The mythology of India developed over a considerable period of time, and is rooted deep in the past, but does not lack relevance despite the passage of time. ... While elements have been continually added, nothing has been lost, and the Indian mythologies could be said to be the most intricate set in existence. ... Because of these things, the study of Indian mythology is complex and problematic. ... The Hindu religion and its bases remain nonetheless an enduring area of interest and study. ... Wendy Doniger, in her book The Implied Spider, defies the typical definition of myth, not wanting to be limited by the constraints of time, subject matter, or mode of conveyance. ... This is evident in the Indian Vedas, their most ancient of texts. ...
Doniger puts four points into her working definition of a myth. ... She also introduces the metaphors of the telescope and the microscope, and their use as tools for the study of mythology. ... These “theological lenses” are tools that can be readily applied to the study of myths.
The microscope focuses on the banal details of everyday life, on human deeds and other such worldly matters, and Indian mythology is indeed full of these. ... One can suddenly grasp the immensity of the depicted events, as in Doniger’s example of Yashodha suddenly seeing the entire universe and understanding the immensity of it in the mouth of her child. ... As Doniger puts it, “[the myth’s] purpose is to challenge us simultaneously to see that our lives are real, and to see that they are unreal. ... This is more true in Indian mythos than in many others. Though in Indian mythology, it is made abundantly clear that the human mind and senses are not intended to readily grasp the full truth of the world or the actual forms of the gods. ...
Doniger suggests that one way to understand the meaning of a myth is through comparison. ... If we are to follow this method in our search for understanding and have success, Doniger insists, “from the initial assumption of likeness or sameness or similarity we must end up with difference.
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