In various cultures, the term Mara refers to distinct mythological or supernatural beings, most notably in Buddhist and Norse mythology. Mara is often associated with negative forces such as destruction, death, temptation, or nightmares, symbolizing both physical and spiritual challenges. Below are the two most prominent interpretations of Mara:

Mara in Buddhist Mythology

In Buddhist tradition, Mara is considered a demonic deity representing temptation, desire, and death. He is often portrayed as the embodiment of samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and is seen as an obstacle to spiritual enlightenment.

Key Characteristics of Mara in Buddhism:

1. The Tempter and Obstructor of Enlightenment:
   • Mara’s primary role is to prevent individuals, particularly Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), from reaching enlightenment. Mara embodies all the distractions and illusions that can lead someone astray from the path of truth and inner peace.
   • The most famous story involving Mara is his attempt to derail Siddhartha’s spiritual journey as he meditated under the Bodhi tree. Mara sent his daughters to tempt Siddhartha and his armies to frighten him, but Siddhartha remained resolute, eventually achieving enlightenment and becoming the Buddha.
2. Symbol of Internal Struggles:
   • In Buddhist philosophy, Mara is less of an external being and more a symbol of inner obstacles, including greed, hatred, and delusion. Mara represents the mental states that block the path to awakening and inner peace. In this sense, Mara is viewed as a metaphor for the internal challenges that must be overcome on the spiritual journey.
3. Four Types of Mara:
   • Klesa Mara (defilements): Representing the mental states such as desire, anger, and ignorance that distract from spiritual practice.
   • Mrtyu Mara (death): Representing the fear of death or attachment to life, which can impede spiritual progress.
   • Skandha Mara (the aggregates): Representing the attachment to the body and material existence.
   • Devaputra Mara (the son of a god): Representing the celestial being who tempts or distracts those nearing enlightenment.
4. Mara’s Daughters:
   • In the story of Siddhartha’s enlightenment, Mara is said to have sent his three daughters—Tanha (craving), Raga (passion), and Arati (aversion)—to tempt the Buddha with desire. These daughters symbolize the temptations of pleasure and distraction.
5. Mara as a Cosmic Force:
   • Mara is also seen as a cosmic force that represents the binding forces of samsara. In this sense, Mara’s influence keeps individuals trapped in the cycle of reincarnation and suffering.

Mara in Norse Mythology

In Norse mythology, the term Mara refers to a spirit or entity associated with nightmares, sometimes equated with a nightmare demon. This being is closely linked to other European folk legends about supernatural creatures that sit on people’s chests during sleep, causing distress and bad dreams. The Old Norse term “Mara” evolved into the English word “nightmare.”

Key Characteristics of Mara in Norse Mythology:

1. The Nightmare Bringer:
   • The Norse Mara, or “mare,” is described as a supernatural being that sits on the chest of a sleeping person, causing suffocating nightmares. This belief ties into the idea that some night terrors are caused by malevolent spirits.
   • The Mara is often depicted as a female spirit or a hag-like figure that presses down on the sleeper’s chest, causing a feeling of suffocation and terror. This image has connections to modern ideas of sleep paralysis, where a person feels awake but unable to move, often accompanied by feelings of dread.
2. Connection to the Night:
   • The Mara is strongly associated with nighttime and darkness, visiting people in the dead of night. She was often thought to be the reason people woke up from sleep with a sense of fear, panic, or heaviness on their chest.
3. Shapeshifting Abilities:
   • In some versions of Norse folklore, the Mara is a shapeshifter, capable of turning into animals, such as a cat or bird, to sneak into people’s homes undetected. Her connection to sleep and dreams gives her a mysterious, elusive nature.
4. Cultural Legacy:
   • The concept of Mara is widespread across Northern Europe and has parallels in other cultures. In Swedish, Danish, and Germanic traditions, similar figures called “mare,” “mara,” or “alp” represent nightmare-inducing spirits.
   • Over time, the term “mare” merged with the word “night” to form the word nightmare, retaining its original association with bad dreams or terrifying sleep experiences.

Similar Figures Across Cultures

The idea of a supernatural entity causing nightmares or hindering spiritual progress is not limited to Buddhist or Norse traditions. Various cultures have similar beings or forces that serve as obstacles or bringers of bad dreams:

• In Slavic mythology, the Mora is a similar creature associated with nightmares.
• In Germanic folklore, the Alp is a being responsible for nightmares and sleep paralysis, closely related to the Norse Mara.
• Lilith from Jewish folklore is sometimes viewed as a demon-like figure associated with nightmares and infant death, sharing certain similarities with the concept of Mara in her dark and haunting nature.

Conclusion

The figure of Mara appears in both Buddhist and Norse mythology, though with distinct interpretations in each tradition. In Buddhism, Mara represents the temptations and obstacles that prevent spiritual enlightenment, while in Norse mythology, Mara is associated with nightmares and sleep-related terrors. Both versions of Mara, however, reflect humanity’s ancient fears of the unseen, whether they be internal struggles or supernatural forces in the dark of night.