INDIAN MYTHOLOGY. The mythology of hidia as found in the ancient hymn, of the 1 gilt especial consideration, because it rep resents an earlier state of thought with regard to mythological subjects than is found in any other literary monunn•nt of the Indo-Germanic peoples. The development of Hindu mythology down to the present is furthermore of interest because of the elmnee it gives for a long histori cal perspective. Attractive parallels may like wise be drawn between the oldest mythological figures of India and those in the pantheon of Greece and Home, like Father Ileaven and Moth er Earth (Skt. Dyinq Pifer. l'rthiri Matar, Gk. revs rarhp, Lat. Jupiter). but they are often er roneous, dangerous, or misleading. Despite, for example, the recognized possibility of kinship by reason of common Aryan or Indo-I:vrmanie unity, such etymological equations as those be tween Lat. Uranus, Gk. 06pavo'v, ',Heaven,' and Sanskrit Varuau, in Indian mythology, or again between Kivraupos and Gandharra, or the fire myth of Prometheus in connection with Skt. prumunthumr, the rubbing stick kindling fire, break down or become uncertain under the searching light of keen linguistic criticism. Nevertheless, such comparisons are always in teresting, and they are often instructive as show ing how myths may develop independently or on grounds remotely associated or even discon nected. The mythology of India frequently helps
to throw much light on such subjects. Myths abound in the leig-l'eda they are the outgrowth of personifications of the powers of nature and meteorological phenomena. (See Anxt; 1 NDRA ; MARVT ; ITRA ; SOMA SFRYA ; 1.7:411AS ; YU ; YA MA. ) In later Hindu mythology the gods of the old regime gradually become replaced by the great Hindu trinity or triad, Brahma. Vishnu, and Siva, with all the beliefs and notions associat.41 with each of names. The later pantheon is occupied likewise by a band of minor deities, godlings or demigods, like Gane4a, Eartikeya. Kubera. and the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati. (See the arti cles under these names.) India of all ages has known also many myths, legends. or fables con nected with the stars and planets, with sacred river,, streams, and trees, birds, and animals. Consult: Wilkins. Hindu itythoioyy (London, 1900) ; Dawson. Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion (London. 1879): Macdonell, "Vedic Mythology." in Builder, arundriRs tier indo-ari sawn Philologie rind Altrrtuniskunde (Strasi burg, IS97).