Homer's simile, Vyasa's story

Journal article

Odysseus in the Odyssey and Arjuna in the Sanskrit Mahabharata are comparable heroes, and their respective journeys to Scheria and Heaven both involve comparable ordeals, during which reference is made to joyous relief. The Greek reference comes in a simile, the Sanskrit one comes in the main story. It is argued that the original protonarrative resembled the Sanskrit: Homer's simile is an innovation.

Authors: Allen, N

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Mediterranean Institute, University of Malta
• Journal: Journal of Mediterranean Studies
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 206-218
• Publication date: 1996-01-01
• Edition: Author's Original
• ISSN: 1016-3476
• Language: English
• Keywords: Indo-European comparative epic; Mahabharata; Odyssey; Homeric simile
• Subjects: Hellenic (Classical Greek) literature; Religions of the Indian subcontinent.; Sanskrit