J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion share striking parallels with Hindu philosophy, especially regarding creation and the cosmic order. His legendarium beautifully echoes the structure of Hindu cosmology in a way that feels both familiar and profound.
At the heart of it all is Eru Ilúvatar, the supreme creator, like ParaBrahman, the absolute, formless divine source from which all existence flows. From Eru arise the Ainur, the holy ones, who resemble the Trimurti—Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Maheshwara (Shiva, the Transformer). Just as the Trimurti shape the universe through their divine will, the Ainur sing reality into existence under Eru’s guidance.
Descending from the Ainur, we have the Valar, each governing a force of nature—sky, sea, earth, death—similar to the Devas of Hinduism, like Indra, Agni, and Varuna, who maintain cosmic balance. Melkor, the rebel Ainur who turns against Eru, can be compared to Asuric forces like Hiranyakashipu or Ravana—mighty but led astray by pride.
Then come the Elves, the firstborn of Eru, luminous and wise, much like the celestial beings (Devas, Gandharvas, or Rishis) of Hindu texts. They possess great knowledge and a deep connection with the divine but are destined to fade from earth as the time moves forward. Humans are the later-born, caught in the web of karma and free will, shaping their own destiny in an ever-changing world.
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| Valinor |
The ages of Tolkien’s Middle-earth also bear resemblance to Hindu time cycles:
- The First Age mirrors Satya Yuga, the age of purity, where the Valar still walk among the world, and heroes perform godlike feats.
- The Second Age, like Treta Yuga, sees the rise of great civilizations, akin to Ayodhya or Lanka, and their eventual fall due to ego and ambition (Numenor’s downfall).
- The Third Age, resembling Dwapara Yuga, is an age of decline where divine presence is rare, chaos reigns and good unites to face evil or adharma as in the fellowship against the mighty army of Sauron, akin to the Mahabharata war.
- Finally, the Fourth Age, the Age of Men, reflects Kali Yuga, where magic wanes, gods withdraw, and men rule with more uncertainty than wisdom.
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| High Elves war with Morgoth |
The creation of the world through music in Tolkien's Ainulindalë has been compared to the cosmic vibration concept (Nada Brahma) in Hindu philosophy
What is particularly noteworthy is that Tolkien’s mythology does not mirror Christianity’s idea of creation or original sin. There is no Adam and Eve, no concept of inherited sin, and no singular moment of divine judgment. Instead, Tolkien’s world follows a more cyclical and evolving structure, much like Hindu cosmology, where time flows in vast ages, and the divine is ever-present yet distant, shaping destiny without direct interference.
Tolkien’s world isn’t just a fantasy epic—it’s a grand, spiritual tapestry, woven with deep mythic truths. While it wasn’t directly inspired by Hindu philosophy, its essence resonates beautifully with the cycles, deities, and cosmic struggle that Hinduism describes. Perhaps, in some forgotten song of the Ainur, the wisdom of the Vedas still lingers.
I’ve read a few of your posts, and I felt an unexpected sense of familiarity. In your first post, you mention that as a child your thoughts never quite fit with others your age — that resonated deeply with me. I experience something similar. I’m currently in my teen years, yet people around me often say that my mind seems to run ahead of my age. Even when I speak with elders, my words feel natural to me, though sometimes difficult for them to fully grasp.
ReplyDeleteMy interests are also quite mixed. I feel strongly drawn toward the spiritual world, but at the same time I’m deeply enthusiastic about technology and the modern systems shaping our reality. Reading your work made me feel there are a few uncommon parallels between us.
This leaves me with a question I genuinely sit with:
When someone feels out of sync with their age and environment, is that a sign of an inner path unfolding early or simply a mind searching for where it truly belongs?
From your own journey, how did you come to understand what part you were meant to play?
Hello!
DeleteThe mind running ahead of ones age is usually a sign of an older soul. Nothing special about it except it shows a stage of evolution. In regards to your question - in my journey the good part is i didn't have to think much about how i felt. The way it happened felt natural and reconfirmed itself often despite my early doubts. Perhaps there is a parallel, but each souls journey is unique. Pursue what you feel naturally inclined towards, though in my life, somehow, at a very early stage i was convinced that while science and technology can benefit humanity greatly, it is utterly incompetent or rather limited in answering the fundamental questions of life. So despite my initial atheistic mindset, i was naturally pulled towards the spiritual path. My only advice is to be wary of the ego by being utterly honest and sincere to yourself and life at all times.
Thank you for your thoughtful response. What you said about not having to force clarity, and allowing the path to reconfirm itself naturally, stayed with me. I realize that much of my questioning comes from trying to understand myself too early, rather than simply observing what continues to arise on its own.
DeleteYour distinction between science answering how and spirituality touching why resonates deeply. I find myself standing at that intersection, curious but also cautious, aware that fascination with depth can quietly turn into identification.
Your reminder about sincerity and vigilance toward ego feels especially important. I’ll sit with that. Perhaps, as you suggest, the role becomes clearer not by defining it, but by living honestly enough for it to reveal itself.
If along you journey you ever feel the need to connect, you can email me on da.yogi@gmail.com.
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