Author: Dadan Upadhyay
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: December 31, 2000
A Russian scholar says red Russia's
fairy tale Grandfather Frost, or Ded Moroz, is none other than Varuna,
the god of seas in Hindu mythology.
Grandfather Frost, who is currently
taking rest at his Moscow residence,gives children presents just as Santa
Claus does but is associated with New Year's, the most universally observed
Russian holiday. He flew to the capital from the northern Vologda region
town of Veliky Ustyug, his official hometown, 800 kms east of Moscow, along
with his assistant Snegurochka, or the Snow Maiden, as the festivities
kicked off on the Christmas.
In the year 2003, which marks the
beginning of the astrological age ofAquarius, Grandfather Frost is expected
to shed his dear-old-man mask andallow the people of the world to see him
as he truly is Varuna, the supremeVedic god of water.
According to Vologda State University
ethnologist, Svetlana Zharnikova,the Frost legend originated in the Russian
north, the cradle ofIndo-European civilization.
''All the original paradigms of
Indo-European culture grew out of PolarEurope, and one of them is the image
of Grandfather Frost,'' claims Zharnikova. ''Because the Indo-European
peoples originated within the Arctic circle, which was 30 degrees further
south at the end of the Stone Age,'' she said. Characters related to cold
and winter became an integral part of Vedic mythologies.
Varuna was both the source of life
and death, and was described in Vedicwritings as holding the tree of life,
an image reminiscent of GrandfatherFrost standing next to a Christmas tree,
says the ethnologist.
The mythical hero of Russian children's
New Year celebrations is said to emerge from the forest, deliver presents,
then disappear to some uncertaindestination.
Grandfather Frost's two homes, built
last year in the traditional Russianstyle, were subsidized by the influential
Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov. Hisnew house at the Izmailovsky Park in Moscow,
is expected to serve a variety of purpose. According to the Moscow government
plans, it will be a venue of for children's parties, exhibitions, and contests.
Also, it will house a cafe, and
children's crafts shop and studio. Future plans include the opening of
a Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden Museumthat will display items highlighting
the history.
