article

The Indo-European prehistory of "yoga"

International journal of Hindu studies2 (1) • Published In 1998 • Pages: 1-20

By: Allen, N. J..

Abstract
This work compares the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata with the Greek epic the Odyssey to learn more about Hindu culture and religion. The heroes of each, Arjuna and Odysseus, show many similarities and the author proposes that they arose from the same proto-hero of an oral proto-narrative. The proto-myth was probably a shamanistic journey that was acted out in a ritual, partly to explain and justify ancestral yogic practices.
Subjects
Comparative evidence
Verbal arts
Mythology
Historical reconstruction
Shamans and psychotherapists
Ritual
tradition
Vedic
HRAF PubDate
2016
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Indologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2014
Field Date
Not applicable
Coverage Date
3900-2000 BP
Coverage Place
India and Greece
Notes
N. J. Allen
Includes bibliographical references (p. 18-20)
LCCN
98659033
LCSH
Indus civilization