Skanda Mars

[Author's Note: As we had said - it'll be awhile before I'm fully operational again. So, in the mean-time, here's a half-completed draft looking at the prominent figure of Lord Skanda. We had sought to set out the various refractions as to the origin-mythology around this most eminent of 'Charger-Skewerer' figures of the Sky Father's … Continue reading Skanda Mars

Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions

[Author's Note: This piece was originally intended for India's 2022 Independence Day observances. However, ill-health and fatigue on my part meant that it could not be completed in time. I therefore present the finished half today - and shall follow up with the subsequent portion and conclusion as and when it is ready.] And so … Continue reading Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions

“Our Mother, Who Reigns Supreme – A Western Reflection of Indian Independence Observance

Where do you come from, Indo-European Man? The Steppe or the Indus Valley? This is a question that has some serious resonancy both in the West and in India, for reasons that are somewhat similar and somewhat different. The answers to that question also differ,  driven more or less by the similar reasons. Now, I … Continue reading “Our Mother, Who Reigns Supreme – A Western Reflection of Indian Independence Observance

On The True Meaning Of Kali Standing Above Shiva – The ‘Dark’ Devi Uber Alles

This style of Kali depiction is probably one of the most familiar forms of Hindu deific representation to many of us here in the West. It's remarkably prevalent - and along with it comes a curiously insistent similarly 'pop-culture' perspective as to what's represented there within. To paraphrase the sort of thing I'm referring to … Continue reading On The True Meaning Of Kali Standing Above Shiva – The ‘Dark’ Devi Uber Alles

On Strengthening The Gods Through Pious Action – The Indo-European View

We were asked to weigh in on this tweet by The_Hellenist … and the ensuing controversy it's kicked up on Twitter. So … here goes: Simple answer is: "Kinda"In relative terms to the Divine and the immanency / saliency of Cosmic Order (Rta, Orlog) , at any rate. You can see this in the Nordic … Continue reading On Strengthening The Gods Through Pious Action – The Indo-European View

On Hearing The Call And Becoming An Active Protagonist – A Conversational Excerpt

Recently, we had been talking with a new associate about, I suppose we may say, the 'journey of faith' - and this notion of 'hearing the call' to do as we are doing. We are Hindus - however, I think that it applies quite pervasively to adherents from all the various Indo-European spheres who have … Continue reading On Hearing The Call And Becoming An Active Protagonist – A Conversational Excerpt

Brief Points Viz. The Half-Humanization And Apotheosis Of The Striker/Thunderer Deific Amidst The Classical Sphere

Here's some very, very cool Herakles art we saw recently (artist is one Javier Charro ) … And, because we wouldn't feel right just posting some art - a slightly edited transcript of me ranting to a comrade [Y. Allen] about the curious situation of the Classical perception of the Indo-European Striker/Thunderer deific. Namely, the … Continue reading Brief Points Viz. The Half-Humanization And Apotheosis Of The Striker/Thunderer Deific Amidst The Classical Sphere

Kali is Hindu, and Glorious – Opposition To Her In Depiction And Practice, Not So Much

Earlier this week I was reading through some academic articles of a few decades ago speaking about particular forms of Devi - and Tantrik ritual elements. Now, here's the thing … these articles, one in particular, were rather … heavily negative. Saying the most choler-raising things about how these spheres were barbaric and savage, and … Continue reading Kali is Hindu, and Glorious – Opposition To Her In Depiction And Practice, Not So Much

The Divine Family Of Lord Shiva Sheltered In Demon-Hide – A Parable For Mahadev’s Miraculous Transmutation Of Difficulties To Boons

It's the last Monday night of the Shaivite Holy Month of Shravan Maas tonight, and I've had this image upon my mind. The sage Manasataramgini captioned it thusly: "Rudra's clan all huddled in an elephant hide for the cold Himalayan night". I think that's a pretty touching description. And most definitely apt. Yet in truth … Continue reading The Divine Family Of Lord Shiva Sheltered In Demon-Hide – A Parable For Mahadev’s Miraculous Transmutation Of Difficulties To Boons

The Wolf-Headed Aita / Hades and Serpent-Crowned Phersipnei / Persephone of the Tomb of Orcus ; The Wolf as Indo-European Regent of the Twilight Between Worlds

Detail from the incredible painting of a figure meeting with Aita and Phersipnei [Hades and Persephone] in the 'Tomb of Orcus'. Now 'Aita' or 'Eita' and 'Phersipnei' are, of course, Etruscan theonyms. Yet it would be entirely peculiar to look upon these names - and the Deifics attached to them - and not see our … Continue reading The Wolf-Headed Aita / Hades and Serpent-Crowned Phersipnei / Persephone of the Tomb of Orcus ; The Wolf as Indo-European Regent of the Twilight Between Worlds