Hellenism and Hinduism

Hellenism and Hinduism

Both Hinduism and Hellenism are very ancient traditions. However, Hinduism still survives today, being the third largest followed religion in the world.

Similarities

Gods and Goddesses

The gods and goddesses of the two religions have many similarities, as they both derive from the Proto-Indo-European religion. For example, both Lord Indra and Zeus hold a lightning bolt as a weapon, sit atop a cloud and the day of the week, Thursday represents these particular gods. The cult of Mithras in Greece and Rome spread from Persia. Mitra is a sun-god in Indo-Iranian and Hellenistic traditions. He is not a true Hellenistic deity because his legend was not founded in the ancient Hellenistic world. Each god and goddess also has his/her own special attribute of cock (nature).

Mountainous Abode

In both, the gods and goddesses live on top of a mountain, in Hinduism, Mount Kailash (or Mount Meru) and in Hellenism, Mount Olympus.

Asuras and Titans

In both, the group of evil spirits opposed to the good gods are identified. They are Asuras in Hinduism and Titans in Hellenism.

Iconography

The Hindus use fire as a way of worshipping as did the ancient Greeks and Romans.

In Greek legends, Prommetheus brings down fire from heaven while in Hinduism (from the Rig Veda) [ P. 151 "The Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism" By Benjamin Walker ] it is Matarishvan whbo does likewise.

Differences

Monotheism

Although the two religions do have a pantheon of gods and goddesses, Hinduism is both pantheistic and monotheistic. Hinduism believes that all the gods are merely form of the One Brahman. Hinduism says, "The Universal Reality is the same, but different people can call it by different names" ("Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti.")

See also

* Hinduism
* Hellenism
* Ancient Greek Religion
* Greek mythology
* Hindu mythology
* Hindu deities
* List of Greek mythological characters
* Proto-Indo-European religion
* Indo-European mythology
* Indo-Greek
* Greco-Buddhism
* Indo-Scythians
* Timeline of Indo-Greek Kingdoms

References

External links

* [http://users.cyberone.com.au/myers/india.html Influence from Ancient India & Persia, on Ancient Greece & the Hellenistic Roman Empire]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0836413113 Hindu Influence on Greek Philosophy]

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