The topic of discussing Hinduism and Hitler, one of the most evil men that ever lived, did he have any knowledge of Hinduism or the Hindu gods? This might appear to be a tall order at first sight. But such a narrative unfolded from specific symbols at particular times, ideologies at specific instances, and specific historical events and processes.

Now let’s look at the origin of this assertion and distinguish myth from reality.

The Swastika Symbol

The link people make between Hitler and Hinduism is most easily seen in the use of the swastika. The swastika symbol has been there in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions for many centuries. Symbolising wealth, fortune, and gods, the swastika has high religious significance in India and other places.

Thus, Hitler using the swastika on the Nazi Party symbol was not done out of their respected reactions. He christened it using its earlier meaning in the ancient Aryan cultures but perverted its meaning to signify what he called the ‘Aryan superiority.' He turned the traditional symbol around and then placed a red background behind the symbol, which removed the positive meaning from the symbol. It has created misconceptions about any absolute relation between Hitler and Hinduism at all.

The Misinterpretation of the Aryan Race

The show of the Zestating of Hitler was much based on this notion of the “Aryan race." Essentially, the term “Aryan” is used to refer to Andraeo Carmella's correct Indo-Iranian derivation and has links to Vedic Indians. The Old Indian books, Vedas, portray Aryans as superior and a lot more civilised beings, contrasting with the concept of Hitler’s Aryan.

Adolf Hitler’s portrayal of Aryans as a “master race” did not have much to do with Hindu religion and cultural practices. He selected specific notions originating from the European theories about Aryan migration and fit them into his racist plan. Often this selective approach is equated with actual representation of Hinduism.

Hindu Gods and Nazi Ideology

The story that Hitler was related to any Hindu god directly has no grounds in history. Hindu influences, nevertheless, were also present in Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century, although Hindu philosophies at that time were not people adopting Hinduism as a new religion. It was a mythology that enticed Hitler, but not Hindu mythology, as the Fuhrer admired Norse and Germanic culture.

He was a true racist; his thinking was influenced by racial prejudice, and he was not patriotically inclined to Hinduism. Nonetheless, his hatred of non-Europeans is the complete antithesis of the Hindu teachings of accepting all forms of people into society.

The Occult and Mysticism

There are even rumours that Hitler himself was linked with Hindu gods through mysticism. Many and various occult practices and symbols were studied and employed by the Nazi regime, among which were Oriental ones. For instance, the Nazi SS was said to have engaged in ritual practices, the occult.

However, this interest represented not the respect for Hindu traditions but, on the contrary, the opposite. Rather, it was a part of their larger pathology of elaborating a quasi-mystical edifice to underpin this ideology. Hinduism, as with everything else, is misrepresented as one of the oldest and most intricate religions that people follow.

Misconceptions

That Hitler was influenced in any way by Hinduism or its philosophy has been more of a conspiracy theory and myth about history. Most of the time, his misuse of certain symbols, such as the swastika, has brought negative attributes to it in the West, ignoring its positive attributes.

By telling this, Hitler’s inspiration and actions were in contrast to the Hindu principles, but one must acknowledge it. Similar to the evidence given in Hinduism, Hinduism emphasises non-violence (ahimsa), unity, and diversities, which are opposed to the policies of the Nazis, which were of division and destruction.

Why the Connection Still Circulates

People have continued to blame Hitler for plagiarism, to which Hinduism was an initial influence; therefore, the influence of Hinduism on Hitler’s beliefs and actions is a result of historical appropriation augmented by misinterpretation in current years. The fact that the swastika symbol is used in both contexts has led to creating some kind of shallow association that people find hard to decipher.

Hypnotism has been particularly portrayed in special interest and movies, as well as misconceptions on the internet fuelling these misconceptions. Some of these hullabaloos gather momentum because people do not take the trouble to engage with history critically.

Conclusion

Thus the question arises: Is Hitler truly associated with a Hindu god? The short answer is no. Although symbols and terms originated from Hindu culture and were abused by Hitler and the Nazi authority, there was no historical information that exposed that he studied or had any real-time affiliation with Hindu gods.