Epics in Imprints-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2003
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE HINDUS AND THE BUDDHISTS
SISTER NIVEDITA
Philosophy, ritual and mythology are the the world, such a wonderful combination
three pillars of all ancient religions. But of these qualities. To Indians however, the
in India in particular, mythology has been characters in these myths are not just
an extremely important medium for superhuman beings of some hoary past
teaching abstract spiritual truths, and it rather, they are paradigms. They are
has had a profound influence not only on exemplars of eternal ideals. The lives of
the religious tradition of the country but these characters are meant to be reflected
also on Indian Society. To Western on and emulated for the development of
educated readers, the numerous concepts, one’s personality. This is why these
characters, and ideals presented in Indian religions and myths are still living today.
mythology often seem bewildering at first Even now Rama, Krishna, Arjuna,
glance. Yet once readers start peering into Yudhishthira, Vasishtha, Vidura, Sita
these myths through an introductory Savitri, Nala, Lakshmana, Bharata,
volume, they soon discover that they Hanuman and Buddha serve as paradigms
cannot help but be immersed in them. for their ideal ruler, hero, householder,
Moreover they find that a study of these hermit, devotee, wife, husband, brother,
stories can be one of the most rewarding servant, monk and so on.
experiences of their life.
The tales of gods, goddesses and
The stories of India, the Ramayana, Avataras are delightful and charming.
the Mahabharata the legends of Krishna, Though the stories of India are diverse, one
Buddha and Shiva and others from common message runs through them all.
Puranas and Vedas are among the most No matter how hopeless things may seem,
beautiful in the world, while the characters eventually righteousness prevails over
and ideals they represent are some of the unrighteousness, virtue defeats vice.
loftiest, most noble and the most
(Extracted from the Myths and
Legends of the Hindus and Buddhists.
enchanting the world has ever seen.
Sr.Nivedita and Ananda
K.Coomaraswamy, Advaita Ashrama,
Rarely does one find in the mythology of
Kolkata 14 – Nov.2001)
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