Indian Mythology is one of the richest elements of Indian Culture, which enriches it further and makes it a unique one in the world. Through generations, different stories in Indian mythology have been passed from generation to generation either by word of mouth or through carefully stored scriptures.
Indian Mythology as rumoured dates back to as early as 7200 B.C. when the first hymns of the RIG VEDA was composed. The hymns of the RIG VEDA are some of the first expression of the sense of beauty and gladness awakened in the Indian race by the charms and the bounty of nature. What began as a celebration of natural elements such as Air, Water, Fire, Earth was converted into the worship of cosmic elements. The VEDIC Gods are mere abstractions, intangible and illusive personifications of the powers of nature. It is in the post-VEDIC phase or in the PURANAS the gods assumed substantial shape and individual character.
In the late VEDIC period the two epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata were compiled. The heroes of the Vedic age gradually took place of the Gods of the Vedic period and found their places in the Puranas. This formed the phase of post-VEDIC gods or the PURANIC GODS who had their seeds and roots in the VEDAS giving rise to the concept of TRIMURTI. Thus emerged the transition of Hindu mythology from Vedic Gods (the Cosmic Trinity) to Puranic Gods (the Hindu Trinity) who took more significant form and entity and have been worshipped in various forms ever since.
It is our endeavour to highlight the different elements of Indian mythology through stories and folk tales which not only make educational reading but also make a good source of recreational reading. These stories form the backbone of Indian mythology and are a great medium for people to inculcate interest in Indian Culture. The interesting aspect of the stories in Indian Mythology, is that they are usually meant to convey subtle facts, rules and maxims to guide our daily lives. Who doesn’t enjoy a well written story? Naturally story-telling is the best medium for conveying even powerful messages. The stories in Indian mythology vary from subtle maxim conveying tales of Panchatantra and Jataka-tales to subtle life paradigm defining stories from the Bhagvad-Gita, Ramayana and Mahabharata. A key point to note is that there are usually multiple stories explaining the same fact or occasion or festival. This can be attributed to the fact that these stories were verbally passed on through generations and the documented ones are the interpretations of the writers.
We shall try to publish the best on Indian mythology available on this blog and also welcome contributions from our readers.
Thanks and good blog.