Norse/Hindu Connections

[Dustypuppy]

I have been doing some research into discovering links between Hinduism and early European Belief systems. Much has been written and aired concerning shared rootage-all being of the 'Indo-European' lineage. However, I was wondering how this point stands. In Hinduism time is cyclical,not linear as In Say Western religious thought-Judaism and Christianity. The Universe goes through stages, known as Yugas, each one lasting a day in the life of Brahma, the creator deity, which is Billions upon billions of years. When Brahma sleeps, the universe is destroyed and darkness reigns, when he wakes he recreates it and so forth.
It got me thinking with regard to the concept of Ragnarok. Although this is very defintely an eschatological concept, with the demise of Gods and Giants alike, Surt eventually finishing off the earth in a blaze of fire, it is not truly the end. A new earth rises and is pupulated by those humans who hid in Yggdrssil during the confrontation and divinity is continued through Balder, Hod etc, so there is physical continuation of existence after the end times of this period of existence unlike Christianity where all continues pretty much in a spiritual way. Would it be fair to say then, that some beliefs in Asatru concerning the 'end times' and that associated with them is much closer in concept to other faiths such as Hinduism, than for example the often aired scholarly view that Norse or Germanic Paganism in the Viking Age and beyond was influenced by Christianitys vision of what is to befall us?xxxxx

[PeatBog]

They seem to have common Indo-European roots. Runes author Freya Aswynn makes a connection between the rune Dagaz, Ragnarok, nuclear fission and nuclear war. Maybe the ancients were aware of, or at least had a premonition of, nuclear war.

[Faol-chù]

Would it be fair to say then, that some beliefs in Asatru concerning the 'end times' and that associated with them is much closer in concept to other faiths such as Hinduism, than for example the often aired scholarly view that Norse or Germanic Paganism in the Viking Age and beyond was influenced by Christianitys vision of what is to befall us?xxxxx

That is largely my personal take on the situation.

Book recommendation:

Death, War, and Sacrifice by Dr. Bruce Lincoln

[Driffinna]

I am asatru, I have not studied Hinduism much at all. I do know a lot of people compare the two religions quite a bit. And Snorri did say the Aesir were from Asia, though what exactly that means, and whether or not that was just his Christian justification for why his ancestors believed they way they did I cannot say for sure. All I can say for sure are two things

1) even if the two cultures influenced each other I dont think that they are the same dieties and religion as some modern pagans like to think. But I will leave the every culture is unique and should not be lumped together rant for another time. Not saying that is what you said, but I know people do that and it bugs but I will not diverge from topic to discuss that here.

2) just as you have observed, norse time is not as linear as the books try to make it out. Part of that is due to the tribal nature of Scandinavia: every tribe did things a bit different causing fluxuations in stories, which god was the most important etc. Some tribes didnt have stories that others have and visa versa. Saxo talks about things from the the danish scandinavian culture that are not recorded in norway or sweden. Snorri tried to put all the stories in linear sense, but it doesn't always quite work. There is a lot of amiguity that one has to except with Norse beliefs. I was having a discussion with one of my kin once about this and he said if someone was to ask me if ragnarok was going to happen, is it happening right now or did it already happen? That his answer would just be yes.

Not sure if that answers your question or not. I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting discussion.



I have been doing some research into discovering links between Hinduism and early European Belief systems. Much has been written and aired concerning shared rootage-all being of the 'Indo-European' lineage. However, I was wondering how this point stands. In Hinduism time is cyclical,not linear as In Say Western religious thought-Judaism and Christianity. The Universe goes through stages, known as Yugas, each one lasting a day in the life of Brahma, the creator deity, which is Billions upon billions of years. When Brahma sleeps, the universe is destroyed and darkness reigns, when he wakes he recreates it and so forth.
It got me thinking with regard to the concept of Ragnarok. Although this is very defintely an eschatological concept, with the demise of Gods and Giants alike, Surt eventually finishing off the earth in a blaze of fire, it is not truly the end. A new earth rises and is pupulated by those humans who hid in Yggdrssil during the confrontation and divinity is continued through Balder, Hod etc, so there is physical continuation of existence after the end times of this period of existence unlike Christianity where all continues pretty much in a spiritual way. Would it be fair to say then, that some beliefs in Asatru concerning the 'end times' and that associated with them is much closer in concept to other faiths such as Hinduism, than for example the often aired scholarly view that Norse or Germanic Paganism in the Viking Age and beyond was influenced by Christianitys vision of what is to befall us?xxxxx