Vedic influence in Egypt

There are many similarities between ancient Egyptian religion and Vedic culture. The name “Egypt” is a modification of the word “Ajap”; which, in Sanskrit refers to the clan of king Aja. Rama’s grandfather was called Aja. Both the Vedic and the ancient Egyptian cultures believe that a king is an incarnation or descendent of God.  The Egyptian name for God is “Ra” which might have been “Ram” to begin with. All their pharaohs are called Ramesis.

One of the creation myths of Egyptian religion describes that there was nothing except the cosmic waters in the beginning. From the cosmic water a lotus grew on which was found the creator Thoth. This sounds very similar to the description of Brahma’s birth. Brahma appeared on a lotus which grew from Lord Vishnu’s navel. Vishnu himself was reclining on his snake bed in the middle of the cosmic waters.
Tat is also a name of Lord Vishnu in Sanskrit which means the multiplier because He multiples our good deeds in order to help us. The names "Tat" and "Thoth" sound very similar.  In the Vedic religion Vishnu has many names which also include the names Siva, Rudra, Hiranya Garbha etc. The other deities were named after Lord Vishnu. For example Lord Siva was named after Lord Vishnu's name "Siva", Lord Brahma is also known as "Hiranya Garbhan". This is similar to common people like ourselves having the names of deities. My brother is called as Ram this does not make him Lord Rama similarly Lord Siva & Brahma are named after Lord Vishnu; the name "Tat" or "Thoth" could also be a name assumed by Lord Brahma out of respect for Lord Vishnu.

The name Thoth is the Greek pronounciation; it is not very clear how the Egyptsian pronounced this name. Thoth is often written as Dhwty in the Egyptsian language and interpreted as Djehuti by archaeologists. We can only assume that the pronunciation of the Greeks is closer to the original pronunciation due to the interaction between the two cultures. Dhatru is a name of Lord Brahma in Sanskrit which means the sustainer. The name Dhwty and the Greek pronunciation Thoth could have originated from Dhatru.

Another Egyptian creation theory speaks about a cosmic egg which sounds more like “Hiranya Garbha” or the cosmic egg mentioned in the Vedas. The Egyptians trace the origin of all things to a first cause. They also see the presence of the first cause in all things which gave rise to the myriad of Gods in their Pantheon. They saw the same first cause in all of their Gods. The first cause of the Egyptians resembles the “Brahman” form of the Lord mentioned in the Vedas.  
The belief of the Egyptian in their Goddess Maat also known as Mayet is similar to the Vedic Goddess Maya. The role of Egyptian Mayet was to prevent the creation from continuously returning to chaos. The Vedic Maya is the feminine form of Lord Vishnu's energy which brings out the evolution of this Universe.

The Egyptians believed in rebirth. They believed that they would have to reap the rewards and penalties in the nether worlds for all actions they did while living. This concept is identical to the Vedic concept of “papas” and “punyas”.

They worship the Sun god and call him as “Ra”. Their pharaohs are said to have been descended from “Ra” or that they belong to the solar dynasty. Lord Rama belonged to the solar dynasty in India. They state that “Ra” can be identified with their first cause; Lord Rama is the supreme Brahman.

 Pharaoh Akhnaton started the worship of the sun’s disk. He called the sun’s disk the” Eye of Aton” i.e. eye of God. In the Vedic scriptures the Lord is said to have the Sun and the moon for his eyes. The ancient Egyptians themselves state that their civilizers came from the distant land of Punt. The description of the flora and fauna of Punt matches with the description of flora and fauna unique to India. Since the Egyptians state that they received their civilization from Punt it is clear that they were the off-shoot of the Vedic civilization. It cannot be the other way as the Vedic civilization does not mention any ancient home land.

Continued On: Sanathana Dharma: Vedic influence in Egypt (thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.com)