Why Hindus Reject the Term "Mythology": Preserving Sacred History and Cultural Identity
The use of the word "mythology" in reference to Hindu scriptures, stories, and teachings has become a contentious issue among practitioners and scholars of Hinduism. This sensitivity stems from deeply rooted cultural, linguistic, and theological concerns that touch the very core of Hindu identity and belief systems. Understanding why many Hindus object to this terminology requires examining the fundamental differences between how Hindu traditions view their sacred narratives versus how Western academic frameworks categorize religious stories.
The Sacred Nature of Puranas: History, Not Myth
Central to Hindu objections is the classification of their sacred texts as Puranas rather than myths. The Puranas, which literally means "ancient" or "old," are considered historical accounts of cosmic cycles, divine interventions, and the genealogies of gods, sages, and kings. These eighteen major Puranas, including the Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, and Bhagavata Purana, are not viewed as fictional narratives but as chronicles of actual events that occurred in different cosmic ages or yugas.
Hindu tradition maintains that these accounts were preserved through an unbroken chain of oral transmission by rishis (sages) who possessed divine vision and could perceive events across time and space. The Mahabharata, for instance, is not merely an epic poem but is considered an itihasa (literally "thus it happened"), emphasizing its historical authenticity. Similarly, the Ramayana is regarded as the actual biography of Lord Rama, documenting real events that shaped ancient Bharatvarsha.
This perspective fundamentally differs from the Western academic approach that categorizes religious narratives as mythology based on their supernatural elements or lack of conventional historical evidence. For devout Hindus, questioning the historical validity of these accounts is tantamount to undermining the very foundation of their faith and cultural heritage.
Linguistic and Cultural Implications
The etymology of "mythology" adds another layer to Hindu concerns. The term originates from the Greek word "mythos," which translates to "mithya" in Sanskrit. Mithya carries connotations of illusion, falsehood, or something concocted and unreal. This linguistic connection is particularly troubling for Hindus who view their traditions as representing eternal truths (Sanatana Dharma) rather than fabricated stories.
The use of mithya in Hindu philosophy, particularly in Advaita Vedanta, refers to the illusory nature of the material world in contrast to the ultimate reality of Brahman. However, applying this concept to the Puranas and sacred narratives suggests that these foundational stories are mere illusions or fantasies, which contradicts the Hindu understanding of these texts as revelations of cosmic truth.
Furthermore, Hindus argue that their spiritual and cultural heritage represents a continuous, unbroken tradition spanning thousands of years. They contend that archaeological discoveries, such as the submerged city of Dwarka and astronomical references in ancient texts, support the historical basis of their scriptures. Dismissing these as mythology feels like an attempt to delegitimize their rich civilizational heritage.
The Double Standard in Religious Classification
A significant source of frustration among Hindus is the perceived double standard in how different religious traditions are categorized in academic and popular discourse. While stories from Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—are typically referred to as religious history, biblical accounts, or sacred traditions, Hindu narratives are routinely labeled as mythology.
This disparity is particularly evident in educational curricula and media representations where biblical stories of Moses parting the Red Sea or Jesus performing miracles are presented as matters of faith and religious belief, while similar accounts from Hindu scriptures are categorized as mythological tales. Such differential treatment suggests an inherent bias that privileges certain religious worldviews while marginalizing others.
The inconsistency becomes more apparent when considering that many biblical and Quranic accounts also contain supernatural elements and lack conventional historical verification. If academic consistency were truly the goal, all religious narratives with similar characteristics would receive uniform treatment.
Educational and Pedagogical Functions
Hindu scriptures employ storytelling as a sophisticated pedagogical tool designed to convey complex philosophical, moral, and spiritual concepts to diverse audiences. The Puranas serve multiple functions: they preserve cosmological knowledge, illustrate dharmic principles, provide moral guidance, and offer spiritual inspiration through the examples of divine avatars and enlightened beings.
These narratives are structured to operate on multiple levels of understanding. While children might appreciate them as engaging stories, mature practitioners can extract deeper philosophical truths about the nature of reality, consciousness, and ethical living. This multi-layered approach reflects the Hindu tradition's recognition that truth can be communicated through various means, including symbolic and allegorical narratives.
Labeling these sophisticated teaching tools as mere mythology diminishes their educational value and spiritual significance. It reduces profound philosophical treatises to simple folktales, undermining the centuries of scholarly commentary and interpretation that have enriched these traditions.
Contemporary Relevance and Cultural Pride
The objection to the term "mythology" also reflects broader concerns about cultural identity and pride in an increasingly globalized world. Many Hindus feel that their traditions have been systematically misrepresented and marginalized through colonial and post-colonial academic frameworks that impose Western categorizations on non-Western spiritual traditions.
The push to recognize Hindu narratives as sacred history rather than mythology represents an attempt to reclaim cultural agency and assert the validity of indigenous knowledge systems. This movement parallels similar efforts by other indigenous communities worldwide to have their oral traditions and sacred stories respected on their own terms rather than being filtered through external academic lenses.
Final Reflections
The Hindu objection to the term "mythology" reflects deeper issues of cultural respect, religious sensitivity, and academic fairness. While scholarly frameworks may require certain categorizations for comparative purposes, there is value in acknowledging how religious communities understand and interpret their own traditions.
Recognizing Hindu scriptures as Puranas—historical and spiritual accounts that carry profound meaning for billions of practitioners—represents not just semantic accuracy but cultural sensitivity. It acknowledges that different civilizations may have varying approaches to recording and transmitting historical knowledge, and that the absence of Western-style historiography does not automatically invalidate other forms of historical consciousness.
As global discourse increasingly emphasizes pluralism and cultural sensitivity, reconsidering how we categorize and discuss religious traditions becomes not just academically important but ethically necessary. The goal should be fostering understanding and respect rather than imposing uniform frameworks that may inadvertently marginalize certain worldviews.