One Piece, written by Eichiro Oda is one of the most loved and highly watched Japanese Anime worldwide. The anime is appreciated far enough for its character writing, deeply connected to ancient mythology. Eichiro Oda had given a major reference to the Hindu Mythology at many places in One Piece. His writings in the upcoming Manga chapters too hint at the mythology resemblance in many ways.
When it comes to ancient mythology and superstition tales, Indian Hinduism Mythology stands tall. Hinduism talks about major tales like “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” that is something connected to the lives of Hindu religions even though it has happened several years ago. Similarly, One Piece is also a story that revolves around something that happened 800 years ago and is still connected to the present world leading to major incidents in the Anime.
The 100-year void, the ancient weapons they used, and the powerful ancient kingdom that was destroyed all these things do resemble a little from the ancient tales of Hinduism.
1. Kaido’s appearance resembles the Hindu God “Emadharma”
Kaido is shown as the strongest evil character in the Anime, who has no mercy in killing people to attain what he wants. The character picturisation of Kaido is no less than the Hindu God “Emadharma” who is known as the “God of Death.” In Hinduism mythology, it is said that he takes a person to hell by considering the sins committed during his lifetime to torment for the evil deeds.
Emadharma has always been feared in the Hindu Religion for his torture and it is also said that he would boil the people who don’t obey him in the hot oil. This is an exact resemblance to Kaido’s character as he tortured the people in the Land of Wano and hot-boiled Kozuki Oden, who rebelled against him.
Kaido’s appearance is as same as God Emadharama with a large body shape, and two horns, wielding a large strongest weapon known as “Hassaikai” in one piece, dressing style, and uses fire as his major power. His strongest technique “Kundali Dragon Swarm” is also a hint at Mythology as the term “Kundali” means the strongest defense in Tamil Mythology.
2. Luffy’s Bajrang Gun, a reference to God Hanuman
Luffy with his long endured battle against Kaido in Onigashima in the Wano Arc awakens his Gear 5 transformation and uses a nika-powered ability of advanced Gum-Gum punch “Bajrang Gun.” Bajrang refers to the Hindu God Humanum who is called “Bajrang Bali” which means the strongest one.
Luffy’s character writing quite matches with Lord Hanuman in many ways. Luffy has a Monkey in his name and Lord Hanuman is known as the Monkey God with his half-monkey appearance. Lord Hanuman eats a lot, can stretch his tails and body, and has no zero interest in women. These things greatly match Luffy’s personality.
And the most important thing that connects both is their connection with the Sun God, Luffy has the power of the Sun God through his devil fruit “Nika.” And Lord Hanuman is said to be the disciple of Sun Deity Surya in Hinduism. Oda may have brought the inspiration of Monkey.D.Luffy’s character from God Hanuman.
3. World to Sunk in One Piece - a hint at Kumarikandam
In the recent chapter of One Piece, Dr.Vegapunk said that the world in One Piece is going to sink into the ocean. This hints at the lost ancient kingdom, Kumari Kandam Lemuria in South India, that was sunken into the ocean through a natural disaster that was mentioned in the Ancient Tamil Literature. It was said that the scholars and poets were belonged to the country and equipped with modern history. It is said that the human civilization was born in this country.
This may also have a reference to the ancient kingdom in One Piece which was defeated by 20 countries and has no trace in the world map. In the same way, Kumari Kandam was also erased from the continental map. The upcoming revelations of the manga chapters may shed many hints on this as the anime is heading for its final saga.
4. Zoro’s Ashura sword technique
Zoro uses the Ashura sword technique in his combat where he creates an illusion with three heads and six arms. His Ashura form visualizes him with power and spirits with demonic abilities and it is the strongest technique of Zoro.
Ashura is referred to as the Demi-Gods in Indian Mythology possessing both good and bad qualities, having numerous hands and three heads to defeat his enemies. It is also said that Ashuras were anti-gods who didn’t follow God’s path, this is something similar to Zoro’s character who doesn’t believe in God.
5. Sengoku’s Golden Buddha form
The strongest ability of Sengoku’s Hito Hito No Mi Daibutsu model fruit is the Giant living Golden Buddha which gives him immense strength and durability that was shown first time in the Marineford Arc.
In Hinduism Mythology, the Golden Buddha is the significance of peace, wisdom, justice, and serenity which all come under the role of the Fleet Navy Admiral Sengoku. Sengoku’s character can be somewhat compared with God Buddha as both wanted peace, wisdom, and justice.
6. Zunesha - a reference to the Hindu deity
Zunesha, the elephant carrying an island on his back was shown in the Zou Arc of One Piece Episode 751. Zunesha was punished 800 years ago by the Kozuki Clan for a sin that wasn’t revealed by Oda yet. In Hindu Mythology it is said that the world is carried by four elephants standing on the back of a turtle that wanders in the sea, which was mentioned in Ramayana.
Even the name Zunesha resembles the Hindu God Ganesha, who has the face of the elephant.
Similarly, Zunesha carries the Zou island on his back protects the mink tribe, and is said to be a great companion of Joyboy during the 100 void century waiting for him for 800 years to return.
7. Dragon’s character - A major hint at Lord Vayu
A major reference to Lord Hanuman is seen in Luffy’s character, in the same way, Dragon also may have a reference to the Hindu deity Lord Vayu, father of Hanuman. Vayu was said to be the strongest who waits for the right time to implement to show his power, this is something maybe Oda is trying to do with Dragon.
No viewers saw the real power of Monkey. D. Dragon even though he was labeled as a notorious criminal it seems he has a devil fruit power that lets him control the weather and wind. On the other hand, Vayu is known as the God of Wind. There is a visible resemblance between Dragon’s writing and Vayu’s character.
8. Sun God - The most powerful deity in Hinduism
In One Piece, Sun God Nika is said to be the most powerful holder, in episode 1070 it was said by the five elders that the Gum-Gum fruit – Nika is the powerful devil fruit. In Hinduism Mythology, the Sun God Suryadeva is the strongest god worshipped as he is the one said to create the material world by eliminating the darkness and bringing happiness.
Vegapunk after watching Luffy’s Gear 5 form said that the Sun God is the one who makes the slaves smile in the Egghead Arc. However, more chapters needed to be released to get to know about Sun God Nika and his role in 100-void century.
