Mythology in the contemporary world
An age-old debate of history versus mythology.
-Geetika Saini
People often confuse history with mythology and then get disconcerted when the facts don’t match. It is pertinent to understand that these terms are different from each other yet alike. There can be a very narrow division between these two deceptively similar concepts. The study of history involves veritable stories about real people and events of the past, while mythology entails tales concerning gods and supernatural beings. History is factual, whereas mythology is fabled. However, the realm of history isn’t impervious to myths and truth often transpires from legends. These are two alternatives ways of looking at the past.
Although history gets its share of importance, mythology is constantly shunned for lack of evidence. But both are indispensable to demystify the bygone age. If studying history helps us to understand our past, contemplation over myths tells us how everything in that past came to be. The tales and fables of a region help us to understand the origin of its civilization. They are not mere stories, but important sources of information on the habits, customs, rituals, and way of life of the people of that era.
Why is mythology important in the Indian context?
Mythology is a constant reminder of who we are and where we come from. It is the cornerstone of a culture. The great, rip-roaring ancient epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are two excellent examples to prove the point. Written thousands of years ago, they form an integral part of Hindu culture in India.
Consisting of almost 100,000 couplets in Sanskrit, the Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems ever composed. Since time immemorial, the tale of the great war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas has been educating the masses about the values of duty, morality, and salvation. The Bhagavad Gita, a holy Hindu scripture comprising 700 verses, is an important part of this epic. Lord Krishna, considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu, a major Hindu deity worshipped all over India is one of the central characters of the Mahabharata. His presence in the story lends it a religious temperament, impacting millions of Hindus and their religion.
Similarly, Ramayana, the tale of Rama, another incarnation of Vishnu, inspires people by enlightening them about the virtues of sacrifice, honesty, obedience, and respect.
Certainly, the influences of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana on Indians are momentous. They have been moulding people’s opinions and advising them on the idealistic way of life since ages. Mindful reading of these epics gives hope by answering timeless questions and imparting an experience of a lifetime. Retelling of the myths and fables associated with them has kept the memory of past events alive and continues to inspire young and old alike in all spheres of life.
The theory of history versus mythology has been an age-old debate and will most likely remain so. Where one cannot deny the importance of history, it would be wrong to dismiss mythology as a sheer chimera. Providing millions with an insight into the world, mythology is the soul of a culture. It is literature, science, psychology, and philosophy. Without the appreciation of myths, most of the world’s knowledge would be lost to us.
