Makara In Greek Mythology

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Health, Fertility and Fear: Tracing Makara through Indian Mythology
Bright in color and studded with several precious stones such as rubies and emeralds, this khada (bracelet) is an emblem of 19th century Muslim Indian Art (Met). The terminals of this kadha are in the form of Makara, an ancient hybrid creature famous in Indian, Chinese, and Buddhist mythology. While different accounts contain varying descriptions, Makara is often portrayed as having the body of a crocodile, or other aquatic animal, and the head and ears of an elephant (Semeka-Pankratov 192). Other versions reveal Makara with the head and jaws of a crocodile, a peacock’s tail, the scales of a fish, and an elephant’s trunk (Shen 276). In classical Hindu mythology, Makara has …show more content…

Evidence suggests that the image of the Makara has been around since at least the 3rd century BC (Robbins and Bussabarger, 39). During the course of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, it has always been connected with deities associated with life-giving properties, such as fertility and sustenance. For example, in some of the early Buddhist sites of India, Makara is associated with the Yakshas—tree deities—who represent the life-giving sap of trees (Robbins and Bussabarger, 38). As Bussabarger and Robins, experts in the field of Indian Art, and authors of The Everyday Art of India eloquently summarize, the Yakshas are “playful deities that live in trees and assist in child-birth” (Robbins and Bussabarger, 42). Here, we can directly see how the Yakshas are associated with fertility and the sustenance of life. Therefore, the association of Makara with the deities responsible for birth is indicative of its association with the overall characteristics of fertility and …show more content…

In this myth, Gajendra, who is the proud king of a herd of elephants, is bathing one hot day in a nearby lake. Suddenly, a crocodile living in the lake attacks Gajendra and catches him by the leg. According to puranic literature, the crocodile simply won’t let go, and Gajendra’s struggle continues for thousands of years. Finally, when Gajendra could struggle no more, he prayed to Lord Vishnu who came and saved Gajendra. In this sense, Makara is depicted as animal who makes people pay for their sins, and as a punisher (Semeka-Pankratov 199). This is very much in juxtaposition to his role as the vahana of the goddess Ganga, who represents forgiveness and purity. Therefore, we can see how Makara is not only associated with fertility and life-giving characteristics, but also fear and life-taking

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