Analysis Brief #1: Magic and Religion in The Churning of the Ocean Comic E.B. Tylor and J.G. Frazer define religion as “belief in a spiritual being” (Pals, 26). This definition is broad in nature, thus leaving the identification of a ‘spiritual being’ open for interpretation. The comic The Churning of the Ocean: Vishnu Saves Creation follows Tylor and Frazer’s definition of religion by depicting Vishnu as a spiritual being. Throughout the story, other holy figures seek his guidance multiple times in their quest to churn the Ocean of milk. The first of these interactions takes place when the Devas speak to Brahma about their woes, who in return helps them ask for advice from Vishnu (Patel et al., 37). Unlike Tylor and Frazer’s vague definition
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They seek advice from Brahma, who then leads them to Vishnu (Patel et al., 37). By Tylor and Frazer’s definition of religion as the “belief in a spiritual being”, the act of the Devas asking help from Brahma shows that they look up to and trust him for spiritual guidance. Although the Devas are holy people in the Hindu religion, the hierarchical order of society is reinforced in that they still must consult Brahma because of his wisdom. He tells the Devas, “Let us seek the help of the one, to whom all the gods, the Asuras, the animals, the birds, the trees and even I myself…owe our existence” (Patel et al., 37). By saying this, Brahma is admitting that there Vishnu is some type of divine creator, or spiritual being, that in-turn must be listened to and …show more content…
Religion is portrayed when the Devas are shown seeking advice from the wise Brahma and then worshipping the spiritual, all-knowing being of Vishnu (Patel et al., 38). To see Vishnu and listen to him, they must first worship him as their creator. The example of the Devas and Asuras casting medicinal herbs into the Ocean of milk in the hopes of churning up the celestial nectar of immortality represents imitative magic according to Tylor and Frazer. The similarity of the healing powers of the medicinal herbs and the celestial nectar separates this type of magic, imitative, from contagious magic. Overall, both examples from the comic represent the mixture of religion and magic in
They seek advice from Brahma, who then leads them to Vishnu (Patel et al., 37). By Tylor and Frazer’s definition of religion as the “belief in a spiritual being”, the act of the Devas asking help from Brahma shows that they look up to and trust him for spiritual guidance. Although the Devas are holy people in the Hindu religion, the hierarchical order of society is reinforced in that they still must consult Brahma because of his wisdom. He tells the Devas, “Let us seek the help of the one, to whom all the gods, the Asuras, the animals, the birds, the trees and even I myself…owe our existence” (Patel et al., 37). By saying this, Brahma is admitting that there Vishnu is some type of divine creator, or spiritual being, that in-turn must be listened to and …show more content…
Religion is portrayed when the Devas are shown seeking advice from the wise Brahma and then worshipping the spiritual, all-knowing being of Vishnu (Patel et al., 38). To see Vishnu and listen to him, they must first worship him as their creator. The example of the Devas and Asuras casting medicinal herbs into the Ocean of milk in the hopes of churning up the celestial nectar of immortality represents imitative magic according to Tylor and Frazer. The similarity of the healing powers of the medicinal herbs and the celestial nectar separates this type of magic, imitative, from contagious magic. Overall, both examples from the comic represent the mixture of religion and magic in