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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anime & Indian mythology: Why they're more similar than you think
Credit-Reddit Anime and Hindu mythology might seem worlds apart, but fans know they share deep common threads. Both traditions tell grand stories filled with gods, heroes, and lessons about life. Whether it's a Japanese shonen epic or an old Sanskrit epic, we find familiar symbols: karma, destiny, the tug-of-war between good and evil, and the warmth of family. From the cosmic dance of Shiva to the starry skies of Fullmetal Alchemist , ancient Indian thought and modern anime often tap the same well of imagination. This article explores how cosmic symbolism, moral choices, spiritual ideas and family bonds in anime echo the lessons of Indian myth and scriptures. Cosmic symbolism and moral duality Both anime and Hindu myths use the cosmos to tell their tales. Just as an image of a starry night sky hints at the universe's mysteries, stories invoke the Milky Way, serpents, and dance-like battles to suggest a grand design. In Hindu myth, Shiva and Parvati's cosmic dance creates and dissolves worlds; anime heroes often face destruction-and-rebirth cycles in their own journeys. Modern fantasies even blend Eastern magic with themes of reincarnation and cosmic law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In fact, some fantasy comics explicitly craft stories 'with destiny and duty reminiscent of the Mahabharata'. In this cosmic web, moral duality is key. Anime frequently uses the yin–yang idea: think of Bleach 's Soul Reapers balancing the Hollow souls of the dead, or Death Note 's Light Yagami wrestling with justice versus evil. This yin–yang of values — light versus dark, creation versus destruction — feels right at home with Indian ideas of dharma and adharma (right and wrong). As Bleach fans note, the Soul Society is like Yama's realm balancing souls, much as Hindu lore balances Devas and Asuras. In both worlds, villains and heroes are two sides of a cosmic coin, and every victory comes from understanding that balance. Fate, karma and inner conflict In both anime and myth, characters often find themselves tangled in fate and karma. Hindu epics teach that past actions echo through lifetimes, and anime plots often mirror this. For example, Fullmetal Alchemist revolves around Equivalent Exchange — no gain without loss — a clear nod to karmic law. Heroes frequently bear a curse or debt from the past. In Vinland Saga , Thorfinn's quest for vengeance only begets more violence, hinting that violent karma binds us to a cycle. Similarly, in Mahabharata, Karna's loyalty to a wrong king and his hidden destiny haunt him. Like Karna, many anime anti-heroes carry tragic pasts that shape their choices. They struggle with inner conflict — duty vs desire, honor vs revenge — echoing Arjuna's crisis on the battlefield. And sometimes, stories even reset time or reincarnate heroes, much as Hindu thought speaks of rebirth. One webtoon reviewer notes how a heroine sacrifices herself and 'resets' the world, 'echoing the idea of karma and reincarnation found in Indian thought'. In essence, both traditions remind us: your choices now shape the destiny you (or your next self) must confront. This loop of fate and free will runs through the Bhagavad Gita's teaching of duty just as it does through anime tales of next-generation heroes inheriting their elders' burdens. Upanishadic echoes in Anime Anime often carries a spiritual undercurrent that can feel strikingly Upanishadic. The Upanishads teach that a single underlying reality (Brahman) animates everything, and true knowledge is realizing our unity with it. We see this in anime when characters tap into a hidden power or oneness. For example, Fullmetal Alchemist has the concept of 'The Truth' behind reality, reminiscent of the Upanishadic search for ultimate knowledge. Anime heroes also grapple with the nature of the self and the universe. When Naruto (notably not our main examples) befriends powerful beings and speaks of inner peace, it echoes the Upanishad message of the soul's unity. More straightforwardly, many anime preach morality in ways that remind us of the Gita's lessons. Characters learn that true strength often means restraint or compassion — in line with 'dharma' (righteous duty). For instance, an anime warrior might hesitate to fight a villain who is also once a friend, recalling Arjuna's struggle until Krishna urges him to uphold dharma. Likewise, the South Asian webtoon Ramayan explicitly 'explores themes of dharma (duty), righteousness, and the triumph of good over evil', and we see similar threads in shows like Bleach and Vinland Saga , where duty to protect often clashes with personal desires. In short, many anime heroes are philosophers in disguise: they question life's purpose and learn that humility, karma, and right action guide them — lessons straight from Upanishads and Puranas. Family bonds and ancestral legacy Finally, both anime and Indian myths put family at the heart of the journey. In Hindu tales, loyalty and love within a family drive the drama: Shiva's bond with Parvati, or Prahlad's devoted faith overcoming the cruelty of his father. In anime too, bonds of blood and promise are sacred. Fullmetal Alchemist is fundamentally about two brothers saving each other; Bleach 's Ichigo fights to protect his friends and family; Vinland Saga shows fathers and sons (or substitutes) grappling over legacy. Even villains in anime often have tragic family stories, much like mythic characters. These emotional threads mirror how Indian epics honor ancestry and sacrifice. For example, the Pandavas fight for a kingdom their forefathers ruled, while an anime warrior might defend his village because of a vow passed down. Ultimately, heroism in both realms often means preserving something precious from the past. As the legend of Prahlad shows — 'the story of faith, devotion, good versus evil, [and] divine intervention' — love and sacrifice for family or ideals triumph over darkness. That universal message of hope and legacy resonates whether the hero wields a sword in a manga panel or bows to an idol in a temple. In the end, the line between anime fantasies and Hindu mythology is thinner than it seems. Both tell stories of light and shadow, duty and choice, that reach into our hearts. By weaving cosmic symbols with personal stakes, anime series and Indian epics both answer timeless questions: Who are we? Why do we fight? What is our destiny? These themes — gods and demons, fate and justice, family and honor — pulse at the core of each tale. For fans of either, recognizing the overlap can deepen the magic: it's comforting to see that even in modern Tokyo or ancient Ayodhya, heroes and legends share the same sky and soul. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Cruel Fate of Karna: Born Out of Wedlock & Cursed by Guru Parshuram
In this compelling episode, Sanatan scholar Kanhaiya Lal Upadhyay dives deep into the life of Karna, one of the most misunderstood yet extraordinary warriors of the Mahabharata. Born out of wedlock to Kunti, rejected by Dronacharya, trained by Parshuram, and eventually cursed by the same guru- Karna's life was a saga of skill, sacrifice, and constant injustice. Was Karna ever truly free from fate? Why did destiny deny him fairness despite his greatness? Explore the emotional, spiritual, and karmic layers behind Karna's journey with powerful insights from Sanatan Dharma. Read More
News18
09-05-2025
- General
- News18
Why Were Wars Paused At Sunset In Mahabharata And Ramayana?
Last Updated: In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, night attacks were seen as unethical and treacherous. Warriors respected this rule as part of their moral duty In ancient Indian epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, wars are described as being fought only during daylight and ceasing at sunset. This is believed to have been part of a moral code of warfare, aimed at ensuring fairness and honour in battle, rather than being driven by practical concerns like fatigue or fear of darkness. In those times, war was believed to be more than a clash of weapons. It was seen as a battle governed by honour and strict ethical codes. Unlike modern warfare, which can unfold at any hour, ancient warriors are believed to have engaged in ' Dharmayuddha ', or righteous warfare, fought in accordance with principles of justice and duty. One widely accepted rule was the cessation of fighting after sunset. Night attacks were considered unethical and akin to treachery, and it is believed that warriors on all sides respected this rule as part of their moral duty. The practical reasons behind this rule are believed to be numerous. Night-time warfare was considered highly dangerous due to poor visibility, especially in the absence of modern tools like mobile flashlights or floodlights. The weapons of that era like swords, spears, and bows relied heavily on clear sight for accuracy and effectiveness. Engaging in combat after dark increased the risk of confusion, making it easier to accidentally harm allies or innocent bystanders. Moreover, the physically demanding nature of warfare is believed to have made rest and recovery essential for soldiers. Battles often stretched for hours and, in some cases, continued over years, making it crucial for warriors to recuperate and plan their next moves. Carrying heavy weapons, riding horses and drawing bows required immense strength and endurance. Prolonged combat without adequate rest could prove fatal. As a result, nightfall marked a time for nourishment, rest and preparation for the next day's fight. Religious texts are believed to reinforce this practice. In the Mahabharata, renowned warriors such as Bhishma Pitamah, Karna and Arjuna are described as laying down their arms after sunset. Likewise, in the Ramayana, the battle between Ram and Ravana took place only during daylight hours, with both sides reportedly withdrawing to their camps at night. Thus, it is evident that the cessation of war at sunset was not only a strategic necessity but also carried religious and moral significance, deeply rooted in the cultural ethos of the time. First Published: May 09, 2025, 18:55 IST
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
On International Noise Awareness Day, Bengaluru experts warn of dangers from earbuds, headphones
As the world observes International Noise Awareness Day on April 30, experts in Bengaluru have sounded a clarion call to be aware of the frequently overlooked risk of ear damage from headphones and earphones. Devices such as earbuds and headphones play sound that ranges up to 130 dB in volume — something equivalent to being at live concerts and traffic intersections, says Varshini Ramdas, an assistant professor at the Department of Hearing Studies at the Dr S R Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing in Bengaluru. 'Regular exposure to anything above 70 decibels for extended periods is known to harm hearing over time. Long exposure to high volumes of sound can cause irreversible inner ear damage, with early symptoms which include ringing of the ears, muffled sounds, headaches, and a feeling of 'blocked' ears, which are often ignored,' Ramdas explains. The Dr S R Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing in Bengaluru has been assessing the dangers from the sound output of personal listening devices using a specially designed mannequin called 'Karna', which measures 'the output levels of personal listening devices'. 'The mannequin's ear replicates the dimensions of a real human ear. We first connect our headphones and adjust them to our usual listening volume, then place the headphones or earbuds on the mannequin's ear. This setup is linked to a sound level meter, which indicates our listening volume. This approach helps us determine whether our listening levels are safe or hazardous,' says Subhashini D, assistant professor at the institute. The mannequin was inspired by the American mannequin 'Jolene' which was used for measuring the sound levels of personal stereo systems. 'We wanted something indigenous, that's why we built this mannequin,' she said. A recent study showed that 23.8% of urban youth worldwide use personal listening devices for 40 hours a week at unsafe levels of sound, the institute has recently said in a statement. 'Prolonged exposure to loud sound could have some psychological effects such as negative mood, reduced attention span, and mental fatigue,' says Ramdas. The institute advises people to keep volume levels under 60 per cent of the maximum, limit usage time, and opt for over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds. It advocates for 'quiet time' to allow the ears and mind to recover from sensory fatigue. 'But our ears, like the rest of our body, need rest to recover from sensory fatigue. Learning to be comfortable with silence — while reading, walking, or simply being still — can help restore balance, fostering both mental clarity and hearing protection,' Ramdas said.
