Hiduism and Hellenism

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

1. 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 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 (including current day Hindu) and Hellenistic traditions.

In ancient Greek culture, Uranus is the god of sky and water. In Hinduism, Varuna is the god of sky and water. Apart from the functions beings similar, the names are also similar in this case.

A common origin cannot be ruled out completely as there was interchange of ideas in the ancient days and ideas in various civilizations evolved together.

• 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) it is Matarishvan who does likewise.

1. Differences

• Monism

Although the two religions do have a pantheon of gods and goddesses, Hinduism has theisti, pantheistic and monistic forms. 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.")

Striking similarity between the religions

Last night I was watching Noah's Ark (mentioned both in jewish and christian bible) and how he tried to save his clan and 278 pair of animals and finally landed in Dilmun (modern day bahrain)...

It had striking similarity to the some Hindu Mythological videos I saw in my childhood and found the following in Matsya Puran.

Before that for Hindus these are the religious texts

Vedas - 4

Puranas - 18

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To Satyavarman, that sovereign of the whole earth, were born three sons: the eldest Shem; then Sham; and thirdly, Jyapeti by name

They were all men of good morals, excellent invirtue and virtuous deeds, skilled in the use of weapons to strike with, or to be thrown; brave men, eager for victory in battle.

But Satyavarman, being continually delighted with devout meditation, and seeing his sons fit for dominuion, laid upon them the burdens of government.

Whilst he remained honouring and satisfying the gods, and priests, and kine, one day, by the act of destiny, the king, having drunk mead

Became senseless and lay asleep naked. Then, was he seen by Sham, and by him were his two brothers called:

To whom he said, "What now has befallen? In what state is this our sire?" By these two he was hidden with clothes, and called to his senses again and again.

Having recovered his intellect, and perfectly knowing what had passed, he cursed Sham, saying, "Thou shalt be the servant of servants."

And since thou wast a laugher in their presence, from laughter thou shalt acquire a name. Then he gave Sham the wide domain on the south of the snowy mountains.

And to Jyapeti he gave all on the north of the snowy mountains; but he, by the power of religious contemplation, attained supreme bliss.

I have this uncanny feel that all the major religions now have all their origins in the area between Euphrates river basin and Indus river basin...