Hinduism+v.+Greek+gods

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MAIN POINTS
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 * The major Greek gods appear and act almost exactly like humans despite their super-natural glow and divine representations
 * Most Hindu gods looks more like mythical creatures than humans. Their personalities also contain a lot less depth than humans, while their powers/representations are extremely godly
 * Although the Greek and Hindu gods are different physically, they still have many things in common, including their powers/representations and their characteristics.

Greek Gods
The Greek Gods played a major role in the Ancient Greek society. The gods served as role models and idols. The Greek people would never disrespect the gods in case of getting severely punished. The gods lived on the top of Mt. Olympus and gorged themselves with ambrosia and nectar. The gods had many arguments and disputes with each other in which they fought over land, power, and attractiveness. some of the gods include Zeus, Aphrodite, Ares, Hermes, Hades.

Appearances [[image:zeus.gif width="167" height="264" align="left"]]
Zeus is usually pictured in a white tunic holding a lightning bolt. He is extremely buff and sports his white beard very well. Another specific example of this human-like appearance is Ares because he is always dressed in full body armor with a sword and a shield like an Ancient Greek warrior. Aphrodite, also closely resembles a human, although she may be significantly better looking than one. Aphrodite doesn't take a specific form; she looks how you want her to look. Hermes is one of the more lavishly dressed. He wears a red and gold toga with winged sandals and a winged messengers hat. Hades is alway dressed in a completely black robe.

**Personalities**
Zeus is the most conceited and arrogant god of the gods. Whenever he gets the chance he flaunts his kingliness and his special powers. Ares is always angry, whether it is with his brothers and sisters, his parents, or the world he always has a fight to pick with someone or something. Aphrodite could be loving and compassionate, but she also has a cruel and capricious side that she uses to break many of her lovers hearts. Hermes is curious and fun-loving he can often be found trying to trick his fellow gods. He also likes to play "practical jokes" on the gods even though they don't appreciate it. Hades is dark and blunt; he neither hates nor loves anything living or dead.

Powers/representations
Zeus is the god of the seasons, lightning, thunder, the earth and the sky. Zeus' thunderbolt can destroy anything on heavan or earth. This is what makes him the most powerful god. Ares, the god of war, carries a sword that brings him complete control of wars and battles. Aphrodite is the goddess of love. Aphrodite can charm anyone into doing her bidding just by talking to them. Hermes, the god of messengers, travel, theft, money, and luck is one of the only one who has made it through the underworld and back.

**Hindu Gods**
The Hindu gods were a very silent yet still prominent force in the Indian culture. The hindu people hardly ever had interactions with the gods, but everyone still involved them in their daily loves by praying and worshipping. Some of these gods include Brahma, Indra, Parvati, Ganesh, Skanda, Shiva.

**Appearances**
Brahma has four arms and three heads. He is usually shown in the lotus position (a common yoga pose). Indra also has an interesting appearance. He has four arms and bears a resemblance to monkey because of his upturned nose and his close together eyes. Parvati is the most attractive of all the gods and goddesses. She also looks most like a human despite her extra two arms. Ganesh is composed of an elephant head and an overweight human body with four arms (like most of the other gods). Shiva is always dressed in dark colored clothing and he has four arms with an intimidating third eye on hisforehead.

Personalities
Brahma is the incarnation of Brahman (the single unifying force of the earth and the essence of life), therefore he is a man of few words and meditation. Because he hardly talks or interacts with anyone it is difficult to pinpoint his personality. Indra, like Brahma does not have an especially vivid personality, but he seems to give off a controlling aura. Parvati has an especially vibrant personality. She is affectionate and caring to anyone in need. Ganesh's light hearted sense of humor makes him unique to the other gods. In contrast, Skanda is described as serious and stern. He is also said to have shown no mercy to anyone on the battlefield. Shiva is also a quite god, though he is intimidating and light tempered when provoked.

**Powers/representations**
Brahma also known as the creator god, is the god of creation of wisdom. Indra is the king of the gods and he is the god of lightning, and thunder. Indra is capable of destroying anyone that places themselves in his way. Parvati is the goddess of love and affection. Everybody loves Parvati and no one will hurt her. Ganesh has been said to bring luck and financal prosperity to anybody who worships him, as he is the god of luck and money. Shiva is the destroyer of all things living and not living.

Greek vs. Hindu Gods
Although the Greek and Hindu gods are different physically, they still have many things in common, including their powers and their characteristics. Brahma and Indra are the Hindu equivalent to Zeus. Brahma is the king of the Triad and Indra is the King of the gods. Additionally, Indra is the god of thunder and lightning like Zeus. Neither Indra nor Brahma looks or acts like Zeus in any way. Zeus has a flamboyant personality and looks like a human, and Indra and Brahma are the exact opposite in these two aspects. The two most related gods in the Greek and Hindu religions are Parvati and Aphrodite. They are both the goddesses of love, they are both loving and sympathetic, and they are both extremely attractive to the people following their religion. Ganesh and Hermes are also closely related, as they are both the gods of luck, and they both have a humorous side to them. On the other hand, Skanda, the god of battle and armies, is Ares’ counterpart because they both have a light temper and they are both bloodthirsty. Shiva and Hades are also similar because they each represent darkness and destruction. The Hindu and Greek culture have gone back so far that one starts to wonder why there are so many similarities between such parallel civilizations.