Between the Mahabharata and Gilgamesh: The Religious Dimensions in the Epics of Mesopotamian and Indian Civilizations 10.35781/1637-000-142-005

Abstract

Epics are an integral part of the creative heritage of nations, as they reflect human imagination—an essential element of human existence. For this reason, humanity turned to these epics to give free rein to its imagination in a vast space that allows for expression and self-discovery. Among the epics that played a pivotal role in shaping human cultural thought are the Assyrian Epic of Gilgamesh and the Indian Mahabharata, both of which represent a vivid embodiment of ancient human thought and mythology. The Epic of Gilgamesh portrays the journey of a hero seeking immortality, while the Mahabharata revolves around a struggle between good and evil, raising profound questions about duty, karma, and the human soul. In this way, these epics can be considered among the most significant milestones in the history of world literature, as they reflect human aspirations, desires, and ethics within a symbolic framework rich in lessons and insights. This study aims to explore the depths of these two epics, seeking to analyze their intellectual and philosophical dimensions, compare them, and uncover their shared religious, ethical, and philosophical elements. One of the most important findings of the research is that both epics contain narrative and philosophical richness that mirrors the depth of human experience, in addition to their depiction of human emotions and existential aspirations. Furthermore, the two epics stand out as literary and intellectual encyclopedias. The researchers adopted descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodologies. Keywords: Mahabharata – Gilgamesh – Epics – Eastern Religions – Mythology.