Whenever i saw a black horse or a pomegranate the only comes to my mind is the god of underworld "Hades". This are the symbol of the god of underworld according to greek mythology.
As you have known that this blog is about the Hades who is the god of underworld in greek mythology.
In greek mythology there's god and goddess of every aspect of mother nature. Hades was the eldest son of cronus and Rhea. In greek mythology there's no appropriate marriage system. Like cronus and rhea both were siblings although they got married. for another cultures this is might be shocking that how can a brother and sister who both shares same parents, they married to eachother. But in greek mythology it was ok.
Cronus was greek titan god and rhea was godess of the earth. according to greek mythology there's a myth that cronus learned from his parents that he was destined for overcome by his own children.
Just like he had overthrown his father. As a result although he sired the gods demeter, Hestia, hera, hades and Poseidon by rhea, he devoured them as soon as they were born to prevent prophecy. This worked untill rhea, unhappy about the lost of her children, tricked cronus in to swallowing a rock instead of zeus. When he grow up he revolted against his father and throw him out of his thrown and free his siblings.
Hades:
Hades was the god of underworld and wealth and also known as god of death. After defeating his father with the help of his brother hades received the under world.
In artistic depictions, Hades is typically portrayed holding a bident and wearing his helm with Cerberus, the three-headed guard-dog of the underworld, standing at his side.
The realm ruled by Hades, also known as the House of Hades or simply Hades, was the final destination for the souls of the deceased in Greek mythology. Upon death, souls were believed to journey to the underworld, where they would face judgment and spend eternity in one of its various realms based on their deeds in life. Hades was responsible for overseeing this process and maintaining order in the realm of the dead.
Despite his ominous reputation, Hades was not typically depicted as an evil or malicious figure in Greek mythology. Instead, he was seen as a stern but fair ruler who enforced the natural order of life and death. While he was not as actively involved in the affairs of the mortal world as some of the other gods, Hades played a crucial role in various myths and legends.
One of the most famous stories involving Hades is the abduction of Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter. Hades fell in love with Persephone and, with the consent of Zeus, abducted her to be his wife and queen of the underworld. Demeter, grief-stricken by the loss of her daughter, caused a great famine on Earth until Zeus intervened and brokered a deal for Persephone's return. However, because Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds while in the underworld, she was required to spend a portion of each year there, resulting in the cycle of the seasons.
Hades was often depicted as a somber and solitary figure, his realm shrouded in darkness and inhabited by the shades of the dead. He was typically portrayed with a beard, holding a scepter or a key symbolizing his control over the underworld. Despite his fearsome appearance and domain, Hades played a vital role in the cosmology of ancient Greece, representing the inevitability of death and the mysteries of the afterlife.
Relevance to Hindu Mythology:
While Hades from Greek mythology and Kalabhairava from Hindu mythology are both significant figures associated with death and the underworld, there are several parallels and differences between them:
Hades is the ruler of the Greek underworld, known as the realm of the dead, where souls journey after death. Similarly, Kalabhairava is associated with the concept of death and is considered a fierce manifestation of Shiva, overseeing aspects of the afterlife in Hinduism.
Both Hades and Kalabhairava are depicted as fearsome deities. Hades is often portrayed as a stern and formidable figure, while Kalabhairava is depicted with a dark complexion, adorned with skulls and serpents, symbolizing his terrifying aspect.
Hades is responsible for maintaining order in the underworld and judging the souls of the deceased. Similarly, Kalabhairava is worshipped as a guardian deity who protects devotees from negative influences, obstacles, and untimely death.
4The name "Kalabhairava" in Hindu mythology translates to "the one who is the controller of time." This association with time parallels Hades' role as the ruler of the underworld, where time is perceived differently from the mortal realm.
Both Hades and Kalabhairava are worshipped by devotees seeking protection and blessings. Temples and shrines dedicated to Kalabhairava, such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, attract devotees who seek his blessings for various aspects of life. Similarly, in ancient Greece, rituals and offerings were made to honor Hades and ensure the well-being of departed souls.
While there are parallels between Hades and Kalabhairava in their roles as rulers of the underworld and guardians of the afterlife, it's important to note that they belong to different mythological traditions and cultural contexts. Hades is a central figure in Greek mythology, while Kalabhairava holds significance within Hindu mythology and Shaivism. Despite these differences, both figures embody aspects of death, time, and the mysteries of the afterlife in their respective traditions.