Strange Legends of Sanskrit Literature

Summary

The Vedic and Sanskrit periods are different in matter, spirit, and form from the earlier periods. Sanskrit literature, which is abundant and well developed, is profane; Vedic literature is primarily religious. However, the Upanishads also contain a moralizing spirit despite their speculative tendencies.

The Hindu Vedas are filled with gods’ stories, powers, and epic battles supposedly fought thousands of years ago. Sagas are mythological stories intended to be taken as allegories to learn valuable lessons for life. Hindu myths tell of noble gods fighting evil forces, flying Vimanas machines, and battles with powerful weapons. Can we be sure these are just metaphors?

Vimana means “having been measured out” or “traveling,” and they were machines that the gods piloted. This flying craft came in various shapes and sizes and could travel a wide range of speeds and distances, like the chariots found in biblical texts. According to Hindu Sanskrit texts, the Vimana aircraft are flying machines of various degrees of sophistication.

In comparison with the Vedic age, religion now prevails significantly differently. Several gods are worshipped in the new period, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Most of the prominent deities of the Veda have become secondary deities, although Indra still holds a prominent position as the chief of a warrior’s heaven. As well as the serpent deities and several classes of demigods and demons, some new gods of lesser ranks have also developed, such as Kubera, goddess of wealth; Ganesh, goddess of learning; Karttikeya, god of war; Shri or Lakshmi, goddess of beauty and fortune; and Durga or Parvati, the terrible spouse of Shiva.