“The Matrix Trilogy” directly inspired by concepts in Hinduism?

  • Certain superhuman abilities can be gained when one develops concentration and a higher mind (siddhi powers)
  • Movie has instances for dancing form of Shiva and the One is in love with a lady name Trinity which has a great and vast meaning sometimes beyond reach of physicality
  • Revolves around illusion (maya) where mind is usually stuck. The entire concept of a false world (or a simulation) is a tenet of Hinduism
  • Shaivism : The divine in that era only, gave answers and helped us with various measures to rise above, for all such relations between mind and thoughts. There is a lot from a mind to be perceived, Matrix is one of the biggest trap one can be in and there are ways to come out of it.
  • Neo as Arjun is searching for answers and finds them from Oracle (Shri Krishna)
  • Matrix makers Andy and Larry Wachowski have been influenced by Hinduism

Morpheus Asks to Neo : The Matrix 1999
Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real?

What if you were unable to wake from that dream?

How would you know the difference between the dream world… and the real world?

Exact same question King Janaka asks the sage Ashtavakra and the answers form the “Ashtavakra Gita”

Some other concepts that can be seen in the movie

  • “As dreams, illusions and castles in the air are viewed, so is the tangible universe viewed by the wise, well versed in Vedanta. ” – Mandukya Upanishad, 2.31
  • “The living entity is in distress regarding his self-identity. He has no factual background, like a man who dreams that he sees his head cut off.” (Bhagavata Purana, 3.7.10)
  • “By direct perception, logical deduction, scriptural testimony and personal realization, one should know that this world has a beginning and an end and so it is not the ultimate reality. Thus one should live in this world without attachment.” (Bhagavata Purana 11.28.9)
  • The world we live in isn’t regarded as real but dream-like, temporary, transient

The above song contains an adaption of the Pavamana Mantra found in the Hindu sacred text the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, section I.iii.28, used in the soundtrack of the movie The Matrix Revolutions. The song was also a remix of an earlier track called Neodammerung (German for “the twilight of Neo”).

The name Navras might refer to the notion of nine rasas (nava rasa) in Sanskrit aesthetics.
asato mā sad gamaya
tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya

From ignorance lead me to truth
From darkness lead me to light
From death lead me to immortality—Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, I.iii.28

Further reading – https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-connection-beetween-Matrix-Movie-and-Bhagwat-Gita
https://www.thecinemaholic.com/matrix-hinduism-inspiration/

DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.