Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

1) Mythologies are the memory of the
collective past.
2) They give identity to a group.
3) They define groups, sacred entities and
persons.
4) They affirm continuity which gives a
group greater importance since it is no
longer a random collection of persons.
5) By implication, mythologies help a
person to connect to aspects of his/her
past which he/she values.
6) Even disasters reinforce group memory
and tell people that they have overcome
them.
7) They enhance the dignity of the group.
8) They provide the script for the ritual
action.
9) Mythologies explain origins of people,
races, Nations, things.
10) Mythic thinking depicts how things will
end, they explain how things will be at the
end of the world.
11) They provide a framework, sequence
of events.
12) They depict how god acts in order to
deal with humanity, avatara, grace,
heaven, hell, punishment, rebirth etc.
13) Mythologies provide a sense of stability
and order through stories.
14) They predict a victory of good over evil
and give man a positive view of life.
15) Mythologies talk about stability,
possibility of immorality, the ways of
overcoming evil, hierarchical cosmos (as
told by the Varna system), the theme of
an ideal monarch (Rama) and the spirited
lover (Krishna)
(From “Dimensions of the Sacred”. Harper
Collins publishers. London 1996)
Festivals, fasts, vows and
pilgrimages are inspired by the
Epics and the Puranas
1) They enthuse people, develop kinship,
make us forget our petty animosities.
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2) They strengthen our will, help us to
internalise values and turn our minds
inwards.
3) Values such as National unity,
Patriotism, are imprinted in the minds of
the pilgrims through mythologies.
4) We feel one with mountains, rivers,
plants and places of India.
5) We recall our relationship to the great
spiritual giants, the puranic and epic
characters.
6) Rites help us convert knowledge into
experience.
7) Social ceremonies, human values, bind
the society together.
8) They bless, praise, consecrate and purify
us.
9) They focus our energies into the
observance for a specific period.
10) They harness, control and direct our
energies, feelings, behaviour and intellect.
11) Through superimposition and
internalization of values the human quality
is enhanced.
12) They integrate action, thought, chant
and mind with Atman and Paramatman.
13) Rituals seek to abolish space and time
that separate man from God.
14) Travelling in groups, visiting places
ordained by the scriptures are useful in
vivifying faith and unifying people.
15) Temporary separation from social
obligations in order to fulfill higher
obligations to religion and god is important
in developing detachment.
16) Pilgrimage is a symbol of the ultimate
journey.
17) Ancestor worship is glorified in
Mythological literature reinforcing
traditions.