Ode to the Beauty of Metaphors in Indian Mythology

As a kid, I used to get lost in my own world while listening to stories. But as I grew up, I found my solace in reading and listening to mythological stories, especially the ones with metaphorical messages. There is something magical about the art of weaving subtle messages within a story. And let me tell you, when I was able to connect the dots between the story and the metaphor, it felt like winning a gold medal.

Here are some of the most fascinating metaphors from Indian mythology that I still remember:

1. Mahabharata: Arjun’s chariot represents the physical body, while Arjuna himself symbolizes the soul. The five horses pulling the chariot depict the five wild senses that are constantly running amok. And the reins of the horses, well, they represent the mind that can control these senses, but only when guided by the intellect, represented by Lord Krishna.
2. Speaking of Mahabharata, King Dhritarashtra, born blind, represents the blind mind, while his 100 sons represent the ego senses that arise from it. On the other hand, the Pandavas symbolize the intellect fused with divinity, thanks to Lord Krishna’s guidance.
3. The epic battle of Kurukshetra is a metaphor for the battle that rages within us between good and evil. The Pandavas, guided by Lord Krishna’s teachings of righteousness, represent our conscience. While the Kauravas, driven by greed and jealousy, represent our inner demons.
4. The Ramayana uses the metaphor of a bridge to describe Lord Rama’s victory over evil. The construction of the bridge represents the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving our goals.
5. The Puranas often use the metaphor of a cosmic dance to describe the cyclic nature of creation, destruction, and rebirth. Lord Shiva’s dance symbolizes the eternal rhythm of the universe.
6. The Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan) is a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. During the churning, both good and bad things come out, symbolizing the obstacles that we face on our journey. But when the nectar of immortality is finally obtained, it represents the attainment of enlightenment and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

So there you have it, folks! These are some of the metaphors from Indian mythology that have stayed with me over the years. They are not just stories, but life lessons that we can all learn from.

PS: This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023