DOES KOREAN DEITY SANSHIN REPRESENT SHIVA ?
You may find atheists, Buddhists, Christians, and believers in Shamanism and Confucianism , yet Koreans still very strongly maintain traditions as old as their culture itself .
Composing 70 percent of the Korean peninsula’s topography, mountains have been revered since the earliest times. They believe that mountains are holy places for the communication of energies between heaven and earth. That is why many Korean gods / deities are believed to be sitting atop these sacred mountains holding symbols of health, longevity, and harmony with nature. A tiger, a symbol of the powers of the wilderness, always accompanies them. SANSHIN , the mountain god is the prominent deity held in reverence across beliefs in Korea . He is believed to be sitting in high snow bound or Alpine mountains with a tiger.Rituals for the deity are often held at natural stone altars on mountainsides. Shiva , the prominent Hindu god shares almost all traits or roles with Korean Sanshin. Both happen to be protective-guardians . Both live amongst wild animals in high mountains as mountain dwelling ascetics. Both are protectors of nature and environment.Ancient Vedic deities, which predate the Trimurti, often represented natural forces. For example, Indra was the god of weather and rain. However, the later incorporation of indigenous beliefs into Hinduism also elevated the status of sacred natural sites.
To me , the Tiger appears to be a strong connect.
Lord Shiva is strongly associated with tigers, frequently depicted as wearing a tiger skin or sitting on one. The Tiger represents fierce power, and Shiva wearing its skin signifies that he is beyond and in control of all power.In a popular legend from the Shiva Purana, Shiva calmly defeats a tiger sent by proud sages.The tiger represents wild, primal instincts. And Shiva shows his command over these forces, symbolizing that spiritual enlightenment requires overcoming one's inner wild nature. Goddess Durga also rides a tiger as her mount, symbolising her power, ferocity, and ability to overcome evil.
I have seen many paintings where Shiva is shown riding. Tiger
Like sun God of Hindus, in Korean mythology, Haemosu is known as Sun God.The chariot of Haemosu is driven by huge dragons .Koreans became familiar with Vedic gods like Indra ,Varuna , Surya, Agni as also with Brahma ,Vishnu and Shiva after the arrival of Buddhist Savants from India more specifically Buddhists from Kashmir who worshipped Tathagata and Hindu gods. Yeomra the God of Death in Korean mythology is a clear equivalent of Yama, the Hindu God of Death . He is the supreme ruler of the underworld and is shown sitting on a high pedestal. His job is to judge the sins of the deceased persons and determine their fate in the afterlife or whether they deserve Sadgati or Durgati .Further, It has been established by many scholars from the West that Brahmins from Kashmir retained many of their Hindu practices while converting to Buddhism. And Brahma , Vishnu and Indra are seen in some Korean paintings held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art ,New York.
( Avtar Mota)
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