The parallels between Hindu and Greek mythology have been talked about a lot. The famous mythologist Joseph Campbell through his extensive research on comparative mythology says that the two ancient civilizations, Hellenic and Hindu, share many similarities.
A very popular Indian writer also talks about the dependence on maritime trade and the connections between Greece and India. He also draws several parallels between Hindu and Greek Mythology
Unbelievable and uncanny resemblance between the Greek and Indian Gods and the similarity in patterns between the two ancient Greek and Indian mythologies are fascinating.
The Fascinating Parallels Between Hindu and Greek Mythology
Indra and Zeus: are the “kings”. The Indian king of Gods lives on mount Sumeru, while his Greek counterpart’s abode is Mount Olympus. Thunderbolts are their oft used weapons.
Indra used it to slay serpent Vritra while Zeus defeats Typhon. They are both powerful, prone to anger, and are known for indiscretions with women outside of marriage.
Yama and Hades: Both wield the weapon of death, their territory is the netherworld, Both are just in deciding the fate of people entering their realm.
Sita and Persephone: Both these beautiful goddesses were abducted by Ravana and Hades. Mythically both disappeared under the earth.
Kamadeva and Cupid: Both are gods of love and desire. They instill the emotion of 1 passion in the hearts of unsuspecting people by shooting their love arrows.
Krishna and Achilles: These two heroes had vulnerable heels and were killed by fatal injury in this part of their bodies, while Krishna’s heel was pierced by an arrow, Achilles succumbed to the arrow shot at his heel by Paris, guided by Apollo.
Arjuna and Achilles: Both are skilled warriors, but both were reluctant to join The Kurukshetra war and The Trojan war. The war takes away from them their most loved persons.
Further, Arjuna loses his son Abhimanyu and Achilles loses his closest comrade Patroclus and pledges to kill his slayer Hector, while Arjuna avenges his son’s death by killing Jayadratha.
The famous mythologist Joseph Campbell through his extensive research on comparative mythology says that these two ancient civilizations, Hellenic and Hindu, share some fascinating similarities.
