Agaliha
July 30th, 2005, 01:00 AM
I found this site that compared Celtic and Vedic traditions and couldn't help but be interested.
Here is the comparison:
PANTHEON
Vedic gods are called devas, meaning "shinning ones." A philosophically pantheistic overlay built on earlier anthropomorphic deities based on the forces of nature, ethics, culture, and physical skills.
Celtic gods are called deuos, also meaning "shinning ones." Based on a Shamanic, animistic polytheism, the advent of the Druidic order into Celtic society injected a more pantheistic view of deity.
COSMOLOGY
Posits four major interrelated worlds, or planes: the Physical Plane (the phenomenal world perceived by our physical senses), the Astral Plane (the realm of demigods and various non-carnate spirits) and Causal Plane(the realm of Supreme Deity and primal energy), and a hell of sorts, which is more of a corridor to the other three planes rather than it's own plane.
Four major interrelated worlds, or realms; the Nether Realm (Subconscious mind, through which we reach the non-physical realms or planes of existence), the Earth Realm (Conscious mind), the Heavenly Realm (Superconscious mind), and the Star Realm (Cosmic consciousness, transcendent of mind, the abode of all primal energy.)
REINCARNATION
The soul incarnates again and again in response to karma, or the effects caused by actions taken and accumulated life after life until one has attained moksha, or liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Sankrit word for soul is atman.
Although there is only a vague conception of karma, reincarnation was an accepted fact of life among the Celts, who also tended to worship their more successful ancestor, judging their need to be reborn by the physical accomplishments of life. The Gaelic (Celtic) word for soul is anam.
DISCIPLINE
Brahmins study for 12 years to learn oration, mathematics, ritual, astrology, medicine and vedic knowledge. Yogis perform amazing physical austerities through yoga. Breath control is central, the Sankrit word for breath is prana.
Druids studied for up to 20 years to learn oration, mathematics, ritual, astrology, statecraft, diplomacy, and medicine. They also practiced severe austerities, also involving breath control. The Gaelic (Celtic) word for breath is anah.
SCRIPTURAL CADENCE
The ancient Vedic scholars were noted for memorizing the lengthy epics conveying spiritual knowledge and dharmic duty. The poetic metre for these sagas was typically fixed syllable line, free form with 3-part cadence.
The Bards of the Druidic order were required to memorize the Celtic sagas conveying metaphysical truths and civic duty. The poetic metre for the Celtic sagas was also fixed syllable, free form with a 3-part cadence.
WOMEN IN SOCIETY AND RELIGION
Hindus (especially during the Vedic period) elevated the feminine virtues, allowing them to own property and to serve the goddess as priestess.
Celts prized strong women, who fought along side the men in war. Celtic women could own property and serve the goddess as priestess.
RITUAL
The central part of puja, or worship is the fire sacrifice, performed in a fire pit, with offerings of spices and rice, accompanied by chanting.
The focal point of a Celtic ritual is the fire, in a central pit. Offerings to the gods of food and wine were thrown into the fire, usually with chanting.
ETHICS
The Vedas show a special appreciation for honesty, even as a supernatural power. Honor and Eloquence are highly valued
The Celtic sense of Honor is strong and deep. Truth-sayers and orators were held in the same respect as kings among the Celts.
FROM: http://sivaloka.tripod.com/ancient_links.htm (http://sivaloka.tripod.com/ancient_links.htm)
And there's this site linking Brighid and Saraswati Right HERE (http://www.brigitsforge.co.uk/sarasvati1.htm)
It's like 8 pages.
Pretty intereresting as well.
And some other sites:
One (http://realmagick.com/articles/94/1494.html)
another similar comparison (http://www.druidnetwork.org/interfaith/articles/torc.html)
**A great site that has 22 similarities (http://www.hinduism-today.com/archives/1994/5/1994-5-17.shtml)
Another site (http://www.vedanet.com/HinduCeltic.htm)
A few questions for you all:
--I was curious what Celtic Pagans/Wiccans felt about incorporating Hindu Dieties? Is it outlandish or reasonable?
--If I, with Saraswati as my Parton, start a religionship with Brighid (She's always facincated me...Her more than any other Celtic Diety) what would She (Brighid) do? Is it advisable?
--Any thoughts on the site and quoted comparison?
I personally think there are some major coincidences... makes me wonder :)
PS: I wasn't sure if this was better in "history" or not-- I know things like Indo-Euro migrations/invastions are involved. If any Mods want to move it there, please do!
Here is the comparison:
PANTHEON
Vedic gods are called devas, meaning "shinning ones." A philosophically pantheistic overlay built on earlier anthropomorphic deities based on the forces of nature, ethics, culture, and physical skills.
Celtic gods are called deuos, also meaning "shinning ones." Based on a Shamanic, animistic polytheism, the advent of the Druidic order into Celtic society injected a more pantheistic view of deity.
COSMOLOGY
Posits four major interrelated worlds, or planes: the Physical Plane (the phenomenal world perceived by our physical senses), the Astral Plane (the realm of demigods and various non-carnate spirits) and Causal Plane(the realm of Supreme Deity and primal energy), and a hell of sorts, which is more of a corridor to the other three planes rather than it's own plane.
Four major interrelated worlds, or realms; the Nether Realm (Subconscious mind, through which we reach the non-physical realms or planes of existence), the Earth Realm (Conscious mind), the Heavenly Realm (Superconscious mind), and the Star Realm (Cosmic consciousness, transcendent of mind, the abode of all primal energy.)
REINCARNATION
The soul incarnates again and again in response to karma, or the effects caused by actions taken and accumulated life after life until one has attained moksha, or liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Sankrit word for soul is atman.
Although there is only a vague conception of karma, reincarnation was an accepted fact of life among the Celts, who also tended to worship their more successful ancestor, judging their need to be reborn by the physical accomplishments of life. The Gaelic (Celtic) word for soul is anam.
DISCIPLINE
Brahmins study for 12 years to learn oration, mathematics, ritual, astrology, medicine and vedic knowledge. Yogis perform amazing physical austerities through yoga. Breath control is central, the Sankrit word for breath is prana.
Druids studied for up to 20 years to learn oration, mathematics, ritual, astrology, statecraft, diplomacy, and medicine. They also practiced severe austerities, also involving breath control. The Gaelic (Celtic) word for breath is anah.
SCRIPTURAL CADENCE
The ancient Vedic scholars were noted for memorizing the lengthy epics conveying spiritual knowledge and dharmic duty. The poetic metre for these sagas was typically fixed syllable line, free form with 3-part cadence.
The Bards of the Druidic order were required to memorize the Celtic sagas conveying metaphysical truths and civic duty. The poetic metre for the Celtic sagas was also fixed syllable, free form with a 3-part cadence.
WOMEN IN SOCIETY AND RELIGION
Hindus (especially during the Vedic period) elevated the feminine virtues, allowing them to own property and to serve the goddess as priestess.
Celts prized strong women, who fought along side the men in war. Celtic women could own property and serve the goddess as priestess.
RITUAL
The central part of puja, or worship is the fire sacrifice, performed in a fire pit, with offerings of spices and rice, accompanied by chanting.
The focal point of a Celtic ritual is the fire, in a central pit. Offerings to the gods of food and wine were thrown into the fire, usually with chanting.
ETHICS
The Vedas show a special appreciation for honesty, even as a supernatural power. Honor and Eloquence are highly valued
The Celtic sense of Honor is strong and deep. Truth-sayers and orators were held in the same respect as kings among the Celts.
FROM: http://sivaloka.tripod.com/ancient_links.htm (http://sivaloka.tripod.com/ancient_links.htm)
And there's this site linking Brighid and Saraswati Right HERE (http://www.brigitsforge.co.uk/sarasvati1.htm)
It's like 8 pages.
Pretty intereresting as well.
And some other sites:
One (http://realmagick.com/articles/94/1494.html)
another similar comparison (http://www.druidnetwork.org/interfaith/articles/torc.html)
**A great site that has 22 similarities (http://www.hinduism-today.com/archives/1994/5/1994-5-17.shtml)
Another site (http://www.vedanet.com/HinduCeltic.htm)
A few questions for you all:
--I was curious what Celtic Pagans/Wiccans felt about incorporating Hindu Dieties? Is it outlandish or reasonable?
--If I, with Saraswati as my Parton, start a religionship with Brighid (She's always facincated me...Her more than any other Celtic Diety) what would She (Brighid) do? Is it advisable?
--Any thoughts on the site and quoted comparison?
I personally think there are some major coincidences... makes me wonder :)
PS: I wasn't sure if this was better in "history" or not-- I know things like Indo-Euro migrations/invastions are involved. If any Mods want to move it there, please do!