india's cultural influnce

Date- 26th July 2012

The ancient language of Sanskrit is regarded as the mother of all European languages. Etymologists (people who study languages) point to similarities between vocabularies of various languages such as Latin and Greek which are ancestors of all modern European languages including English.

The language was transported by the emigrating tribes from India, westward into Europe where it mixed with local

languages and dialects giving rise to the predecessors of modern western languages. This connection can be easily

identified by simple analysis of common words. Languages in Europe and some

languages in the Far-East have Indian influence, either in script (Tibetan and Old Mongol

script written in 2nd Century AD Brahmi script from North India and is the predecessor to

Korean Hangeul Script) or language [Some words in Chinese, Thai and Khmer are Sanskrit

in Origin eg. “Zen” = through Japanese 禅 and Chinese 禪 Chán ultimately from Pali

झन jhāna and Sanskrit न dhyana, which means "a meditation"]

This link was first identified by Florentine merchant Filippo Sassetti (1540 - 1588) who during his voyages to India wrote privately to fellow Florentine Bernardo Davanzati in 1585, about some word similarities between Sanskrit and Italian such as:

deva/dio 'God', sarpa/serpe 'snake',sapta/sette 'seven', ashta/otto 'eight', nava/nove 'nine'. It wasn’t until the 18th Century when Englishman Sir William Jones, a judge in Calcutta, looked deeper into the relations of the various languages. Some common words with Sanskrit origin:

भ्रात ृ(bhrātṛ) / भ्राता (bhrātā) –> Bruder (German) -> Brother (English)

स्वस ृ(swasar) –> swestēr (German) -> Sister (English)

(pitr) -> πατήρ (patēr) [Greek] -> pater (Latin) -> Vater (German) -> fæder (Old English) ->

fader (Middle English) -> Father (English)

दहुित ृ(duhitṛ) -> θσγάτηρ (thugatēr) *Ancient Greek+ -> Tochter (German) -> dōhtor (Old English) ->

doughter (Middle English) –> Daughter (English)

मात ृ(mā tṛ) -> μήτηρ (mētēr) [Ancient Greek] -> māter (Latin) -> Mutter (German) -> Moder (Middle

English) - ---> Mother (English)

Tri (three) + kon (angle) + miti (parametre) = Trikonmiti (Measuring the Triangle) -> trigōnon

(triangle) + metria (measure) (Greek) -> Trigonometry (English)


gya (earth) + miti (parameter) = gyaamiti (measuring the earth) ->

=> γῆ (gē, “earth, land, country”) + μετρέω (metréō, “to measure, to count”) or μετρία (metria, “measurement”) = γεωμετρία (geometría, “geometry, land-survey”) -> Geometry (English)

nāus (ship) + (agati)[to drive, propel] = Navgati (to go by boat) -> Navigatus (Latin) -> Navigate

(English)

मतृ (mṛtá) (to die) -> μροτός (mrotos) [Ancient Greek] -> Mortalis (Latin) -> Muerta (Spanish) ->

Mortal (English)

(deva) (diety/demigod) -> Daevas (Avestan/Old Persian) (A being of shining light) ->

Deiwos (God of Daylight and Sky) -> Dyàuṣ -> Dies (day), Divus (divine), Deus (god) [Latin] -> Δεύς (Zeus)

(Greek) -> Dio (God) [Italian] -> Dios (Spanish) -> Dieu (French) -> Tiwaz (German) -> Deity, Divine (English)

*also note Tuesday, like all other days of the week were named after Norse Gods of German origin. This

connection is visible in TUESDAY or “Tiwaz” Day (Tiwaz’s Day)

Dyàuṣ + (pitr) = Dyàuṣpítr (Sky Father) -> Zeu pater [Sky Father] (Greek) -> Deus pater (Latin) -

> Iūpiter (Jupiter) [Latin]

India not only influenced Western languages, but also Eastern languages:

Siddham (Sanskrit , "accomplished" or "perfected")

Used for writing Sanskrit during the period 600-1200 CE Descended from the Brahmi script via the “Gupta script”, which also gave rise to the Devanāgarī, Tibetan and several other Asian

scripts.

It was considered important to preserve the pronunciation of mantras, for which Chinese characters were unsuitable. This led to the

retention of the Siddhaṃ Script in East Asia and survived in East Asia where Tantric Buddhism persisted.

Kūkai introduced the Siddhaṃ script to Japan when he returned from China in 806, where he studied Sanskrit with Nalanda-trained

monks including one known as Prajñā. By the

time Kūkai learned this script, the trading and

pilgrimage routes over land to India, were closed

by the expanding Islamic empire of the Abbasids.

In the middle of the 9th century, China

experienced a series of purges of "foreign

religions", thus cutting Japan off from the

sources of Siddhaṃ texts. In time, other scripts,

particularly Devanagari, replaced Siddhaṃ in

India, leaving East Asia as the only region where

Siddhaṃ is used.

The oldest extant printed book is a Tang Dynasty work of the Sanskrit text “Diamond Sutra” (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) and dates back to 868


The forty-seven letters of the Japanese alphabet are said to have been devised after the pattern of the Sanskrit alphabet by the

Japanese Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi (774-835 AD). The arrangement of the Japanese syllabary based on the Sanskrit system is also

attributed to the influence of Bodhisena (Sanskrit न Chinese and Japanese 菩提僊那) (704–760) an Indian Buddhist scholar

and monk, known for traveling to Japan and establishing the Kegon school.

The reach of language to other parts of the world also facilitated the transfer of literature from India to all across the old known world. In the east this transfer (mostly of Buddhist scriptures) was immortalized in one of the four greatest Chinese literatures ever written. “Journey to the West” the fictionalised chronicle of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s journey to India to obtain sacred texts. The protagonist is a monkey king named Sun Wukong who bears a striking resemblance to Hanuman, the Monkey God from the epic RAMAYANA.

Sun Wukong (孫悟空) is known/pronounced as Suen Ng Hung in Cantonese, Son Oh Gong in Korean, Tôn Ngộ Không in Vietnamese, Son Gokū in Japanese, Sun Go Kong In Indonesian, and Sun' Ukun in Russian.

This character is also well known in popular culture via the Japanese comics (Manga) “Dragonball Series” as the protagonist Son Goku or simply GOKU, who is part monkey and part human with great martial skill.


The character Son Goku, or simply GOKU, is a well-known character in popular culture, via the Japanese comics (Manga), as the protagonist of the “Dragonball Series”. He is a Saiyan warrior who appears like a human and is capable of turning into a giant ape. He also possesses great martial skill.

The epic RAMAYANA is popular in South-East Asia as the region was once ruled by Hindu kingdoms. Besides the language similarities with Sanskrit, the dances and folk tales are reminiscent of its Indian connection. In Thailand RAMAYANA (known as Ramakien) and the character Hanuman is especially revered. Like in India, he is the patron of martial arts and combat. The classical dance steps portraying Hanuman were adopted and modified for use in combat. This formed a deadly Thai martial art, incorporating several monkey-like movements and martial dances (RAMAYANA in origin, as the names of those postures are taken from the epic). This martial art is known as Muay Thai. (Note the similarity in poses between the first two and last two images.)

(Left to right: image 1) - Hanuman presents Sita the ring of Rama.

(Image 2) - “Hanuman Thawai Waen” *Hanuman presents the ring+ posture modified for combat.

(Image 3) - “Yo Khao Prasumaru” [Lifting the Sumer Mountain] posture modified for combat.

(Image 4) - “Hanuman Lifting the Sumer Mountain” poster as found in India.


Consists of 24,000 verses in 7 books (kāndas)

and 500 cantos (sargas).

Played a pivotal role in establishing the role of

Dhárma as a principle guiding force for a Hindu

way of life.

Versions have been adopted as the epics of

Southeast Asian countries like Thailand,

Malaysia and Indonesia.

In Thailand, RAMAYANA is known as RAMAKIEN.

The character of Hanuman inspired “Sun

Wukong” the protagonist in Chinese Classic –

“Journey to the West” and is portrayed as a

monkey king with great martial skill.

“Sun Wukong” is known as “Son Goku” in Japan

and is famous in popular culture as the

protagonist in the “Dragonball” anime/manga

series who is a human capable of turning into an

ape, and possesses great martial skills.

The origins of the story probably fall between the 8th

and 9th centuries BCE.

Earliest parts of the text date to 400 BC and is

estimated to have reached its final form by the early

Gupta Period (ca. 4th

Century AD).

The title may be translated as "The Great Tale of the

Bhārata Dynasty". According to the Mahabharata

itself, the tale is an extension from a shorter version

of 24,000 verses called simply “Bhārata”.

Longest Sanskrit epic. Its longest version consists of

over 100,000 shloka or over 200,000 individual

verse lines (each shloka is a couplet) and long prose

passages. About 1.8 million words in total. It’s

roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and

Odyssey combined, or about four times the length of

the Ramayana.

Stories forming the Mahabharata are the Bhagavad

Gita, the story of Damayanti, an abbreviated version

of the Ramayana, and the Rishyasringa, often

considered as works in their own right.


India since antiquity has been a secular nation where various religions flourished and grew. 4 of the world’s

major religious beliefs originated here: HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, JAINISM and SIKHISM. All the four

religions trace their origins to HINDUISM. Over the ages other religious groups settled and made India their

home: Jews, Christians, Muslims and Zoroastrians. India’s religious influence stretched from the

Gangetic Plains all the way to Japan in the East and Rome in the West.

There previously existed a Tamil Hindu community in Quanzhou (China) who, in the late 13th century, built

a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is now in ruins, but over 300 carvings are still within the city. Many are

currently on display in the Quanzhou museum, and some have become a part of Buddhist temple—Kaiyuan

Temple. Behind its main hall "Mahavira Hall”, there are some columns decorated by some Hindu carvings. The

carvings are dispersed across five primary sites in Quanzhou and the neighbouring areas. They were made in the

South Indian style, and share close similarities with 13th century temples constructed in the Kaveri Delta region

in Tamil Nadu.

Extent of

spread of

Hinduism in

South East

Asia.

Kaiyuan

Temple.

Mahavir Hall.


Several Hindu gods and Goddesses have found their way into Far Eastern culture.

Garuda Karura Yama->Yan (China)->Yemma (Japan) Brahma Bonten Saraswati Benzaiten

迦楼羅 म 閻閻魔 म 梵天 सरस्वती 弁才天, 弁財天

There are countless deities adopted by the Far East via Buddhist Scriptures. But the East is not the only region that has Indian Mythological influence. The Western world, especially Greek and Roman Myths, have Indian connections e.g. In Roman, Greek

and Indian myths the “King of the gods” have the same manifested powers – Indra (Indian), Zeus (Greek) and Jupiter (Roman)

are Gods of Thunder, Lightening and Rain.

Some Mythological Parallels:

The Great Flood Myth: Common with Hebrew Bible, Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Hindu Myth, Christian Bible and

Quran.

Many cultures have stories about divine figures whose death creates an essential part of reality. The Chinese

myth of Pangu, the Vedic myth of Purusha, and the Norse myth of Ymir: all tell of a cosmic giant who is killed to create

the world.

Many mythologies mention a place that sits at the centre of the world and acts as a point of contact between different

levels of the universe. This "axis mundi" is often marked by a sacred tree, mountain peak or man-made objects like

Towers (Etamnanki, the fabled tower of Babel) or other mythical object. For example, many myths describe a great

tree or pillar joining heaven, earth, and the underworld. Vedic India, ancient China, and the ancient Germans all had

myths featuring a "Cosmic Tree" whose branches reach heaven and whose roots reach hell.

High mountain peaks are usually the seat of Gods as in Greek (Mt. Olympus), India (Mt. Kailash and Meru) and Japanese

(Mt. Fuji).

Many cultures have a creation myth in which a group of younger, more civilized gods conquer and/or struggle against a

group of older gods who represent the forces of chaos. In the Greek myth of the Titanomachy, the Olympian

gods defeat the Titans, an older and more primitive divine race, and establish cosmic order. In Hindu mythology,

the devas (gods) battle the asuras (demons). And the Celtic gods of life and light struggle against the Fomorians,

ancient gods of death and darkness.

Many cultures believe in a celestial Supreme Being who has cut off contact with humanity. In many myths, the Supreme

Being withdraws into the heavens after the creation of the world. Baluba mythology features such a story, in which the

supreme God withdraws from the earth, leaving man to search for him. Similarly, the mythology of the Hereros tells of

a Sky God who has abandoned mankind to lesser divinities. Vedic Indian mythology speaks of a celestial supreme being:

BRAHMAN that cannot be personified and are represented by the deities. In the mythologies of highly complex

cultures, the Supreme Being tends to disappear completely, replaced by a strongly polytheistic belief system, as in

Hinduism.


India has the world’s largest

Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Zoroastrian

and Baha’i populations.

India has the 3rd largest Muslim

population in the world; Largest

population for any Non-Muslim

country.

Islam is the 2nd most practiced

religion in India.

Islam came to India with the

Arab merchants and traders on

the Western Malabar Coast in

the 7th Century and in Northern

India in the 12th Century.

The Mustali sect (Ismailite),

which originated in Egypt and

later moved its religious centre

to Yemen, gained a foothold in

India through missionaries of

11th Century. These people

settled in Western India, where

they were called “Bohras”, a

reinterpretation of the Gujarati

word “vahaurau” which means

“To Trade”.

Judaism is the first foreign

religion to arrive in India in

recorded history.

Some of the Jewish

Communities arrived in India

during the time of the Kingdom

of Judah.

Some of the Jewish

Communities are thought to be

descendants of Israel’s mythical

”;: Lost Tribes”.

Unlike many other parts of the

world, Jews have historically

lived in India without any

instances of anti-Semitism from

the majority populace.

Of the total Jewish population in

india, about half live in Manipur

and Mizoram and a quarter live

in the city of Mumbai.

Ohel David Synagogue in Pune is

the largest synagogue in Asia

outside Israel.

The Cochin Jews arrived in India

2,500 years ago and settled in

Kerala as traders.

Bene Israel Jews arrived in

Maharashtra 2,100 years ago.

Baghdadi Jews arrived in

Mumbai from Iraq, Iran,

Afghanistan and other Arab

countries 250 years ago.

Bnei Menashe are tribes from

Mizoram and Manipur in

Eastern India who claim descent

from the tribe of Manasseh.

Bene Ephraim (Telugu Jews) are

a small Telugu speaking

community whose observance

dates to 1981.

Christianity is the third most

practiced religion in India.

Christianity was introduce by

Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD

to spread the Gospel to the

Jewish community residing in

Kerala (South-West India).

Christianity was established in

India long before it was

established in Europe, making

it one of the oldest Christian

Communities in Asia, outside

the Holy Land.

India is predominantly a

Hindu nation.

Hinduism can be traced

back to 5500 BC making

it the oldest system of

beliefs in practice.

Hinduism has no founder

and is classified as a

Philosophy, not a

religion.

Hinduism formed when

Aryan Invaders entered

the Indus Valley and

mixed with local beliefs.

Variations of Hindu

Mythologies were

adopted by various

regions in Asia and

modified to suit their

realities.

“Panchtantra” (5

principles) is a collection

of animal fables

composed in the 3rd

Century BC, to impart

knowledge of morals

and worldly conduct and

is known, in the Western

World as “Aesop’s

Fables”, which contain

many of the same

stories as “Panchtantra”.

Jainism, Sikhism and

Buddhism are all derived

from Hinduism.

Hinduism once extended

from Afghanistan to

Indonesia. The influence

can still be seen today in

terms of traditions,

language and

architecture.


“Demos” (People) + “Kratos” (Power) = Democracy (People Power) [Greek]

Word coined in Athens (Greece) at around 400BC.

Democratic government installed in 508-507 BC in Athens (Greece).

Democracy is the rule of Majority over minority.

Athens is generally regarded as the world’s first democracy.

Cleisthenes is referred to as “The father of Athenian Democracy”.

Repblic (from Latin: res publica) means “Public Matter”.

A Republic is similar to a democracy.

REPUBLIC DEMOCRACY

Power of government is limited and constrained by a Constitution. Rights of all people are safeguarded in the constitution. A republic may or may not be a democracy E.g. India is a democracy and a republic as it is bound by a written constitution. E.g. Ukrainian SSR was a republic with a seat in the UN, but was ultimately controlled by the non-democratic Soviet Union.

Majority/Government has unlimited power over minority. Safeguard of minority rights is not present. A democracy may or may not be a republic. E.g. New Zealand, Australia and Canada are democratic constitutional monarchies but not republics.

Greek accounts indicate that ancient Indian kingdoms followed republican form of

governments as early as 700 BC stretching from Indus Valley in the West to

Gangaetic Plains in the East.

These kingdoms were called “Janapadas”. Through assimilations and diplomacy

some of these kingdoms united to form a Confederacy. These big kingdoms were

called “Mahajanapadas”.

The Vajji Confederacy Mahajanapada of Licchavi is one of the world’s first

republics. Its capital is the ancient city of Vaishali (In Bihar province, Nothern India)

16 major Mahajanapadas are recorded to have grown across the plains. (see map on

page 12).


A famous literary work in the field of politics and economics is called

ARTHSHASTRA (The Science of Wealth), written by Kautilya [350 – 283 BC] (also

known as Chanakya and Vishnugupt) in around the 4th Century BC. A scholar at

Takshila, political scientist, tactician, teacher and guardian of Chandragupta

Maurya (founder of the Mauryan Empire) he is regarded by scholars as one of

the greatest tactician and strategist in human history along with Sun Tzu (China,

the author of THE ART OF WAR) and Niccolo Machiavelli (Italy, author of THE

PRINCE).


The treatise is revered for its dealing with political issues like:

When violence is justified.

When assassinating an enemy is useful.

When killing domestic opponents is wise.

How one uses secret agents.

When one needs to sacrifice one's own secret agent.

How the king can use women and children as spies and even assassins.

When a nation should violate a treaty and invade its neighbour.

In what cases must a king spy on his own people?

How should a king test his ministers, even his own family members, to see

if they are worthy of trust.

When must a king kill a prince, his own son, who is heir to the throne?

How does one protect a king from poison?

What precautions must a king take against assassination by one's own

wife?

When is it appropriate to arrest a troublemaker on suspicion alone?

When is torture justified?


List of the 16 major republican kingdoms (mahajanapadas):

1. Anga

2. Kosala

3. Kashi

4. Magadha

5. Videha

6. Malla

7. Chedi

8. Vatsa (or Vamsa)

9. Kuru

10. Panchala

11. Machcha (or Matsya)

12. Surasena

13. Assaka(or Asmaka)

14. Avanti

15. Gandhara

16. Kamboja


This detailed map shows the locations of Kingdoms mentioned in the Indian epics.


Ancient Cities of India during the time of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Buddha. LEGEND: yellow:

kingdoms; blue: rivers; green: forests; brown: mountains; red: places (cities, towns, villages,

mountain peaks, etc.)


India is home to some of the oldest fighting systems in the world known as “ ”śastravidyā or “ ”dhanurvidya . The former is a compound of the words śastra (weapon) and vidyā (knowledge), meaning

or "knowledge of weaponry". "knowledge of the sword" The latter term derives from the words for bow . In Tamil, they are either known (dhanushya) and knowledge (veda), literally the "science of archery"

under the umbrella term kalarikalai ( ), meaning "art of the battleground", or

tarkappukalai ( ), meaning "art of self-defence". Kalaripayattu ([kaɭəɾipːajətː ]) is an Indian martial art from the southern state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is regarded as the mother of all Asian martial arts. The term kalaripayattu is formed from the words “kalari” (Malayalam: ) meaning “school or gymnasium” and “payattu” (Malayalam: ) derived from “payattuka”

meaning to "fight/ exercise" or "to put hard work into".

In Tamil, kalari payattu is a compound of (field;

may be, battle field) and (study / learn, as in

- teaching / - he learnt). Its

origins are obscure and have traditionally been attirbuted to Hindu Gods. Declined during colonial times, but has now seen a revival in recent popular culture such as Films (Jackie Chan’s THE MYTH) and Japanese manga “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.”

Varma Kalai (Tamil: ) is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating

from ancient Tamil Nadu in South India. The name literally translate as "The Art of Vital Points". It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai (SILAMBAM). Legend has it that Lord Siva taught this art form to his son Lord Murugan. Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught to those of royal blood. However, even royalty were required to pass the stringent requirements for discipleship. The schools received nivandhanams (donation with high respect) from the Kings of Tamil Kingdom (Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava). The art was taught only to selected individuals, but due to the strict requirements for new students it never gained large numbers of adherents. Due to its secretive nature, Varma Kalai remained largely unknown even in India until the release of the 1996 movie “HINDUSTANI” (Indian), in which Kamal Haasan played the role of a Varma Kalai expert. The film's popularity generated a resurgence of interest in the art. Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttu varisai and Kalari training.

Silambam (Tamil: ) or silambattam (Tamil: ) is a

weapon-based Dravidian martial art from Tamil Nadu in south India but also practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia (Where it is known as the Stick martial art of SILAT). In Tamil, the word silambam refers to the bamboo staff which is the main weapon used in this style. Unarmed silambam, called kuttu varisai, utilizes stances and routines based on animal movements such as the snake, tiger, elephant and eagle forms. Silambam was known to the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians as early as 2

nd

Century AD through their trades with the historical port of Madurai. The bamboo staff was a very popular weapon with the visitors and was in great demand. It was banned in Colonial times and survived in secrecy, while it grew in the Tamil community in Malaysia and became known as SILAT.


There are and have been many dozens of martial arts that have been developed in India since Vedic times such as: North India:

Gatka is a weapon-based style adapted from shastar vidya by the Sikhs of the Panjab.

Mardani khel is an armed method created by the Marathas of Maharashtra.

Musti yuddha is a style of kickboxing, popular in the Middle Ages but now confined to Varanasi.

Pari-khanda is a style of sword and shield fighting from Bihar.

Thang-ta or huyen lalong is an armed system created by the Meitei of Manipur. South India:

Kalaripayat has its roots in the combat training halls (payattu kalari) of Tamilakam's traditional educational system.

Kathi samu is a primarily sword-based art originating with the kshatriya caste of Andhra Pradesh.

Paika akhada is an armed system formerly practiced by the warriors of Orissa.

Silambam is a weapon-based style from Tamil Nadu which focuses on the bamboo staff. Wrestling

Vajra Mushti (Sanskrit vajramuṣṭi )

The Agni Purana: The earliest extant manual of dhanurveda (archery) (dated to between the 8th and the 11th century), It divides the art into weapons that are thrown or unthrown. The thrown (mukta) class includes twelve weapons altogether which come under four categories, viz.

1. Yantra-mukta: Projectile weapons such as the sling or the bow 2. Pāṇi-mukta: Weapons thrown by hand such as the javelin 3. Mukta-sandharita: Weapons that are thrown and drawn back, such as the rope-spear 4. Mantra-mukta: Mythical weapons that are thrown by magic incantations (mantra), numbering 6 types

These were opposed to the much larger unthrown class of three categories.

1. Hasta-śastra or Amukta: Melee weapons that do not leave the hand, numbering twenty types 2. Muktāmukta: weapons that can be thrown or used in-close, numbering 98 varieties

Bāhu-Yuddha: nine weapons of the body (hands, feet, knees, elbows and head), i.e. unarmed fighting3.

india's cultural influnce

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