ibenimages.com

Is it only me, or you also notify that there are striking ties in Mahabharata, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings (LOTR)? I noticed it ever since before, but last night’s re-run of “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in HBO made me more convinced that either Peter Jackson (Director of LOTR) was big fan of Star Wars, or both him and George Lucas were influenced by Mahabharata.

Well, probably the ties were only coincident, because it may only because I dig into those trilogies too much that make me have this line of thinking. I grew up reading R.A. Kosasih’s Mahabharata comics, and have been fan of Star Wars since 10 years old. I was late in adoring LOTR, but now always watch the three series every time HBO re-runs it without feeling bored.

Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. Some interesting ties between them:

1. All have similar big plot. It started with a group of “heroes” who was in control of a kingdom/country. These heroes then would be ousted by their “foes”, and at the end of trilogy, these heroes will then resume their position. In Mahabharata, it is Pandawa who finally defeated Kurawa to regain their supremacy in Astina. In Star Wars, it is the “Jedi” who were sidelined by “Imperial Forces”, but then finally took command of the “Republic”/ And finally, LOTR has “Aragorn”, the king of “Man”, who finally re-crowned as the “King” after defeated Sauron in the Battle of Middle Earth.
2. All have colossal “Big Wars” that involve clone-alike soldiers. Mahabharata and its Bharatayudha, with the clone-soldiers of “Kurawa”. Star Wars in “Clone Wars” with Storm Troopers, and LOTR with Saruman’s Orcs in “Battle of Middle Earth”
3. The “hero” has his “spiritual teacher” on his side. Remember Luke Skywalker scene of “Jedi Training” with Yoda in “Return of the Jedi”? Don’t you feel the similarities of that scene with “spiritual moment” Arjuna had with Kresna in “Bhagawadgita”? In a not-so-similar scene, Aragon and Frodo in LOTR also have Gandalf as their spiritual teacher.
4. It may not involve Mahabharata. But the actor who played as “Saruman” in LOTR, is actually who played as “Count Dukou” in Star Wars: Phantom Menace. More interestingly, both Saruman and Count Dukou initiated the make of clone soldiers!

There are some more, I reckon. Let me try to remember those first. Anyway, you are free to put your comments as well if you find any! May the force be with you!