The Lullaby Of Mythology Is Potentially Soporific

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 3 September 2025 "Mythologies, all over the World, are very pleasant flights of imagination. While our childhood fascination with these is everlasting in our memories, the trend from the last few decades is that right-wing ruling parties’ leaders are flaunting mythologies as if they happened the way we read them or hear them. The beginning of this in the public space began with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminding the medical fraternity and the nation that there might have been a plastic surgeon, who transplanted the head of a baby elephant on the Lord Ganesh." Lord Hanuman as First Space Traveller: Mythology as Science' by Ram Puniyani (Hindi translation: Hanuman Thay Duniya Ke Pahle Antariksha Yaatri : Pauranik Kathaon Ko Vigyaan Ka Darja, NAI ) Today's Sanatanis and Right-wing people and politicians must understand the difference between myths and realities. They must read Neil Gaiman's ' The Power of Mythology: Norse Mythology.' The book highlights the enduring power of mythology and its ability to captivate and enchant people across different cultures and generations. The book explores how myths, even though they may be thousands of years old, still have the ability to resonate with contemporary audiences. A couple of examples from Norse Mythology will buttress my point: The World Was Born From The Body Of A Giant This is a powerful quote from Norse Mythology that reflects the unique belief system of the ancient Norse people. According to their mythological tales, the world we inhabit today, known as Midgard, was created from the body of a colossal giant named Ymir. From his flesh, the earth emerged, his blood formed the seas, and his bones became mountains and rocks. This quote signifies the intrinsic connection between the natural elements and the divine beings in Norse mythology. It further emphasizes the Norse belief in the interconnectedness of all things, with the giant's body serving as the foundation upon which the world and its diverse landscapes were built. It is a reminder of the awe-inspiring origins of existence and the profound reverence the Norse held for the mysteries of creation. Odin Sacrificed His Eye For Wisdom In Norse Mythology, the quote "Odin sacrificed his eye for wisdom" stands as a testament to the immense dedication and tenacity of the chief god, Odin. Renowned for his insatiable thirst for knowledge and wisdom, Odin willingly made the ultimate sacrifice by willingly plucking out his own eye and offering it to Mimir, the guardian of the Well of Wisdom. This act symbolizes both his unwavering commitment to understanding the mysteries of the world and his unwavering resolve to better himself for the benefit of his people. By sacrificing a physical part of himself, Odin gains access to the immense wisdom that the Well of Wisdom holds, ultimately transcending his own limitations and becoming a beacon of knowledge and guidance for all beings in the Norse realm. Through this sacrifice, Odin teaches us that true wisdom often requires relinquishing something we hold dear, displaying the lengths we must sometimes go to acquire true knowledge and understanding. The Apple Of Idunn Gave Immortality To The Gods In Norse Mythology, the apple of Idunn holds great significance as it is believed to have bestowed immortality upon the gods. As the goddess of youth and rejuvenation, Idunn was the guardian of these magical apples that possessed the power to maintain the eternal youth and vitality of the deities. The apple of Idunn represented the sacred connection between life, immortality, and the gods, ensuring that their strength and vigour would never fade away. This mythic fruit symbolizes the eternal cycle of birth, growth, and renewal, emphasizing the unending vitality and divine nature of Norse gods and goddesses. There're many more mythical stories across all cultures, civilizations and faiths that are still in circulation but do we believe in them any longer? Do we take them seriously? Unless one's completely deranged or a diehard believer, will any sane person with a scientific temperament ever believe in myths and miracles that we frequently come across in the religious texts of all faiths ? Myths are stories and stories bind people like glue. Agreed, a few myths had didactic significance in the past when people were not so evolved. But today, they've lost their relevance. Should we believe in the myth of Adam, Eve, Apple and Serpent ? No, we shouldn't because all these myths are allegorical and symbolical. They must be taken and understood metaphorically and not literally. A deluded Abraham ready to sacrifice his son at the behest of a sadistic god or an all-powerful monkey god lifting and flying with a whole mountain are mere stories. In the Old Testament, god dividing the Red Sea (for the Israelites to cross!) through Moses is indeed a grand and awe-inspiring story. But this never happened. Read all these mythical stories for sheer entertainment and amusement and forget. A Ravan with ten heads should amuse you. But you'll be an incorrigible lunatic if you believe that such a ridiculous character with ten heads ever existed. The problem begins when we allow mythology to dictate terms and overwhelm our power of reasoning. Instead of going fast forward, India is going fast backward to its obscure mythological past. Hindus are trying to justify their numerous myths. Now religious myths are being taught to young students as scientific facts. Their indoctrination is going on unabated. Myths are elbowing out the Mughals from the syllabus! Reason and scientific temperament are in a shambles. The current political dispensation is mythologizing the past and making its people slumberous. It's an astute political strategy. The lullaby of mythology is potentially soporific. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/lullaby-mythology-potentially-soporific/d/136698 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism