incident in Hinduism where Kali the goddess kills Raktabij and wears the heads of villagers she slaughters.

Half-human and half-animal deities are other common things in every myth. The Greeks, the Egyptians and the Indians had deities who are half human and half animal as well as those who are of animal forms but can talk like humans. The Anubis is half jackal and half-human, the Spinx is Lion bodied with human heads, and the goddess of fertility has cow ears in Egyptian MythsNu was a snake god with a female head and snake body in Chinese Mythology. The Garuda is a Human Bird in India and ancient Indonesia. He is the ride of Vishnu the supreme god. In Ramayana, some monkeys and birds can talk and act like humans. Raven is an Eagle who has human brains in American myths much like Jatayu in Ramayana.

  • The Great Flood:

NoahsSacrifice.JPG
Noah
Every major myth in the world describes a huge flood. Before the beginning of civilization, God appeared in the dream of a man and told him to build a ship and take a couple of each animal with him on it to save them from the flood and hence save life on earth. In Mesopotamia, this man is UtnapishtimNoah in the Bible and Manu in Vishnu Purana. Vishnu is described to have taken the form of Matsya or fish to help Manu save a life. Manu is thus regarded as the father of mankind. Also, there is proof of such a flood that changed the maps on Earth from the time Dinosaurs roamed the lands millions of years ago. Maybe these myths refer to such an incident from the Ice Age.

  • Conclusions:

The Myths occurring all over the world must have a true source. Stories formed on different ends of the world at that time can not be so similar until and unless it's from one true incident. There must be some truth to these stories with a few things changing over time in the different versions of the same incident. All epics are considered as history by their writers and the places referred to in each are true. Historical ruins of old cities from 4000 5000 years ago prove that civilization, metallurgy and weapons were very advanced in those days. Hence mythology is nothing but history from a long time ago.
Temple founded by Karna at Hastinapur

Popular posts from this blog

Jauhar: All You Need to Know

ā€œWe have no Knowledge of the beginning and end of the world, the first and last of this ancient book has fallen outā€  Abu Talib Karim Rightly said by the poet laureate of Emperor Shah Jahan above, we do not actually know the beginning and end of anything in the universe, be it the traditions, culture or human race, or the world. What we know are fragments of the past we extract out of evidence. It is in vain to try and determine the first and last of something. For the past few months owing to some media hype on Jauhar, many of you had asked me questions. I tried to answer most of them. However, a lot remained unsaid and unwritten. Mostly because some things are impossible to put into words. But here I try my best. Today is a very significant day in history. On the 23 rd  of February 1568, the world saw the last ā€œJauharā€ of Chittorgarh, recorded in the medieval history of India. Akbar had invaded Mewar and the siege of four months ended in the Saka. There was no better day for...

The Queen of Mewar

There have been many versions, folktales and local stories in Rajputana on their Kings and Queens. None of these versions is, however, historical as history only mentions her as wife to Maharana Pratap, his consort and Queen Mother to Amar Singh.    She was busy making a garland when Ratnawati rushed inside, hardly able to breathe. Concerned, the elder sister stopped her work and looked at her panting young sibling. " What is it? What's wrong?"  "Jija maa sa is not letting me go to the haat mela alone. Please come with me, I need to buy some bangles." The spoiled younger one pleaded.  " Wait, let me do my aarti first, then we can go."  The reluctant Ratnawati sat down impatiently.   In another room, their mother was helping their father get ready for the day. He was the Samant of Bijolia, the representative of the Rana of Mewar. Throughout the day he had to deal with administrative problems in Bijolia and give people justice, but today he had something...

The Queen Mother of Mewar

  Let me start by saying, this is a representation of history and folklore in my own words, trying to show how great a soul this lady was. And let me start with a line here. ā€œNaari Ki Balidaano Ko Sadev Bhulta Aya hai Itihas.ā€  Yes, most women lay forgotten in the pages of history, only alive through the folklore and local tales that fail to reach the pages of books due to a lack of historical evidence. Their names donā€™t remain, but their haunting hand prints on the fort walls before Jauhar, their names on inscriptions as daughter, wife and mother, often make us wonder, who were they, how were they and how were their lives! Historically, the only thing we know about Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, princess of Jallore and queen of Mewar is that she was the first queen of Rana Udai Singh II, the mother of most probably her only son Maharana Pratap and daughter of ally of Rana Sanga, Akshay Raj of Jallore. Apart from that her entire life has no historical existence and is spun on ...

The Princess of Marwar

Historically we know nothing about Phool Bai Rathore except that she was the daughter of Ram Singh Rathore, granddaughter of Raja Maldeo Rathore and fifth wife of Maharana Pratap. There is no historical evidence of Akbar's alliance with her in particular however Maldeo did give his granddaughters in a marriage alliance with Mughals and other major dynasties. Phool Kanwar's cousin Maanwati Bai (Better known as Jodha Bai or Jagat Gossain) married Salim, Akbar's son and later emperor Jahangir. The Princess was in her chambers. The Mehrgarh Fort was in a quiet dark state and everyone feared what lay ahead. The men of the Rathore clan had gone to ally with the Mughal emperor Akbar. Rao Maldeo had decided that it was the only way to save Marwar's future. His second son Udai and youngest one Chandrasen supported his decision to save the country. But his heir and firstborn Ram Singh Rathore was a rebel. He was not going to bow down before the Mughals and lose his dignity. A...

Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love.  ā¤ļø Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to re...

The Warrior Bride

Kelwa/Kailwa is a small village situated around two hours away from Chittorgarh and an hour from Lake Pichola. It was mainly inhabited by the Rathores and ruled by the Chundawat clan, who were once the rulers of Mewar. One chief of Kelwa, was Rawat Sihaji Singh Chundawat. He was a very close ally of Rana Sanga. His son Jaga Singhji too died fighting for Rana Udai Singhji in one war with the Afghans in 1555 AD. Kelwaā€™s heir was the minor child of Jaga Singhji and his widow Sajjan Bai Songara Chauhan. Being from the clan of the Chauhan Rajputs, she was a warrior at heart. From the early age of about four, her only son was brought up under his uncle Naga Singhji, to fight for his motherland and serve it like all other Mewaris. Fatta (Patta), as fondly called by everyone was a deft warrior even before he reached his teens. His name and bravery spread across the land, to Rana Udai Singhā€™s ears in Chittorgarh. He was also the nephew to Ranajiā€™s close aide Rawat Chundawatji. Upon the order of...

Teeja Saka Chittor Ra

 23rd February 1568.   The sun rose on the eastern horizon, not with the hope of a new day. But, with the horror of what was to follow. The first rays of the Sun God were met by the chants of ā€œJai Bhavani!ā€ that echoed in the air of Chittorgarh. The Mewaris knew it was time. Four months back, when the Mughals camped at the base of the fort, a helpless Chittorgarh had watched. Rana Udai Singh had left with his closest aides to make the new city westwards, his capital. If rumours were to be believed, he had left behind a cavalry of 8000 soldiers, under Rao Jaimal of Merta and Rawat Patta of Kelwa to look over the fort. He had also left behind some of his lesser queens and infant princes, as an assurance to the people that Chittorgarh was invincible. Their safety and hope had lived in Kunwar Pratap. Truth be said, they had already taken the crown Prince as their King. Ever since Ranisa had left with him till he became the Senapati, he had time and again proved to be a better lead...

The Navroz Incident

  This popular folklore has been recreated from Col, James Todd's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Names I have added, from my own historical research. This one is especially for Garima to thank her for the books and love! Yet another Veer Gatha from the dessert! Ps. This is folklore with no evidence of history, please remember that Bikaner, lying in the western part of the Thar, was a small yet independent state ruled by a clan of Marwari Rathores until Raja Kalyanmal surrendered to Akbar's Rajput Policies in 1571. His fourth son Prithviraj Rathore, being a great warrior and poet was respected as one of the "Nine Gems" in Emperor Akbar's court. Prithviraj, was the son of Kalyanmal's first wife and queen Rani Songaribai Rainawati, a cousin of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai of Mewar. Hence he was cousin to the valiant Pratap Singh of Mewar. He was also married to one of  Rana Udai Singh of Mewar's daughters from his other wives, sister to Kunwar Pratap, Baisa Ja...

Charumati's Love

  T his is written based on folklore. This is a representative work of fiction and not claiming any historical happening in the conversations. This is to show the spirit of the women of Rajputana. The year 1657.  Shah Jahan had taken ill and was rumoured to be dying in Agra Fort. He was about eighty and the pressure of having an empire had taken a toll on his body. The seat of power was slowly shifting from Agra to Delhi since the prominence of the Laal Quila had increased and if the news spread was to be believed his sons were in a battle for the throne already. It was time each king chose sides once again. Dara Sikhoh was the eldest and the righteous Heir to the throne. He was believed to be a man who held high morals and was hence respected by the enemies and alliances as well. Aurangzeb was his sibling and the youngest of the brothers. Short tempered and cunning he was always dreaded by the court. As Shah Jahan took ill, Aurangzeb took this as a golden opportunity to wage ...

Symphony of Love

  A week was enough for the master to be pleased enough with the new student to tell the Sultan that she was ready for her first performance. The Sultan was extremely pleased and rewarded him with a gold chain. As the master bowed to leave, the guards announced the arrival of the chief queen. Sultan Baz Bahadur sat upright. She was his first bride, a childhood alliance his father had forced upon him when he did not even know what marriages implied. Now he only saw her face when she had complaints about the inner palace and its inhabitants. Honestly, he expected her there since Roopmati arrived. His queen did not like changes especially if those changes were threatening to her position. The Chief Queen arrived with her maids, dismissed them at the threshold and came up to her husband to bow and greet him. ā€œWhat brings you here?ā€ Baz Bahadur asked, with a lingering smile on his lips. The queen could hear the hint of taunt in his voice. She forced a smile. Her marriage to this reckles...