Vedic influence in Greece

The main elements of Orphism match with the Vedic philosophy. Orpheus believed that human souls were immortal but that they were doomed to live in a mortal body. He recommended an ascetic way of life together with secret initiation rites to attain salvation. He warned his followers about the types of punishments one would have to endure in hell after death for misdeeds done while living. The theory of Orpheus matches well with the Vedic concepts. In the Vedic religion souls are considered to be immortal bound in a mortal body as well. The Sri Vaishnavas are initiated to learn the secret Vedic doctrines for attaining salvation after which they are advised to practice a way of life full of austerities to break the cycles of birth & death in order to obtain salvation.