10 points that prove avatar is inspired by Hindu Mythology: The “Avatar” franchise, comprising of the films “Avatar” (2009) and its sequels, has gained widespread popularity and critical acclaim for its immersive world-building and thought-provoking themes. While the franchise is set in the distant future on the fictional planet Pandora, it is not uncommon for works of fiction to be inspired by various sources, including mythology. In this article, we will explore 10 points that demonstrate how the “Avatar” franchise is largely inspired by Hindu mythology. From the term “avatar” itself, which is derived from the Sanskrit word “avatara,” to the depiction of characters with supernatural powers and the use of philosophical themes, the influence of Hindu mythology can be seen throughout the “Avatar” universe.
10 points that prove avatar is inspired by Hindu Mythology
The Term Avatar
The term “avatar” is derived from the Sanskrit word “avatara,” which refers to the incarnations of a deity in Hindu mythology. An avatar is a manifestation of a deity in human or animal form on earth. In Hinduism, the gods and goddesses are believed to incarnate on earth to restore balance and bring about positive change. The avatars of Hindu mythology are typically depicted as having superhuman qualities and abilities, and they are often sent to earth to defeat evil and protect the righteous.
Concept of Reincarnation
The concept of reincarnation, also known as transmigration or rebirth, is a belief that is central to the plot of “Avatar.” In the story, the main character, Jake Sully, is able to transfer his consciousness into his avatar body after his human body is paralyzed. This allows him to continue living and experiencing the world, even though his physical body is unable to function.
The idea of reincarnation is also a prominent belief in Hinduism, where it is believed that the soul passes through a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Hindus believe that the soul is immortal and that it is reborn into a new body after the physical body dies. The cycle of reincarnation is believed to continue until the soul achieves moksha or liberation, which is the ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual practice.
Strong Spiritual Connection
In the “Avatar” universe, the indigenous Na’vi people of Pandora have a strong spiritual connection with nature and view it as a living, sacred entity. They worship a mother goddess and animistic deities, which are spirits or deities associated with natural phenomena such as animals, plants, or elements of nature. The Na’vi believe that all living things are interconnected and that they are all part of the same life force, or “chi.” This idea of a spiritual connection with nature and the belief in a life force that animates all living things is also present in Hinduism, where the natural world is seen as a manifestation of the divine.
Fantastical Creatures and Environments
The “Avatar” universe depicts a variety of fantastical creatures and environments, including the flying bison and the floating mountains of Pandora. These imaginative creations may have been inspired by Hindu mythology, which is rich with tales of supernatural creatures and otherworldly realms.
Some of the creatures and environments depicted in the “Avatar” universe, such as the flying bison and the floating mountains, may have been inspired by Hindu mythology’s depiction of supernatural creatures and otherworldly realms. In Hindu mythology, there are many tales of gods and goddesses with the ability to fly and of celestial realms high above the earth.
Discover True Identity and Purpose
The “Avatar” story follows the hero’s journey of Jake Sully as he discovers his true identity and purpose. This is a common theme in many mythologies, including Hindu mythology, where gods and heroes often undertake quests or journeys to achieve their goals or fulfill their destiny.
A hero’s journey is a narrative structure that describes the journey of a hero as they undertake a series of challenges and trials to achieve their ultimate goal. This journey often involves the hero leaving their ordinary world and entering into a special or supernatural world, where they encounter challenges and obstacles that they must overcome to succeed. The hero’s journey is often seen as a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that an individual may undertake in their own life.
Metaphysical Concepts
The “Avatar” universe includes the use of certain spiritual and metaphysical concepts that could be influenced by Hindu beliefs. One example of this is the idea of a “life force” or “chi,” which is a concept found in many spiritual and philosophical traditions.
In Hinduism, the concept of prana or vital energy is central to the understanding of the body and its functions. Prana is believed to be the life force or the energy that animates the body and keeps it alive. It is associated with the breath and is seen as the source of all physical and mental processes. The concept of prana is closely linked to the concept of yoga, which is a spiritual discipline that aims to balance and harmonize the body and the mind through the cultivation of prana.
The Cast System
In the avatar depiction of forest people , water people are based on their ability and the way they live. This depiction of a complex and diverse society with a caste system and distinct cultural practices in the “Avatar” universe could be influenced by the portrayal of ancient Indian society in Hindu mythology. Hinduism has a complex social hierarchy with a system of four main castes and many subcastes, as well as diverse regional cultural practices.
In Hindu mythology, the caste system is believed to be a divinely ordained social hierarchy that determines a person’s place in society based on their karma, or the accumulated actions and consequences of their past lives. The four main castes are the Brahmins (priests and scholars), the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and the Sudras (servants and laborers). There are also many subcastes within each of these main categories, and the caste system is further complicated by the presence of “untouchables,” who are considered outside the caste system and are considered impure.
Concept of Balance
The concept of balance and the interdependence of all living things is a theme that is present in many mythologies, including Hinduism. This idea could be reflected in the “Avatar” universe, where the relationship between humans, the Na’vi, and Pandora’s environment is depicted as a delicate balance that must be maintained.
In Hinduism, the natural world is seen as an expression of the divine, and the gods and goddesses of Hindu mythology are often associated with natural elements or phenomena. Hinduism also teaches that all living things are interconnected and that everything in the universe is part of a unified whole. This idea of balance and interdependence is reflected in many Hindu beliefs and practices, such as the concept of karma, which teaches that the actions of an individual can impact the natural world and on the lives of other beings.
Spiritual and Philosophical Themes
The “Avatar” universe includes the use of spiritual and philosophical themes that could be influenced by Hindu beliefs. One example of this is the idea of enlightenment or the attainment of a state of spiritual understanding and realization. In Hinduism, the ultimate goal of spiritual practice is achieving moksha or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation through spiritual enlightenment.
Moksha is a state of spiritual liberation in which the individual soul is united with the universal soul and is no longer subject to the cycle of reincarnation. It is believed to be the goal of Hindu spiritual practice and is achieved through the realization of the true nature of the self and the universe. The attainment of moksha is often associated with the idea of enlightenment, which is a state of spiritual understanding and realization that is characterized by the absence of ignorance and the attainment of knowledge and wisdom.
Amrita
“The churning of the ocean is an important event in Hinduism that is described in the Vishnu Purana, a major Hindu scripture. It involves the churning of the ocean to produce the nectar of eternal life, known as Amrita.” Similarly, in Avatar 2, a giant sea creature has a fluid in its head that prolongs the life of humans. This suggests that nectar was obtained from the ocean from a giant creature, just as in Hindu mythology, nectar was obtained from the sea.
Also Read: The Hindu Mythology Of India And Its Influence On Eastern Culture
